Recreation Report
Columbia Area
Recreation Report
COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING
December 4, 2025
Currently open
Bear, Cougar (Check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled 600 series deer and 200 series antlerless elk. (Check regulations for specific dates and units)
Announcements, resources
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
HOOD RIVER, WASCO, SHERMAN COUNTIES (Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs Units)
This summer has been warm and dry with extreme fire conditions. Several small wildfires have occurred within the district. Hunters may be affected by Fire danger restrictions on private timberlands. Currently all Green Diamond lands (including its subsidiary company's Twin Creeks & Lupine Forest) within this unit are closed to all public access due to extreme fire danger. Hunters can find the most up to date closure information on their website located here. There are Several ongoing logging operations on Hood River County land limiting public access for safety. While sporadic it may temporally affect access.
Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs WMUs
Controlled 200 Series Elk: 241C White Rvr Private* and Hood Private* are Aug 1 – Dec 31. 244 Columbia Plateau* runs Oct 29 - Mar 31, 2026.
General Season Antlerless Elk Damage: General season antlerless elk damage hunt is open now through March 31 within the Biggs and Maupin Units. This hunt is designed to reduce elk damage on private lands. Hunters should not purchase this tag unless they have access to property to hunt. Very few elk exist on the limited public lands within this hunt area.
Cougar: Cougar season is open year-round. Driving logging roads in search of fresh tracks can be an effective strategy.
Coyotes: Try calling for them from open fields, meadows, and pastures. The best areas to find them will be near farm grounds on the eastern boundary of the district. Look for them in early morning or evening and pay close attention to wind direction.
WHITE RIVER CLOSED DECEMBER 1 WRWA Map
Photography opportunities are good in the wildlife area. Deer and elk have been seen near agricultural fields, south facing slopes and open water ways. If you're traveling on or near the wildlife area, be alert for big game animals, especially deer.
The wildlife area is also home to many other game and nongame species. Look for wild turkeys foraging, skunks, coyotes, the occasional river otter and muskrat in waterways, and black bear or cougar as they move throughout the wildlife area.
There are many chances to see bald eagles and golden eagles on the wildlife area. You can spot other raptors such as red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, osprey and northern harriers hunting their prey. Rough-legged hawks have been seen in the area too. Look for birds perched on powerlines/poles, fences and trees.
Visitors' area is seeing increased migratory birds including several geese and ducks in the ponds and waterways.
Lewis' woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, flickers, western meadowlarks, Steller's jays, scrub jays, gray jays, Townsend's solitaire, horned larks, golden-crowed kinglets and robins are all at home on the wildlife area.
A parking permit is required to park at White River Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit.
Camping in the wildlife area is only allowed in designated camping areas. Please pack out your trash. Only street legal vehicles are allowed in the wildlife area, no ATV's or snowmobiles. WRWA headquarters (541) 544-2126.