Southeast Area

Jan. 8, 2025‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your hunting photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

Currently open (general seasons)‌

Cougar (Check current harvest numbers), coyote

Announcements, resources

Last big game update of season

With most big game hunting seasons done or winding down, the big game hunting section of the Recreation Report will go on hiatus after this week. Updates will resume in August 2025 with publication of the Big game hunting forecast.

Coming up next

• Report your hunt by Jan. 31. If you bought a tag to hunt in 2024, you must report your hunt by Jan. 31, 2025 – even if you didn't hunt or harvest an animal. Here's information on who needs to report and how to do it.
• Look for the spring bear hunting forecast. The forecast is published in late March, offering hunters a look at the upcoming season.
• Spring bear hunting season opens April 1. The deadline for tag applications is Feb. 10.

District updates

HARNEY COUNTY (Silvies, Malheur River, Steens Mt, Juniper, portions of Beatys Butte, Wagontire, and Whitehorse)

Habitat conditions: Harney County has some snow accumulation in the higher elevations, with snow holding due to cooler temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to low-40s throughout the daylight hours. Winter migrations of deer and elk are still in progress, so drive safely and watch for animals attempting to cross highways throughout the county. Last updated 12/11/24.

Cougar hunting is open year around. Populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. Utilizing predator calls this time of year can be beneficial for those looking to harvest a cougar.

Black Bear: Fall bear season ended Dec. 31.

Coyote populations are good throughout Harney County. Coyote vocalizations calls should work well but mixing it up with prey in distress can be an advantage this time of year. Be aware that bobcats and cougars also may respond to predator calls, and there are separate licensing and season limitations for these species.

MALHEUR COUNTY (Whitehorse, Owyhee and Beulah)

Habitat conditions: Cooler temperatures and some precipitation over the last few weeks have brought fire danger ratings down. Fire restrictions have been lifted on public lands throughout the county. ODFW still recommends hunters to be very careful and cautious in the field as the area remains to be generally dry and another stretch of hot weather is predicted. Despite dry topsoils and vegetation, water sources are relatively available over the landscape due to high annual water tables. Unmaintained road access is good. Last updated 9/25/24.

Controlled ALW deer: Opportunity should be as good as it has been since the winter of 2016-2017 as populations gradually rebound throughout the district. The Beulah WMU has seen the best of that recovery and will have the most deer. Nice bucks are being harvested in the desert units given additional time and persistent efforts. More deer will be found in the higher elevations although they are distributed throughout the district due to good water availability and agricultural holdings.

Black bear: Fall bear closed Dec. 31.

Cougar: Most of the cougars in the district have retreated to forest habitats along with their prey base of deer and elk. Isolated cougars will remain around the human-wildland interface, the Snake and Owyhee Rivers, and near pockets of bighorn sheep habitation. Some cougar are being opportunistically harvested by hunters seeking other species.