Recreation Report
Columbia Area
Recreation Report
COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING
October 1, 2026
Currently open
Bear, cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel.
- Select controlled deer season opens Oct 3.
*Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required tag before hunting.
Announcements and resources
Reminder -- tag sale deadline and sports pac tag pickup for deer, bear, and cougar – by Oct 2!
Get tested – hunters must check in for CWD at these locations.
Make a plan with this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game!
Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season.
Check the Leftover Tag List, don't miss an opportunity to hunt this year.
Youth can register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online, find more youth hunting opportunities here.
Point Savers available for purchase now through Nov 30, 2026.
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.
For the most current fire closures and restrictions--KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
District updates
Habitat conditions:
Watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt. Areas are showing cooler than normal conditions, please be mindful when recreating outdoors.
HOOD RIVER, WASCO, SHERMAN COUNTIES (Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs Units)
Habitat Conditions:
It has been a dry summer leading to drought conditions. We have also had several fires that have impacted the landscape and have led to closures in areas. John Day was affected by the Hay Creek Fire Complex that resulted in the closure of BLM lands in the affected area, details can be found by contacting the Prineville BLM office. The Grasshopper Fire in the Mt Hood National forest west of Wamic has resulted in the closure of a portion of the national forest. More information can be found here. Green Diamond has opened its land and its sister company's land. Hood River County has lifted several of their restrictions, but some are still in place including motor vehicle or ATV restrictions. More information about Hood River County closures can be found on their website here.
Cougar: Cougar season is open year-round. Driving logging roads in search of fresh tracks paired with predator calling can be an effective strategy. If you find a stashed carcass from a kill sitting that may also be effective.
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.
Elk: General season antlerless elk damage hunts opened on Aug 1. Youth only controlled elk hunts opened Aug 15. Hunting early on youth tags can be very productive, especially on public lands where elk have not yet felt the pressure of other hunting seasons.
White River Wildlife Area (WRWA)
A fire ban is in effect, restricting campfires. Be fire aware when recreating on the wildlife area, stay on roads, do not park in tall grass, carry a fire extinguisher, a shovel, and water. With the active Grasshopper Fire ODFW continues to monitor and update wildlife area closures and restrictions, more information along with updates and contacts can be found here. Roads can be rough and dusty, four-wheel drive and higher ground clearance is recommended. A map for WRWA can be found here and at signs around the wildlife area in a PVC map holder.
With the recent fire closures ODFW is offering a point reinstatement with tags turned back in for MC101 to redeem this you must do so by Friday, October 2.