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  
Podcast: Drawn West
Published On: Wed May 13 2026
Description: 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 for both species and both weapon types• The non-resident cost breakdown — and why Oregon's 10-to-1 resident/non-resident split is actually one of the fairer ones in the WestIf you're serious about applying, subscribe so you don't miss the over-the-counter breakdown coming later this summer.Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![BigGame Draw Results] FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:01 Oregon Elk — Why It Belongs in Your Application Stack00:02:28 Roosevelt vs. Rocky Mountain: How Oregon's Herd Is Split00:04:06 Is Oregon a Trophy State? Setting the Right Expectations00:06:47 The Elite Rocky Mountain Units — 320 Inches and Up00:08:48 Roosevelt Elk Units — What to Expect and Where to Start00:11:03 Zero-Point Options for Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt Elk00:11:26 Four-Point Strategy — Archery and Rifle Breakdowns00:15:00 Four-Point Roosevelt Elk Units — What's Actually Worth It00:19:46 Ten-Plus Points — Where the Draw Really Opens Up00:20:57 Final Thoughts and Application Deadline Reminder