Tami Wagner Wildlife Area Visitors' Guide
This 141-acre property along both sides of the Yachats River was first purchased in the early 1980s to provide forage for elk and help alleviate elk damage to surrounding agricultural land. It also provides public access to the Siuslaw National Forest along the Yachats River Highway, where there are few public access points.
In 2011, it was renamed the Tami Wagner Wildlife Area to recognize a beloved ODFW employee who died in a vehicle accident in 2010 while on her way to work at the wildlife area. Wagner was the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist in ODFW’s Newport office.
The wildlife area was well-maintained in large part due to Tami’s personal devotion to maintaining it and her volunteer coordination efforts. Groups like the Siuslaw and Lincoln County Chapters of the Oregon Hunters Association, Willamette Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Longview Hills Fishing Club and Central Coast Fly Fishers have devoted hundreds of hours to improving fish and wildlife habitat on the property.
Best time to visit: Open all-year round. Prime elk viewing season is spring and winter.
Visiting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. No camping or overnight parking allowed.
What to see and do: Hunting is allowed on the wildlife area during authorized seasons, see current Oregon Bird or Oregon Big Game Regulations.
The area is popular with fall Chinook and winter steelhead anglers. Open for fishing during authorized seasons, see the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
Wildlife viewing for elk, waterfowl and a variety of non-game species including songbirds and bats is available.
Directions: Turn east from highway 101 in Yachats onto Yachats River Road. Proceed 5 miles east on Yachats River Road; the main access points to the wildlife are between mile 5 and 6. The majority of the wildlife area is located on the south side of the road. The first access point is across from Carson Creek Road, watch for the white triangular “Wildlife Area Boundary signs”.
For a more detailed aerial view, see OregonHuntingMap.com
The Tami Wagner Wildlife Area is managed by staff at ODFW’s Newport office.
Address and Phone
ODFW Newport Field Office
2040 SE Marine Science Drive
Newport, OR 97365
Tel: 541-867-4741
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