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

Northeast 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

Black bear, cougar (Check current harvest numbers), 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.

Hunting during fire season

Archery deer and elk opened Sept. 1, in the midst of the wildfire season. Hunters should be prepared for hot, dry condition and should check for access before they go. Learn more about hunting and fire danger.

Big game blinds on federal lands

More and more hunters – especially archery and pronghorn hunters – are using blinds to hunt. During drought there's increased competition among hunters and among animals for what watering holes remain on the landscape. Help do your part by setting up your blind at least 300 feet from water sources and following these BLM and Forest Service rules for hunting blinds.

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

BAKER DISTRICT (Sumpter, Keating, Pine Creek, Lookout Mt.)

Habitat conditions: Conditions have been hot and dry in Baker County. Hunters should concentrate efforts in in areas of good forage near north slopes that provide good bedding cover. Animals will be the most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon when temperatures cool off. Last updated 9/11/24.

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1. Hunters should look for berries or orchards to increase their chances of finding a bear.

Cougar: Can be found throughout Baker County but hunters should target areas with high concentrations of deer and elk. Setting up on a fresh kill or using distress calls can all be productive techniques.

Coyote: Numbers are good throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties.

GRANT DISTRICT (Murderers Creek, Northside, Desolation)

Habitat Conditions: The spring was fairly wet with a fair amount of rain throughout the district, but the summer has been extremely hot and dry. The hot dry summer has resulted in large wildfires in numerous places around the county. The Rail Ridge fire burning South of Dayville has a portion of the Murderers Creek WMU closed to access. Hunters should check with the Forest Service (541-575-3000) prior to heading out for updated fire closure information. Last updated 10/2/14.

Controlled ALW deer: With the dry conditions deer will be attracted to meadows, springs, and aspen stands because of the availability of green feed in those areas. Within the district, hunters have had increased success hunting in old (3-16 years) burn perimeters. Forecasted weather for opening weekend is hot and dry so hunters should focus on early morning or evening hunts.

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1.

Cougar: Cougar are well-distributed in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. However, locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success.

Coyote: Numbers are good in most of the district. Coyotes may respond to distress calls. Try calling in the early morning and late evening.

HEPPNER DISTRICT (Heppner, Fossil, East Biggs, southern Columbia Basin)

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1.

Cougar: Cougar are well-distributed in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. However, locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success.

Coyote: The population is healthy with good numbers of coyotes available for those who wish to pursue them. Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful.

UMATILLA DISTRICT (Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, Ukiah, eastern portion of Heppner, northern Columbia Basin)

Habitat conditions: There has been some green-up on the forest in places from rains during the middle of archery season but it looks like we may have warm temperatures for the opener of any legal weapon buck season. Warm temperatures may make hunting challenging in the early season. Last updated 10/2/24.

If you have questions about where to go hunting in Umatilla County, please call the Pendleton office at 541 276 2344.

Controlled ALW elk:

Ukiah: The Ukiah unit is great for elk hunting. The population is above management objective. It can be busy with hunters due to hunter density, with 900 spike tags during the first season.

Generally, only around 600 of those spike tag holders report going hunting. The any bull tag has an average success rate of 30 percent for the last 5 years. Both spike hunts average 8 percent over the last 5 years.

Mt. Emily and Walla Walla

The Mt. Emily and Walla Walla units are managed as high success rate hunts where hunters get to pursue more mature animals. They both take a very long time to draw.

The Mt. Emily elk population is below management objective, but it is still a phenomenal hunt. The success rate averages 69 percent for the any bull tag over the last 5 years.

The Walla Walla unit elk population is well over management objective. The success rate on the any bull hunt averages 70 percent over the last 5 years

Controlled ALW deer:

Ukiah: Buck ratio has been increasing in the unit and the white-tailed deer population has been recovering from the 2019 EHD outbreak. The unit continues to be a place where we offer lots of opportunity for harvesting a buck, so hunter densities are high. Generally, white-tailed deer make up around 20- 30 percent of the harvest.

Mt. Emily and Walla Walla: Similar to the Ukiah unit, buck ratio and white-tailed deer numbers are increasing in both units. The mule deer population is below management objective in both units.

Average success rate in the West Mt. Emily hunt over the last five years has been 22 percent. In East Mt. Emily, average success has been 39 percent.

Average success rate in the Walla Walla Unit over the last 5 years has been 40 percent. Both units had dramatic declines in deer population and harvest after the hard winter of 2016-17.

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1. There are good numbers of black bears throughout the district. Mt. Emily and Walla Walla units have higher densities of bears, but the Ukiah unit has had some nice falls bears checked in this year. Black bears are notorious scavengers so hunters can take advantage of gut piles when the opportunity arises.

Late season bear hunters can have success with predator calling as bears look to put on extra fat reserves for the winter. Be sure to pick up a fall bear tag to carry while you're deer and elk hunting this season. A significant portion of fall bear harvest is from incidental encounters while pursuing other game.

Cougar: Well-distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and hunting near it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located.

Coyote: Numerous throughout the county and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands.

Bridge Cr Wildlife Area

The wildlife area is open.

UNION COUNTY (Starkey, Catherine Creek, East Mt. Emily, southern portion of Wenaha, southwest portion of Sled Springs)

Habitat conditions: Current conditions are cool and wet, as we are experiencing a much needed break from the hot and dry weather we've had most of the summer. The rest of the week and most of next week are showing the same, so hunters should be prepared for possible muddy roads and colder temperatures than they have been having. Manulife is now open to full access, with camping allowed. Last update 9/18/24.

Controlled ALW deer: With the cooler weather pattern, hunters should be seeing deer moving longer in the mornings and earlier in the afternoons.

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1.

Cougars: Common in Union County. Focus on game rich areas with long ridgelines or saddles that cats typically travel. Setting up downwind of a deer or elk killed by a cougar can be productive.

Coyote: Numbers are high throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties.

Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area

Habitat conditions: The hot and dry summer conditions have continued through the conclusion of archery season. Although grass growth was decent, no precipitation is forecasted in the next 10 days. With the dry conditions, the woods are very loud. Hunters might consider finding a good advantage point and glassing. Last updated 10/2/24.

All lands north and east of Foothill Road are open to hunting weekends, Wednesdays and all federal holidays. Please refer to Big Game and Game Bird regulations for season dates and additional regulations.

WALLOWA COUNTY (Wenaha, Sled Springs, Chesnimnus, Snake River, Minam, Imnaha)

Habitat conditions: Weather forecast this week will be warm and dry, with cool mornings.

Manulife (formerly Hancock) properties in NE Oregon have reopened for overnight camping as of Sept. 17, however there are still some restrictions in effect, including no campfires. For other information on recreation on Manulife lands call 541-962-2184. TMAs are in effect in the Sled Springs and Chesnimnus units.

Hunters in the Imnaha and Snake River units should be aware the U.S. Forest Service is planning a controlled burn this week near the Black Horse and Ollokot campgrounds, this burn could start as soon as 9/26 and last for four days. Last updated 9/25/24.

Controlled ALW elk: Elk populations remain similar to previous years and hunters should have good opportunities. We recommend looking for ‘benches' in steep terrain and thick cover because elk often use these areas to bed down during the day, additionally hunters that can get away from the roads will have better chances at finding elk.

Controlled ALW deer: White-tailed deer numbers are stable or increasing in all units. Most hunters have success stand hunting near trails or feeding areas. Mule deer, however, remain well below management objectives. Hunters should expect to see more deer moving during the cool mornings and evenings.

Black bear: Fall bear opened Aug. 1. Hunters can find bears on the edges of clearings and clear-cuts near berry crops (e.g., hawthorn and elderberry).

Cougar: Populations are moderate throughout Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidental to other hunting. However, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques. Please remember to check in your harvest at your local district office to help with population estimates.

Coyote: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunters. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity.

Hunting equipment is limited to short range (shotgun, archery or muzzleloader) equipment only. Rifles and handguns are prohibited at all times.

The Glass Hill portion of the wildlife area is open seven days a week April 1 through Jan. 31. Please refer to the ODFW big game and game bird regulations for season dates.

The wildlife Area is closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. In addition, there is no camping on the wildlife area.

Please call the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area with any questions 541-963-4954.