Unit 25 (Sixes)

Deer at every elevation

ODFW's forecast says deer in Josephine and Curry counties are more likely to be found at all elevations throughout the season, only pushed out of the higher ground by large weather events. That's useful on a unit that runs from sea level up to Iron Mountain at 4,070 feet. Ophir Mountain, Brushy Mountain, Barklow Mountain and Copper Mountain are the other named summits. You don't have to chase a migration here.

Boundary and towns

The boundary starts at Gold Beach, runs north along the coast to the south shore of Coos Bay, then east to US 101, southeast on Highway 42 and the Powers Highway to Powers. From there it goes south on a posted forest road to the Rogue River at Illahee and back to the coast. Powers, Port Orford, Myrtle Point and Bandon are the nearest towns. Public land is a minority, so expect a lot of private timber ground. Think of it as two hunts in one: low coastal ground near the bays and rivers, and the ridgelines that climb toward Iron Mountain. Scout both before you decide, and check where private timber gates close the roads.

The ground ODFW draws for this hunt

The Sixes Unit, WMU 25, covers about 994 square miles measured on ODFW's polygon, and ODFW rates it 29% public land. Named features inside the line fall in Curry County and Coos County. Elevation runs from about 3 to 4,070 feet. The highest named points are Iron Mountain (4,070 ft), Ophir Mountain (3,950 ft) and Brushy Mountain (3,604 ft). ODFW's line is the legal one, so check it against a current land-ownership map, and get permission before you cross private ground or a locked gate inside it.

What ODFW's forecast says

ODFW says deer populations in many parts of the Tioga, Sixes and Powers units are high compared with the early 2000s but may have leveled off in recent years. The recent three-year average buck ratio is above benchmark within the district. That's a reasonable outlook, not a promise. Scout the ground, find where deer are feeding and plan to hunt the openings and brushy edges.

Muzzleloader and fire rules

The Sixes Unit Muzzleloader hunt is a one-shot hunt, so close the distance and shoot from a rest. Coastal brush is thick, and a wounded deer disappears fast, so mark your spot and wait before tracking. ODFW reminds hunters to check campfire restrictions and the rules for private timber company land during fire season. Get permission and confirm gates before you drive in. Wet weather makes steep logging roads slick, so don't count on your truck to get you out.

ODFW's 2026 buck deer hunts on this ground

Seasons, bag limits and tags come from ODFW's 2026 regulations. Check the current book before you apply or go, because these change every year.

• 125M Sixes Unit Muzzleloader, Oct. 17 - Oct. 25: 32 tags, one buck with visible antler.

The 2025 harvest in ODFW's numbers

ODFW's 2025 statistics for this WMU, covering all deer hunters, every season and tag type.

• Sixes: 1,145 hunters, 609 animals, 53% success over 7,682 hunter days.

Roads in and the nearest towns

The longest named roads through this ground are OR 42, OR 542, Forest Road 33 and CR 545. The nearest towns are Powers (11 mi), Port Orford (14 mi) and Myrtle Point (15 mi), measured from the centre of the unit.

From the Pacific to Iron Mountain

The unit begins at Gold Beach, follows the coast north to Coos Bay, then swings inland along US 101, Hwy 42 and the Powers Highway to Powers and down to the Rogue at Illahee. Iron Mountain, Ophir Mountain and Brushy Mountain are the named high points.

ODFW says deer in many parts of the Tioga, Sixes and Powers units are high compared with early-century levels. It also says they may have leveled off more recently. That's an honest read: a good herd, but not a growing one.

Deer at every elevation

ODFW notes that deer in Curry County are more likely to be found at all elevations through the season and only get pushed off the higher ground by large weather events. Unlike the Cascade herds, these animals don't make a long migration.

Forest Road 33 and OR 542 climb toward the Powers end, while OR 42 and US 101 run the coastal side. Check the Siskiyou and Coos Bay BLM maps for public parcels, because a lot of the lowland is private. Powers and Port Orford are the closest towns, and Myrtle Point and Bandon sit on the coastal side.

The ground ODFW draws for this hunt

The Sixes Unit, WMU 25, covers about 994 square miles measured on ODFW's polygon, and ODFW rates it 29% public land. Named features inside the line fall in Curry County and Coos County. Elevation runs from about 3 to 4,070 feet. The highest named points are Iron Mountain (4,070 ft), Ophir Mountain (3,950 ft) and Brushy Mountain (3,604 ft). ODFW's line is the legal one, so check it against a current land-ownership map, and get permission before you cross private ground or a locked gate inside it.

Start with the landowner rules

ODFW says to check local restrictions on campfires and on hunting private timber company land during fire season. In this unit that matters more than most. Large blocks sit behind gates, and the rules differ from one company to the next.

Call ahead, get the permit if one is needed, and carry the paperwork.

Still-hunt the ridge cuts

With deer spread across all elevations, you don't need to pick a band to hunt. Pick a cut or a ridge with feed close to cover, and hunt it at first and last light. In the middle of the day, move slowly along benches and saddles where deer bed.

ODFW's southwest forecast says harvest has held steady or edged up over the past several years in Jackson, Josephine and Curry units, and expects this fall to match. That's a steady herd, so don't expect easy hunting; you'll earn the animal.

A steep drag off a coastal ridge is slow work. Pack a sturdy game bag set and a good pack frame. Cool the meat quickly, since the coast stays damp and mild.

ODFW's 2026 antlerless deer hunts on this ground

Seasons, bag limits and tags come from ODFW's 2026 regulations. Check the current book before you apply or go, because these change every year.

• 625 Sixes Unit, Oct. 3 - Nov. 6: 121 tags, one antlerless deer.
• 625T Sixes Unit Youth, Dec. 15 - Jan. 5, 2027: 94 tags, one deer.

The 2025 harvest in ODFW's numbers

ODFW's 2025 statistics for this WMU, covering all deer hunters, every season and tag type.

• Sixes: 1,145 hunters, 609 animals, 53% success over 7,682 hunter days.

Roads in and the nearest towns

The longest named roads through this ground are OR 42, OR 542, Forest Road 33 and CR 545. The nearest towns are Powers (11 mi), Port Orford (14 mi) and Myrtle Point (15 mi), measured from the centre of the unit.