Oregon Elk Deer (Antlerless)

Unit 20 (Siuslaw)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Elk, Deer (Antlerless)

ODFW Wildlife Management Unit 220 (Siuslaw) encompasses large portions of the Coast Range in Lane and Lincoln counties in western Oregon. Roosevelt elk are the primary big game species, inhabiting dense timber, brushy clear-cuts, and creek drainages within and around the Siuslaw National Forest. ODFW manages elk through both general season tags and limited-entry controlled hunts depending on weapon type and season.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 20

Where to Find Elk in WMU 220 (Siuslaw)

Roosevelt elk in the Siuslaw unit use a mosaic of dense timber, regenerating clear-cuts, and creek bottoms throughout the Coast Range. Logging roads offer access to transition zones where elk move between feeding and cover areas at first and last light. Wallows and mineral licks along creek drainages are reliable spots to monitor during the September rut. Elk concentrate in second-growth stands where dense brush provides cover alongside adjacent grass and forb openings.

We recommend prioritizing the creek corridor systems and any recent timber harvest units where early successional vegetation is lush and elk have less competition from dense canopy. Glassing logged slopes from ridge tops at dawn can reveal elk working downhill toward timber cover after feeding in openings overnight.

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How to Hunt WMU 220 Elk

Hunting Roosevelt elk in the Siuslaw demands adaptability in thick terrain. Bugles and cow calls during the September rut can be highly effective at pulling bulls through dense Coast Range brush. Keep calling sequences short — Roosevelt elk in tight timber can close distance quickly, and being caught unprepared is common.

Still-Hunting Clear-Cut Edges

Still-hunting along clear-cut edges at dawn is one of the most productive approaches in the Siuslaw unit. Logging roads allow hunters to position downwind of feeding areas before light. Move slowly, stop frequently, and use the terrain breaks created by harvest units to stay hidden.

Logging Road Grid

The extensive logging road network is both an asset and a liability — it creates vehicle access for many hunters. We recommend driving roads before shooting light to locate fresh sign and tracks in road-cut soft dirt, then parking well away and still-hunting in on foot.

Rifle Season

During controlled rifle seasons, pressure concentrates near road-accessible areas. Push beyond the first ridge or into the head of drainages where access drops off sharply. Elk that have survived multiple archery and early firearm seasons tend to be nocturnal near roads but predictable in undisturbed drainages.

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Elk Success Rates

ODFW publishes annual per-WMU harvest statistics. Roosevelt elk success rates in Coast Range units vary by weapon type and hunt type (general vs. controlled). We recommend reviewing the ODFW Big Game Statistics page for WMU 220 current-year data before your hunt.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	132	462	27.7%	9
Rifle— Controlled	15	40	37.5%	3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

WMU 220 offers both general season and limited-entry controlled hunt tags for elk. Oregon's controlled hunt system uses a 75/25 preference-point/random split — 75% of tags go to applicants with the most points, 25% are drawn randomly. Review the ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigator for historical draw odds by specific hunt designation within this WMU.

Deer (Antlerless) Hunting in Unit 20

Hunt code 620 (Siuslaw) is an antlerless deer tag within WMU 20. Antlerless tags allow harvest of does to help manage deer populations in balance with available habitat and landowner tolerance. Oregon's draw system controls harvest through limited tag availability.

Where to Find Deer in the Siuslaw Hunt Area

Siuslaw antlerless deer (WMU 20) are distributed throughout the unit's habitat. Doe and fawn groups are less wary than mature bucks and use a wider range of habitat types.

Feeding Areas and Field Edges

Clearcut edges, meadows, and agricultural fields concentrate deer in predictable locations. Scout feeding areas before season.

Water and Travel Corridors

Streams and water sources concentrate deer movement. Travel corridors between bedding and feeding areas are consistent locations for antlerless deer throughout the season.

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How to Hunt the Siuslaw Antlerless Hunt

Antlerless deer hunting in the Siuslaw area offers flexible tactics — doe groups are less wary and more predictable than mature bucks.

Stand Hunting

Set a stand or blind overlooking a known feeding area or water source. Antlerless deer often move in groups. Hunt low-light periods for the most consistent activity.

Shot Placement and Legal Animals

Read your tag and current ODFW regulations carefully before hunting. Antlerless tags have specific restrictions on legal animals — confirm compliance before shooting.

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Deer (Antlerless) Success Rates

Antlerless deer tags in Oregon typically see high success rates — 30-50% or higher — because does and fawn groups are more abundant and predictable than mature bucks. The antlerless tag system allows efficient population management while providing quality hunting opportunities.

Deer (Antlerless) Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	88	703	12.5%	8
Rifle— Controlled	55	39	100.0%	2
Rifle— Controlled	10	77	13.0%	8
Archery— Controlled	275	199	100.0%	6

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Hunt code 620 is a controlled antlerless tag under Oregon's 75/25 preference-point/random draw system. Antlerless tag demand varies by unit and year — check ODFW draw statistics for current applicant counts. Apply at myodfw.com.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Extensive logging road network; many roads gated seasonally. High-clearance recommended; 4WD for wet conditions.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to difficult — steep Coast Range ridges, dense brush, limited visibility

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — road network makes unit accessible; backcountry drainages see less pressure

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Cell Service

Spotty to none in most drainages. Carry a satellite communicator.

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Nearest Town

Florence (west) or Corvallis (east), each 30–50 miles from unit center

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Permit Notes

General season tags available for archery and some rifle seasons; limited-entry controlled hunts also issued — check ODFW regulations for current season structure

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt elk in WMU 220 with a general season tag?

Many Oregon WMUs offer general season elk tags for archery and/or rifle seasons. Check ODFW's current Big Game Regulations for WMU 220 to confirm which seasons are open to general tags versus limited-entry controlled hunts.

Are there Roosevelt elk or Rocky Mountain elk in WMU 220?

WMU 220 (Siuslaw) is in the Oregon Coast Range and is Roosevelt elk country. Roosevelt elk are the native subspecies of the west-side Coast Range units, distinct from the Rocky Mountain elk found in eastern Oregon.

What animals can I harvest on the Siuslaw antlerless tag?

Antlerless tags allow harvest of deer without visible antlers or with antlers below a specified length. Read your tag and current ODFW regulations carefully for exact legal animal definitions for hunt code 620.

How do I apply for the Siuslaw antlerless deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 620. Oregon's 75/25 draw split means 25% of tags go to random applicants every year regardless of preference points.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

ODFW Big Game Hunting — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries, Season structure, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-17
Oregon Big Game Regulations (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Bag limits, Legal weapons, General vs. controlled hunt designations · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest data, Hunter success rates, Population estimates · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point/random draw structure, Historical draw odds by hunt number · accessed 2026-04-17