South Coast closed to crabbing

Recreational bay crabbing is closed from Cape Blanco to the CA border. Closure includes Dungeness crab and red rock crab harvested from bays and estuaries in this area.

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

Recreation Report

South Central Area

HuntingMap_v2
Recreation Report

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

 

Bow hunters
Bow hunting in Southern Oregon -Photo by Joseph Ritzinger-

Nov. 20, 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.

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

CWD check stations:

  • Additional 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.

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  

KLAMATH COUNTY

Habitat conditions: Winter has arrived with snow at mid and high elevations. Last update 11/20/24.

Controlled ALW deer: Eastern Oregon controlled Any Legal Weapon deer season ended Oct. 16.

Controlled first season any legal weapon elk: First season ALW is closed.

Controlled second season any legal weapon elk: Second season ALW elk season ended Nov. 17.

Controlled Keno late bow buck deer season: Keno late archery season ends Nov. 19. Cool/cold temperatures along with a considerable amount of snow at high elevations have deer on the move toward winter range. Bucks are rutting, and hunters have reported seeing bucks chasing does.

Black bear:Fall bear opened Aug. 1. Keno and Interstate WMU have the higher concentrations of bears in the district. Populations have continued to increase slightly throughout the district. Fort Rock and Silver Lake hunters continue to find more opportunities to fill their tag annually.

Look for wet meadows, springs and late berry crops early in the season as locations that would attract bears. Bear activity increases around duck and dawn. Predator calls can be productive if you find fresh bear sign in an area.

Cougar: Cougar season is open year-round, and populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. Most harvest occurs while hunters are pursuing deer and elk.

Predator calling or locating a fresh cougar kill can increase chances of success. Oregon does offer an additional cougar tag good all year throughout the state.

Coyote: Populations are currently low but distributed throughout the county. Fawn in distress calling may increase chance of harvest as fawns are typically born in June.

LAKE COUNTY

Habitat conditions: Moderate temperatures have returned to Lake County. Ground conditions are improving with skiffs of snow remaining on higher elevation slopes after last week's storms. Elk hunters in the County should look to dense cover on north facing slopes as elk continue to seek thermal cover and good access to water. Last updated 11/20/24.

Controlled ALW deer: Eastern Oregon controlled ALW deer seasons ended on Oct. 16.

Black bear:Fall bear opened Aug. 1. While Lake County has a lower population of bears than other forested parts of the state, the population is on the rise and provides opportunity for hunters.

Look for wet meadows and late berry crops as locations that would attract bears especially around dawn and dusk. Predator calls can work as well, just be prepared to be patient as bears can take longer than other predators to move into a call.

Cougar: Cougar populations are healthy throughout the district. Predator calls can be an effective cougar hunting method though bobcats and bears may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species. Hunters should be prepared for predators other than cougar to respond.

Coyote populations are generally low, but some hunting is available throughout the district. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species.