Recreation Report
East Area
Recreation Report
EASTERN OREGON
December 4, 2025
Currently open
Upland: Eurasian collared dove, ruffed and blue grouse, rooster pheasant, chukar/ Hungarian partridge, quail, *fall turkey (*Check regulations for specific units and boundaries)
Duck, scaup, Wilson's snipe, crow, brant, Mid-Columbia zone - Canada, white fronted and white goose
Zone 1 Mourning Dove
Upcoming Season
High desert & Blue Mountain zones – Canada goose (Opens Dec 9)
Announcements, resources
A district-by-district look at how this year's migratory and upland bird seasons are shaping up.
Hunt by Reservation Program - ODFW's Hunt by Reservation Program connects bird hunters with private landowners. By making a reservation online, hunters receive a permit to hunt select private lands on dates that landowners select ahead of time.
Buy your 2025-26 bird stamp(s) and validations - Don't forget to buy your HIP, upland bird and waterfowl validations – as well as federal duck stamp – before your first hunt.
Turn in wings and tails - Grouse and mountain quail hunters, please turn in your bird's wings and tails – our biologists collect them to help assess bird populations and set seasons. Use this map to find blue collection barrels where you hunt.
Hunting and fire danger - Bookmark this page – for the most current fire closures and restrictions.
ALL DISTRICTS
Eurasian collared doves: These birds have no protection in Oregon, so there are no closed seasons or limits to their harvest. A hunting license is required on public land. Focus around agricultural areas where food sources are abundant. Be sure of your identification before you hunt these birds which are larger and lighter than mourning doves with a distinctive band around the back of the neck. Identify this species and its habitat.
COLUMBIA AREA (White River, Hood, West Biggs, and Maupin Units)
Habitat conditions: We have several fires in the Mid-Columbia district that are impacting bird hunting. The Ferry Fire has burned habitat in the John Day River canyon at Cottonwood State Park. We have received a decent amount of rain the past few weeks creating wet muddy roads. Two tracks will be wet, and four-wheel drive is recommended.
Waterfowl: The large push of birds from the north have not shown yet. The Columbia is still holding birds but not in large numbers. The large rafts of divers have not shown up, but they are starting to slowly trickle in. Hunters should look for large weedy area in the river close to shore as duck most often use feed there.
Mourning dove: Mourning doves will mostly be concentrated near food sources such as agricultural fields, especially with nearby cover and water sources. Most Mourning doves have headed out with the recent cooler weather, leaving only a few remaining pockets of doves. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Forest grouse and mountain quail: Sooty (blue) grouse can be found in forested portions of the White River and Hood units. They seem to be more heavily concentrated in the Hood unit and in the western portion of the White River unit. Targeting breaks of major ridges at higher elevations is a good strategy for finding sooty grouse.
Ruffed grouse are found at lower elevations and seem to be more difficult to find in these units but are generally associated with riparian areas. Young timber stands (3-10 years post-harvest) and elderberry bushes can be good habitat features to target when searching for ruffed grouse.
Biologists have observed normal numbers of both sooty and ruffed grouse while conducting field work in the first two weeks of September. Hunting pressure appears to be about average based on wing barrel checks.
CENTRAL AREA
DESCHUTES DISTRICT (Metolius, Upper Deschutes, Paulina, North Wagontire, NW Fort Rock)
Overall, habitat conditions are in good shape this year, but as normal, Central Oregon is not home to the highest densities of game birds in the state. Folks who have scouted and are familiar with the area will be at an advantage. Riparian areas are hotspots for birds, both in the forest and in the lower-elevation sage steppe.
Grouse: There are decent numbers of sooty grouse to be found on the east slope of the Cascades, but not as many as the west side of the Cascades. Look for ridge tops such as Green Ridge or high elevation buttes that can hold grouse. Mixed vegetation with good brush levels is key to hold birds.
Quail: There is a growing mountain quail population in the western part of Jefferson County, both in the lowland juniper woodlands and up higher in the forests. Past burns that have thick brush are happy homes for both mountain quail and California quail.
Dove: Most dove have left the region by this time, but some low-elevation areas with juniper and water may still hold some stragglers. The grasslands around Lake Billy Chinook can be a place to start.
Waterfowl: Many of the large forest lakes and reservoirs hold birds as long as they have open water, and early in the season most are still accessible. Crane Prairie and Wickiup are popular destinations that hold lots of birds and can be good places to start.
SOUTH CENTRAL AREA
KLAMATH COUNTY Habitat conditions: The Barnes Unit of the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge microcystin levels have decreased to within recreational limits. Levels remain above recommended safe levels for dog. Hunters are encouraged to exercise caution for their dogs if hunting this area.
Recent rainfall has provided some green up in Klamath County. Reports from hunters are that broods of upland gamebird are larger than years past, especially for forest grouse.
Forest grouse: Best prospects are in the Cascade Mountains for both blue and ruffed grouse, although there are fair numbers of blue grouse in forested habitat in eastern Klamath County. Hunters are asked to provide a wing and tail from each grouse harvested and drop them off at the Klamath District Office on Miller Island Road.
Quail: Numbers should be slightly down from last year. Look for California quail at lower elevations near agriculture and in areas of thicker shrubs. Mountain quail can be found at higher elevations in forested areas near water sources.
Waterfowl: Duck season continues with a short break Dec 1-3, Canadian & White Fronted goose season is currently open with a temporary closure for Canada Dec 1-8, and White Front Dec 1-Jan 15. Hunters need to be familiar with the regulations in the area before attempting to harvest waterfowl species. Upper Klamath Lake, Wood River Wetlands, Lost River, Sprague River, Klamath River and a portion of the Klamath Marsh all provide good public hunting opportunities.
Miller Island Unit:
Zone 2 now open for duck, merganser, coot, snipe and goose. Rooster pheasant and quail also now open.
- The Miller Island Unit is located 6 miles south and west of Klamath Falls. Miller Island Unit is closed to all access from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m.
- Discharging firearms is prohibited except during authorized game bird hunting seasons or by special permit.
- Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: Open to public use Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
- Open to game bird hunting on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday during authorized game bird seasons.
- All other days are closed to all entry, except public roads, parking areas, boat ramp, designated birding trail and designated dog training area.
- Upland game bird shooting hours begin at 10 a.m.
- Overnight camping is not allowed in the Miller Island Unit.
All hunters will need to obtain and have a daily hunting permit in their possession while in the field. Free daily hunting permits will be available at the check station 1 ½ hours before legal shooting time. Check out is mandatory and can be accomplished by filling out and dropping the "B" portion of the permit off back at the check station.
All Miller Island wetlands are in good condition. Duck hunting has been slow and will probably continue to be slow unless there is a significant change in the weather. Pheasant will be released weekly (weather dependent) through the end of November.
Gorr Island Unit: Gorr Island is located four miles south of the Miller Island Unit in the Klamath River, accessible only by boat. Gorr Island is open daily with no wildlife area permit required during authorized seasons.
Shoalwater Bay Unit and Sesti Tgawaals Unit: Shoalwater Bay and Sesti Tgawaals are both located on the west side of Upper Klamath Lake approximately 10 miles to the north and west of Klamath Falls. Shoalwater Bay and Sesti Tgawaals Units are both open for hunting daily with no wildlife area permit required during authorized seasons.
If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5732.
LAKE COUNTY
Habitat conditions: Cooler temperatures and some welcome precipitation continue to lower fire danger and have improved hunting conditions. Last updated 11/15/2025.
Mourning dove: Hunters should focus around agricultural areas and forest openings where food sources are abundant. Additionally, open areas near water can be productive. Hunters are reminded to ask permission to hunt private lands. Daily bag limit is 15 birds with a possession limit of 45.
Be sure of your identification before you hunt these birds which are smaller and darker than Eurasian Collared Dove. Identify this species and its habitat.
Blue and ruffed grouse: Daily bag limit is 3 birds of each species with a possession limit of 9 birds of each species. Some areas to look for blue grouse are along ridge tops in more open forest habitats such as Winter Rim and the Warner mountains. While there are very few ruffed grouse in Lake County, they are generally found along riparian areas.
Game bird seasons are currently open. However, goose seasons are currently closed. The season for Canada geese will re-open on December 9, 2025. Seasons for white-fronted and snow geese will not re-open until January 16, 2026. Hunters please remember to meet all the requirements listed in the 2025–26 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Summer Lake no longer has a point-of-sale license agent and cellular service for electronic licensing is sometimes spotty.
All hunters will need to obtain and have a daily hunting permit in their possession while in the field. Free daily hunting permits will be available either by service or in person check-in.
Check out is mandatory and can be accomplished by filling out and dropping the "B" portion of the permit off in check-out boxes found at major access areas.
Traditional areas are open and posted refuges are closed to all hunting. Use of electronic bicycles is prohibited in all areas closed to motor vehicles.
Non-toxic shot is required for all game bird hunting and posted refuges are closed to hunting. Please see Gamebird Regulations page 37 for detailed wildlife area regulations.
Summer Lake Wildlife Area harvest statistics, maps and weekly bird counts can be found on the ODFW website.
Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 for additional information.
SOUTHEAST AREA
HARNEY COUNTY
Habitat conditions: Harney County will continue to see temperatures going down in this next week with lows in the mid-twenties and highs of mid-fifties. With this fluctuation of temperature wet conditions in the form of snow and rain are expected. This should push birds to lower elevations, making for better hunting opportunity. Road access is still good in the county, but wet conditions could change for some unmaintained roads in the district. Updated 11/24/25
Blue and ruffed grouse: Grouse can be found in the forested portions of the Silvies and Malheur River Units, but population numbers are low.
Chukar: Chukar hunters will experience a decline in the chukar population compared to last year's boom year. Although some loss was attributed to winter and a dry spring, birds are still available to harvest in the district. Look South and East of Burns, Oregon where rocky talus slopes, cheatgrass and steep slopes hold birds.
Quail: Quail experienced a decline in the county in comparison to that of 2024 counts. Most quail in the county are around agricultural areas. Remember to follow private property boundaries and ask permission before accessing them.
Turkey: Due to an increase in the turkey population in Harney County, a Fall Wild Turkey Season has been added for a portion of the district including Silvies, Malheur River, Juniper, and Steens wildlife management units. This season runs until Nov. 30 and then reopens Dec. 1 – Jan 31, 2026. The bag limit for this season is one wild turkey of either sex. For more information look to page 23 of the Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations.
Waterfowl: water sources are more available in the district this year, with higher-than-average precipitation events having occurred periodically through the season causing lake levels to rise which has in turn provided stop over habitat for both ducks and geese. Look to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for an opportunity to harvest a variety of duck species and remember to have permission before hunting private lands. These opportunities are limited depending on when these areas ice over so take advantage and get out early before the temperatures become freezing.
MALHEUR COUNTY
Habitat conditions: Continued cooler temperatures and precipitation over the last few weeks have increased bird numbers. Despite dry topsoil and vegetation, water sources are relatively available throughout the landscape due to high annual water tables. Unmaintained road access is good. Last updated 11/15/25.
Mourning dove: Summer surveys counted doves at 56 percent over 3-year and 43 percent over 10-year averages. Mourning doves can be found throughout the district in areas adjacent to farm ground and on the range in draws and around water sources. Remember to get permission to hunt private lands. How to hunt mourning dove.
Blue and ruffed grouse: Most grouse hunting occurs on the Malheur National Forest portions of the district.
NORTHEAST AREA
Baker County
Habitat conditions: Cooler, wetter weather patterns have moved into the area and hunting conditions are starting to improve.
Chukar: Chukar hunters should see a better than average year in Baker County. Favorable spring conditions and good numbers of birds last year, led to good chick production this year. Chicks were of good size, and broods were generally large. Hunters that hunted last season in Baker County should see a very similar season this year.
Quail: Quail numbers were very similar to last year with large broods observed. Hunters looking to find quail will have the best luck concentrating efforts near riparian areas with thick vegetation.
Blue and ruffed grouse: So far harvest has been low. Most grouse hunting takes place in the Wallowa Whitman National Forest.
Access & Habitat (A&H) properties offer good upland bird hunting and access to public land.
Grant County
Habitat conditions: Spring was dry throughout the district, but the summer was unusually wet and cool. This is expected to lead to good juvenile survival and good hunting opportunities. There is good amount of green up and birds may key in on that. Last updated 11/6/25.
Mourning dove: Doves can be found throughout the lower elevation of the district in areas adjacent to farmed ground. Remember to get permission to hunt private lands. How to hunt mourning dove.
Blue and ruffed grouse: Most grouse hunting occurs on the National Forest portions of the district. With blue grouse being found on ridge tops and ruffed grouse along creek bottoms with good riparian shrub cover.
Chukars: Brood counts indicated good chick production this year. Chukars can be found along in steep rocky areas in lower elevations of the county. Most public access is in the South Fork John Day River.
Quail: Brood counts indicated good chick production this year. Quail can be found throughout the county with birds generally found in riparian area with good shrub cover.
Turkeys: Populations continue to do well and can be found throughout the district. The fall tag units in and around Grant County run through January 31, 2026. There is a Beardless Turkey Permit where a hunter can harvest 3 hens or beardless turkeys on one permit and can purchase 3 permits a season. These permits are valid on Private land in units listed on page 24 of the regulation. The season runs now through February 28, 2026. A hunter can only harvest three birds in one day. ODFW also has a Hunt by Reservation Program where hunters can sign up to go on hunts on private lands in Grant County.
The wildlife area has decent game bird hunting opportunities for Quail, Mourning Dove, Hungarian Partridge, and Chukar. Good places to check include the Flat Creek entrance, Oliver Cr, Jackass Cr, Murderers Cr and along the South Fork John Day River. Please remember to follow all wildlife area rules and safety zones.
Please call Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area with any questions (541) 987-2171 or (541) 318-7972
Ladd Marsh has wild populations of Pheasant, Quail, and Grey (Hungarian) Partridge. Sighting of adult birds throughout the summer were fairly regular. Pheasant hunting continues to be tough. Birds can be found but hunters will be faced with covering significantly more ground to find them. As we are further into season birds are getting far more jumpy; calm days with no wind are not your friend.
Duck hunters are finding some ducks. Recent rainstorms have helped, and we are starting to get more huntable ponds in the area. The most ponds are located between Peach Rd and Union Hwy but there are starting to be ponds East of Peach Road as well. It's always recommended before making a trip to Ladd Marsh to call the office for an update on current water conditions.
Habitat conditions: Plant growth was good this year. Hunter will encounter healthy native grass stands as well as tall healthy cattail and Bull rush around wetlands. The reed canary grass is very thick this year and does prove to be challenging to move through. Crop and food plot production was also good this year. Several wetland units West of Union highway were aggressively mowed and disced to help open areas that have become cattail monocultures. Although it is still dry, if we continue to get rain, these areas could provide great waterfowl hunting opportunity.
Mourning doves: Success has been very low, and bird sightings are also down.
Ladd Marsh is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays Aug. 1 through Jan. 31.
The wildlife Area is closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. In addition, there is no camping in the wildlife area.
Please call the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area with any questions (541) 963-4954.
Umatilla County
Habitat conditions: Winter has been extremely mild so far. Last updated 11/24/2025.
Forest grouse: Forested areas of Umatilla County have healthy populations of both ruffed and dusky (blue) grouse. In general, dusky grouse prefer ridgetops and ruffed grouse prefer riparian areas, but there are always exceptions to this rule.
Hunting dusky grouse in the early season can be great as they can be found foraging on grasshoppers in open areas near ridge breaks, usually in the morning. As the grasshopper numbers go down, they will be found more in timbered areas and become more challenging to get shots at.
Hunters should target ruffed grouse along closed forest roads, riparian areas and edges of lodgepole thickets.
ODFW does not conduct grouse surveys in Umatilla County, but we have observed good numbers of grouse in forest this year. Please put forest grouse wings and tails in wing barrels located throughout the county if you come across one or view the barrel locations here.
The forest grouse season has appeared to be good so far this year, indicated by the large number of wings received in collection barrels. Mild weather has kept all the forest open to access to continue chasing forest grouse.
Pheasant: Total pheasants counted fell from last year's surveys but chicks per brood ticked up slightly. Pheasant hunting should be similar to last year in Umatilla County. Most access is on private lands, so make sure you have permission before hunting private property. There is some opportunity to hunt areas on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Visit this site for more information.
You may also consider hunting McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge or Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge.
Quail: Brood route surveys documented a 37% decrease in total quail numbers from surveys conducted in 2024. Quail populations can vary widely from year to year, and 2025 counts show a -19% change from the 10-year average. Quail are well distributed throughout the county in agricultural lands and lower elevation riparian areas. Access for quail hunting is similar to pheasant hunting access mentioned above.
Chukar: Chukar hunting in Umatilla County is limited to only a few areas and most are private. Chukars had a good hatch this year and were well above the 10-year average for the county.
Waterfowl: Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge, McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Wanaket Wildlife Area and Irrigon Wildlife Area are potential locations to hunt waterfowl on public land in Umatilla County. There are also lots of goose hunting opportunities if you can find a willing landowner to allow access.
Recent reports are that the waterfowl season has been very slow in the Columbia Basin, likely due to very mild weather.
Columbia Basin Wildlife Areas (Irrigon WA, Willow Cr. WA, Coyote Sp. WA, Power City WA)
There is a good population of wild breeding pheasants at Willow Cr. WA as well as Irrigon WA. Pheasants tend to preferer the edges of marshy habitats. Best hunting is on cold windy days when birds are more likely to hold, allowing hunters to get close before they flush. Both Irrigon and Willow Cr WAs provide great waterfowl hunting opportunities, both areas are open 7 days a week from 4:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Union County
Habitat conditions: Cooler temps and good precipitation. Most of the wetlands are still dry however and we will need much more precipitation to charge a lot of the wetlands for waterfowl hunting. Last updated 11/14/25
Grouse: So far, the 2025 grouse season has been off to a mild start. Hunters should work ridge tops above 5,000 feet for blue grouse and stream corridors with heavy cover and water for ruffed grouse. Hunters are submitting less than average wings in our wing collection barrels all over the county.
Quail: Production was good, and hunters should have good success hunting for quail. Hunters should focus their efforts on low elevation riparian areas. Ladd Marsh is a good spot to find public land upland hunting opportunities.
Pheasant: Pheasant hunting should be similar to last year, with good production this year. Ladd Marsh holds a lot of pheasants and is a great place to go hunting.
Wallowa County
Habitat conditions: Temperatures remain cool this week, with rain expected and possible snow in the high country. Manulife (formerly Hancock) properties in NE Oregon are open for camping. For more information on recreation on Manulife lands call (541) 962-2184. TMAs are in effect in the Imnaha and Chesnimnus units.
Grouse: Grouse numbers are up from previous years, and the 2025 season is off to a good start with many wings being submitted in our grouse barrels. Blue grouse hunters should expect fair to good hunting in the forested areas of the Sled Spring and Chesnimnus units and ruffed grouse hunters will find more success in the riparian areas.
Chukar: Chukar numbers are doing well, and brood surveys were up slightly compared to last year. Hunters should expect to do well chasing chukars. Best places to find chukar are in the steep, rocky areas of the Snake River and Chesnimnus units and along the Imnaha River.
Quail: California quail numbers are doing great, and brood surveys are above the 10-year average, especially in the lower Wallowa valley. Mountain quail can occasionally be found in the county with hunters trying their luck in the forested country above the Imnaha River.