Recreation Report
Southeast Area
Recreation Report
Nov. 20, 2024
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)
Black bear, cougar (Check current harvest numbers), coyote
Announcements, resources
Black bear harvest update
See the latest numbers for black bears harvested to date in each hunting unit.
CWD – what you can do
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease infecting deer and elk across North America. It has now been found in three bordering states – Idaho, Washington, and California, but has not yet been detected in Oregon. Hunters can do their part to protect local herds by getting their deer or elk harvest tested. Learn more about CWD and the threat to Oregon wildlife.
CWD check stations:
- Additional check stations will also be open in some districts throughout the state, and hunters should contact their district directly for more information on potential locations.
If you encounter a CWD check station while transporting an animal carcass you are legally required to stop.
Rocky Mountain elk hunting
In this podcast, ODFW wildlife biologist Brian Ratliff talks about hunting Rocky Mountain elk – from the sage steppes to alpine areas and everything in between. Take a listen.
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
HARNEY COUNTY (Silvies, Malheur River, Steens Mt, Juniper, portions of Beatys Butte, Wagontire, and Whitehorse)
Habitat conditions: Harney County got rain and snow in the past week, causing for an accumulation of snow in the higher elevations both in the desert and in the forested part of the district. Temperatures are ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-50s. These cooler temperatures should make for good elk hunting in the next couple of weeks. Fire restrictions have been lifted on public lands throughout the county. Take note that there are still closures on the Malheur National Forest due to the fires that have occurred. For more information on the most current closures look online at Malheur National Forest - Home. Last updated 11/6/24.
Elk: Second season bull elk rifle seasons start this Saturday November 09 in the Silvies and Malheur River WMU's, along with High Desert No.2 elk either sex. Other elk hunting opportunities for antlerless elk currently open are Silvies-N. Juniper No.2 and Drewsey Valley No.2 which both opened November 1. Snow accumulation in both the desert and forest should help aide hunters in locating elk.
Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1 and will end Dec 31.
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.
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 opened Aug. 1. In the Malheur District. Bears are found almost exclusively in the National Forest and surrounding juniper woodland portions of the Beulah unit. Some black bear are being opportunistically harvested by hunters seeking other species.
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.
Coyote: Hunting is available throughout the district. Reproduction this year appears to be good which should enhance calling opportunities. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species.