Southwest Area

April 10, 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

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled spring bear

Announcements, resources

Big game harvest statistics‌

You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for.‌

Shed hunt responsibly‌

Deer and elk shed their antlers at a time when they're not finding a lot of nutritious food and need to be conserving energy so they can migrate to summer ranges a bit later in the year. Follow these tips to help protect vulnerable animals.‌

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)‌

Black bear: The SW Oregon Spring bear hunt (722A) opened April 1 and will run through May 31. Black bear populations are relatively high is SW Oregon with densities generally increasing as you move toward the coast. That said most places within the hunt area with proper habitat will have bears using it. ‌

In the spring bears tend to start the spring concentrating their feeding activities on grass and tips of vigorously growing shrubs. So, they are drawn to forest openings on south slopes where grass and shrubs can be found growing most vigorously in the early season. ‌

Usually, boars and sows without cubs are the first to move out of the dens and begin actively feeding in the spring. Later sows with cubs will become much more active and visible. Hunters need to take the time to observe any bear they are considering harvesting long enough to verify that they are without cubs before taking a shot. In the spring cubs are very small. Many are smaller that a house cat. While cubs rarely go far from their mothers they can be difficult to see because of their small size. ‌

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. ‌

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

Black bear: Black bear season continues through May 31. In general, lower elevations tend to green up first so hunters should focus their efforts there during the early part of the season, and then move up in elevation as the snow melts. Early in the season, focus on bear foraging evidence and tracks. After a couple weeks, bear digestive tracts will become more active and scat will serve as another indicator of bear activity.‌

Cougar: Look in areas adjacent to agriculture and within areas of higher concentrations of deer. 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: Numbers are strong 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)‌

Spring Bear: Spring bear season continues through May 31.‌

Spring bear controlled hunts began April 1 and now is a great time to get outdoors to set up game cameras in hopes of observing emerging boars and recording their daily habits/routines. The cooler weather in the past couple months have kept the bear activity in the area low. As the temperatures begin to rise, bear activity will increase.‌

The southwest Coast Range had extensive snow events this winter but most of it should be melted off (except higher elevations in Siskiyou mountains) by the April 1 opening date. Due to heavy snow and ice, a lot of roads will be blocked by trees and branches. Be prepared to traverse alternate routes due to road blockages. Green-up is starting in the creek bottoms now and will progress to higher elevations and clear cuts as the season warms up and goes into May. ‌

Cougar: Season is open statewide year-round or until zone quotas are met (see zone quota page). Hunting cougars can be a great way to extend your season now that other seasons have come to an end. 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.‌

Tracking in the early spring months, when the ground is muddy, can be a great strategy for locating cougars. Following up with game cameras in areas where tracks have been observed can provide information on what time of day/night cougars use the area. 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 is open 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.‌