Quick Tips
- Visit Crater Lake National Park
- Steelhead and salmon fishing in the Rogue River
- Trout and bass fishing at Howard Prairie Lake
- A lot of mountain quail in old logging areas
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Columbian Blacktail Deer | 120"-140" | 150"+ |
| Roosevelt Elk | 240"-260" | 280"+ |
On The Ground
This unit, which is on the west slopes of the Cascade Mountains and includes part of the Siskiyou Mountains next to California, has elk and blacktail deer on public land and private land, much of which is corporate timber land that is open to public hunting.
This unit has a good mixture of brush, grassy meadows, overgrown clearcuts, newly logged areas and old growth timber and produces some big blacktail and large Roosevelt elk despite heavy hunting pressure during general seasons.
Terrain
Between Medford and the crest of the Cascade Mountains, this unit borders Crater Lake National Park and California. The Rogue River runs roughly parallel to the unit’s northern and eastern boundaries. About two-thirds of Sky Lakes Wilderness, which straddles the crest of the Cascade Mountains, is in this unit. It is named for many lakes on both sides of the divide. Hunters with certain elk and deer tags may hunt on both sides of the divide. A good deal of land near Crater National Park and near and in the wilderness is between 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation. The southern part is in the lower Siskiyou Mountains, which are mostly below 4,000 feet.
Roughly 1,463 square miles
58% public land
Elevations from 1,300-9,500 feet
Vegetation
The higher mountains in the eastern half of the unit are heavily forested, mostly with firs, spruces, hemlocks and cedars. The foothills are heavily wooded in places and partly open in others with large, brushy areas and smaller timbered slopes and draws. More than 35 species of oaks and conifers grow in this unit. Some of the lower areas are covered with sagebrush and oak woodlands. Many meadows and overgrown clearcuts provide outstanding habitat for deer and elk.
Access
This unit has a lot of public lands that are managed by the Forest Service and the BLM, and much of the private land is open to timber companies that traditionally permit public hunting. A network of roads provides access to both public and private land. Much land is included in the Jackson Travel Management Area. Some parts of the travel management area are open to walk-in hunters, but gates on roads are closed from Oct. 15 until April 30. Hunting is allowed in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
Camping and Lodging
Camping is available at Hyatt Lake Campground in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Emigrant Lake RV Park, operated by Jackson County, is open year round. Other lodging options are available in Medford, including Cedar Lodge Inn. Several hotels are in Ashland. Most hunters camp along dirt roads on public land. Private timberlands typically do not allow camping.
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