Umatilla River Chinook retention closed Oct. 18

From Oct. 18 through Nov.

Northern Pike Minnow season extended through Oct 12

The season for the Sport Reward Fishery associated with the Northern Pikeminnow Management Program has been extended through October 12. It was initially planned to end Sept.

Mussel harvest reopens coastwide

Mussel harvesting is now open from the Washington border to the California border. 

Angling closed on the lowest reach of Eagle Creek in the Clackamas basin

Sept. 27 through Oct. 31 angling is closed on Eagle Creek from SE Dowty Road downstream to the Clackamas River Confluence. 

Spencer creek closes to fishing Sept. 30 to protect salmon

Sept. 30 will be the last day to fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River will be closed as of Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon.

Oct. 4 opener for wild adult fall Chinook salmon in the Snake

ODFW, in coordination with co-managers, will reopen harvest of wild (adipose-intact) fall Chinook salmon in the Snake River effective Saturday, Oct. 4.

Recreation Report

Columbia Area

HuntingMap_v2
Recreation Report

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Mule deer hunt
"2024 Biggs premium buck tag" Mule deer, Sherman County -Photo by Michael Barrett-

COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING 

Nov 6, 2025

Currently open

Bear, Cougar (Check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled 100 series deer

https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/hunting/elk-seasons

Announcements, resources 

2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast

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 100 series Deer: 141C White River No.2 & 142B Hood Unit No.2 open Nov15th and runs through Nov 30th, 143B John Day Canyon Opens Nov 22nd and runs through Nov 30th.

Controlled 200 Series Elk: 241Y White Rvr – Hood No2 opens Nov 8-16. 241C White Rvr Private* and Hood Private* are Aug1st – Dec31. 244 Columbia Plateau* runs oct 29th-Mar 31st 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 Wildlife Area

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.