Recreation Report
Northeast Area
Recreation Report
NE BIG GAME HUNTING
February 19, 2026
Currently open
Cougar (check current harvest numbers), Coyote
Announcements, resources
2026 spring bear seed numbers: 6051029. Spring bear forecast is available now, take a look at your hunt areas to prepare before April 1.
Reminder to report your late season 2025 big game tags by April 15: Report your hunt
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 next 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
BAKER DISTRICT (Sumpter, Keating, Pine Creek, Lookout Mt.)
Cougar: Find cougars just about anywhere; remember to carry a tag. Hunters should target areas with high concentrations of deer and elk. Setting up on a fresh kill or using distress calls can all be productive techniques.
Coyote: Numbers are good throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting private property.
GRANT DISTRICT (Murderers Creek, Northside, Desolation)
Cougar: Cougar are well-distributed in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. However, locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success.
Coyote: Numbers are good in most of the district. Coyotes may respond to distress calls. Try calling in the early morning and late evening.
Deer and Elk: Phillip W. Schneider wildlife area will be closed to public access from February 1 and will re-open on April 15 to protect wintering wildlife. For more information contact the Wildlife Area at (541) 987-2171.
HEPPNER DISTRICT (Heppner, Fossil, East Biggs, Southern Columbia Basin)
Cougar: Cougar are well-distributed in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. However, locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success.
Coyote: The population is healthy with good numbers of coyotes available for those who wish to pursue them. Watch wind directions to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful.
UMATILLA DISTRICT (Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, Ukiah, eastern portion of Heppner, northern Columbia Basin)
If you have questions about where to go hunting in Umatilla County, please call the Pendleton office at (541) 276-2344.
Cougar: Well-distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and hunting near it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located.
Coyote: Numerous throughout the county and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands.
Columbia Basin Wildlife Areas (Willow Cr WA, Coyote Springs WA, Irrigon WA, Power City WA)
Big game hunting is permitted except at Coyote Springs WA. Use of rifles and handguns are prohibited at all times except Willow Cr WA. Please review the regulations for shot and weapon restrictions. Please be mindful of our neighbors and respect the safety zones.
The wildlife area is open.
UNION COUNTY (Starkey, Catherine Creek, East Mt. Emily, southern portion of Wenaha, southwest portion of Sled Springs)
Cougars: Common in Union County. Focus on game rich areas with long ridgelines or saddles that cats typically travel. Setting up downwind of a deer or elk killed by a cougar and calling can be productive. Finding fresh snow has been a little difficult this year with the mild winter we have had, but that just means travelling around in the mountains may be easier. If we do get fresh snow, cutting fresh tracks and pursuing can be effective.
Coyote: Numbers are high throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private property.
All lands north and east of Foothill Road are open to hunting weekends, Wednesdays and all federal holidays. Please refer to Big Game and Game Bird regulations for season dates and additional regulations.
Hunting equipment is limited to short range (shotgun, archery or muzzleloader) equipment only. Rifles and handguns are prohibited at all times.
The Glass Hill portion of the wildlife area will be re-opening seven days a week beginning April 1 through Jan. 31. Please refer to the ODFW big game and game bird regulations for season dates.
The wildlife Area is closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. In addition, there is no camping in the wildlife area. Violators will be asked to leave and or will be issued citations.
Please call the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area with any questions (541) 963-4954.
WALLOWA COUNTY (Wenaha, Sled Springs, Chesnimnus, Snake River, Minam, Imnaha)
Conditions: Manulife properties in NE Oregon are open for camping. For more information on recreation on Manulife lands call (541) 962-2184. TMAs are in effect in the Imnaha and Chesnimnus units.
Cougar: Populations are moderate throughout Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidentally to other hunting. However, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques. Please remember to check in your harvest at your local district office to help with population estimates.
Coyote: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunters. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote signs and little human activity.