Quick Tips
- Black bears are common; buy a tag
- Visit the area before the season to gain access to private land
- Waterfowl hunting on Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Columbian Blacktail Deer | 100"-120" | 130"+ |
| Roosevelt Elk | 240"-260" | 290"+ |
On The Ground
Roosevelt elk and blacktail deer thrive in this unit, which is primarily private but also includes large parcels of Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest, BLM and Coos County forest land.
This southwestern unit, which is south of Coos Bay, once was known as a producer of record-book-size Roosevelt elk and blacktail deer, but few world-class animals have been taken in the past 50 years.
Terrain
The Pacific Oregon Coast, often listed as one of the most scenic places in North America, forms the western boundary of this unit, which is south of Coos Bay and includes parts of Curry and Coos counties. Land is mostly hilly to mountainous with the central third heavily forested and a mixture of clearcuts and dense forests elsewhere. The heavily forested public land in mostly between 1,500 and 3,600 feet in elevation. Most private land is below 2,000 feet in elevation and much of it less than 1,000 feet above sea level.
Roughly 995 square miles
33% public land
Elevations from 0-3,600 feet
Vegetation
Much of the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest is heavily forested, mostly with Sitka spruce but also with hemlocks, cedars, alders, firs and maples. There is heavy understory with lots of ferns and forbs that areas limited value for deer and elk feed. Thus, hunting is best on logged lands, most of which are private, especially in the northern two-thirds of the unit and the southwestern quarter. Focus your efforts on areas that have been opened up by logging, where many species of brush, small deciduous saplings and wild grasses grow. Watch for poison oak in places. Abundant berry brushes draw thousands of visitors every year.
Access
Most of this unit, the northern two-thirds in particular, is private and off limits to hunters without landowner permission. A large sector of the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest is in the southern third. Public hunting is also available on the Coos County Forest in the north. Some BLM land is available. Some timber company lands are open to public hunting. Hunters should contact timber companies before hunting season to determine which lands are open in a given year and to learn fire and road restrictions. Grassy Knob Wilderness, where motor vehicles are banned, offers backpack hunters a way to get away from crowds on public property. Do not drive vehicles off designated routes in the National Forest.
ATVs could make driving easier on some rough roads
No ATVs are allowed on two-lane gravel roads or paved routes
Camping and Lodging
Many hunters camp on Forest Service land. A popular campground is Laird Lake, named after a lake where the state stocks several thousand rainbow trout every year. Fishing is good now that illegally stocked pikeminnows have been removed. Butler Bar Campground gives access to the Grassy Knob Wilderness. RV camping is available at Sunshine Bar Campground 19 miles east of Port Orford. Many motels are in towns along the coast and the northeastern boundary. Bandon Inn gets high rating in the coastal town of Bandon. Other lodging facilities include Myrtle Lane Motel in Coquille (phone: 541-396-2102) as well as Castaway by the Sea and Wild Spring Guest Habitat in Port Orford.
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