Recreation Report
West Area
Recreation Report
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
Eurasian collared dove, ruffed and blue grouse, quail (mountain and CA), fall turkey, rooster pheasant (closes Dec. 31), chukar/Hungarian partridge, duck, NW permit, SW and South Coast goose
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.
Bird harvest statistics from ODFW wildlife areas
Wondering how good hunting has been on ODFW wildlife areas? Several wildlife areas post waterfowl (duck and/or goose) and upland game bird harvest statistics on MyODFW.com. Combine recent harvest numbers with current conditions in the field to decide where to hunt.
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.
Turn in wings and tails
Grouse and mountain quail hunters, please turn in your bird's wings and tails – our biologist use them to help assess bird populations and set seasons. Use this map to find blue collection barrels where you hunt.
District updates
ALL DISTRICTS
Eurasian collared-doves: These birds have no protections in Oregon, so there are no closed seasons and no limits to their harvest. Target Eurasian collared doves 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.
NORTH AND MID-COAST DISTRICTS
Habitat conditions: Temperatures vary throughout the week with rainstorms forecasted to return this weekend. This should make for some decent waterfowl hunting conditions in the early mornings. As temperatures warm up throughout the day, expect waterfowl activity to taper off towards the afternoon and early evening. Target upland birds during calm periods in the afternoon and evening.
Due to the wetter conditions and decreasing fire danger, multiple timber companies are reopening their lands to public access. Hampton's forestlands are now open to walk in access by the public. Manulife is open as well but have travel management restrictions on some roads. Look for "No Motor Vehicle" signs to know what roads are accessible to motorized vehicles and which are walk in only. Check the Oregon Forest Industries Council website for timber company contact information and changing access conditions. The North Alsea-Stott Mountain Travel Management Area(West TMA, East TMA) remains open to the public. Weyerhaeuser land enrolled in the TMA is open to public access until IFPL 4. Be sure to abide by all TMA rules and "No Motor Vehicle" restrictions on specified roads. Last updated 11/27/24.
Mourning dove: Season closed on Dec. 14.
Forest grouse: Season on the north coast continues through Jan. 31, 2025,and includes sooty (blue) and ruffed grouse. While both species are associated with conifer forests, sooty grouse occupy the higher elevations of the coast range, especially ridge tops, while ruffed grouse are most commonly seen at mid to lower elevations of forest habitats, including riparian areas. Due to the wet early portion of the nesting season, we anticipate that hunting will likely be only average this year for these birds, with fewer juveniles available.
Mountain quail: Season runs concurrently with the forest grouse season on the north coast, and hunting is likely to be average. The early nesting season was wet, making for poor reproduction but mountain quail readily re-nest and can pull off broods during the late summer. These birds are most commonly found in brushy clear-cuts, especially those with a south-facing aspect.
Waterfowl: Decent numbers of both divers and puddle ducks have shown up along the coast as they make their way south. Duck season continues through Jan. 26, 2025. Second period of goose season continues through Jan. 16, 2025 for the Northwest permit zone. Cacklers continue to be abundant in coastal bays, wetlands, and pastures.
As rains continue and local pastures flood, more birds will be found using farmers' fields (private property) and hunters may have better luck if they have made local contacts. During such conditions, diving ducks will generally be all that are available on the bays and tidewater. If freezing weather occurs in the valley for more than a few days, more birds may become available on the coast.
WILLAMETTE DISTRICT
Mourning dove: Season closed Dec. 14.
Grouse: While both ruffed and sooty grouse are associated with conifer forests, sooty grouse occupy the higher elevations of the coast range, especially ridge tops, while ruffed grouse are most commonly seen at mid to lower elevations of forest habitats, including riparian areas.
Quail: Quail are commonly seen along dirt roads with thickly vegetated edges.
Habitat conditions: All blinds are fully watered and available for hunters participating in the reservation hunt program. Last update 12/18/24.
Waterfowl have moved off the wildlife area to surrounding farmland and/or moved further south, continuing their winter migrations. As a result, hunter harvest has been low for the last week. Hunters should expect moderate harvest to continue until new birds arrive from northern locations.
Waterfowl harvest statistics are available for all portions of the wildlife area. These statistics can be a good indicator of when birds arrive. You can find harvest stats for multiple wildlife areas on myodfw.com, or more specifically, you can find Fern Ridge Wildlife Area harvest statistics here. Be sure to hit refresh in your browser to see the most up-to-date statistics.
The West, East, and South Coyote units remain closed to all public access, except when participating in the waterfowl reservation hunt. Please consult the game bird regulations (page 35) for details related to access of any wildlife area unit.
Reminder that only non-toxic shot is allowed on the wildlife area. Hunters must carry with them and complete a daily hunting permit. Permits are free and available at most wildlife area access points.
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Headquarters: (541) 935-2591.
SOUTHWEST AREA GAME BIRD HUNTING
COOS COUNTY
Coquille Valley Wildlife Area (CVWA)
Coquille Valley Wildlife Area (CVWA) in Coos County is open to public access. Permits for access are required and are available, free of charge, at the kiosk located in the parking lot along North Bank Road. You must access to CVWA through this point. Please fill out the upper half ("A" half) of the permit and deposit it in the slot located on the post of the kiosk. Sign and carry the lower half ("B" half) with you while you enjoy CVWA. At the end of your visit please fill out the B half and deposited it in the same slot.
CVWA, both Winter Lake and Beaver Slough Tracts, are open to seven-day-a-week access from Feb. 1 through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 through Jan. 31 Winter Lake Tract is open to public access Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays while Beaver Slough Tract remains open seven days a week. Please note that only non-toxic shot is allowed on the wildlife area.
Habitat conditions: Coos County has been receiving regular rain for a couple of weeks. Conditions are very improved for waterfowl with most wetlands holding appropriate water. Most industrial timber companies that allow public access have removed restrictions due to the end of fire season in October. Last updated 11/13/24.
Mourning dove: Season closed Dec. 14.
Grouse: Grouse numbers appear to be low this year. While the mild spring and summer weather was conducive to good brood survival the adult population appears to be quite low. It will take several of mild springs and summers for the overall abundance of grouse to improve. Hunters who want to hunt grouse should look for them on closed forest roads with clover and other forbs growing on them.
Quail: Quail populations in the southern Coast Range had a productive spring and summer for brood production. Hunters should find relatively large covey sizes as a result of good chick survival.
Those interested in hunting quail should look for mountain quail in young clearcuts, they especially like areas with rocky outcroppings. California quail will be most numerous around agriculture fields.
Fall turkey: Turkey populations in Coos County have been increasing over the past several years as has their distribution. This summer saw conditions that were good for brood survival. Surveys indicated larger brood sizes than have been seen in some recent years. This will contribute to the continued growth of turkey flocks in Coos County. While the highest abundance of turkeys is concentrated around the Coquille Valley, turkeys can now be found in many other parts of the county.
Generally, turkeys get through winter by congregating in or near agricultural lands in Coos County. Therefore, they are most likely to be found within a short distance from ag lands, even in the summer or fall. However, with increasing populations they can be found in forest openings such as clearcuts and meadows adjacent to ag lands. It is worth a hunter's time to scout these kinds of places for sign of turkeys during the fall season.
Waterfowl:
Conditions are prime for waterfowl hunting. With recent rain many wetlands have shallow water that is ideal for dabbling ducks. Numbers and diversity in the area are high. Hunters can scout bays, rivers, and agricultural fields to find birds. Finding food sources and resting locations prior to hunting will be key to success.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Habitat conditions: Things remain hot and dry in Douglas County. We continue to get new fires starting and are still in extreme fire danger. Hunters need to be checking ODF, BLM and USFS websites for up-to-date information on access. Last updated 9/11/24.
Mourning dove: Season closed Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
There is not a lot of publicly accessible dove hunting in Douglas County. Those interested in doves should be concentrating on getting permission on private property.
Grouse: Our surveys this summer indicate that forest grouse production was below average throughout the county. The same surveys showed that Mountain Quail production was average to above average in the coast range and lower elevations in the cascades. With the continued drought conditions hunters should focus on areas with nearby water or older timber stands.
Fall turkey: The western fall turkey season runs from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024.
Turkey production for Douglas County seemed to average. Hens with poults were encountered in new areas in the Cascades, likely meaning expansion into some previously unoccupied habitats.
JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES
Attention: Hunters in Jackson County should be aware of additions to our Jackson County Travel Management Area (JACTMA). Beginning Oct. 15, 2024, there is an additional portion of land included in JACTMA north of Butte Falls in the Fredenburg Butte Area. For more information see both of the linked maps:
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/travel_management_areas/jackson.pdf
Habitat conditions: Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties have started to receive their annual fall precipitation; lowering the fire danger levels to "Low." As the rain continues to accumulate and temperatures drop, be prepared for muddy, snowy or icy roads. Carry proper cold weather gear (chains, traction devices, warm clothes, water and emergency supplies). It is advised to stay off undeveloped roads to prevent getting stuck and to prevent habitat degradation. Find current fire danger levels here.
Always watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt. Last updated 10/9/24.
Mourning Dove: Season closed Dec. 14.
Grouse: The daily bag limit is three birds of each species (sooty and ruffed). Driving less used dirt roads in the late evening can be an effective method in finding grouse to harvest. During our spring and summer inventory routes we documented good numbers of both ruffed and sooty grouse. Hunting should be productive this fall and winter.
Quail: The daily bag limit is 10 quail (in aggregate with both Mountain and California quail). Driving old dirt roads in the late afternoon and evening is usually a good way to locate groups. Be prepared for possible muddy, snowy, or icy conditions. Mixed forests offer your best chance to find mountain quail, while California quail tend to prefer the more open, shrubby areas on the valley floor.
Our summer brood routes indicated good numbers of quail in Jackson and Josephine counties. For more information refer to the Oregon Game Bird Regulations.
Fall turkey: season opened Sept. 1 in western Oregon with a season bag limit of 2 wild turkeys of either sex. Turkey numbers are extremely high in southern Oregon which should make for a good fall hunting season. Successful hunters can purchase an additional fall turkey tag for a second opportunity.
Rooster pheasant: Statewide pheasant season remains open through Dec. 31. Multiple wildlife areas across the state release pheasants for their Special Fee Hunts held in early to mid-September. A portion of the Denman Wildlife Area still has a few leftover pheasants from their fee hunt for hunting opportunities during the statewide season.
Please remember a parking permit is required at all wildlife areas and a hunt permit card is required while actively hunting all wildlife areas. The hunt permit cards are available. Please fill out all portions out entirely, including the total hours hunted. The A portion must be filled out entirely and turned in at the beginning of the hunt and the B portion of the card must be returned at the end of the hunt, even if the hunt proved unsuccessful. Zeros are numbers too.
Waterfowl: With temperatures dropping, precipitation increasing, and sunlight hours declining, ducks and geese will become restless and begin searching for food to accumulate fat reserves for the winter months. During stormy conditions, waterfowl tend to seek refuge, where they can forage for food, until they are able to continue their migration journey. Slow moving water, shallow sloughs or marshes are great places to hunt for ducks while flooded fields and lakes provide a better opportunity for harvesting geese.
Knowing the species you wish to target will help hunters understand their feeding patterns and the areas they'll frequent. You'll find dabbling duck such as mallards and green winged teals in and around shallow pools, ponds and flooded fields. Wood ducks are also a dabbling duck but are more likely found within a mix of shallow water and flooded forest habitats.
The Denman Wildlife Area farms wildlife food plots for migrating waterfowl and upland birds. The crops planted on the wildlife area are wheat, barley, piper sudangrass, milo, sorghum, and other cereal grains. Several of the food plots are flooded during the winter months to provide shelter and forage for birds while providing hunting opportunities for the public. Placing a small number of decoys in an open feeding area not far from tall cattails or brush, where hunters can stay hidden, can be a great hunting advantage for a variety of duck species. Shallow pools within the tree lines also provide great cover and foraging for wood ducks. Keep in mind that the Hall Tract portion of the Denman Wildlife area is only open for hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day only.
Wilson's Snipe: A medium sized pudgy shorebird with short stocky legs and a long bill that is used to probe the mud for earthworms and invertebrates. They are a mottled dark brown color with 3 long buffy streaks descending their back. This species is considered an upland bird, despite its tendencies to forage mud flats near the edges of marshes, ponds and wet fields. Their ability to stay well hidden in ground cover before flushing abruptly, and zigzagging in flight, provides a fun challenge when hunting. The season for Wilson's snipe remains open through Feb. 16, 2025, with a daily bag limit of 8 birds. They can be easily confused with several species of shorebirds. Be thorough with your identification when hunting this species. Learn more about hunting Wilson's snipe.