Southwest Area

Oct. 2, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your hunting photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

Currently open (general seasons)

General ALW deer (Oct. 5), cougar (check current harvest numbers), bear, coyote

Announcements, resources

E-taggers: Update your app

ODFW's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and the MyODFW companion app got a major update on Monday, Sept. 30. Be sure to visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and update your MyODFW app to version 4.0.

2024 big game hunting forecast

Our local wildlife biologists describe winter survival, population trends and current conditions in this sneak peek at the 2024 hunting season.

CWD – what you can do

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease infecting deer and elk across North America. It has now been found in three bordering states – Idaho, Washington, and California, but has not yet been detected in Oregon. Hunters can do their part to protect local herds by getting their deer or elk harvest tested.

Check stations for 2024 opening weekend deer rifle season:

• Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction), Oct. 6-8, 2024, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates )
• Elgin Rodeo Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave, Oct. 5-7, 2024, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Google map coordinates )
• Baker City, ODOT parking lot off Hwy 86, Oct. 5-7, 2024, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Google map coordinates )
• Prineville, Crook County Fairgrounds, 590 SE Lynn Blvd, Oct. 5, noon to dusk; Oct. 6-8, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates)

Check stations for 2024 opening weekend rifle Rocky Mtn elk season:

• Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction), Nov. 2-4, 2024, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates)
• Elgin Stampede Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave, Nov. 2-4, 2024, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Google map coordinates)
• Baker City, ODOT parking lot off Hwy 86, Nov. 2-4, 2024, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Google map coordinates)
• Prineville, Crook County Fairgrounds, 590 SE Lynn Blvd, Nov. 2-4, 9 a.m. to dusk. (Google map coordinates)

Smaller check stations will also be open in some districts throughout the state, and hunters should contact their district directly for more information on potential locations.‌ Learn more about CWD and the threat to Oregon wildlife.

If you encounter a CWD check station while transporting an animal carcass you are legally required to stop.

Tagging: One reminder, one tip

• You must purchase your tag BEFORE the hunt begins, not necessarily before the day you plan to hunt.
• ODFW's electronic licensing system makes it easy to tag your harvest on your phone. Here are some tips for making it go smoothly.

Hunting during fire season

Archery deer and elk opened Sept. 1, in the midst of the wildfire season. Hunters should be prepared for hot, dry condition and should check for access before they go. Learn more about hunting and fire danger.

About black-tailed deer hunting

If you've got black-tails in your sights this season, here are a couple of helpful resources.

• Identifying Columbia white-tailed and black-tailed deer. A quick video and related graphic to help you identify your target.
• Hunting black-tailed deer in Oregon. This podcast features ODFW biologists Tod Lum and Stuart Love talking about habitat, biology and hunting.

Hunting tips for Roosevelt elk, both kinds

Learn more about the two kinds of Roosevelt elk in western Oregon – their biology, life history and hunting strategies – in these ODFW podcasts.

• Cascade elk tend to act more like Rocky Mountain elk due to their preferred habitat.
• Coastal elk live in rugged, wet terrain and offer a very different hunting experience.

Please report elk with hoof disease

If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves, please report it using this online form.

Coyote and wolf ID

Coyote hunters need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall. Test your ID skills.

Please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to ODFW using the online reporting system.

District updates

COOS COUNTY (west Tioga, west Powers, north Sixes, southwest Siuslaw)

Habitat conditions: Conditions in Coos County are quite dry due to the El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific Northwest this year. Hunters with early season tags such as general bow elk or deer tags will find that many private forestland managers are not allowing public access to their lands until the fire season is over. The end of fire season will depend on precipitation.

That said, the relatively warm, wet spring on the Oregon Coast has resulted in good vegetative growth and production of wild fruits. These fruits are very important to the survival of many species. For example, in years where fruit production is low, winter survival of yearling black bears can be impacted, which can impact the overall abundance of black bears especially if poor fruit production occurs during multiple years in succession. Last updated 9/11/24.

General ALW deer: Black-tailed deer numbers on the coast appear to be continuing to rise slowly. Feed for them, however, is often limited by the drying effects of sun exposure in the early parts of the hunting season.

El Niño conditions this past spring and summer resulted in dry conditions on the Oregon Coast, as well as other places in Oregon. As a result, deer will be searching for green feed closer to water sources. Look for evidence of deer on north or east exposures where the feed is likely to be the best. Research conducted by ODFW has determined that clearcuts with a strong grass component tend to be the most attractive places for black-tailed deer on the Oregon coast. Look to the colder weather ahead in the fall for good opportunities to hunt as this cooler weather tend to make deer more active.

Black bear:Fall bear opened Aug. 1. The weather conditions through most of the spring and summer was mild on the Oregon coast. This resulted is good growth on the part of fruit producing plants. Blackberries, Cascara, elderberries and huckleberries all produced large amounts of fruit. As a result, bears will be depending heavily on these fruits for food this fall.

Hunters should find good opportunities to harvest a bear near isolated blackberry patches, stands of Cascara and huckleberries, depending on their stage of ripeness. Look for berry patches that are at the end of dilapidated forest roads or around meadows with little human activity. Still or stand hunting in the vicinity of these places have the potential to be productive until those fruits are gone. When the berries start to dissolve into fall look to other varieties of wild fruit like crab-apple trees and wild pear for other food resources bears use.

Cougar: Cougars are difficult to locate in Coos County. Most cougars are taken incidentally during deer and elk seasons by hunters who have also purchased a cougar tag.

The most productive way specifically to hunt cougar may be to use a predator call.

Coyote: Numbers are strong throughout Coos County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

Western gray squirrel (aka silver gray squirrel): Western gray squirrels are found in Coos County but they tend to be most abundant in elevations above 1,500 ft. Their primary food in the fall is myrtle nuts, seeds or nuts found in fir and pine cones, and tan oak acorns.

Most successful hunters find success by slowly still hunting stands of these trees where they exist in higher elevations. Western gray squirrels tend to be very noisy as they go through their daily routine, so a hunter can use that to their advantage.

DOUGLAS COUNTY (Dixon, S. Indigo, NW Evans Creek, Melrose, SW Siuslaw, E. Tioga and NE Powers Units)

Habitat conditions: Things remain hot and dry in Douglas County. We continue to get new fires starting and are still in extreme fire danger. Hunters need to be checking ODF, BLM and USFS websites for up-to-date information on access. Last updated 9/18/24.

Black bear:Fall bear opened Aug. 1. Success seems to be limited because of restricted access due to fire season. There are still good Blackberry and Elderberry crops that hunters should be targeting where access is open.

ALW deer: Seasons opened Oct. 5.

Cougar: Look in areas adjacent to agriculture and within areas of higher concentrations of deer. The hot dry weather will further concentrate deer so pay extra attention to water sources at lower elevations. When fresh tracks are found, set up and call with either mouth or electronic predator calls.

Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call.

Coyote: There are plenty of coyotes throughout Douglas County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES (Applegate, Chetco, Evans Creek, Rogue, portions of Dixon, and Sixes)

Habitat conditions: Josephine and Curry counties remain dry with fire danger levels still high while Curry County fire danger levels are considered moderate. With fire danger levels being elevated as well as end of summer temperatures, it would be a great idea to carry a fire extinguisher and/or container of water in your vehicle. Some of the roads will have tall brush down the center of the road and hot vehicles parking over them can cause a fire to ignite. Find current fire danger levels here.

During the month of September big game and birds can be more easily located in the early morning hours or into the early evening hours near water sources, as the temperatures are considerably cooler. Finding a great water source with habitat that is conducive to the specie's eating habits would be the most advantageous way to harvest successfully.

Always watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt. Always pack a warmer set of clothing for the temperature changes in the mornings and evenings and an extra pair of socks for your tired feet. Last updated 9/18/25.

Black Bear: Fall bear season opened Aug. 1. Berries have been plentiful this summer and fall creating large sources of food for our bears. Locating a cool area near water surrounded by blackberries, chokecherries, acorns, and grasses would be a great strategy for bumping into a bear. This is the time of year that black bears enter what is known as hyperphagia, which generates an intense drive for food to begin storing fat reserves for the winter months.

As we continue deeper into fall the acorns in our area will become even more plentiful. Areas with large stands of oak trees can be good places to target bears feeding in preparation for the long winter, as well as higher elevation areas where it tends to be cooler. Be aware of wind direction as you approach potential sites as bears have a very keen sense of smell.

Cougar: Season is open statewide year-round or until zone quotas are met (see zone quota page). Cougar hunting is more of an opportunistic hunt as cougars are primarily nocturnal. If a person is willing to spend the time, a successful harvest during daylight hours can be accomplished.

Place game cameras in locations that are easy for you to access, but away from the busy roads or trails. Game cameras give the hunter an idea of the best time of day to sit, in a safe spot, as cougars are very quiet and stealthy, and use predator calls. Be prepared to sit for an extensive amount of time, as still as possible, to keep movements to a minimum.

If you are successful in harvesting a cougar, call the Central Point office at 541-826-8774 to schedule an appointment to check in your harvest.

Western gray squirrel: Western gray squirrel hunting opened Sept. 1, statewide and in that portion of the Rogue unit south of the Rogue River and South Fork Rogue River and North of Hwy 140. See page 68 of the 2024 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations for more information.

Coyotes: Coyotes are opportunistic predators who are always on the hunt for food. Scout areas with decent populations of rabbits, ground squirrels, and other small game animals.

Coyotes are found in nearly all habitat ranges, including rural areas and farmed fields. Areas around meadows, brush piles, and ditch banks can be a great place to search as these types of habitats are home to a multitude of prey species. Remember to ask for permission to hunt on all private lands.

Predator calls are very useful when used in conjunction to a known prey base. Set up in a high vantage point, upwind of your target, when calling as coyotes have sharp eyesight and a keen sense of smell. Being above them will make it more difficult for them to detect you. Remember to identify your target.