Or. Admin. R. 635-065-0625 - Regulations on State and Federal Wildlife Areas, Refuges and Special Areas
State and Federal wildlife areas, refuges and special areas listed below shall be open to hunting during authorized seasons, subject to the following special regulations and exceptions:
(1) Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge
(Klamath County): Closed to all public entry except walk-in deer hunting prior
to November 1.
(2) Cascade Head -
Lincoln City Area: The Cascade Head - Lincoln City Area is closed to hunting
with centerfire rifles, muzzleloaders, or handguns. Hunting is restricted to
archery and shotguns only during authorized seasons, except for Department
approved emergency hunts. Hunters using shotguns for elk shall use slugs
(single projectile) only. The Cascade Head - Lincoln City Area boundaries shall
be defined as follows: Beginning at the Pacific Ocean and Siletz River mouth,
east along the north shoreline of the Siletz River to Drift Cr. Rd. (mile post
1 on Hwy 229); north on Drift Cr. Rd. to Anderson Cr. Rd.; north on Anderson
Cr. Rd. to Schooner Cr. Rd.; west on Schooner Cr. Rd. to Forest Rd. 2200; north
and east on FR 2200 to FR 1726; west on FR 1726 to FR 2100; northeast on FR
2100 to the power line crossing; north along the power line to State Hwy. 18;
west on Hwy 18 to Old Scenic Hwy 101; north on Old Scenic Hwy 101 to Three
Rocks Rd.; west on Three Rocks Rd. to U.S. Hwy 101; north on Hwy 101 to FR
1861; west on FR 1861 to Harts Cove trailhead; west on Harts Cove trail to the
Pacific Ocean; south along the coastline to the Siletz River, point of
beginning.
(3) Cold Springs Refuge
(Umatilla County): The Cold Springs Refuge shall be closed to deer and elk
hunting.
(4) Dean Creek Elk Viewing
Area (Douglas County): All Bureau of Land Management lands within or contiguous
to BLM lands within T22S R11W (including Spruce Reach Island located adjacent
to Hwy. 38 and between the outlets of Koapke and Hinsdale Sloughs) are closed
to hunting. Also, other lands located within the following boundary are closed
to hunting during all elk and deer seasons that pertain to this area: beginning
at the intersection of Schofield Rd. and Hwy. 38, south on Schofield Rd. to its
intersection with Hakki Ridge Rd., east on Hakki Ridge Rd. to the crest of
Hakki Ridge, east along the crest of Hakki Ridge to its intersection with the
BLM boundary located in T22S, R11W Section 4, easterly along the BLM boundary
to Hwy. 38, west on Hwy 38 to point of beginning.
(5) Dunes National Recreational Area: Use of
rifles and handguns is prohibited for all hunting in that portion of the
Siuslaw Unit west of Highway 101 and north of Tahkenitch Creek.
(6) North Bank Habitat Management Area
(NBHMA; previously known as the Dunning Ranch Area in Douglas County): 6,500
acres located approximately eight miles northeast of Roseburg. Area: All BLM
lands located in T25S, R5W, Sections 35,36; T26S, R5W, Sections
1,2,11,12,13,14; T25S, R4W, Sections 31,32,33; T26S, R4W, Sections
4,5,6,7,8,18. This area is closed to all big game hunting except for and during
controlled hunts specific to the NBHMA by hunters possessing a controlled hunt
tag for the area. Elk, black bear, and cougar hunting will be allowed by
hunters who possess a valid NBHMA controlled hunt tag in addition to valid elk,
black bear, or cougar tags. The use of bait for hunting game mammals is
prohibited on NBHMA. All BLM lands located in T25S, R5W, Sections 35, 36; T26S,
R5W, Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14; T25S, R4W, Sections 31,32, 33; T26S, R4W,
Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18.
(7)
William Finley National Wildlife Refuge (Benton County):
(a) Portions of the Refuge are open to deer
and elk hunting under special regulations established by the Refuge.
(b) All hunters shall obtain a refuge permit
and check in and out of the refuge daily. Information about deer and elk
hunting locations, seasons, weapon restrictions, and application instructions
are available at the refuge office at 541-757-7236 or on their website
(http://www.fws.gov/refuge/William_L_Finley/Hunt.html).
(8) Government Island State Recreation Area
(Multnomah County): Use of rifles, handguns, and shotguns with slugs or
buckshot, and bows is prohibited at all times.
(9) Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
(Lake County): Portions of the refuge shall be open for hunting as prescribed
under chukar season, controlled pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep hunts,
deer bowhunting season, and muzzleloader deer season. The refuge is open for
pronghorn antelope Mandatory Reporting Incentive tag holders, Premium Pronghorn
Antelope Hunt and Premium Deer Hunt tag holders, and pronghorn antelope and
bighorn sheep auction and raffle tag holders but is closed for Access and
Habitat deer and elk auction and raffle and Mandatory Reporting Incentive deer
and elk tag holders.
(10) Heppner
Regulated Hunt Area: Closed to all motor vehicle use year-round unless posted
otherwise, open fires and camping prohibited in posted areas. Approximately 23
square miles in Townships 3, 4, and 5 South, Ranges 26, 27 and 28
East;
(11) John Day Fossil Beds
National Monument: Those parts of the National Monument in the Grizzly, Biggs,
Fossil, and Northside Units are closed to all hunting and trapping.
(12) John Day River Refuge: Includes all land
within 1/4 mile of the John Day River mean high water line from the Columbia
River upstream to Thirty Mile Creek. Within this area, from the Columbia Rvr
upstream to Rock Cr, the area shall be open to hunting of upland game birds
during authorized seasons only between September 1 and October 31 annually but
closed to all waterfowl hunting. The remaining area from Rock Cr upstream to
Thirty Mile Cr is open to the hunting of all game birds during authorized
seasons. Hunting of big game is allowed during authorized seasons.
(13) Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge:
This area is closed to all deer and elk hunting.
(14) Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (Harney
County): Portions of the refuge in Blitzen Valley lying west of State Highway
205 is open during authorized rifle and bow deer and pronghorn antelope
seasons. The Buena Vista unit is open for mule deer hunting when in possession
of, and in compliance with, a special use permit issued by Malheur National
Wildlife Refuge.
(15) McDonald
Forest-Dunn Forest Area (Benton County): The area is closed to all hunting
except during controlled hunts as authorized by the commission
(16) McKay Creek Refuge (Umatilla County):
This refuge is closed to deer and elk hunting.
(17) Metolius Wildlife Refuge (Jefferson
County): All hunting, injuring, taking, killing, or destroying any wild bird or
mammal on public land is prohibited on public lands within T12 and T13S, R9E,
bounded by USFS road 1420 and 1419 on the west; road 1400 on the south and
east; and road 1420-400, Metolius River, and posted boundary from the Metolius
River to road 1400 on the north (approximately five square miles).
36 CFR
261.58(v).
(18) Mill Creek Watershed (Umatilla County):
This watershed is closed to all access and hunting except by holders of a Mill
Creek Watershed controlled elk tag and a Forest Service entry permit.
(19) Newberry Crater Wildlife Refuge
(Deschutes County): All hunting, injuring, taking, killing, or destroying any
wild bird or mammal is prohibited on public lands within the rim of Newberry
Crater in: T21S, R12E; T22S, R12E; T21S, R13E; T22S, R13E (approximately 15
square miles).
(20) Rimrock Springs
Wildlife Area (Grizzly Unit): This area is closed to all hunting.
(21) Rogue River Area:
(a) All land within one mile of the Rogue
River between Grave Creek and Lobster Creek is closed to bear
hunting.
(b) All land within 1/4
mile of the Rogue River in the wild river section from Grave Creek downstream
to Watson Creek is closed to all hunting except during authorized
seasons.
(22) Snake River
Islands (Malheur County): Closed to hunting with rifles.
(23) South Slough National Estuarine Reserve:
Specific areas are closed to hunting due to public health and safety. Contact
reserve headquarters office for specific closures.
(24) Starkey Experimental Forest Enclosure
(Union County): That portion of The Starkey Experimental Forest within the
eight foot high elk-proof fence enclosure is closed to all hunting during deer
and elk season except for persons possessing a controlled hunt tag for the
area. A posted 1/4 mile buffer zone on the National Forest lands surrounding
the enclosure is closed to all hunting with a centerfire rifle or bow. The
enclosure is open to deer and elk hunting only by permit during controlled
hunts. The main study area is open to hunting of other species during
authorized seasons. The 12-foot right-of-way along each side of all eight
foot-high perimeter and internal game fences is closed to all motorized travel.
Public entry is allowed only through the main gate. The Experimental Forest is
closed to all public entry during the winter closure, which runs from the day
after the controlled antlerless elk hunt until May 1 annually. Access and
Habitat auction or raffle tag holders, Mandatory Incentive Tag holders, and
Premium Deer and Premium Elk tag holders are not eligible to hunt in the
Starkey Experimental Forest enclosure.
(25) Umatilla Refuge (Morrow County): This
refuge is closed to deer and elk hunting except during controlled hunts
specific to the refuge and emergency hunts as provided in OAR chapter 635,
division 078.
(26) Willamette River
Greenway Corridor: Hunting is permitted with shotguns or bows and arrows only
during authorized season on Willamette River Greenway parcels, except in those
parcels where hunting is prohibited.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 496.138, ORS 496.146, ORS 496.162 & ORS 496.012
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 496.138, ORS 496.146, ORS 496.162 & ORS 496.012
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
Current through Register Vol. 61, No. 4, April 1, 2022
State and Federal wildlife areas, refuges and special areas listed below shall be open to hunting during authorized seasons, subject to the following special regulations and exceptions:
(1) Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Klamath County): Closed to all public entry except walk-in deer hunting prior to November 1.
(2) Cascade Head " Lincoln City Area: The Cascade Head " Lincoln City Area is closed to hunting with centerfire rifles, muzzleloaders, or handguns. Hunting is restricted to archery and shotguns only during authorized seasons, except for Department approved emergency hunts. Hunters using shotguns for elk shall use slugs (single projectile) only. The Cascade Head " Lincoln City Area boundaries shall be defined as follows: Beginning at the Pacific Ocean and Siletz River mouth, east along the north shoreline of the Siletz River to Drift Cr. Rd. (mile post 1 on Hwy 229); north on Drift Cr. Rd. to Anderson Cr. Rd.; north on Anderson Cr. Rd. to Schooner Cr. Rd.; west on Schooner Cr. Rd. to Forest Rd. 2200; north and east on FR 2200 to FR 1726; west on FR 1726 to FR 2100; northeast on FR 2100 to the power line crossing; north along the power line to State Hwy. 18; west on Hwy 18 to Old Scenic Hwy 101; north on Old Scenic Hwy 101 to Three Rocks Rd.; west on Three Rocks Rd. to U.S. Hwy 101; north on Hwy 101 to FR 1861; west on FR 1861 to Harts Cove trailhead; west on Harts Cove trail to the Pacific Ocean; south along the coastline to the Siletz River, point of beginning.
(3) Cold Springs Refuge (Umatilla County): The Cold Springs Refuge shall be closed to deer and elk hunting except by permit during emergency hunts specific to the refuge.
(4) Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area (Douglas County): All Bureau of Land Management lands within or contiguous to BLM lands within T22S R11W (including Spruce Reach Island located adjacent to Hwy. 38 and between the outlets of Koapke and Hinsdale Sloughs) are closed to hunting. Also, other lands located within the following boundary are closed to hunting during all elk and deer seasons that pertain to this area: beginning at the intersection of Schofield Rd. and Hwy. 38, south on Schofield Rd. to its intersection with Hakki Ridge Rd., east on Hakki Ridge Rd. to the crest of Hakki Ridge, east along the crest of Hakki Ridge to its intersection with the BLM boundary located in T22S, R11W Section 4, easterly along the BLM boundary to Hwy. 38, west on Hwy 38 to point of beginning.
(5) Dunes National Recreational Area: Use of rifles and handguns is prohibited for all hunting in that portion of the Siuslaw Unit west of Highway 101 and north of Tahkenitch Creek.
(6) North Bank Habitat Management Area (NBHMA; previously known as the Dunning Ranch Area in Douglas County): 6,500 acres located approximately eight miles northeast of Roseburg. Area: All BLM lands located in T25S, R5W, Sections 35,36; T26S, R5W, Sections 1,2,11,12,13,14; T25S, R4W, Sections 31,32,33; T26S, R4W, Sections 4,5,6,7,8,18. This area is closed to all big game hunting except for and during controlled hunts specific to the NBHMA by hunters possessing a controlled hunt tag for the area. Elk, black bear, and cougar hunting will be allowed by hunters who possess a valid NBHMA controlled hunt tag in addition to valid elk, black bear, or cougar tags. The use of bait for hunting game mammals is prohibited on NBHMA. All BLM lands located in T25S, R5W, Sections 35, 36; T26S, R5W, Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14; T25S, R4W, Sections 31,32, 33; T26S, R4W, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18.
(7) William Finley National Wildlife Refuge (Benton County):
(a) Portions of the Refuge are open to deer and elk hunting under special regulations established by the Refuge.
(b) All hunters shall obtain a refuge permit and check in and out of the refuge daily. Information about deer and elk hunting locations, seasons, weapon restrictions, and application instructions are available at the refuge office at 541-757-7236 or on their website (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/William_L_Finley/Hunt.html).
(8) Government Island State Recreation Area (Multnomah County): Use of rifles, handguns, and shotguns with slugs or buckshot, and bows is prohibited at all times.
(9) Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Lake County): Portions of the refuge shall be open for hunting as prescribed under chukar season, controlled pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep hunts, deer bowhunting season, and muzzleloader deer season. The refuge is open for pronghorn antelope Mandatory Reporting Incentive tag holders, Premium Pronghorn Antelope Hunt and Premium Deer Hunt tag holders, and pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep auction and raffle tag holders but is closed for Access and Habitat deer and elk auction and raffle and Mandatory Reporting Incentive deer and elk tag holders.
(10) Heppner Regulated Hunt Area: Closed to all motor vehicle use year-round unless posted otherwise, open fires and camping prohibited in posted areas. Approximately 23 square miles in Townships 3, 4, and 5 South, Ranges 26, 27 and 28 East;
(11) John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Closed to all hunting and trapping.
(12) John Day River Refuge: Includes all land within 1/4 mile of the John Day River mean high water line from the Columbia River upstream to Thirty Mile Creek. Within this area, from the Columbia Rvr upstream to Rock Cr, the area shall be open to hunting of upland game birds during authorized seasons only between September 1 and October 31 annually but closed to all waterfowl hunting. The remaining area from Rock Cr upstream to Thirty Mile Cr is open to the hunting of all game birds during authorized seasons. Hunting of big game is allowed during authorized seasons.
(13) Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge: This area is closed to all deer and elk hunting.
(14) Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (Harney County): Portions of the refuge in Blitzen Valley lying west of State Highway 205 is open during authorized any legal weapon and bow deer and pronghorn antelope seasons.
(15) McDonald Forest-Dunn Forest Area (Benton County): The area is closed to all hunting except by permit or permission of Oregon State University Research Forest.
(16) McKay Creek Refuge (Umatilla County): This refuge is closed to deer and elk hunting except by permit during controlled hunts or emergency hunts specific to the refuge.
(17) Metolius Wildlife Refuge (Jefferson County): All hunting, injuring, taking, killing, or destroying any wild bird or mammal on public land is prohibited on public lands within T12 and T13S, R9E, bounded by USFS road 1420 and 1419 on the west; road 1400 on the south and east; and road 1420-400, Metolius River, and posted boundary from the Metolius River to road 1400 on the north (approximately five square miles). 36 CFR 261.58(v).
(18) Mill Creek Watershed (Umatilla County): This watershed is closed to all access and hunting except by holders of a Mill Creek Watershed controlled elk tag and a Forest Service entry permit.
(19) Newberry Crater Wildlife Refuge (Deschutes County): All hunting, injuring, taking, killing, or destroying any wild bird or mammal is prohibited on public lands within the rim of Newberry Crater in: T21S, R12E; T22S, R12E; T21S, R13E; T22S, R13E (approximately 15 square miles).
(20) Rimrock Springs Wildlife Area (Grizzly Unit): This area is closed to all hunting.
(21) Rogue River Area:
(a) All land within one mile of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Lobster Creek is closed to bear hunting.
(b) All land within 1/4 mile of the Rogue River in the wild river section from Grave Creek downstream to Watson Creek is closed to all hunting except during authorized seasons.
(22) Snake River Islands (Malheur County): Closed to hunting with rifles.
(23) South Slough National Estuarine Reserve: Specific areas are closed to hunting due to public health and safety. Contact reserve headquarters office for specific closures.
(24) Starkey Experimental Forest Enclosure (Union County): That portion of The Starkey Experimental Forest within the eight foot high elk-proof fence enclosure is closed to all hunting during deer and elk season except for persons possessing a controlled hunt tag for the area. A posted 1/4 mile buffer zone on the National Forest lands surrounding the enclosure is closed to all hunting with a centerfire rifle or bow. The enclosure is open to deer and elk hunting only by permit during controlled hunts. The main study area is open to hunting of other species during authorized seasons. The 12-foot right-of-way along each side of all eight foot-high perimeter and internal game fences is closed to all motorized travel. Public entry is allowed only through the main gate. The Experimental Forest is closed to all public entry during the winter closure, which runs from November 15 through April 30 annually. Access and Habitat auction or raffle tag holders, Mandatory Incentive Tag holders, and Premium Deer and Premium Elk tag holders are not eligible to hunt in the Starkey Experimental Forest enclosure.
(25) Umatilla Refuge (Morrow County): This refuge is closed to deer and elk hunting except during controlled hunts specific to the refuge and emergency hunts as provided in OAR chapter 635, division 078.
(26) Willamette River Greenway Corridor: Hunting is permitted with shotguns or bows and arrows only during authorized season on Willamette River Greenway parcels, except in those parcels where hunting is prohibited.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 496.138, ORS 496.146, ORS 496.162 & ORS 496.012
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 496.138, ORS 496.146, ORS 496.162 & ORS 496.012