Wild spring Chinook harvest restrictions on Umpqua

Wild spring Chinook harvest will be closed on mainstem Umpqua, bag limit reduced on North Umpqua.

Bonneville, The Dalles pools close to sturgeon

Sturgeon retention now closed in Bonneville and The Dalles pools after record opening day.

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.

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-

Jan. 8, 2025‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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)

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote

Announcements, resources‌

Last big game update of season

With most big game hunting seasons done or winding down, the big game hunting section of the Recreation Report will go on hiatus after this week. Updates will resume in August 2025 with publication of the Big game hunting forecast.

Coming up next

  • Report your hunt by Jan. 31. If you bought a tag to hunt in 2024, you must report your hunt by Jan. 31, 2025 – even if you didn't hunt or harvest an animal. Here's information on who needs to report and how to do it.
  • Look for the spring bear hunting forecast. The forecast is published in late March, offering hunters a look at the upcoming season.
  • Spring bear hunting season opens April 1. The deadline for tag applications is Feb. 10.

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.

Deer and elk: Seasons closed.

Black bear:Black bear season closed Dec. 31.

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 closed Dec. 31.

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.