Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area: hunting rules, map and access
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area is 2,954 acres of land managed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in the Saddle Mountain Unit (10) and Wilson Unit (12), by ODFW's mapped boundary. ODFW's 2026 rule for the area begins: "All areas posted as “Refuge” are closed to public entry."
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 landJewell Meadows Wildlife AreaUnit lineLake, reservoir or riverHighway
| Size | 2,954 acres (ODFW boundary, measured) |
|---|---|
| Units | 10 Saddle Mountain, 12 Wilson |
| ODFW zone | Northwest |
| First rule | All areas posted as “Refuge” are closed to public entry |
| Nearest towns | Westport (13 mi), Knappa (14 mi) and Svensen (14 mi) |
What is Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area?
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area is located in the Oregon Coast Range Mountains, in the northwestern part of the state. The wildlife area was established in 1969, with an initial purchase of 183 acres. It now encompasses 1,114 acres. The wildlife area’s purpose is to protect and enhance habitat to benefit native wildlife species, to reduce wildlife damage to adjacent properties, and to provide the public with an opportunity to observe wildlife in a natural setting.
From ODFW's Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area page.
What are the hunting rules on Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area?
All areas posted as “Refuge” are closed to public entry. The Beneke Tract is open to hunting only during game mammal and game bird seasons. Posted portions of the Beneke tract are closed to public entry during any open Saddle Mtn Unit elk season except for black-tailed deer hunting only during the General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon Season with a valid unused tag. The Humbug Tract is open to hunting only during game mammal and game bird seasons. It is unlawful to shoot firearms and bows from or across open fields during any open Wilson Unit elk season. ODFW parking permit is required (see pg 89 for more information).
ODFW's 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations, page 88, under units 10, 12. ODFW 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations.
Which hunting units is Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area in?
Jewell Meadows 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 10 Saddle Mountain | 2,798 | 1,065 (2025) | 1,267 (2025) |
| Unit 12 Wilson | 156 | 409 (2025) | 711 (2025) |
Harvest: ODFW harvest statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres in each unit measured by FilledTag from ODFW's boundaries.
How do you get to Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: US 26, OR 202, OR 47 and OR 53. Nearest towns: Westport (13 miles), Knappa (14 miles), Svensen (14 miles) and Vernonia (16 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area?
ODFW's 2026 regulations set these rules for Jewell Meadows: All areas posted as “Refuge” are closed to public entry. The Beneke Tract is open to hunting only during game mammal and game bird seasons. Hunting seasons follow the unit the ground is in.
Which unit is Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area in?
The Saddle Mountain Unit (10, 2,798 acres) and the Wilson Unit (12, 156 acres), by ODFW's boundaries.
What towns are near Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area?
Westport (13 miles), Knappa (14 miles) and Svensen (14 miles), measured to the area's edge.
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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.