Oregon Elk Deer (Buck) Deer (Antlerless)

Unit 28 (Applegate)

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

Hunt 228 covers the Applegate and Evans Creek wildlife management units in southwestern Oregon's Rogue River drainage. Rosevelt elk dominate here, using the mixed oak-conifer foothills and BLM checkerboard ground between Grants Pass, Medford, and the California border. We see around 555 applicants chasing roughly 110 tags over a 3-year window, and the country rewards hunters who know how to read a timber edge on steep ground.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 28

Where to Find Elk in Hunt 228

Roosevelt elk in the Applegate-Evans Creek country favor the transition zone between valley oak savanna and the denser Douglas-fir stands above 2,500 feet. Herds use the same drainages year after year.

Applegate WMU Ground

West of Medford, elk concentrate in the upper Applegate River drainage and the side creeks feeding Applegate Lake. BLM timber on north-facing slopes above 2,000 feet holds cows and calves through rifle season, with bulls pushing into the thicker stands during daylight.

Evans Creek WMU Ground

Evans Creek drainage north of Rogue River town has mixed BLM and private timber. Focus on the upper West Fork and East Fork of Evans Creek, and the benches along the divide with the Grave Creek drainage. Logging roads open this country up but also bring pressure.

Seasonal Patterns

Early-season elk stay higher in the mixed conifer. When fall rains come in October, animals drop into the oak/madrone fringe and feed on acorns and green-up. By late rifle season, small groups hold tight to timbered draws near private ag fields.

How to Hunt Elk in Hunt 228

This is foot-hunting country with a logging-road skeleton. We plan around steep sidehills, thick brush, and a lot of mixed-ownership ground.

Glass the Clearcuts at First Light

Recent BLM clearcuts and thinning units produce forage that pulls elk out in the first and last hour of daylight. We park on a ridge road before legal light and glass opposing slopes and clearcut edges until the thermals shift.

Work the Oak-Fir Edge

The line where oak savanna meets Douglas-fir is the money zone. Bulls bed in the conifer and feed the oak openings. We still-hunt these edges with the wind in our face, moving slow enough to hear a branch break 80 yards off.

Respect the Ownership Map

BLM ground here is a checkerboard with timber-company and private parcels. We pull the ODFW Hunt Access map and cross-check with an onX layer before a stalk. Getting turned around on a square mile of private is a real risk in this country.

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Elk Success Rates

ODFW harvest statistics for the Applegate and Evans Creek WMUs show Roosevelt elk hunter success in the 12-18% range across rifle seasons, with a heavy cow component in most antlerless tags. Applicant-to-tag pressure over the last 3 years sits near 555 applicants for 110 tags, or roughly 5:1. That's tougher than the statewide average but well short of the premium northeast Oregon hunts.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Controlled	22	162	13.6%	7
Rifle— Controlled	20	19	100.0%	5

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon uses a 75% preference-point, 25% random weighted draw, with a 100-point cap that is non-cumulative — once you hit the cap you can still apply but do not keep banking points. Hunt 228 typically draws in the low-to-mid preference-point range for the preference portion, and the 25% random pool gives first-year applicants a real shot. We recommend applying even without a point stack; the random draw is the fastest way into this country.

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 28

The Applegate WMU (WMU 28) supports a mule deer population across central Oregon's ponderosa pine, sage, and rimrock terrain. Controlled draw tags limit pressure and maintain buck quality in this productive high desert and transition zone landscape.

Where to Find Deer in the Applegate Unit

Mule deer in the Applegate unit use ponderosa pine, sage, and rimrock across central Oregon's varied terrain.

Ponderosa-Sage Edge

The transition between ponderosa pine forest and open sage is the most productive zone. Bucks feed in sage openings and bed in pine timber. Glass these edges from elevated points in early morning before deer move into cover.

Rimrock Benches

Central Oregon volcanic rimrock provides thermal cover and wide sightlines. Glass below rimrock edges in morning sunlight — bucks bed on ledges with clear views of the terrain below them.

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How to Hunt Deer in the Applegate Unit

Central Oregon mule deer hunting in the Applegate unit rewards systematic glassing and patient stalking.

Systematic Glassing

Spend significant time behind quality optics from elevated vantage points before attempting stalks. Identify bucks thoroughly before committing to an approach. In Oregon's controlled hunt areas, buck quality improves with hunter selectivity.

Spot-and-Stalk

Use terrain features to close distance. Approach from above when possible, keep the wind in your face, and move when the animal has its head down or is screened by terrain. Patience on the stalk pays better dividends than rushing.

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Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Controlled deer tags in the Applegate unit see rifle success rates typically in the 18-28% range. Oregon's draw system limits hunter pressure and supports above-average buck quality compared to general season areas in similar habitat types.

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— Controlled	330	841	37.3%	18

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 Applegate unit deer tags go to highest-point applicants and 25% are allocated randomly each year. Hunt code 128 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 28

Hunt code 628 (Applegate) is an antlerless deer tag within WMU 28. 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 Applegate Hunt Area

Applegate antlerless deer (WMU 28) 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 Applegate Antlerless Hunt

Antlerless deer hunting in the Applegate 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	42	816	5.0%	15
Rifle— Controlled	33	147	21.8%	6

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Hunt code 628 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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RV Sites

Limited inside the unit. Full RV parks in Grants Pass, Medford, and Rogue River town.

⛺

Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM and USFS ground. Developed sites at Applegate Lake and along the Rogue.

🛻

Trailer Access

Yes on main BLM roads; no on secondary spurs and logging skid roads.

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Water

Good. Applegate River, Evans Creek, and tributaries flow year-round.

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Road Conditions

Graveled BLM and USFS main roads are passable in 2WD when dry; 4WD recommended once fall rain starts.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Steep sidehills, thick brush, and deep draws.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate overall. Pressure concentrates on road-accessible clearcuts; drops fast with a half-mile walk.

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Weather

40-70°F early; rifle season brings rain, fog, and occasional snow above 3,500 feet.

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Cell Service

Spotty. Coverage near I-5 and populated valleys, nothing in the backcountry draws.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Grants Pass (full services) or Medford (full services). Both are within 30-45 minutes of most trailheads.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is Oregon's Hunt 228 for elk?

Recent ODFW statistics show roughly 555 applicants for 110 tags over a 3-year window — about 5:1. That is moderately competitive; the 25% random pool keeps the hunt accessible to new applicants.

What elk subspecies lives in the Applegate-Evans Creek country?

Roosevelt elk. Southwestern Oregon sits inside the Roosevelt range, and these elk are typically bigger-bodied with heavier but shorter antlers than Rocky Mountain elk.

Do I need preference points to draw Hunt 228?

Not necessarily. Oregon allocates 75% of tags by preference points and 25% in a weighted random draw. Hunt 228 commonly draws for mid-range point holders, but random-pool applicants can pull a tag with zero points.

How do I apply for the Applegate unit deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 128. 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 Applegate 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 Applegate 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 628.

How do I apply for the Applegate antlerless deer tag?

Apply through ODFW's controlled hunt system at myodfw.com using hunt code 628. 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 Applegate & Evans Creek WMU Pages — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundary and access descriptions, Roosevelt elk population and habitat notes, Hunter access program participation · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Oregon Big Game Regulations — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Controlled-hunt number 228 season dates and weapon type, Tag quota for Applegate-Evans Creek elk hunt, Application deadline and fee schedule · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Applegate and Evans Creek unit harvest totals, Roosevelt elk hunter success rates, Bull-to-cow ratio estimates · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Hunting Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Season structures, WMU-level special regulations, Public-access overviews · accessed 2026-04-18
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

Unit 28 (Applegate)

Elk Hunting in Unit 28

Where to Find Elk in Hunt 228

Applegate WMU Ground

Evans Creek WMU Ground

Seasonal Patterns

How to Hunt Elk in Hunt 228

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Deer (Buck) Hunting in Unit 28

Where to Find Deer in the Applegate Unit

How to Hunt Deer in the Applegate Unit

Deer (Buck) Success Rates

Deer (Buck) Draw Odds

Deer (Antlerless) Hunting in Unit 28

Where to Find Deer in the Applegate Hunt Area

How to Hunt the Applegate Antlerless Hunt

Deer (Antlerless) Success Rates

Deer (Antlerless) Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification