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

How to fish

Let’s go fishing! Not enough time? Think again.
If you live on Oregon’s South Coast, there are a number of...

image of a rifle hunter with a spring bear
How to hunt big game
Reasons you didn’t draw a tag

Check if you drew your tag for the upcoming season. You can also learn why you did not draw your...

Jesse Kane
What to expect as eastside archery deer hunting goes limited-entry this year

New for 2021, all eastern Oregon archery deer hunting is controlled. We talked with several experts for their thoughts on...

photo of a white-tailed deer doe standing in a shrubby field
How to hunt big game

"I was out hunting near a reserve, and I shot a white-tailed deer. I didn’t know it was a white-tailed...

One hunter’s story

An experienced hunter witnessed a mule deer being poached. He was so rattled he forgot who to call and how...

image of a solitary pheasant hunter on a grassy ridge
how to hunt
Our tips for new or novice hunters

Whether it’s spending more time outdoors or harvesting food for the freezer, there are lots reasons to become a hunter...

image of angler holding up a small smallmouth bass on the John Day R
How to fish
Our tips for new or novice anglers

Fishing isn’t hard, but it can be confusing to know how to begin. Here’s a step-by-step approach to get from...

image of an ocean charter boat leaving Newport

In the spring of 2019, several clients chartered an ocean fishing trip out of Coos Bay. They were promised trophy-size lingcod...

How to hunt big game

ODFW has been reviewing big game hunting to simplify regulations, provide fair and consistent opportunity and ensure biological objectives are...

photo of a pronghorn antelope that's been harvested illegally
How to hunt game birds
Filling someone else’s tag, hunting out of season are common violations

Poachers devastate mule deer herds in southeastern Oregon and brazenly shoot bighorn sheep in the north. Poaching is a problem...

photo of oversize sturgeon with head and tail removed
Where to fish
Exceeding the bag limit, snagging fish are common violations

Each year, thousands of fish are harvested illegally in Oregon. Anglers who wait all year for their favorite salmon or...

Photo of a colorful bluegill with a popper lure in its mouth
Popular setups for bass, walleye and more

Ask 10 anglers how to fish and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. However, there are a few types...

Creating a purchase group allows you to buy licenses, tags and other documents for family and friends, both online and at agents. After...

image of a hunting dog retrieving a shot grouse
Where to hunt game birds

A nine-mile system of habitat trails offers upland bird hunters opportunities for mountain quail and blue and ruffed grouse.

All first time Oregon trappers of any age must complete trapper education.

How to hunt game birds

Legal hunting weapons and weapon restrictions for hunting big game and game birds in Oregon.

image of three bird watchers looking in a tree through binoculars

Each year over 9 million Oregonians and visitors head to hills – and the desert, and the beach – to...

photo of two anglers, dressed for winter, each holding a nice trout
How to fish

Dedicated fly-anglers don’t stop fishing in the winter, instead they adjust their tactics to the colder conditions.

close up photo of a rainbow trout ready to be released
How to fish

In some Oregon state waters catch and release fishing is required in order to protect valuable fish resources. In most...

Where to fish

See the Oregon records for both coldwater and warmwater game fish. And, find the forms to submit if you think you've...

image of a cutthroat trout
Where to fish

Trout is Oregon's most popular game fish. Learn how to identify them, and some tips for catching them.

image of a snarling cougar
How to hunt big game

Oregon’s population of about 6,000 cougars occupies a wide variety of habitat across the state, offering a year-round, readily-accessible hunting...

Where to fish

Includes lakes in the Umpqua National Forest and the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness.

a cutthroat trout lays on the bank of a river. There is fishing line coiled next to the fish.

Take the Western Native Trout Challenge and you’ll learn about native trout and where to find them, earn bragging rights...