- Be prepared for hunting in dense timber
- Get permission to hunt on private land for more solitude
- Bow and shotgun hunting only in Cascade Head-Lincoln City area
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|
Columbian Blacktail Deer | 90"-110" | 120"+ |
Roosevelt Elk | 240"-260" | 290"+ |
This coastal unit, which is from Tillamook Bay south to Lincoln City and west of McMinnville and Forest Grove, is home to Roosevelt elk and Columbia blacktail deer. General deer and elk tags are sold over the counter for rifle and bowhunting.
Terrain varies from coastal flats, farmland, pastures and clearcuts to forested mountains, hills and urbanized areas. Hunting pressure is heavy, but a few bull elk and buck deer manage to live long enough to grow impressive racks.
The western side of the unit has some wide, flat river valleys filled with farmland. They are surrounded by forested hills that are mostly less than 1,000 feet above sea level. Farther inland the hills are larger, many of them exceeding 2,000 feet in elevation and some of them more than 3,100 feet above sea level. The land flattens out again on the western side, which is characterized by farmlands, residential areas and parts of McMinnville and Forest Grove as well as several smaller towns.
The western third is mostly forested and hilly, but there are many clearcuts that are filled with grass, brush and saplings. A large farm area surrounds Tillamook, and smaller farm sectors are near Sand Lake, Pacific City, Cloverdale and Beaver. The central third of the unit is mostly heavily forested mountain land over 1,000 feet in elevation with many hills exceeding 2,000 feet and some exceeding 3,100 feet. The eastern third of the of the unit is less forested and less hilly and contains a great deal of farmland, logging areas, residential areas and the western halves of McMinnville and Forest Grove. Common trees are Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, alders and maples. Lots of berry bushes grow here, including huckleberry and salmonberry. Large ferns are common as are wildflowers.
Huge expanses of this unit are publicly owned, including part of the Siuslaw National Forest, Cascade Head Experimental Forest and a large part of the Tillamook State Forest. Much of the central part of unit is a patchwork of state, Forest Service, BLM and private land. Some of the private land is owned by logging companies, which open some land to public hunting. About 60 square miles of the Upper Tualatin-Trask area is closed to motor vehicles during and just before rifle seasons. Most other roads on state and federal land are open to all motor vehicles.
Dispersed camping is allowed on most public land. The Forest Service promotes “Leave No Trace” camping practices. Backpackers may camp almost anywhere except where posted. Motels are in McMinnville, Forest Grove and Tillamook.
Roughly 1,314 square miles
43% public land
Elevations from 0-3,500 feet