Oregon Elk Application Guide — Units, Draw Odds, and What to Expect as a Non-Resident

Oregon Elk Application Guide — Units, Draw Odds, and What to Expect as a Non-Resident

From Drawn West by Drawn West with Brian Krebs

May 13, 2026 · 19 min

About this episode

This episode provides a comprehensive guide for non-residents applying for elk hunting in Oregon, detailing draw odds and strategies for both Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk.

Oregon has 130,000 elk. That's not a rumor — it's one of the largest herds in the country. But most non-residents either overlook it or misunderstand what it actually offers. If you're building a Western elk strategy, this is the episode that puts Oregon in the right place. We break down both sides of the state — Roosevelt elk on the west side of the Cascades, Rocky Mountain elk to the east — and walk through exactly what the draw looks like depending on how many points you're carrying. From zero-point opportunities all the way into the 20-plus-point elite units, Oregon has more range than most people realize. The deadline to apply is May 15, so if this is on your radar, the window is closing fast. What we get into: • Why Oregon is built for opportunity — and what that means for trophy expectations • The Rocky Mountain units pushing 320, 350, and even 360 inches of antler (and what it takes to draw them) • Why unit 58 might be the best mid-range value in the whole state for non-residents • Roosevelt elk 101 — why they hunt differently, where the public land actually is, and which units are worth your time • A full breakdown of what's realistic with zero, four, and ten-plus points…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Krebs

Topics covered

  • Oregon elk hunting
  • non-resident application guide
  • draw odds
  • Roosevelt elk
  • Rocky Mountain elk
  • hunting strategy

Keywords

  • Oregon elk
  • hunting application
  • draw odds
  • Roosevelt elk
  • Rocky Mountain elk
  • non-resident hunting
  • hunting strategy
  • unit 58
  • antler size
  • public land

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Oregon, Cascades, unit 58, Rocky Mountain, Roosevelt

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