Recreation Report
Columbia Area
Recreation Report
COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING
February 26, 2026
Currently open
Cougar (check current harvest numbers), Coyote, Elk (Check regulations for specific dates and units)
Announcements, resources
Reminder to report your late season 2025 big game tags by April 15: Report your hunt
2026 spring bear seed numbers: 6051029. Spring bear forecast is available now, take a look at your hunt areas to prepare before April 1.
Submit your applications for 2026 controlled hunts by May 15.
Big game harvest statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for this season.
Please report elk with hoof disease - If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves, please report it using this online form.
Coyote and wolf ID - Coyote hunters need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall. Test your ID skills. Please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to ODFW using the online reporting system.
District updates
HOOD RIVER, WASCO, SHERMAN COUNTIES (Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs Units)
Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs WMUs
Controlled 200 Series Elk: 244 Columbia Plateau* runs Oct 29 - Mar 31, 2026.
General Season Antlerless Elk Damage: General season antlerless elk damage hunt is open now through March 31 within the Biggs and Maupin Units. This hunt is designed to reduce elk damage on private lands. Hunters should not purchase this tag unless they have access to property to hunt. Very few elk exist on the limited public lands within this hunt area.
Cougar: Cougar season is open year-round. Driving logging roads in search of fresh tracks can be an effective strategy.
Coyotes: Try calling for them from open fields, meadows, and pastures. The best areas to find them will be near farm grounds on the eastern boundary of the district. Look for them in early morning or evening and pay close attention to wind direction.
WHITE RIVER CLOSED DECEMBER 1 WRWA Map