Public Hunting Land in Oregon

Oregon offers hunters access to more than 34 million acres of public land, including rugged coastlines, Cascade peaks, high desert plains, and dense national forests. With abundant populations of blacktail and mule deer, elk, bear, turkey, upland birds, and waterfowl, Oregon is a premier destination for big game and DIY public land hunting in the Pacific Northwest.

Types of Public Land Available in Oregon:

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands: Much of Oregon’s high desert and sagebrush habitat is accessible for public hunting.

• U.S. Forest Service Lands: National forests like Willamette, Deschutes, Umpqua, and Wallowa-Whitman offer thousands of acres of prime elk and deer territory.

• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) Areas: These include wildlife areas, controlled hunt units, and walk-in access programs.

• Private Lands with Public Access: ODFW’s Access & Habitat and Travel Management Areas allow free access to enrolled lands for licensed hunters.

Seasons & Access Info

Oregon hunting seasons are managed by species and the Game Management Unit (GMU). Many big game hunts, including elk and deer, require controlled hunt tags via lottery. General season tags are also available for some species and units.

Key Resources:

• Hunting Seasons & Regulations

• License & Tag Sales

• Controlled Hunt Info & Deadlines

Pro Tip: Oregon’s Western General Elk Zone offers solid OTC opportunities — especially in coastal rainforest and Cascade foothill units.

Explore Oregon’s Hunting Access

Use these tools to locate public land boundaries, hunt units, and road access restrictions:

• ODFW Hunt Map Viewer (Interactive)

• BLM & Forest Service Land Access

• Access & Habitat Program Info

Whether you're calling elk in misty timber or glassing canyon edges for mule deer, Oregon’s public lands offer wild, scenic, and rewarding opportunities for well-prepared hunters.