Recreation Report

ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

November 6, 2026

Hunters and anglers of a certain age might remember the lyrics to a certain song about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, "The good ship and true was a bone to be chewed when the gales of November came early." Oregon doesn't have a great lake, but we have a great big ocean from whence the gales of November may blow.

Lined up out in the mighty Pacific Ocean right now are several major storms that will bring heavy rain, high-elevation snow and windy conditions late this week into the following week. Black-tailed deer hunters say bring it on! Elk hunters may appreciate some snow to push animals down to lower elevations and anglers will have to baton down the hatches for a bit. Salmon have been following rising rivers upstream, which means more dispersed fishing opportunities. Don't forget about holdover trout in lakes, walleye fishing on the Willamette River, bay and estuary crabbing, and now is a good time to start thinking about hunting up that Thanksgiving turkey.

Deer hunting in western Oregon closes Nov. 6 but youth hunters with an unfilled General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon deer tag or an unfilled W. High Cascade (119A) controlled hunt tag may hunt the area of the Western Oregon General Buck Deer season Nov. 7-8, 2026. Forecasted rain and cooler temperatures can result in more movement and higher success.

Elk hunting seasons are kicking off:

West Cascade elk (Nov. 7-13):

The rain is making the woods a little quieter. There is some good access news for hunters: The Willamette National Forest recently opened some additional lands that have been closed since the Beachie Creek/Lionshead Fires. Notable openings include Forest Service Road (FSR) 2231 (Boulder Road), FSR 4685, and FSR 201 (Elkhorn Road). Contact Willamette NF for the latest information. ODFW's A&H Program recently entered into an agreement with Weyerhaeuser and Avery Forests on access in the Thomas Creek area (see map).

ODFW is seeing some positive response in elk distribution in some of the burn areas, especially those that were burned less severely and at lower elevations. BLM and ODF have also partnered to improve elk habitat in some oak and montane meadows in the Snow Peak area (outside Weyerhaeuser's permit area) with a grant from RMEF and Good Neighbor Authority funds.

Coast elk (Nov. 14-17, 21-27): 
After a dry fall, changing weather conditions should help increase elk movement. Hunters should focus on areas experiencing fall green-up, particularly along older, closed or lightly used roads where green grass has emerged.

As seasonal fruits and leafy forage decline, elk will likely seek these green areas. Clearcuts may also provide feeding opportunities around dawn and dusk. Because hunting pressure is typically high during coastal general seasons, hunters should scout several locations before heading into the field.

Rocky Mountain elk:

Rain and light snow at higher elevations should help conditions. The spike only general season Nov. 7-15.

There are many CWD check stations planned in Eastern Oregon in coming weeks. Reminder that successful hunters are required to stop if they travel by a check station, watch for hwy signs. Even if you don't, make plans to get your deer or elk checked this season--the earlier we detect CWD, the better our chance to contain it. All hunters who turn in a sample this season are entered to win a Howa rifle courtesy of Oregon Hunters Association.

Upland Gamebird:

Upland game bird seasons are now open statewide. Westside forest grouse reports are excellent, and eastside reports are patchy but solid, considering this year's wildfire impacts. Eastside chukar and quail hunters are just getting out in the field and reporting good numbers of birds, though dry conditions mean less cover and some birds flushing wild. Hunters should focus on areas with more brushy cover to be able to better approach birds. Eastside pheasant reports are average so far. With cooler weather, upland birds will be less tied to water sources and may start to move around to favored foraging areas, including late green up and shrubs that provide late season berries or other mast crops. Wild turkeys will begin moving to lower elevations with the changing weather as well, seeking easier food sources.

Hunter Education:

Sharpen your skills or learn from scratch at one of our Education Workshops.