Oregon Elk Deer (Antlerless)

Unit 24 (Tioga)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Elk, Deer (Antlerless)

Unit 224 (Fossil) is located in North Central Oregon and is managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Elk hunting in this unit is allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw, so a successful application is the first step for any hunter planning to pursue elk here. Use the Draw Odds chart on this page to see current trendlines for this hunt.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 24

Where to Find Elk in Unit 224

Elk in this Oregon unit use a wide elevation band and shift between timbered holding cover and open feeding areas depending on the season. Generic patterns hold here as they do across most managed Oregon WMUs.

Early Season Holding Cover

During archery season, bulls tend to hold in the cooler, shaded draws and north-facing timber. Look for mixed conifer benches near water and mid-slope meadows where forage is still green. Wallows along small drainages are worth checking during the pre-rut and rut window.

Rifle Season Transitions

Once rifle season opens and pressure increases, elk tend to push into the thickest available cover and feed only at the edges of daylight. Focus on timbered ridges between major drainages and the transition zones where public land meets roadless or wilderness terrain.

Late-Season Movement

Early snow events can push elk to lower elevations. Watch the forecast heading into the back half of the season and be ready to relocate toward lower south-facing slopes and sheltered valley bottoms if weather turns.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 224

Oregon controlled-hunt elk tags are valuable. Plan your hunt to make the most of the opportunity.

Scout Before the Opener

If your schedule allows, get eyes on the unit before the hunt. Locate water, wallows, and consistent sign so you can move efficiently once the season opens.

Play the Wind and Thermals

Thermals in Oregon timber and canyon country are predictable but unforgiving. Hunt uphill in the morning, downhill in the evening, and never push a bedding area with the wrong wind.

Stay Mobile

If an area goes quiet, move. Elk react quickly to pressure, and hunters who reposition to new drainages or ridges when activity dies often find fresh animals within a day or two.

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Elk Success Rates

Recent draw results and success trends for Unit 224 elk are shown in the Draw Odds chart on this page. Refer to that tool for hunter-reported success and applicant trends rather than summary estimates.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	26	573	4.5%	18
Rifle— Controlled	88	93	90.3%	4
Rifle— Controlled	30	227	13.2%	8
Rifle— Controlled	902	1,070	80.7%	8
Rifle— Controlled	902	959	91.9%	8
Muzzleloader— Controlled	275	540	48.7%	8

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon uses a 75/25 controlled-hunt draw that combines preference points and a random allocation. Unit 224 elk tags are awarded through that system, and the Draw Odds chart on this page reflects the current trendlines for applicants and tags. Use that chart alongside ODFW's controlled-hunt navigation page when building your application strategy.

Deer (Antlerless) Hunting in Unit 24

Hunt code 624 (Tioga) is an antlerless deer tag within WMU 24. 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 Tioga Hunt Area

Tioga antlerless deer (WMU 24) 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 Tioga Antlerless Hunt

Antlerless deer hunting in the Tioga 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	132	830	15.9%	10

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Hunt code 624 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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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping is widely available on public land, with some developed campgrounds on national forest and BLM land.

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Water

Generally good — streams and springs are common in drainage bottoms across most of the unit.

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Road Conditions

Mix of paved access roads, gravel forest roads, and rougher spur roads. 4WD and high clearance are helpful for deeper access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous — timbered ridges and drainages typical of Oregon mountain country, with notable elevation changes.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate, with more pressure near roads and trailheads and less farther into the backcountry portions of the unit.

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Weather

Mountain and forest conditions with cool mornings, mild afternoons in early season, and increasing chance of rain and snow as the season progresses.

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Cell Service

Spotty to none in the backcountry. Expect coverage only near paved highways and larger towns.

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Nearest Town

Nearest services are in small rural Oregon towns typical of the region. Stock up on fuel, groceries, and any last-minute gear before heading into the unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Unit 224 elk?

Unit 224 elk tags are allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw. Apply through the ODFW controlled-hunt application process by the state's published deadline, using the hunt number that matches this unit and season.

Is Unit 224 a good choice for elk?

Check the Draw Odds chart on this page for current applicant and tag trends. Comparing this unit's draw odds and tag counts to neighboring units is the most reliable way to judge whether it fits your point level and hunt goals.

What animals can I harvest on the Tioga 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 624.

How do I apply for the Tioga antlerless deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 624. 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.

Oregon Big Game Regs (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates per weapon and species · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Species season structures and regulations, Public-access and access-program overviews · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals and hunter success rates, Population estimates per management unit · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point and random draw structure, Historical draw odds per controlled-hunt number · accessed 2026-04-17