Oregon Elk Deer (Buck) Deer (Antlerless)

Unit 23 (Umpqua)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Elk, Deer (Buck), Deer (Antlerless)

ODFW Wildlife Management Unit 223 (Wilson) covers the Wilson River drainage and adjacent Coast Range ridges in Tillamook County, northwestern Oregon. The Tillamook State Forest and its network of managed timber stands provide the habitat backbone for a healthy Roosevelt elk population. This is a popular and accessible unit due to its proximity to the Portland metropolitan area, and ODFW manages elk through both general season and limited-entry controlled hunts.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 23

Where to Find Elk in WMU 223 (Wilson)

Roosevelt elk in the Wilson unit concentrate in the active timber management zones of the Tillamook State Forest, where a rotating patchwork of clear-cuts, young plantations, and maturing stands creates abundant forage and cover transition zones. The Wilson River and its tributaries anchor elk movement — creek bottoms are primary travel corridors and key spots during the rut when bulls move between cow groups.

We recommend glassing from higher elevations overlooking recently logged units and the adjacent timber edges at dawn. Elk will feed in open clear-cuts overnight and return to timber cover by mid-morning. The head of small tributary drainages, especially those with south-facing slopes below ridge tops, are productive all-day elk locations.

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How to Hunt WMU 223 Elk

The Wilson unit's high weekend hunter pressure near Portland means weekday hunting produces significantly better results. Arrive before shooting light and be positioned at least two ridges away from the main road before other hunters begin driving.

Weekday Advantage

WMU 223 sees concentrated weekend pressure from Portland-area hunters. Hunting Monday through Thursday dramatically reduces competition and elk disturbance levels. Archery season weekdays during the early September rut are particularly productive.

Rut Calling in the Tillamook

Roosevelt elk in the Tillamook State Forest rut aggressively in September. Use cow calls and moderate bugles in the timber and along clear-cut edges. The active logging road system allows rapid repositioning — drive in before light, listen for bugles, then still-hunt in on foot.

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Elk Success Rates

The Wilson unit produces consistent Roosevelt elk harvest under the Tillamook State Forest's managed habitat program. Weekday hunters away from road corridors report the best success. Review ODFW Big Game Statistics for current WMU 223 elk harvest data and success rate trends.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	11	337	3.0%	15
Rifle— Controlled	10	12	83.3%	2

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

WMU 223 provides general season access for some elk hunts and limited-entry controlled hunts for others. Oregon's 75/25 preference-point/random system governs controlled tags. Check the ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigator for WMU 223-specific hunt-number draw odds.

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 23

The Umpqua WMU (WMU 23) is an Oregon Coast Range deer unit holding black-tailed deer in dense second-growth conifer, alder riparian corridors, and regenerating clearcuts. Controlled draw tags maintain manageable hunting pressure on this productive coastal habitat under Oregon's 75/25 preference-point/random draw system.

Where to Find Deer in the Umpqua Unit

Umpqua unit black-tailed deer concentrate in regenerating clearcuts and riparian corridors throughout this Coast Range WMU.

Clearcut Edges

Recent harvest units 3-10 years post-harvest provide dense browse that concentrates deer at dawn and dusk. Work the edges of clearcuts where mature timber meets open regenerating units. Bucks emerge to feed in openings and retreat to timber for bedding.

Riparian Corridors

Creek drainages funnel deer movement year-round. October rut activity brings bucks into alder and maple bottomlands. Move quietly along stream corridors and look for fresh rubs and scrapes on streamside trees.

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How to Hunt Deer in the Umpqua Unit

Stand hunting clearcut edges and slow still-hunting produce the most consistent results in Coast Range units like Umpqua.

Clearcut Edge Stands

Set a stand on the mature timber edge overlooking a productive clearcut. Clear shooting lanes to 50-80 yards before season. Scent control is critical in damp coastal air — use scent-free products and hunt with favorable wind.

Still-Hunting Logging Roads

Walk roads and skid trails extremely slowly on wet, still mornings. The Coast Range's heavy rainfall keeps foliage wet for quiet movement. Scan ahead continuously — blacktails often appear at road edges feeding on roadside vegetation.

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Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Umpqua and other Coast Range controlled deer tags see rifle success rates of 15-25%. The draw structure limits hunter pressure and supports better buck age structure than unmanaged general seasons in similar habitat. Archery tags typically run lower at 8-12%.

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	22	84	25.0%	24
Rifle— Controlled	3	201	1.5%	18
Rifle— Controlled	132	65	100.0%	10
Rifle— Controlled	3	42	4.8%	12
Rifle— Controlled	55	24	100.0%	6
Rifle— Controlled	11	16	62.5%	5

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon's 75/25 preference-point/random draw split means 75% of Umpqua unit deer tags go to highest-point applicants and 25% are allocated randomly each year. Hunt code 123 is accessible to newer applicants through the random pool. Check ODFW controlled hunt draw statistics at myodfw.com for current applicant counts and historical odds.

Deer (Antlerless) Hunting in Unit 23

Hunt code 623 (Melrose) is an antlerless deer tag within WMU 23. 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 Melrose Hunt Area

Melrose antlerless deer (WMU 23) 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 Melrose Antlerless Hunt

Antlerless deer hunting in the Melrose 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	275	654	42.0%	8
Rifle— Controlled	22	69	31.9%	6
Rifle— Controlled	33	77	42.9%	6
Rifle— Controlled	44	72	61.1%	4
Archery— Controlled	1100	430	100.0%	6
Any Legal Weapon— Controlled	28	70	38.6%	8
Any Legal Weapon— Controlled	28	78	34.6%	9
Any Legal Weapon— Controlled	28	88	31.8%	10

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Hunt code 623 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

Tillamook State Forest maintains an active road network; accessible but subject to seasonal closures

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — Coast Range terrain, well-roaded Tillamook State Forest

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Hunting Pressure

High near Portland on weekends; manageable on weekdays

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Weather

High annual rainfall; wet conditions throughout hunting seasons. Rain gear essential.

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Cell Service

Limited to none in most timber areas

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Nearest Town

Tillamook (20–30 miles west) or Forest Grove/Hillsboro (40 miles east)

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Permit Notes

Mix of general season and limited-entry controlled hunts; verify current ODFW regulations for WMU 223

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Tillamook State Forest for elk hunting in WMU 223?

The Tillamook State Forest has multiple road access points from Highway 6 (Wilson River Highway) between Forest Grove and Tillamook. Most main roads are open to licensed public access; some spur roads are seasonally gated. Contact the Oregon Department of Forestry Tillamook District for current road closure maps before your hunt.

How do I apply for the Umpqua unit deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 123. Oregon uses a 75/25 preference-point/random draw split. Purchase preference points annually to improve preference-pool odds, or rely on the 25% random allocation each year.

What is the best season for Umpqua unit deer hunting?

Season timing depends on your specific hunt code and weapon type. October rifle seasons typically coincide with the rut in Oregon deer units, which improves buck movement and encounter rates. Check current ODFW regulations for exact season dates.

What animals can I harvest on the Melrose 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 623.

How do I apply for the Melrose antlerless deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 623. 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 223 boundaries, Elk season structure, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-17
Oregon Big Game Regulations (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Hunt designation codes, Tag types per weapon · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU 223 elk harvest data, Success rate trends · accessed 2026-04-17
Tillamook State Forest Recreation — Oregon Department of Forestry · supports: Public land access, Road network, Tillamook State Forest management · 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 per hunt number · accessed 2026-04-18