2023 Deer and Elk Hunting Public Access Program – Applications begin June 15th

The Pine Creek and Upper John Day Conservation Lands Programs offer limited public hunting access to the Conservation Areas, including Pine Creek Conservation Area, the mainstem Forrest Conservation Area in Prairie City, and the Oxbow, Middle Fork Forrest, and Dunstan Conservation areas along the upper Middle Fork John Day River.

Access permits are limited to provide a quality hunting experience. Hunters may submit applications starting on June 15th, and all applications must be received by July 6th. A lottery is held to randomly select hunters from among the applications. Results will be announced by July 20th, 2023. Deer and elk hunters wishing to apply for an access permit MUST apply through this website, see Hunting Permits. Hunters must upload a copy of their ODFW tag (screenshot or photo) issued for the specific hunt during their application.

All hunters will be contacted by email about the outcome of the draw. For specific hunting questions for Oxbow/Forrest/Dunstan, please contact Zach Cunningham, and for Pine Creek, contact Ty Hodder.

For 2023, hunting access is NOT allowed on the Red Hills, Little Sweden, or Austin Hot Springs Conservation Areas.

Overnight Camping at Pine Creek reopened, and the hunting dates are blacked out until July 20th, giving time for access permits to be issued. The Campground reservation system will be on-hold for the hunting season dates until after we announce results of the big game lottery, and a date and time will be announced with the results of hunting success of when the reservation system is available. Starting this year, fall camping is $14.00 per night, which will support improvements to the campground. Road gravel, picnic tables, and a new toilet are some of the recent improvements to the campground. Also new to Pine Creek this year is that bird hunting will be open in the fall and active during the portions of the deer and elk hunting seasons. Pine Creek bird hunters are all required to obtain an annual bird hunting permit.

Tribal Member Hunting is managed by a separate website through the Reservation. Although the table below lists the available hunting permits for each hunt, there are equal numbers of hunting tags available to Tribal Members.

See Hunting and Fishing for more information.