Welcome to the 2012 Fall
Hunting Forecast

Southwest Region

Southwest Region Deer and Elk

A radio-collared black-tailed deer in Western Oregon. It’s legal to harvest an animal with a collar, but please return the collar to ODFW. – Photo by ODFW –

DEER

COOS COUNTY (west Tioga, west Powers, north Sixes, southwest Siuslaw)
Deer populations in Coos County appear to be improving similar to what has been seen over the past few years. Fawn production and survival appears to be fairly good possibly due to a decreased prevalence of deer hair loss syndrome. Buck survival during last season appeared to be fairly high as well. Hunting prospects are good in all units but there is more accessible public land in the Tioga Unit. The Sixes and Powers Units have good deer populations but access to them is on private land.  Hunters should contact timber companies and ranch owners to ask for hunting access. Hunt for deer in brushy openings, meadows and clear cuts where brush is beginning to grow up. Areas where vehicle access is limited will be the most productive for deer.

DOUGLAS COUNTY (Dixon, S. Indigo, NW Evans Creek, Melrose, SW Siuslaw, E. Tioga and NE Powers Units)
Deer populations remain similar to last year with large numbers on the Umpqua Valley floor and lower populations in the Cascades and Coast ranges. Fawn ratios have been good the last ten years, showing good overall deer recruitment throughout the county. Buck ratios are similar to last year so hunters should expect to find a good number of legal bucks if they work clear cuts and other places that have brushy habitats. In addition, mild winter conditions over the last few years have contributed to excellent survival providing a good deer harvest opportunity this season.

Most property on the Umpqua valley floor is privately owned and hunters are reminded to obtain permission before hunting on private lands. For hunters looking to hunt on private timber lands, don’t forget to check with local timber companies to obtain information on access restrictions related to fire conditions. During the early part of rifle and archery season, hunters should find deer on the northerly slopes, near water and green up areas.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES (Applegate, Chetco, Evans Creek, Rogue, portions of Dixon, and Sixes)
For the third year we have had a slight decrease in our trend data, although buck and fawn ratios continue to remain high. Hunting is expected to be average for all of our units.  Early indication show that oak tree will have plenty of acorns for late season hunting.  Most deer will be in high elevations through September. Hunter success is generally weather-dependent with rain and snow bringing the best hunting. Unlike many black-tails, Jackson County’s deer are migratory and hunters are encouraged to hunt high elevations in the first part of the season, switching to mid to low elevations later in the season. Josephine and Curry counties deer population show very little migration and deer can be found throughout all elevations. Don’t forget to check fire restrictions before heading out especially early in the season.

Bull Elk - Royalty Free Image-

ELK

COOS COUNTY (west Tioga, west Powers, north Sixes, southwest Siuslaw)
Similar to last year, forage production in Coos County was good in most places due to rain that occurred in the spring. Elk are expected to be in good physical shape due to the fact that a large amount of feed is available. Elk populations are above the Management Objective in the Sixes Unit and close to objective in Powers. Over the past few years the population appears to have slipped in the Tioga. Surveys done in February indicate the Tioga elk population is about 1,000 animals below Management Objective. So in an effort to improve these numbers, hunters with Disability Permits and bowhunters can no longer harvest antlerless animals. It is expected this change will allow the population to continue to increase and reach the Management Objective.

Clearly the most important factor that determines where elk will be found is human activity. Elk can be expected to move to places where vehicle and other human activity is minimized. Road closures often are the best places to find elk on a regular basis. Within these areas, hunting will be best on north-facing slopes in the early seasons. Later in the season, elk often move to south-facing slopes where green-up starts earlier. A particularly productive habitat type to hunt in the Oregon Coast Range is areas where foresters have thinned timber stands. Thinning the tree canopy encourages grass and brush growth on the ground, improving feed quality.

DOUGLAS COUNTY (Dixon, S. Indigo, NW Evans Creek, Melrose, SW Siuslaw, E. Tioga and NE Powers Units)
The outlook for hunters this elk season looks to be similar to last year. February aerial surveys found good bull and calf ratios at our close to our management objectives. Good escapement from the 2011 hunting season and another mild winter increased elk herd survival. Elk numbers are greatest in the E. Tioga, mid to high elevations of the Dixon and S. Indigo and the perimeter of the Melrose units. Early in the season, some of the local private timberlands are restricting access due to the high fire danger so hunters should obtain more information on any restrictions before hunting.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES (Applegate, Chetco, Evans Creek, Rogue, portions of Tioga, Dixon, and Sixes)
Bull and calf ratios remain good for all of our units.  With the potential hot fall during Cascade elk season, it is important for hunters to pre-scout areas for elk. Known water sources or wallows can be good locations to start your scouting activities. Archery hunters need to focus on north-facing hills, in higher elevation or areas of cooler draws where they can retreat into during the heat of the day. Elk populations are minimal in the E. Chetco and the Applegate though some can be found in select drainages in Applegate. Units along the coast have higher elk numbers on private property. Elk in the Evans Creek Unit are primarily found near private properties. There are also lots of elk down low in and amongst private land but gaining access to these properties requires homework early in the season.

Explore Oregon’s Hunting Access Map for hunting locations.

ODFW Wildlife Management Units

Good public hunting opportunities exist on Forest Service (Siskiyou, Siuslaw, Rogue River, Umpqua NFs) and BLM lands; some state forest lands can also be hunted. Timber company lands in the Rogue, Evans creek, and Applegate are open to public hunting opportunities. In Sixes, there is public hunting opportunity in Coos County Forest in the north portion of the unit and the Siskiyou National Forest in the south. The Jackson Travel Management Area (JACTMA), which includes private forestlands, provides quality non-motorized hunting for deer, elk, turkeys and mountain quail. This area restricts entry by motor vehicles from three days prior to General Cascade Elk season until April 30. The Upper Rogue Green Dot Travel Management program again will be in effect on the Prospect and Butte Falls Ranger Districts in the Rogue River National Forest; it restricts motorized vehicle access to designated roads during the General Cascade Elk season. The Forest Service combined and renamed the Prospect and Butte Falls Ranger Districts to the “High Cascades Ranger District.” TMA maps are available at the Central Point ODFW office 541-826-8774 and online as linked above. See page 96 of the Oregon Big Game Regulations for more on locations and TMAs (travel management areas).

Deer and Elk Regions: Northwest | Southwest | High Desert | Northeast

Southwest Region Upland Bird

Sign up for free youth upland bird hunts
Youth hunters age 17 and under can hunt at the Denman Wildlife Area in Medford/White City Sept. 15 and 16. Sign up online or at a license sales agent. Call tel. 541-826-8774 for more information and see the link above for more information.

Phesant hunting - Photo by Nick Myatt -

Fee pheasant hunting at Denman Wildlife Area
From Sept. 17-Oct. 5, ODFW plants pheasants at the wildlife area to create hunting opportunity. You need a Western Oregon fee pheasant tag ($17) to hunt.

Return mountain quail and grouse wings and tails
Please return wings and tails if you take one of these birds; the parts provide important information about populations. Remove one enter wing and whole tail including small feathers. Place in paper collecting bags (your own or those provided at ODFW offices), one bird per bag. Mark the bag with the species, date taken, county taken and general location where taken. Drop it off at a designated collection sites (ODFW offices or collection barrel). Freeze the bag if you will be delayed in dropping it off.

COOS COUNTY – As was the case last year, blue grouse, ruffed grouse and wild turkey production appears to be poor due to the long, winter-like spring.  In these conditions, grouse and turkey broods often die from hypothermia because staying dry and warm is difficult. Mountain quail and California quail will likely do better because their broods hatch later in the spring than grouse. However, rain in June probably had a negative effect on these birds as well. Those interested in hunting grouse will find them on closed forest roads or near creek bottoms. Quail will be found around clearcuts and exposed ridges. While wild turkeys can be found in forested areas in the county, the best hunting is generally in the vicinity of agricultural areas.

DOUGLAS COUNTY – Overall, hunters can expect a slightly below average year for upland game birds due to reduced numbers and lower recruitment levels. It is slightly lower because of the extended wet periods this spring and summer combined with lower production the previous two years. This year like last year, our turkey production was below our 15-year average in poult production. The expected hunter harvest should be near average because of a large carryover of adult turkeys the last few years. Most turkeys can be found on or adjacent to low-mid elevation private lands associated with oak savannah habitat. Mountain quail nesting season was good with average numbers produced so hunting success should still be good. Success is best in the mid-elevations of the Cascades and Coast Range near brushy clear-cuts on secondary forest roads. California (Valley) quail counts were low this year because of the long and wet spring so hunting success should be lower than average. Most California quail are found on agricultural and low elevation forestland. Pheasant outlook continues to be poor since the Umpqua Valley lowlands have very few pheasants that still exist on private lands. Blue and ruffed grouse brood counts for this year indicate slightly lower than average production. Hunting availability and success for forest grouse should be fair to good this season. Blue grouse success is best in mid to high elevations of the Cascades in partly open conifer stands. Ruffed grouse can be found near creeks mostly at mid elevations of both the Cascades and Coast Range. Hunters may use rimfire rifles or pistols to harvest forest grouse.

Hunters are reminded to help ODFW by providing one wing and tail fan with rump feathers from blue and ruffed grouse and mountain quail. Paper collection bags and simple instructions are available at ODFW offices. All bags with samples (1 bird per bag) should be dropped off at any ODFW office with harvest date, and general area of harvest. This information helps ODFW determines hatching dates, sex and age composition, an indicator of annual production and general health of local populations.

Denman Wildlife Area -Photo by Bob Swingle-

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE AND CURRY COUNTIES – Most first hatches for forest grouse and quail failed with the rains although many were able to nest again so early in the season hunters may find small birds. Forest grouse can be found in timbered creek draws and mountain quail will be found in brushy clearcuts near water. A good bird dog will aid greatly in bird retrieval. Fall turkey hunting should be fair but developing a relationship with landowners is key to getting at them on private property. Bureau of Land Management lands with oak/grassland habitat below 3000ft are prime habitat for turkeys, although we have a growing number of turkeys in elevation over 3000ft.  Remember turkey hunters may use dogs during the fall season. Pheasant hunting in our counties are limited primary on private lands. The only real public pheasant hunting opportunity is during the fee season Sept. 17-Oct. 5 at Denman Wildlife Area.

Southwest upland game bird hunting locations
Explore Oregon’s Hunting Access Map for bird hunting locations. ODFW’s Denman Wildlife Area in Central Point provides public game bird hunting along with some national forestland and state forests. The Jackson TMA has grouse and quail. Much opportunity in the region is on private properties; hunters will need to gain permission. Please be considerate of private residences along the river. See the Game Bird Regulations more information on hunting locations.

Upland Game Bird Regions: Northwest | Southwest | High Desert | Northeast

Southwest Region Waterfowl

COOS COUNTY -

Ducks will begin moving into the county early in the fall and initially concentrate in coastal bays and other large water bodies. Duck abundance should be high this year due to the fact that the US Fish and Wildlife Services estimate of reproduction in the Pacific flyway is high.  A large portion of Coos Bay is open to hunting even though some of it is within the City Limits of Coos Bay. Some areas within the city limits of Coos Bay and all areas within city limits of North Bend are closed to hunting.  Also, there is an area near the North Bend Airport that is closed to hunting.  For information on the area open for hunting contact the ODFW Charleston Field Office (541) 888-5515. As winter comes on and the rainy season starts, waterfowl will disperse inland to flooded river valleys like the Coquille.

Geese will concentrate on private pastures around river valleys. Canada goose populations have been growing over the past few years. Good goose hunting can be found throughout most of the county. The key to a successful hunt is scouting before the hunt for areas where geese are going to feed or rest.

Canada Goose - Photo by Dave Budeau -

DOUGLAS COUNTY - Hunting for resident geese in Douglas County should be good this year as northwest goose production was good.  The early September goose hunt should be excellent for hunters along river gravel bars frequented by geese or for those with permitted access to private property. Hunting for resident geese in Douglas County should be fair to good this year as goose production was slightly below average.  Local duck production was fair to good this year. Duck hunting conditions should improve as the fall migrating ducks arrive, especially since production up north was above good this year. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters are reminded to obtain landowner permission before hunting. Plat-I Reservoir in Sutherlin, the Umpqua River and its tributaries offer the best waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE AND CURRY COUNTIES – Take advantage of the September Canada goose season this year.  A good number of residential flocks of geese are in valley floors, agricultural land, and at Denman Wildlife Area. Gaining access to private property is key to getting at many of these geese. The best waterfowl hunting at Denman Wildlife Area tends to occur around the end of November; area managers continue to plant crops and flood fields to attract waterfowl to Denman. Stormy weather plays a big factor in migratory birds coming into our valley and hunter success. 

Southwest waterfowl hunting locations
Explore bird hunting locations with ODFW’s Oregon Hunting Access Map.

Waterfowl Regions: Northwest | Southwest | High Desert | Northeast

Southwest Region Bear and Cougar

Successful bear and cougar hunters, remember check-in is mandatory! Bring a thawed hide and skull within 10 days to certain ODFW offices (call to make sure someone is available first). For best results prop the animal’s mouth open with a stick after harvest.  

COOS COUNTY

Bear and cougar populations are similar to last year. The highest bear densities appear to be near the Umpqua River close to the coast. Bear hunting opportunities will be best near blackberry patches in the early season. These patches can be found in creek bottoms in clearcuts or along deactivated forest roads that are “brushing in.” Like last year, when winter-like conditions extended late into the spring, berry production was delayed. For the first few weeks of the season, bears should be feeding on black cap and trailing black berries, so hunters should hunt based on where these berries are found. Getting into late August and early September, Himalayan black berries will ripen and become bears primary food source. Blackberries appear to be coming on strong and although few are ripe at this writing in August, a strong crop is expected. Tree stand or ground blind hunting near Himalayan black berries can be very productive when bears are feeding on this food source. Once blackberries are no longer available, bears will turn to huckleberries. This causes bears to be somewhat dispersed. Hunting bears with predator calls may be a good method to use at that time.

Cougar - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Cougars are difficult to locate in Coos County but some hunters find success hunting them with predator calls in areas where the hunter finds fresh cougar sign or areas where deer and elk concentrate. Often cougars approach calls slowly and they are easily distracted if calling is not consistent. So, many successful cougar hunters find electric calls to be useful tools to hunt cougars. Fawn or calf distress calls may be the best choice for hunting cougars near deer and elk concentrations.

DOUGLAS COUNTY  

The normal late summer and early fall dry weather conditions will concentrate bears near streams where foraging will be better. Hunters are advised to concentrate their efforts in the berry patches in early morning and late afternoon. Bear numbers are highest at middle to low elevations in the Coast range with lower numbers in the Cascades. Cougars are abundant throughout Douglas County and are a challenge to hunt, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private low elevation lands using a predator call.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES  

Hunters can expect an above average year. Bear numbers appear to be abundant. Early in the season in hot dry weather, bears will be found around cooler wet drainages. The berry crops are plentiful this year, hunters should locate these areas to find bears. The best times to look for bears are in the early morning and late evenings.

Bear and Cougar Regions: Northwest | Southwest | High Desert | Northeast