Oregon Spring Bear

[Kiwi]

I've started researching Oregon Spring bear (south coast area) and am at the point where some input would really helpful.

I have asked a lot of questions on this forum and had a lot of amazing help which has lead to many successful adventures. So hopefully I'm not overstepping my welcome by asking for input to my 2026 adventure.

Is it true that there are private forestry lands open to hunting? There is some info online but I cant really understand the access arrangements, unless the process is to call each land and get the details? I plan to walk in on closed roads.

It seems that access to these lands is important as they are clear cut areas where the bears feed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Salmonchaser]

You are on the right track. You will find access is a mix of opportunities with the large timber companies. Most allow access but in more cases it is controlled to some extent due to a variety of problems they have experienced.
My niece is a Forester for one of those timber companies, though she primarily works the central coast range. She is a hunter, I’ll see her over Christmas, I’ll see what intel she can provide.

 

[gouch]

It depends on the company. Weyerhaeuser will sell you a permit that lets you access their land and roads. Weyerhaeuser is mostly in unit 24 "Tioga." South of there, into unit 25 "Sixes" you get into mostly Fruit Growers land (unless they have sold out recently) Last time I was there they allowed access to their land but their roads are almost all gated. In the Powers unit, 26, the ownership has changed so many times I can't keep track anymore but the last time I checked they pretty much always allow access but again most of their roads are gated. The Chetco unit, 27, is mostly forest service so free access. In a lot of areas there are BLM or Forest service roads that you can drive on threw the private. Then you can walk the gated private roads. All of the land is very steep, rugged and extremely brushy with roads everywhere, except on Forest service where drivable roads are becoming fewer and fewer all the time.

There are a lot of bears in all those units, but they are extremely hard to find because of the dense vegetation. I have been close enough to them to hear them breathing and pissing on the ground and still not be able to see them. Once, while working in that country, we were within six feet of a cougar guarding her den but didn't see her until she poked her head out of the brush right at our feet. Most hunting is done by glassing clearcuts from landings along the roads.