COVID-19: ODFW closures, cancellation and FAQs

Hunting and fishing seasons remain open, and hunting and fishing can be safe outdoor activities -- if you follow the necessary COVID precautions regarding mask wearing and social distancing.

What's open

• All nonresident restrictions are lifted. Fishing, crabbing, clamming and hunting seasons open to residents are also open to nonresidents.
• Hunter Education classes and field days are now being scheduled. See the current list of upcoming events.
• Hunting and fishing seasons remain open as adopted in permanent and in-season regulations. 
• Fish stocking continues.
• Wildlife areas currently open remain open during the day for wildlife viewing, fishing and hunting. Visitor areas or other places where people congregate at our facilities may be closed.
• Wildlife areas that allow camping have reopened to camping as of May 20, 2020.
• Sales of licenses, tags and controlled hunt applications continue online and at license sale agents who are open — consider giving these essential services a break and buy online this year or limit the number of people in your party who go to an agent at the same time. If you have never tried to purchase online, see our FAQ to get started.

ODFW closures and cancellations

• Fish hatcheries are closed to public entry to keep fish hatchery staff healthy and ensure they continue to operate —though anglers may access hatchery properties to get to a waterbody that remains open to fishing provided social distance from other people is maintained.
• ODFW offices remain closed to public access (walk-in visitors). Staff remain available by phone and email, see our Contact Page to reach us.
• All fish cleaning stations owned or managed by ODFW are closed to help meet the social distancing protocols and reduce the spread of the virus from surfaces that are not continually sanitized.
• Commission or other ODFW public meetings are online.
• Big game tag auctions rescheduled and now bid-by-phone due to COVID-19
• Bear and cougar hunters: Successful cougar and bear hunters are temporarily not required to check-in their animal at an ODFW office, though they do still need to report basic information about their harvest within 10 days. Hunters need to call the office closest to their residence and report their name, ODFW ID number, date of harvest, location of harvest (wildlife management unit), sex of animal and confirmation number for electronic tags. Or, they can email all the above information to ODFW.WildlifeInfo@odfw.Oregon.gov.
• Roadkill permits: Rules requiring that people check in roadkill parts within 5 business days have also been waived with the exception of heads with antlers from male deer and male elk. (The requirement to surrender heads with antlers is in statute and cannot be waived by ODFW.) Roadkill permittees must call a local office to arrange surrendering antlers. Please call your local office within 5 days of salvaging roadkill to make arrangements (though the actual surrender may occur after 5 days).

FAQs

You’re probably getting information related to hunting, fishing, ODFW events, and recreating on ODFW properties from a lot of different sources. Some are well-informed, others are not. Here are the correct answers to some of the questions we’ve been asked. We’ll be updating this list periodically.

Can I still go...
Buying a license
Hunting
Fishing
Hunter Education
More information

Can I still go...

Can I still go hunting, fishing or wildlife viewing?

Yes, but please check with the land manager where you are headed to confirm the area is open. While most parks, forests and campground appear to be opening, many public buildings such as visitor centers remain closed.

Land manager websites:

• US Forest Service, https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• BLM, https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington
• Oregon Department of Forestry (State Forests) https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index.aspx

Or check website of county or city for additional information about access.

Note the Oregon Health Authority Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has stated it is OK to hunt, fish and view wildlife provided everyone is healthy before you go (e.g. people who are sick should stay home) and if everyone practices social distancing with friends.  See the Oregon Health Authority site for the most current information and recommendations regarding COVID-19.

Buying a license

How can I get a license or tag if ODFW offices are closed to the public?

Visit MyODFW.com to buy your licenses and apply for controlled hunts. Click the green button at the top and login or look up your account. If you have had a hunting or fishing license in the last 4 years, please Do not create a new account. It causes big problems to open a second account. When in doubt, try to “Verify/Look up” your account on the licensing page first, using the ODFW ID/Hunter Angler ID# on your previous licenses or tags.

In addition, some retail license agents are still selling hunting and fishing licenses over the counter. For these customers, it may be best to call ahead to inquire if this service is still available during the governor’s executive order on social distancing and non-essential travel.

If you need assistance, call our statewide licensing department at (503) 947-6101 or email odfw.websales@odfw.Oregon.gov.

Effective Monday, March 23, ODFW offices are closed to walk-in customers as part of the statewide efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, ODFW staff remain available by phone and email to assist customers with licensing and other questions. See ODFW contacts online at https:/myodfw.com/contact-us for assistance.

Hunting

Can I still go shed hunting?

Shed hunting has not been closed but follow all guidance about getting outdoors at this time. More information available here.

Is camping going to be closed during my hunting season?

ODFW manages hunting and fishing seasons and access to ODFW wildlife areas. The department does not manage access to most public land (such as national forests, state parks or state forests). Please check with the land manager to determine if camping is allowed.

Land manager websites:

• US Forest Service, https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• BLM, https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington
• Oregon Department of Forestry (State Forests) https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index.aspx

Fishing

Are any lakes, ponds, or rivers closed for fishing because of the coronavirus?

While ODFW has not closed fishing, some land managers have closed access to boat ramps or to waterbodies. Some counties or cities are closing parks and other areas. Please check with the land manager where you want to go about their current access restrictions.

• Marion County Parks, https://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/Parks/Pages/default.aspx
• Oregon Metro, https://www.oregonmetro.gov/metro-parks-and-natural-areas
• Portland General Electric Parks and Recreation, https://www.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-responsibility/environmental-stewardship/water-quality-habitat-protection/parks-campgrounds

Is ODFW still stocking ponds and lakes with trout?

Yes. The department is still stocking ponds and lakes with trout. 

Can I still go out on a charter boat or with a fishing guide?

Oregonians can fish with a guide or on charter boat IF they can maintain the recommended 6-foot social distancing while on the boat. For more information, visit the Oregon Marine Board Outfitter Guide page: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/Pages/Guides-Charters.aspx

Or check website of county or city for additional information about access.

Where can I launch my fishing boat?

ODFW does not control boat ramps or monitor which ones are open or closed. However, the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) maintains an interactive map of boat ramps that shows the location of Oregon boat ramps and who owns them. OSMB advises users to contact the owners of the ramps to find out whether they are open or closed.

Hunter education

Hunter Education field days were cancelled last year. Does my child have to take a field day before they can hunt this year?

Yes. ODFW suspended the field day requirement for the 2020 fall hunting season. However, students who completed a hunter education course last year, must complete a field before they can hunt as of April 1, 2021. 

Check out the online hunter education courses.  

More information

Where can I find accurate information about COVID-19 and fishing, hunting, shellfish and wildlife viewing in Oregon?

There are many rumors and a lot of speculation about the impact of COVID-19 on fishing, hunting, shellfish, wildlife viewing and access to areas. ODFW recommends that people get information regarding hunting, fishing, shellfish and wildlife from official sources, including, www.MyODFW.com, Regulation Updates, and ODFW News Releases.