Recreation Report

Southwest Area

Recreation Report

Mule deer hunt — "Interstate Unit Mule Deer" -Photo by David DeFillipo-

Dec. 18, 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)

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), bear (closes Dec. 31), coyote

Announcements, resources

Recreation Report holiday break

Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.

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 are just starting to get cooler and wetter in Coos county. Fire season restrictions ended on Oct. 21, which should open up more industrial timberlands to public access. Be sure to check with landowners for access restrictions or permission prior to entry.

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 10/23/24.

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 continues through Dec. 31. The weather conditions through most of the spring and summer were 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 continues through Dec. 31. 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.

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)

Attention: Hunters in Jackson County should be aware of additions to our Jackson County Travel Management Area (JACTMA). Beginning Oct. 15, 2024, there is an additional portion of land included in JACTMA north of Butte Falls in the Fredenburg Butte Area. For more information see both of the linked maps:

Also: General west Cascade elk hunters, be advised many signs and map boxes around the Upper Rogue TMA were stolen. ODFW hopes to have replacements by Nov. 8. Please see links to Pages 1 and 2 of the Upper Rogue TMA if you are hunting in the Rogue and portions of the Dixon units.

Habitat conditions: Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties have started to receive their annual fall precipitation; lowering the fire danger levels to "Low." As the rain continues to accumulate and temperatures drop, be prepared for muddy, snowy, or icy roads. Carry proper cold weather gear (chains, traction devices, warm clothes, water, and emergency supplies). It is advised to stay off of undeveloped roads to prevent getting stuck and to prevent habitat degradation. Find current fire danger levels here.

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 10/9/24.

Deer: Second season archery deer opens Nov. 16 and continues through Dec. 8 in the Rogue, Evans Creek, Sixes, and Powers units, with the Powers unit being a traditional archery equipment only unit. By this time of the year, deer should be in their winter range habitats. Look for south facing slopes with oaks and buckbrush at lower elevations to have your best chance at finding deer. With recent weather changes and cooling temperatures, bucks have started showing signs of the rut.

With the rut beginning, it may be beneficial to use antlers (a technique called "rattling") to call in bucks. Clacking and twisting two antlers together mimics the sound of bucks sparring for females, which can draw a curious buck in. Rattling during the mornings or on cold, cloudy days can be the most beneficial.

Elk: General Cascade elk season ended Nov. 15 and coast elk 1^st season ended on Nov 19.

Black bear: Fall bear season continues through Dec. 31. 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. 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 bear or 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.