Oregon has some of the best hunting in the western states. Luckily, the word isn't out! Outstanding big game hunting for three types of deer, two types of elk, two types of bighorn sheep, and antelope make Oregon prime real estate for the big game hunter. Pheasant, chukar, quail, and grouse thrive in Oregon for the upland bird hunter. Lots of ducks and geese offer the waterfowl hunter lots of opportunity. The varmint population in Oregon makes for some fast shooting for coyotes and sage rats. This site is not going to tell you the regulations for hunting in Oregon, it is only a guide to some places to look for your hunting trips. Consult the Oregon Big Game Regulations and the Oregon Bird Regulations for updated rules and regs. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife page offers some information on hunting in Oregon as does Fishing and Hunting News . You can also begin your exploration of Oregon hunting by clicking on the areas below that you wish to look at.
| Hunting Areas | The Coast | The Cascades |
| Willamette Valley | Central Oregon | |
| South West Oregon | North East Oregon | |
| South East Oregon |
| Pick your Game | Blacktail Deer | Mule Deer |
| Whitetail Deer | Roosevelt Elk | |
| Rocky Mountain Elk | Antelope | |
| Bighorn Sheep | Varmints | |
| Upland Birds | Waterfowl | |
| Black Bear |
Hunting in Oregon InformationOregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife weekly hunting reportOregon Master Hunter programWallowa County Chieftain newspaper outdoors sectionGood information on the new spike only regulation changes in Eastern OregonMore Oregon Hunting Information
The Oregon coastal areas have some of the best blacktail deer and Roosevelt elk hunting in the world. Also, the coastal bays and rivers offer some great duck hunting. The thick brush offers the animals lots of cover and feed, and the rainy weather makes it tough on the hunter. For a challenge, give the coastal units a try for deer and elk. Much of the coastal hunting units are owned by private timber companies and it is a good idea to call if you are unsure of access rights:
For roosevelt elk, try the Saddle Mountain unit, Wilson unit, Trask unit, Stott Mt. unit, Alsea unit, and Tioga unit. The Saddle Mountain unit is a three point or better area as is the Tioga unit and these units have some of the state's best roosevelt bulls. The coastal hunting for elk can be tough. During the archery season, the cover can be very thick and noisy. With the leaves still on the brush, visibility can be non-existent. During the fall seasons, heavy rains and fog can present the hunter with big problems. Glassing old clearcuts and hunting the benches in the timber are popular methods.
Blacktail deer and the coast go hand in hand. The thick overgrown clearcuts provide ideal habitat for blacktails and the numbers of deer prove it. Just about any of the units will produce nice bucks, but the middle coast units seem to be the best. The Alsea unit, Siuslaw unit and Stott Mt. lead the way, followed by the Trask and Wilson units. Glass for the bucks in old clearcuts during early morning and dusk. Stands overlooking trails are a very good method during the rut when bucks are moving. Brushy draws and creek bottoms are hard to hunt, but hold those big bucks. Don't be afraid to hunt in a drizzle as the deer seem to move more during a light rain.
The duck hunting on the coastal bays can on some days be phenomenal. Storms bring the ducks into the bays to find shelter and food and the hunting on these days is hot. Tillamook, Alsea, Siletz and Nehalem bays offer some great shooting, but be sure to check ahead to be sure where you are going to set up. Some of the bays have areas with no shooting, so be sure you are in the correct area. Siltcoos Lake also offers some great duck hunting.
Bear hunting can be good on the coast also. Because we can no longer use baits or hounds to hunt black bear, the hunting on the coast will be tough. Spotting bear in clearcuts and predator calling are both effective ways to harvest a coastal black bear. The numbers are there, they are just hard to find.
Mountain quail and ruffled grouse can also be found in the coastal mountains. Look for them along old clearcut roads and creek bottoms.
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The Oregon cascade mountains offer many oppertunities for the hunter. Elk, deer, bear, cougar, grouse and quail can be pursued in the cascades. The high peaks and wilderness areas will allow you to get away from the crowd and pack in if you desire. The remoteness of some of this area makes it possible for the animals to grow to true trophy size. The mixture of clearcuts, mature forest, and high alpine country make hunting the cascades well worth the effort.
Elk hunting in the high cascades is classic backcountry hunting. The Santiam and Mckenzie units both have high populations of good bulls. The Mt. Jefferson, Mt Washington, Three Sisters, and Waldo Lake Wilderness Areas allow the elk to grow some impressive racks. These wilderness areas would be the place to start your search for a bull in these units. Further south the Rogue, Indigo, Dixon and Evans Creek units offer the best chances for a nice bull. The Sky Lakes, Rogue-Umpqua Divide, and Diamond Peak wilderness areas would be the place to start.
For some nice blacktail deer or blacktail/mule deer cross, the cascades offer you a chance for both. The top of the cascades will hold a few "bench-legs" or blacktail/mule deer crosses. These bucks can be huge. Hunt high along the divide to catch a glimpse of these monsters. The lower elevations offer classic blacktail hunting. Overgrown clearcuts should be glassed and glassed again. The brushy creek bottoms and timbered ridges should be hunted slowly, glassing any patch that catches your eye. The Santiam and McKenzie units offer some great black tail hunting about anywhere you go. Further south in the Indigo, Dixon and Rogue units, deer hunting can be fantastic with mule deer showing up in the high divide country. The Mt Thielsen, Sky Lakes, and Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness area all offer good deer hunting for the high country enthusiast.
Lots of bear also make the cascades home. Try glassing the alpine meadows, clearcuts, and berry patches at first light and near dusk. The Mt Jefferson Wilderness area holds some nice bear. Cougar also call the cascades home. The southern cascades around Roseburg and south have lots of the big cats. Try predator calling for both cougar and bear.
Lots of blue grouse can be found in the high cascades and quail can be found in the lower elevations around clear cuts. The big blues like to hang around meadows or berry patches along ridge tops.
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Although the Willamette Valley is Oregon's population center, the hunting can be fantastic for big blacktail bucks, waterfowl, and quail. With a little scouting, you will be able to find a place to hunt and the results will surprise you. Some of the States biggest bucks have come from the Willamette Valley.
Hunt the river bottoms and farmland for big blacktail bucks. The agricultural land along the Willamette, Luckiamute, Mollala, Yamhill, and Santiam rivers offer some of the states best blacktail hunting, if you can get permission. Along stretches of the Willamette you will find Greenways. These areas are for shotgun and archery hunting only, but most are open to public hunting, be sure to check though. The late season usually is best when the leaves have fallen from the brush and the rains have quieted the woods down. Look also to the foothills of the coast range and cascades for some large bucks.
Duck and goose hunting in the valley can be fantastic. Lots of local ducks and tons of migrants later in the season produce some good shooting. Either floating or setting up in one of the backwater sloughs, the Willamette river has ducks galore. The Santiam and Luckiamute rivers also attract many ducks. Later in the year, look for flooded fields or timber for great shooting.
Look in the foothills of the cascades or coast range to find Valley and Mountain quail. Old logging roads and clearcuts hold large coveys of these little birds. Using a dog will help run them out of the blackberry thickets. Also look to the private land in the valley for turkeys. ODFW has been doing a great job of transplanting gobblers around here and they are starting to take off. Be sure to ask for permission as most of the turkeys are on private ground.
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Hunting the juniper and sage country of Central Oregon can be great. Mule deer, elk, antelope, coyotes, sage rats, and bird hunting is fantastic. From the foothills of the cascades to the foothills of the eastern Oregon mountains, and from the mighty Columbia River to the California border, Central Oregon offers a wide range of hunting opportunities.
For Rocky Mountain Elk, try the Grizzly or Ochoco Units. They seem to have the highest population of elk in the area, although the Metolius, Upper Deschutes, and Paulina units have fair numbers also. This is slightly open country made for still hunting and glassing.
The mule deer hunting in Central Oregon can be outstanding. The White River, Biggs and Fossil Units in the north. All units, especially the Ochoco unit in the central area offer a great chance at a nice buck. Also try the Grizzly, Paulina and Upper Deschutes Units in this area. Further south, try the Fort Rock or Silver Lake units to tag your buck. These units offer a wide range of habitat types, from sage and juniper flat land, to rugged canyon country, to high country pine forests. Mule deer hunting in Central Oregon can be a great experience.
For antelope, try the Ochoco unit first, then the Paulina, Maury, Grizzly, Maupin, and Columbia Basin units. The actual hunting units for antelope change boundaries, so be sure to check the regulations. These units all have fair numbers of antelope with some nice bucks. Look for them in the sage and juniper flat lands and rolling foothills.
For varmint hunting, the central part of the state offers some of the best coyote and sage rat hunting around. Coyotes can be found just about anywhere here, and most ranchers are more than willing to let you shoot a few coyotes off their land. South of The Dalles along highway 97 and the White River Wildlife Area are excellent areas to begin your search. Further south, the Crooked River Grasslands and any of the area from Madras to Bend, east of 97 will hold lots of song dogs. Still further south, try the areas around Silver Lake and Summer Lake. Both of these spots should produce a coyote or two. The farm land around Redmond and Prineville offer some great sage rat hunting. These small ground squirrels offer great shooting sport for those who want some off season actions. It is best to find them in the spring when the grass is still low. Ask a rancher or two and you should be able to shoot all day.
The bird hunting is also great in Central Oregon. Try chukar in the Deschutes and John Day river canyons. Look for pheasant along the agricultural areas in the north. And don't forget the geese landing in the grain fields along the Columbia river. Lots of waterfowl hunting in the Klamath Lake area also.
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Hunt for Roosevelt Elk and blacktail deer and bear down in south west Oregon. From the coastal rainforest to the scrub oak foothills, south west Oregon hold some great big game hunting.
Try the Powers, Melrose, and Evans Creek units for roosevelt elk. Look for them in clearcuts and meadows in the morning and dusk and still hunt the dark timber during the day.
Blacktail deer are very numerous here. All units have high numbers and big bucks, although some of the better hunting is on the east side of Interstate 5. Try the Kalmiopsis Wilderness area south west of Grants Pass for a little hunted area with nice bucks.
For bear, try the Powers Unit first, then the Melrose, and Evans Creek units. These areas contain some nice bear for the person who puts in the time. Glassing and predator calling should work to fill your tag.
South West Oregon is also famous for its turkey hunting. The areas around the towns of Tiller, Riddle, Glide, and Canyonville hold lots of turkeys. Most of Jackson, Josephine, and Douglas counties have turkeys if you can find them. Be sure to ask for land owner permission to hunt on private land. You should also be able to find lots of quail here in this part of Oregon.
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North east Oregon is a hunters dream. Big bull elk, Big mule deer bucks, big bighorn sheep and lots of bear and other critters to make any hunter get excited. All types of habitat will be found here with high alpine country and big canyon country, timbered foothills and sage brush flats. The bird hunting is good here also with turkey, chukar, grouse, and pheasant to be found. Throw in some coyotes and sage rats and you have yourself a pretty good place to be during hunting season.
With so many good places to hunt elk, where do you start? How about the Snake River unit. Lots of elk and rugged country make for a memorable trip. Trophy bull? How about the Walla Walla and Wenaha units. They have been spike only for quite awhile and recently opened up limited hunts for branch bulls, they are taking some dandies. For some good ol' elk hunting, try Chesnimnus, Ukiah, Heppner, Starkey, Murders Creek,Minam, North Side and Mt. Emily units. All have great elk hunting.
North East Oregon also is home to some of Oregon's best mule deer hunting. The Heppner unit seems to lead the way here, followed by Sled Springs, Murders Creek, Sumpter, and Chesnimnus units. For some high country mule deer hunting, how about the Minam and Imnaha units. Pack into these two to find your buck. Also the Lookout Mountain Unit and Southeast Beulah units offer big bucks and lots of them, but also lots of private land. All the units here have mule deer and drawing the tag you want may be the hard part.
For some BIG Bighorn sheep action, north east Oregon has it. The Snake River Unit probably has the most sheep so I'll give it the nod for first choice. The Wenaha, Sled Springs/Chesnimnus, Hurricane Divide and Bear Creek will round out your selections. These hunts are in some steep, remote country that is not easy to get into or hunt. Be sure you are up to the challenge before you apply for one of these coveted tags.
The bear hunting in north east can be excellent. The Snake River, Pine Creek, Wenaha, Sled Springs, Chesnimnus, Minam, and Imnaha units all have high numbers of bears. Spot and stalk by glassing canyon walls and open hillsides is the most common hunting method. Just about all the other units have huntable populations of bear also, so look around for sign.
There are also some antelope tags for this area of Oregon. The Beulah unit leads the way in numbers followed by Murders Creek, Sumpter, Keating, and Lookout Mt. Look in sage flats and foothills to find these speedsters.
Look for chukar in the snake river canyons around Brownlee Reservoir and in the hills around Baker. Pheasant hunting in the Pendleton area is great and grouse can be found in most of the mountain country. The Ladd Marsh area south of La Grande is great for ducks and pheasant.
Coyotes, sage rats, and rock chucks can be found in most of the agricultural areas around Pendleton and Enterprise. Just knock on a few ranchers doors to gain permission.
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South East Oregon is home to big bucks, antelope, bighorn sheep, elk and the coyote and bird hunting ain't bad either. The dry flats and the towering mountains make for some interesting hunting.
For elk, go to the Silvies unit first, then on to the Malheur River unit and High Desert hunts which take place in the rest of the units. Most of these elk will be in the open country and open timber and spot and stalk methods work the best.
For big mule deer bucks the South East used to be the spot. Now, the numbers are down due to drought, bad winters, and too many coyotes, but the big bucks are still around. The leader has to be the Steens Mt. unit. The Malheur River unit and the Silvies unit run a pretty close second and third these days. The Trout Creek Mts. hunt which is in the Whitehorse unit also used to be a trophy buck area. You'll have to work hard, but the bucks are still there. The Warner and Owyhee units also have good numbers of deer along with the Juniper Unit. The hunting may be a little harder, but the big bucks are still roaming this country.
The units in South East Oregon are home to some of the largest herds of antelope in the state, so draw your tag and head to one of these units. The Owyhee, Whitehorse, and Steens Mt. units would be hard to beat down here. Beatys Butte, Malheur River, Warner, and Wagontire units also have good numbers of antelope. If you want to play the long-shot and go after a trophy, try the Hart Mountain hunt.
Lots of bighorns live down in this part of Oregon also. These are the California bighorn sheep, and although a little smaller that the Rocky Mountain bighorn, they are still just as physically demanding to hunt. Try the Steens, Hart Mt, Poker Jim, and Owyhee hunts first. Then try the Alvord Peaks, E. Beatys Butte, and Warner hunts. There are also a few other hunts for bighorn sheep down here, and they are adding some all the time. Look these places over before you apply and you could get lucky enough to go on a hunt of a lifetime.
Chukar hunting along the Owyhee Reservoir and Steens Mountains may not get much better. The pheasant and quail hunting around Ontario is great, probably the best in the state.
South East Oregon is also overrun with coyotes. Just about anywhere you go you will find lots of them. The far south east corner is probably the best with the land around the Steens Mountains full of coyotes. Use a dying rabbit call and a flat shooting centerfire rifle to hunt these critters.
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Although there are many good spots to hunt blacktail deer, here are some places you might start your search:
Here are some of the better Units to hunt mule deer in Oregon:
Here are the places to try for a whitetail in Oregon:
Here are some of the better places to hunt Roosevelt elk(coastal elk only):
Here are some of the better places to hunt rocky mountain elk in Oregon(includes cascades):
Here are some areas and units to try for antelope in Oregon:
Here are some of the better spots to try for bighorn sheep:
Here are some of the better Varmint hunting spots in Oregon:
Here are some of the better places to hunt upland birds:
Here are some of the better places to hunt waterfowl in Oregon:
Here are some of the better spots to hunt black bear in Oregon:
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