Hunting Guidelines for Corps Lands in the Willamette Valley Project
All rules and regulations for the public use of Corps lands are described in Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327. The following document provides more detailed information specific to hunting on Corps lands within the Willamette Valley Project. Hunters should be aware that some of the lands surrounding Corps reservoirs are managed by other County, State, and Federal agencies and different guidelines may apply. Hunters are responsible for recognizing private land boundaries and should not hunt on private land without permission of the landowner. Questions about these guidelines should be directed to the Willamette Valley Project Park Ranger Office at 541-942-5631.
Downloadable maps showing Corps boundaries and hunting restrictions are available for the following reservoirs: Cottage Grove, Dorena, Dexter, Lookout Point, Fall Creek, Hills Creek, Foster, and Green Peter. Information about hunting at Cougar, Blue River, and Detroit Reservoirs should be obtained from local U.S. Forest Service offices. Specific hunting guidelines and maps for Fern Ridge Wildlife Area are available from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The following guidelines apply to all Corps-managed lands within the Willamette Valley Project:
1. All Oregon State hunting regulations should be followed.
2. Hunting is not permitted in developed recreation areas including but not limited to campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launch facilities, and parking lots, even when these recreation areas are closed for the season. The boundaries of these recreation areas can usually be identified by defined mow lines. Hunting in the lakebed near recreation areas is permitted below the high water mark. Shot may not fall into developed recreation areas.
3. Firearms are not permitted within 400 feet of concrete dam structures or powerhouse buildings.
4. Only shotguns and bow-hunting are permitted. Only federally-approved non-toxic shot may be used, except for deer hunters using slugs or buckshot.
5. Trapping is permitted by special permit only at the following reservoirs: Cottage Grove, Dorena, Fern Ridge, Dexter, Lookout Point, Fall Creek, Hills Creek, Foster, and Green Peter. For trapping permits, contact Roberta Swift at the Corps of Engineers Fern Ridge office- 541-461-2869.
6. Target and clay pigeon shooting and “plinking” is prohibited. Air guns, bb guns, and paintball guns are not permitted.
7. Off-road use of motor vehicles is prohibited beyond established roads and barriers.
8. Camping is permitted only in designated areas. Open fires are prohibited except in campground fire rings.
9. All garbage generated during hunting activities (including shotgun shells) should be removed from Corps lands.
To print, download a pdf of the hunting guidelines.