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

South Central 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  

KLAMATH COUNTY

Habitat conditions: Weather will be hot and dry for the foreseeable future. Fire season is still in effect. Last update 10/2/24.

Controlled ALW deer: Hunters may increase harvest opportunity near available water sources or dry stream beds. Look for fresh sign on roads and trails going between bedding and feeding areas.

Areas with past wildfires -- such as the Oregon Gulch fire in the Keno Unit and the Berry Point fire in the Interstate Unit. Also look in areas along the perimeter and within the footprint of the Bootleg fire. -- can provide a flush of vegetation attractive to deer and elk. Klamath WMU hunters be aware of the Copperfield fire, active east of Chiloquin.

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 and some welcome rains fell a couple of weeks ago in much of Lake County providing opportunity for fall green up on north facing slopes. The forecast is calling for hot and dry weather for the foreseeable future. Get out there early before animals are bedded down for the day. Wildfires have been tempered, with most now in mop up stages or extinguished. Silver Lake hunters should check the closures associated with the Buck Creek fire and remain out of the way of firefighters. Last updated 10/2/24.

Controlled ALW deer: Hunters should look to locate riparian zones and other available water sources. These areas typically hold higher quality forage that deer will key into. Locating fresh sign on used trails can be the key to success. Older burns are another area that will attract deer due to the available growth. The 2021 fires (Bootleg, Cougar Peak and Patton Meadow) within Interstate are beginning to provide the necessary forage for deer, so hunting the fringes where there is still some cover can prove a good strategy.

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.