Deer hunters

ODFW Articles

Need to figure out controlled hunts, find a place to clam, learn how to fish or get directions to a wildlife area? We've got information on all that and more, straight from ODFW biologists and other accomplished hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers. 

Header image by Dave Budeau

razor clammers in the surf at Ft Stevens State Park
How to clam and crab
How-to and where-to dig for clams on Oregon’s coast

Digging for razor and bay clams is fun, easy and tasty.

Foster Reservoir
Where to fish

The south Willamette area covers the upper Willamette Basin south of Salem and includes the communities of Albany, Corvallis, Eugene...

several raw furs

Find all the information you need to trap or hunt furbearers in Oregon, including licensing requirements and seasons.


Furtakers Harvest...

String of trout
How to fish

A quick guide to cleaning and storing the fish you catch.

Surf perch fishing
How to fish

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches...

Trout with floy tag
How to fish

Begun in 2014, the Tag Team Program helps ODFW fish biologists better understand the effectiveness of stocking efforts.
It’s also a...

angler in the ocean surf casting for surfperch
How to fish
Opportunities from beach, pier and jetty

With some simple, inexpensive gear and a little knowledge, anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of marine fishing.

Willow Creek Reservoir
Where to fish

The John Day – Umatilla area includes the John Day River and Umatilla River basins, and Oregon’s upper reaches of...

Crappie fishing
How to fish

Crappie are scrappy, hard-fighting fish, and with a two-rod validation you can double the excitement of reeling in these delicious...

image of an angler holding a 32-inch rainbow trout
How to fish

You can purchase an Oregon fishing license online or at an ODFW license vendor. Here are step-by-step directions for purchasing...

Timothy Lake
Where to fish

Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs stocked annually with hundreds of thousands...

two kayak anglers on the ocean beach
Where to fish

Hiking or camping plans getting in the way of fishing this weekend? Going to be busy kayaking or going to...

Spotted fawn

Young animals are rarely orphaned, so leave them where you find them. Chances are good mom is nearby, just waiting...

Lake Selmac
Where to fish

The southwest area follows Interstate 5 from Drain south to the Oregon-California border and includes the communities of Grants Pass...

How to fish

As temperatures heat up during spring and summer, be on the watch for harmful algae blooms when recreating in Oregon...

Luger Pond
Where to fish

The granite peaks of Oregon’s Blue and Wallowa Mountains form the backdrop for many of this zone’s glacier-carved lakes and...

Angler fighting a fish from the boat
How to fish

The Buoy 10 fishery, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, offers anglers a chance to catch Chinook and coho...

angler holding a very large lake trout
How to fish

A guide to the field identification of bull trout, brook trout, and their hybrids.

fishing buoy 10
Buying a license or permit

All anglers fishing for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon (catch-and-release and retention) on all rivers and tributaries in the Columbia River...

Rick Swart takes aim at an elk from his perch on the rim above Camp Creek in Northeast Oregon.
How to hunt big game

Hunters know how easy it is to get focused on taking “the shot.” But a lot of planning and preparation...

Hunters and anglers can still visit their local ODFW license agent to purchase and print licenses, tags and other documents...

How to hunt big game

This map also includes the locations of ODFW offices, meat processor and taxidermists that are able to check your animal...

image of a 12-14 inch cutthroat trout on stream bank
How to fish
Use your favorite gear, target sea-runs in late summer, and more

Wide distribution, an aggressive nature and willingness to take bait, flies or lures, makes cutthroat trout a popular target in western...

Cotton-tail rabbit
How to hunt big game

Rabbit hunting is the third most popular type of hunting activity in the U.S., behind wild turkey and deer hunting...