Parts of Eagle Creek closed to fishing

The lowest reach of Eagle Creek on Clackamas River closed to angling Sept. 27 through Oct. 31

Razor clamming on Clatsop beaches opens Oct. 1

Razor clamming on the popular Clatsop County beaches reopens Oct. 1 after the annual conservation closure.

Coho fishing opens above Willamette Falls on Oct. 1

Several areas above Willamette Falls open to coho fishing on Oct. 1 -- including parts of the McKenzie, and mainstem, Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette.

E-taggers, update your app

Update to the new version on or after Sept. 30. If you've already e-tagged this season, make sure you sync your phone to the app BEFORE Sept. 30.

Softshell clam advisory for Alsea estuary

ODFW recommends people avoid harvesting and consuming softshell clams from the Alsea Bay estuary due to biotoxin risks.

More fall salmon on Columbia River

Salmon fishing on the mainstem Columbia is now open through Sunday, Oct. 13.

Recreation Report

Central Area

HuntingMap_v2
Recreation Report

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Oct. 2, 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

Cougar (Check current harvest numbers), bear, coyote

Announcements, resources

E-taggers: Update your app

ODFW's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and the MyODFW companion app got a major update on Monday, Sept. 30. Be sure to visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and update your MyODFW app to version 4.0.

2024 big game hunting forecast

Our local wildlife biologists describe winter survival, population trends and current conditions in this sneak peek at the 2024 hunting season.

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.

Check stations for 2024 opening weekend deer rifle season:

Check stations for 2024 opening weekend rifle Rocky Mtn elk season:

Smaller 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.‌ Learn more about CWD and the threat to Oregon wildlife.

If you encounter a CWD check station while transporting an animal carcass you are legally required to stop.

Tagging: One reminder, one tip

  • You must purchase your tag BEFORE the hunt begins, not necessarily before the day you plan to hunt.
  • ODFW's electronic licensing system makes it easy to tag your harvest on your phone. Here are some tips for making it go smoothly.

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

PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT (Maury, Ochoco, Grizzly)

Black bear: Season continues through May 31.

Cougar: Present throughout the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. The Maury and Ochoco units are recommended because of their greater amounts of public lands and better accessibility.

Coyotes: Offer an exciting hunting challenge. Both the Maury and Ochoco have sizeable areas of public lands that provide hunting opportunities. Hunters should use caution, and be properly equipped and prepared for whatever the weather might bring.

DESCHUTES DISTRICT (Upper Deschutes, Paulina, North Wagontire, Northwest Fort Rock, Metolius)

Habitat conditions: Temperatures are looking warm for the opening week of ALW deer season. Expect this to slow down deer movement, with deer active first thing in the morning and last thing at night but bedded down most of the day. Smoke has also picked up the last few days, but fire closures for the Bachelor Complex and Flattop fires have been reduced, allowing for more hunter access. Last updated 10/2/24.

Controlled ALW Deer: Temperatures look to be warm this upcoming week and that will cause limited deer movement during the day. Looking for cool places that deer may use as bedding cover during the day can be a key to success. As always, there are Travel Management Areas (TMAs) in place for ALW deer season with Walker Rim and Fox Butte. Similarly, the Deschutes NF has decreased the size of the fire closures associated with the Bachelor Complex and the Flattop Fire, resulting in more access for Upper Deschutes and Paulina hunters.

Black bear: Season continues through Dec. 31. Most bears are opportunistically encountered while hunters are pursuing other big game species, but riparian areas with water and wet meadows can be good locations to begin looking.

Cougar: Found throughout the Deschutes District. Look for cougars wherever there are prey species. Predator calls are the most effective method of locating a cougar. Be prepared to be patient as cougars can be slow to respond and cautious around predator calls.

Coyote: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout the Deschutes District. Calling coyotes with distress type calls has been effective for hunters. Calling in the early morning and late afternoon produces the best results. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity.