2024 Deer and Elk Hunting Public Access Program – Applications begin June 17th

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.

Hunting permits are limited to provide a quality hunting experience. Hunters may submit applications starting on June 17th, and all applications must be received by July 5th. A lottery is held to randomly select hunters from among the applications. Results will be announced by July 19th, 2024. 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 2024, hunting access is NOT allowed on the Red Hills, Little Sweden, or Austin Hot Springs Conservation Areas.

Camping is available for a nominal fee at the Robinson Campground on the Pine Creek Conservation Area. This fee supports improvements to the campground, including recent work and additions such as road maintenance and gravel, picnic tables and a vault toilet. Bird hunting is open in the fall and overlaps portions of the deer and elk hunting seasons. Pine Creek bird hunters are 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.