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August 27, 2024
NEWPORT, Ore.—With fall hunting seasons approaching, hunters using travel management areas (TMA) in the central Coast Range are reminded to check access before venturing out to scout or hunt (see page 82 of the Oregon Big Game Regs).
There have been some access and ownership changes with the Stott Mt/North Alsea TMA that hunters should be aware of prior to this year's hunting season.
Weyerhaeuser is still participating in the TMA and following the same access agreement from recent years. Motor vehicle use is allowed on open roads at Industrial Fire Protection Levels (IFPL) 1 and 2. At IFPL 3, only walk-in access is allowed. No public access is allowed at IFPL 4, a rare event that requires complete shutdown of forest operations by state rule.
Manulife Investment Management (formerly Hancock Forest Management) is still allowing hunter access within the TMA, but only once fire season ends or fire danger has been reduced significantly. Additionally, some of their properties were sold to Hampton Lumber and their affiliates. Most of these properties are closed during fire season. Hunters will need to check with the respective timber companies for current access policies. See the maps below for affected lands and additional information.
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/access_habitat/stott_mtn_n_alsea_page1.pdf
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/access_habitat/stott_mtn_n_alsea_page2.pdf
Reminder that properties participating in travel management in the Stott Mtn-North Alsea TMA use posted yellow signs, in addition to timber company signs or gates, to identify roads that are closed to motor vehicles (including e-bikes and ATVs). When parking at gates or closed roads, vehicles cannot block access to the gate or road. The TMA is closed from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, and no fires or camping are allowed. Effective dates for travel management restrictions are year-round.
Hunters can also use the Oregon Forest Industries Council's Private Forest Land Closures page to check access on Manulife Investment Management and Hampton Properties, as well as most other private timberlands around the state
https://ofic.com/private-forestland-closures/
Hunters will face fire restrictions and/or closures on other lands, especially earlier in the fall hunting seasons. It is each hunter's responsibility to know access conditions and restrictions before heading afield. Here are some helpful places to find this information:
Oregon's TMAs, https://oregonhuntingmap.com/ or https://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/#Travel
Private timberland closures, https://ofic.com/private-forestland-closures/
ODF Industrial Fire Restrictions (IFPL), https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html
ODF Public Fire Restriction https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/Firerestrictions/PFR.html
US Forest Service, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6
Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington
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