South Central Area

April 10, 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.

Open seasons

Cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled spring bear

Announcements, resources‌

Big game harvest statistics‌

You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for.‌

Shed hunt responsibly‌

Deer and elk shed their antlers at a time when they're not finding a lot of nutritious food and need to be conserving energy so they can migrate to summer ranges a bit later in the year. Follow these tips to help protect vulnerable animals.‌

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

Black bear: Season continues through May 31. Snowpack is average due to late winter snow events. While much of the lowlands are snow-free, the foothills and higher up in the mountains may still have snow. Access will be limited in many areas early in the season, so look for warm weather stretches to open up new habitat as the season progresses.‌

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: Spring bear seasons have opened throughout the county. Much of the higher elevation forested lands are still snowed in, but portions of lower foothills are open. With warm temperatures on the horizon, look for more land to become accessible in the coming weeks. Much of Warner remain inaccessible, but portions of Silver Lake and Interstate have become snow-free or are in the process of doing so. ‌

South facing slopes are great places to begin looking for bears, as they are the first to become snow free. Areas with new, green growth can also attract bears seeking the feed. 

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.‌