South Central Area

Dec. 18, 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 (closes Dec. 31), cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote

Announcements, resources‌

Recreation Report holiday break

Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.

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. Record snowpack has been documented in many areas this year, but due to the warm clear weather lately, much of it melted away. This will be something to keep an eye on as winter progresses. Elk and mule deer have moved to winter range for the most part and are readily viewable in those areas. Last update 12/11/24.

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 ended Nov.19.

Black bear:Black season continues through Dec. 31. 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

Black bear:Fall bear runs until Dec. 31. While Lake County has a lower population of bears than other forested parts of the state, the population is on the rise and provides opportunities for hunters.

Bears are mostly in torpor/hibernation. Bears may be up during stretches of unseasonably warm weather that we have been receiving this fall. The bears that are still awake will be cruising looking for valuable last-minute calories. Predator calls can work, 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.