7 reasons to take a class or workshop with ODFW

There are lots of reasons to consider an ODFW class or workshop. Here are our top seven:

1. ODFW provides all the necessary gear and equipment to fully participate. And if you already have gear, we'll show you how to use it.
    
2. Events emphasize hands-on, in-the-field/on-the-water instruction. In many cases, you'll leave the workshop with all the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to head out on your own.
    
3. Workshops are taught by experienced and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. They also are accomplished educators who love to share their passion with newcomers.
    
4. Safety is top of mind. Most outdoor activities carry some risk. We work hard to minimize any risks to participants, volunteers and staff. We also teach you how to say safe in the field and on the water.
    
5. Events are affordable. Use of equipment, knowledgeable instructors and hands-on opportunities make ODFW classes and workshops a great value.
    
6. It's a chance to find a fishing/hunting buddy, or just hang out with fellow hunters/anglers.
    
7. You'll likely have fun – in fact, we practically guarantee it! Spend time outside with enthusiastic and motivated students, instructors and volunteers.

Classes and workshops throughout the year*

^{*Classes/workshops may not be offered every month listed. Individual event dates, times and registration details will be posted to the MyODFW.com website a few weeks before the event.}

Skills classes vs. workshops

You need both skills and strategy to become a successful hunter or angler. That's why ODFW has created a comprehensive program of classes and workshops to recruit, educate and mentor adult hunters and anglers.

Skills classes focus on learning specific techniques and, well, skills such as shooting and glassing. In workshops, you'll will learn strategies for using these skills in an actual hunting or fishing situation – from pheasant and duck hunting, to surfperch and steelhead fishing.

SKILLS CLASSES

Shotgun skills class

Learn everything you need to know to fire a shotgun safely: safety, nomenclature, action types, ammunition, chokes, and the techniques to be an accurate shooter.

After a brief introduction about the parts of a shotgun and how it works, you'll move to the range to for hands-on learning about safety, proper fit and mounting and shooting fundamentals. Finally, you'll put all this into practice shooting sporting clay targets.

In addition to would-be hunters, this is the perfect introduction for people interested in shooting sports such as trap, skeet and sporting clays.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: Spring, summer, fall.

Bowhunter skills class

This comprehensive weekend-long course teaches you everything about equipment, shooting fundamentals, regulations, and hunting techniques; all with a compound bow.

Day one will focus on archer fundamentals including equipment, bow fitting, and shooting form and techniques. Day two will start with practice on the range before moving on to "hunt" on a 3D archery course set up to mimic specific hunting scenarios and techniques.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: April, May, June.

Observation and glassing class

Become a more effective observer of your environment by learning how to better use binoculars, spotting scopes and tripods to find animals.

Classroom instruction will cover the basics of magnification, objective lens size, adjusting binoculars/scopes to your eyes and recommendations for purchase. Later, you'll put these skills to work trying to spot 3-D decoys, and learning how to share your observations with other so they can find them, too.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: Year-round.

HUNTING WORKSHOPS

Introduction to hunting in Oregon seminar

This two-hour class is for people new to hunting and looking for an overview of hunting in Oregon.

You'll learn what to hunt for and where, how to read the regulations, appreciate hunting ethics and the principle of fair chase, and get an overview of firearms and other hunting equipment.

Instruction: Classroom.

When to look for it: January-April.

Turkey hunting workshop

In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn what you need to know to go turkey hunting, including reading the regulations, setting up your shotgun, seeing different hunting techniques and learning turkey biology.

The workshop begins with a classroom lecture on hunting seasons, regulations and habitat.

Participants will then head outside for three breakout sessions – turkey calling, shotgun setup and travelling the "turkey trail" – a "mock" turkey hunt that presents different hunting scenarios highlighting different tactics, set-ups and techniques.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on. Mentored turkey hunting opportunities available to people completing the course.

When to look for it: March.

Duck hunting workshop

In this two-day workshop you'll get the knowledge, experience and confidence you need to hunt ducks on your own.

The workshop begins with a look at shotgun skills specific to duck hunting -- from selecting the right shot size and chokes, to practicing shooting while standing, sitting and sitting up in a layout blind.

The first day continues with a classroom session on seasons, regulations and habitat, and ends with three break-out sessions on finding a place to hunt, gear and equipment, and calling.

Day two starts early with an actual waterfowl hunt. Here's your chance to put into practice the skills and techniques you learned the day before as you try to harvest your first duck.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: October, November and February.

Upland bird hunting workshop

This workshop begins with an adult hunter education class before it transitions to a mentored pheasant hunt. If you're a new adult hunter, you'll leave with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take to the field on your own.

After a day of hunter education and shotgun skills instruction, you'll head to the field on day two for a pheasant hunt guided by a mentor with a trained bird hunting dog. Here you'll learn the basics of pheasant hunting and dog handling, and maybe even harvest a bird.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: September.

Dove hunting workshop

During this two-day workshop participants will learn about the fast-paced and challenging nature of dove hunting.

Day one begins in the classroom covering dove hunting regulations, finding a place to hunt, and the techniques and equipment needed to bag a bird. For the second half of the day, you'll be at the range practicing shotgun skills.

Day two is a mentored dove hunt where you'll will put everything you learned on day one into action in the field.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: August.

FISHING WORKSHOPS

Steelhead fishing workshop

Learn all the basic fishing tactics and techniques for catching steelhead. Day one will focus on selecting gear, tying knots, reading the water, casting, handling fish and being safe on the water.

Day two is an optional mentored fishing trip with an accomplished volunteer steelhead angler.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: February.

Surfperch fishing workshop

Meet at the beach to learn how to fish for surfperch. In this workshop you'll learn all the fundamentals, including selecting gear, reading the waves, understanding fishing regulations, and properly landing fish for both catch-and-release and harvest.

When to look for it: Spring, summer.

Introduction to fly-fishing workshop

ODFW partners with top-notch fly-anglers to teach you everything you need to know to go fly-fishing – gear selection, fishing knots, casting techniques, fly selection and more.

The workshop concludes with an afternoon of fishing on an exclusive pond that provides a great opportunity to catch some trophy trout.

Instruction: A mix of classroom and hands-on.

When to look for it: May.

Plunking for salmon/steelhead workshop

Plunking is a simple and popular technique for catching salmon and steelhead from the bank. In this workshop you'll learn about plunking gear and how to rig it up, before heading to the beach to start casting and fishing.

Volunteers will be on-hand to offer tips and pointers, and answer questions throughout the morning.

Instruction: Hands-on

When to look for it: May-June.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN

Youth pheasant hunts

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus safety and success. ODFW releases pheasants to give young hunters a taste of an actual hunt. Learn more about these hunts.

When to look for it: September.

Youth turkey clinic

This clinic is for youth 8 to 17 years old to learn about all the elements of a successful turkey hunt, including turkey biology, Oregon's turkey hunting opportunities, turkey identification, behavior, sign identification, scouting techniques and hunting tactics.

When to look for it: March.

Family fishing events

ODFW staff and volunteers provide equipment, and teach new anglers how to rig their line, cast a rod, land a fish and identify their catch. This is a great opportunity for families to learn how to fish together. Events are held at locations throughout the state. Learn more about these events.

Can't make it to a class or workshop? Check out our Start... articles listed below to get "start"ed on your own DYI fishing, hunting, crabbing or clamming adventure.