Fern Ridge Wildlife Area: hunting rules, map and access
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is 5,940 acres of land managed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in the Willamette Unit (15) and Siuslaw Unit (20), by ODFW's mapped boundary. ODFW's 2026 rule for the area begins: "Open to big game hunting during authorized seasons (see current Oregon Game Bird Regulations)."
Data updated October 2026. Rules: ODFW's 2026 regulations, page 88. Boundary: ODFW. Land around it: USGS PAD-US 4.1.
National wildlife refugeNational forestBLMODFW landState forest and trust landFern Ridge Wildlife AreaUnit lineLake, reservoir or riverHighway
| Size | 5,940 acres (ODFW boundary, measured) |
|---|---|
| Units | 15 Willamette, 20 Siuslaw |
| ODFW zone | Northwest |
| First rule | Open to big game hunting during authorized seasons (see current Oregon Game Bird Regulations) |
| Nearest towns | Elmira (next to it), Veneta (next to it) and Cheshire (5 mi) |
What is Fern Ridge Wildlife Area?
The FRWA was created by a licensing agreement signed in 1957 and modified in 1982 and 2008, between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Oregon Game Commission. This agreement authorized the state to develop, conserve, and manage all wildlife resources on 5,261 acres of land and water within the Fern Ridge Project. ODFW also acquired the 309 acre Coyote Creek South and 224 acre Coyote Creek Northeast units in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The wildlife area now totals 5,794 acres.
From ODFW's Fern Ridge Wildlife Area page.
What are the hunting rules on Fern Ridge Wildlife Area?
Open to big game hunting during authorized seasons (see current Oregon Game Bird Regulations). Free daily hunting permits are required for all units and are available at self-service stations located at area access points. Hunters must check in and out daily. Hunters limited to muzzleloaders, shotguns and archery equipment only; discharging rifles and handguns prohibited. ODFW parking permit is required (see pg 89 for more information).
ODFW's 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations, page 88, under units 15, 20. ODFW 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations.
Which hunting units is Fern Ridge Wildlife Area in?
Fern Ridge spans 2 units. ODFW's latest elk and deer harvest for the whole unit, not the wildlife area alone:
| Unit | Wildlife area acres in it | Elk harvested (unit) | Deer harvested (unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 15 Willamette | 4,228 | 137 (2025) | 1,699 (2025) |
| Unit 20 Siuslaw | 1,712 | 283 (2025) | 1,081 (2025) |
Harvest: ODFW harvest statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres in each unit measured by FilledTag from ODFW's boundaries.
How do you get to Fern Ridge Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: OR 126, OR 200, OR 99, OR 36 and OR 569. Nearest towns: Elmira (next to it), Veneta (next to it), Cheshire (5 miles) and River Road (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Fern Ridge Wildlife Area?
ODFW's 2026 regulations set these rules for Fern Ridge: Open to big game hunting during authorized seasons (see current Oregon Game Bird Regulations). Free daily hunting permits are required for all units and are available at self-service stations located at area access points. Hunting seasons follow the unit the ground is in.
Which unit is Fern Ridge Wildlife Area in?
The Willamette Unit (15, 4,228 acres) and the Siuslaw Unit (20, 1,712 acres), by ODFW's boundaries.
What towns are near Fern Ridge Wildlife Area?
Elmira (next to it), Veneta (next to it) and Cheshire (5 miles), measured to the area's edge.
Get an Oregon hunt plan when they open
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: ODFW 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations, page 88.
- Boundary and acres: ODFW Wildlife Areas (Compass dataset). Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land by manager, 2025).
- Unit harvest: ODFW harvest statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.