Winter steelhead restrictions on Illinois, Rogue rivers

Beginning Dec. 1, temporary wild winter steelhead harvest restrictions will be in affect on Illinois, Rogue rivers.

Razor clamming closed Cascade Head to CA border

Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Parts of Eagle Creek closed to fishing

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

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.

Columbia coho, Chinook fishing open through Dec. 31

Coho and Chinook fishing on the mainstem Columbia from Buoy10 to the Hwy 395 bridge will be open through the end of the year.

Recreation Report

Columbia Area

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Recreation Report

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Oct. 23, 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.

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.

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 ALW 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.

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

HOOD RIVER, WASCO, SHERMAN COUNTIES (Hood, White River, Maupin, West Biggs Units)

Habitat conditions: The Mid-Columbia district experienced some rainfall in August, but other than that has remained dry throughout the summer. Several fires have impacted habitat throughout the district. The Larch Creek and Oak Canyon fires burned most of Postage Stamp Butte (on the White River Wildlife Area), Tygh Ridge and part of the Deschutes River Canyon. Other fires that burned in previous years are beginning to create excellent early-stage forest habitat for both deer and elk. Last update 10/9/24.

General season antlerless elk damage: General season antlerless elk damage hunt is currently open from Aug. 1 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.

Black bear:Fall bear opened Aug. 1. Clearcuts on private timber land in the Hood and White River Units provide a great opportunity to locate bears feeding at dusk and dawn. Predator calls can also be an effective method to locate and harvest a bear.

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.

Weather Conditions: Most areas received some rain in the beginning of September. This helped quiet the woods and settle some dust, but conditions remain dry. Temperatures begun to cool off during the early morning hours but is still in the 70's with little to no rain in the forecast.

Closures: Green Diamond timberlands have opened on Sept. 20 (for Green Dimond's website click here). Hunters can check their website for the most recent updates on closures and fire restrictions. The Whiskey Creek fire has resulted in closure several forest roads and most of the Mark O Hatfield Wilderness and is set to extend until Nov. 30. A current map of these closures can be found here.

White River Wildlife Area

White River Wildlife Area is open for hunting. Please call the White River Wildlife Area Headquarters with any questions 541-544-2126

Black bear:Oct 6 is the deadline to purchase your fall bear tag. Fall bear season is Aug. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. You may purchase an additional fall bear tag if you purchase your general season bear tag prior to the tag sale deadline.

Coyotes: There are no seasons or bag limits on coyotes. Populations are good throughout the wildlife area. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing/tags and season limitations exist for these species.

Cougar: Try using predator calls to increase your odds of success. Here are 10 ways to be a better cougar hunter. Check to make sure the zone you are hunting in hasn't reached the harvest quota before you hunt by clicking here Cougar quota. White River Wildlife Area is in Zone A.

Cougar season is open in the White River Wildlife Area, Jan. 1 – Dec 31 unless the harvest quota has been met. Deadline to purchase your first cougar tag is Oct. 4, 2024. You may purchase an additional cougar tag if you purchase your general season cougar tag prior to the tag sale deadline.

Reminder: WILDLIFE AREA PARKING PERMIT required. Display your required parking permit when visiting the wildlife area. Camping in the wildlife area is only allowed in designated camping areas. Please pack out your trash. Again, campfires are NOT allowed in the wildlife area at this time. Only street legal vehicles are allowed in the wildlife area, no ATV's or snowmobiles.