VACATIONING

Hunting

If you are looking for a place to get that trophy deer, elk, or antelope, try one of the Crook County Hunting Units: Grizzly, Ochoco or Maury. During elk season, over 2,000 hunters try their luck in the local area.

Oregon has a number of hunting opportunities available including big game hunts, auction and raffle hunts, upland game bird hunts, and migratory game hunts. There are also special programs and licenses available for youth. All programs are strictly regulated by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and regulations change yearly, so it is important to obtain and thoroughly review the new regulations every year. Regulations can be found at www.dfw.state.or.us.

Hunting Opportunities

  1. Deer - In Central Oregon you will find black-tail and mule deer. All around excellent rifle calibers are anything from 243, 6mm, 270, up to 30 '06, as they shoot with a fast and flat trajectory. Deer bow season is in September and hunters need a General Deer Bow Tag. Check the regulations for the current bag limit as sometimes it is one buck deer not having less than a fork, other times it may be one buck with a visible antler. Buck rifle season for the Maury Unit 136, Ochoco Unit 137, and Grizzly Unit 138 is in October. There are Controlled 600 and 800 series hunts for Anterless Deer in the Lower Willow Creek Unit 638A and Lytle Creek 638B Unit, but private lands limit the access to these areas. Do not apply unless you have an area to hunt.
  2. Antelope - The present day Crooked River National Grassland herd was started in 1969 by ODFW with the introduction of twelve animals. The herd now numbers over 60. It has provided limited hunting opportunities since 1976. The antelope rifle season for Maury Unit 436, Ochoco Unit 437, and Grizzly Unit 438 is in August. Access to the Grizzly Unit is restricted by private land. The chance of getting an antelope rifle season tag for the other units is less than 4%. Bow season access for the Grizzly Unit is restricted. The Maury Unit bow season for a pronghorn of either sex is in September. There is a 67% chance of getting a tag.
  3. Elk - Controlled 200 series hunts for Rocky Mountain Bull Elk take place in October and November. The Grizzly Unit has restricted access. Maury Unit No. 1, 236X hunt is in October; Maury Unit No. 2, 236Y hunt is in November. There is a 30% chance of getting a tag for 236X, a 36% chance of getting a tag for the later hunt, 236Y. Ochoco Unit No. 1, 237X hunt is also in October. Ochoco Unit No.2, 237Y hunt is in November. There is a 20% chance of getting a tag in 237X, a 25% chance of getting a tag for the later hunt, 237Y. Success rates range from 22-34%. Hunters in the first season can be selective, often finding animals with five points or better per side. Second-season hunters may have the advantage of finding fresh tracks in the snow. The Ochoco Unit is managed to produce trophy animals by limiting the number of hunters. There are controlled hunts for antlerless elk, but only the Maury Unit 236 hunt is accessible. There is a 10.6% chance of getting a tag for hunt 236.
  4. Cougar - Local cougar hunting is in Zones D, E and F. Zone D, Columbia Basin, includes the Grizzly Unit. Zone E, Blue Mountains, includes the Ochoco Unit. Zone F, southeast Oregon, includes the Maury Unit. The General Cougar tag season is January 1 through May 31 and August 1 through December 31. To hunt Zone E, you will need a Blue Mountain Additional Cougar Tag as well as a General Cougar Tag. Cougar populations are managed by a quota system, when the quota of animals is taken, the zone is closed. Animals which are taken must be checked and tagged within 72 hours at an ODFW office. The caves of the Ochoco and Maury Mountains provide shelter for the cougars. The bag limit is one animal per tag and it is unlawful to take spotted kittens or females with spotted kittens. Cougars may not be taken or pursued by dogs. Cougars are scattered, but closely associated with wintering deer and elk. Areas to consider include: Bear Creek and Alkali Butte (Maury Unit); the North Fork of Crooked River, the South Fork of the John Day River and Bridge Creek (Ochoco Unit); and the Green Mountain/Mill Creek (Grizzly Unit). In winter, check for access as there are closures for motorized vehicles. Hunters should contact the Ochoco National Forest at 541-416-6500 and the Prineville BLM at 541-416-6700 for maps and more information.
  5. Turkey - In Central Oregon there is turkey hunting starting in April. Hunters need a Turkey Tag and the bag limit is one male turkey. It is unlawful to use dogs to hunt spring turkey.
  6. Mountain Quail - These birds have a long, straight head plume. THERE IS NO OPEN SEASON FOR THESE BIRDS. Report any sightings east of the Cascade Mountains to ODFW. Note the date, location (nearest creek, road, town etc.), county of observation, and number of quail. Send info to david.a.budeau@state.or.us.
  7. Eastern Oregon Upland Game Birds - Ruffed and blue grouse season is September through November. Chukar/Hungarian Partridge and California quail season is October through January. Statewide rooster pheasant hunting season is October through December. There are controlled hunts for sage grouse the second week of September, but hunters will need a sage grouse permit.
  8. Hunting Tips - In winter, quail are present at lower elevations. The best opportunities will be along drainages and wet areas on public lands and near agricultural areas on private lands along the Crooked, Deschutes, and John Day rivers. Hunters are reminded to obtain permission from landowners before entering private lands.
  9. Migratory Game Birds - Band-tailed pigeon, mourning dove, goose, duck and merganser, coot, snipe, crow, and black brant are the Oregon migratory game birds. The HIP validation is needed to hunt these birds. In addition, a Federal Waterfowl Stamp is required in order to hunt duck, goose, or black brant. Crook County is in Zone 2 for duck hunting. The duck and merganser, pintail and canvasback, and coot seasons start in October. The statewide mourning dove season is in September. General fall goose season starts in October. Check the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for detailed season start and end dates and bag limits.

Note: Information on the chance of getting a big game tag was calculated by using the 2003 number of hunters requesting a hunt and the number of tags issued. This information will change annually.

Additional Points of Interest

  1. Legal Hunting - There are hunting seasons in the Crook County area for those using Centerfire Firearms (rifle, handgun, shotgun) and Other Weapons (muzzleloader or bow). The big game found in the area include black-tail deer, mule deer, cougar, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Some general and controlled hunts have specific restrictions. The legal hunting methods for each species are described in the Oregon Big Game Regulations and the Oregon Game Bird Regulations. It is not legal to use a cross-bow for game hunting. There are no hunting seasons on Tribal lands.
  2. Basics - In order to participate in a hunt, the hunter will need a valid hunting license and a tag for the species that they are pursuing. One option is a Resident Sports Pac, which includes a Combination Angling/Hunting License, black bear tag, cougar tag, elk tag, deer tag, upland game bird validation, Oregon waterfowl validation, turkey tag, and combined angling harvest tag.
  3. Youth Basics - No one 11 years of age and younger may hunt for big game. Hunters age 17 and younger must have a Hunter Education certificate with them if they are hunting on land not owned by their family. In special Youth-Controlled hunts for deer and elk, an adult must accompany youth 12-17, of at least 21 years old, who is not hunting. There is a "First Time" program that guarantees that youth hunters will be eligible to receive up to three tags: one buck deer, one antlerless deer, and one anterless elk.
  4. Hunter Education Certificate - Youths may purchase licenses and tags prior to taking the course, but very few classes are held after the end of August. To find a class call 503-947-6018 or visit www.dfw.state.or.us and click on Hunter Education/Hunter Education Class Listing. Crook County Parks and Recreation offers this class three times a year, call 447-1209 for more info.
  5. No Tag Hunting - Hunters 14 years of age and older, who will be hunting gray squirrels, unprotected mammals (coyote, badger, gopher, moles, mountain beaver, marmots, porcupine, skunks, cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, rates, mice, opossum, nutria and weasels) unprotected birds (starlings, house sparrow, and rock dove) or predatory animals (rabbits, rodents, feral swine) must have a valid hunting license but no tags are required. There is no closed season and no bag limit.
  6. Tags - It is the responsibility of the hunter to purchase the correct tag for each species. Tag purchase deadline is the day before a hunt opens. If you are hunting in a season that begins in the fall of the year and continues into the new year, the hunter must buy a license for the new year before heading out in January.
  7. Wolves - Some wolves introduced into other states have found their way to Oregon, however no established populations have been documented. Potential wolf sightings in Oregon should be reported to the US Fish and Wildlife Service by calling 541-383-7146. Shooting a wolf in Oregon is illegal as it violates the Federal Endangered Species Act and may result in fines up to $100,000 or one year in jail.
  8. Wilderness Permit - The USFS requires a Wilderness Permit for anyone entering wilderness areas between Memorial Day and October 31. These permits are free and can be obtained from the Ochoco NF office.
  9. Game Management - ODFW is interested in monitoring the health of wildlife populations. There are five diseases that the ODFW is monitoring to determine if they are found in animals harvested in Oregon. Hunters may be asked to bring samples from their game to a department office or check station.
  10. Tips for Your Trip - Find out if the BLM has scheduled activities in the area you are planning to hunt. These activities may include: prescribed burns, wild horse gathers, road closures, wildfire restrictions, and special designations. The Prineville BLM office can be reached at 541-416-6700 or www.or.blm.gov/prineville. This office will have information on the following wildlife units: Upper Deschutes, Paulina, Maury, Ochoco, Grizzly, Metolius, Maupin, White River, Biggs, Columbia Basin, Fossil Murders Creek, Northside, Heppner, Desolation, Silvies, and Wagontire.
  11. BOW - Becoming an Outdoors Woman skills workshops are held throughout Oregon for women to get hands-on training in outdoor skills. Shotgun/rifle shooting and turkey hunting are both available. Call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 503-947-6016 or check online at www.dfw.state.or.us for more info.
  12. Grizzly Mountain Long Rifles - This is a local group of muzzleloader enthusiasts. They hold shooting competitions and an annual four day rendezvous. Call the Chamber of Commerce for more information.
  13. HIP - All hunters, including landowners, must participate in the Harvest Information Program if bird hunting. When buying your license, you will be asked a few simple questions about your hunting success the prior year. When the process is completed, your license will indicate that it has been "HIP Validated". These surveys are used to provide information on the status and needs of game bird populations. There is no cost.
  14. Legal Hunting Methods for Migratory Birds and Upland Game Birds - Hunters may use shotguns no larger than 10 gauge, holding up to two shells, recurve, long and compound bows, and hawks or falcons. Shot larger than BB may not be used except for steel shot size no larger than F. Federally approved not-toxic shot includes lead, bismuth-tin, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-iron, or tungsten-iron-nickel-tin. There are no restrictions on the type of arrows or broadheads. Hunters may not use any electronic devices attached to bow or arrow.
  15. Field Dressing - For upland game birds, the feathered head must be left attached to all cleaned birds while in the field or traveling home. For waterfowl, doves and pigeons, a feathered head or wing must be left attached to all cleaned birds while in the field or traveling home. Hunters may not "breast" birds and discard the carcass while in the field.
  16. Shooting Hours - Game birds may be taken from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. The specific hours for the game bird season are listed in the Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Central Oregon is in Zone 2.
  17. Maps - Excellent maps are available for a small fee. Contacts and phone numbers are:
    • BLM — 503-808-6001
    • ODOT — 503-986-3154
    • ODF — 503-945-7336
    • USFS — 503-872-2750
    • Wildlife Management Unit Map — 800-845-9448
  18. Banded Birds - Migratory birds are banded in order to learn about duck and goose population distribution, migration routes, and bird survival. If you harvest a banded bird report it to 800-327-BAND. A certificate is later mailed to you giving information about the bird and where it was banded. Your help will allow others to better manage hunting seasons and bird resources.
  19. Youth Shotgun Clinics - The ODFW Hunter Education Program will sponsor free shotgun skills clinics in conjunction with some of the September Youth Hunts. Clinics are open to anyone 17 years of age and younger. Participants will be taught basic shotgun skills, and many will be given the chance to shoot sporting clays. Clay targets and shotgun shells will be provided. Clinics will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Individuals can come and leave at any time. The Madras area clinic will be held in September. For further information call the Oregon Hunter Education Program 503-947-6011. No pre-registration is required.
  20. Hunter/Angler ID Number - License agents can no longer look up customers using a social security number. A Hunter/Angler ID number is printed on all licenses, tags, and permits. Accumulated preference points for big game controlled hunts will be tracked using the Hunter/Angler ID Number. Retain your old license until you buy one for the current year.

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