Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
With more than 10 Wild & Scenic Rivers and plenty of both big & small game, hunting and fishing are popular pastimes on Mt. Hood National Forest. In Oregon, licenses and regulations for hunting and fishing are managed by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Learn about Oregon fishing & hunting regulations and how to get a license.
Please remember: It's your responsibility to know property boundaries and respect nearby private lands while hunting on the national forest.
Lake and Pond Fishing
The Mt. Hood National Forest provides an endless number of fishing opportunities for the experienced and beginner angler. Beautiful rivers and streams, high elevation lakes, reservoirs, and small ponds offer just about every setting one could ask for to relax and fish, or just enjoy the magnificent scenery.
Hunting
Regulations & Licenses
To purchase a hunting license, please visit Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's website. There, you can also learn about hunting regulations, permits, seasons of hunt, maps, hunter education and more. For new hunters, a great place to start is ODFW's How to Hunt webpage.
Most visitors hunt big game like elk and deer on the Forest, but there are opportunities for bird game hunting too. For big game hunting, ODFW divides the state into several areas, which are then divided into smaller units. The hunting units on the Mt. Hood National Forest are Hood Unit 42, Santiam Unit 16, and White River Unit 41.
Camping Rules, Regulations, and Recommendations
Occupancy limits, maximum stay limits and firewood cutting regulations apply during hunting season.
Safety
- ODFW Hunter Education - Hunter Education is recommended for all new hunters. In Oregon, a Hunter Education course is required for all new hunters age 17 and younger unless hunting on land owned by a parent or legal guardian, or unless participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program.
- Wear Hunter Orange! This is recommended for everyone on national forests to ensure high visibility during big game hunting season.
- Weather & Current Conditions
Recreational and Target Shooting
Recreational target shooting is an appropriate use of the forest, when done safely and with respect to the land and forest property.
When target shooting is done in the right way, it poses little threat to people’s safety or to natural resources. However, careless, unsafe shooting can cause great natural resources damage and pose serious threats to human life – both to forest staff and visitors.
It's your responsibility to know the rules and regulations for shooting. Learn more about firearms & target shooting on Mt. Hood National Forest.
Search for Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Opportunities
Alder Flat Trailhead
Armstrong Campground
Badger Lake Campground
Bear Springs Group Campground
Bear Springs Shelter & Day Use
Big Eddy Day Use Area/Picnic Site
Bonney Crossing Campground
Camp Ten Campground (Olallie Lake)
Carter Bridge Campground
Carter Bridge Day Use