Recreation Report
West Area
Recreation Report
WESTERN OREGON
September 10, 2026
Current season:
Mourning dove, ruffed and blue grouse, Rooster pheasant and Quail (Western Oregon), Turkey (Select WMU's)
Announcements, resources
2026-27 Game Bird Regulations online and available at ODFW licensed agents and vendors.
Buy your 2026-27 bird stamp(s) and validations - Available for purchase now: upland and waterfowl validations, federal duck stamp and don't skip the HIP survey. Redeem your sports-pac vouchers before entering the field to hunt.
Don't miss the Youth Upland Game Bird Hunts register now.
Plan this season's hunts with prior year game bird harvest summaries.
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.
Permits required for band-tailed pigeons and sea ducks. For more information on permits.
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 in drought and wildfire season - actions you can take to protect wildlife.
For the most current fire closures and restrictions--KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
ALL DISTRICTS
Eurasian collared doves: These birds have no protection 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.
All birds except European starling, house sparrow, Eurasian collared-dove, and rock pigeon are protected by federal and/or state laws and may not be taken without authorization. Contact the law enforcement branch of the USFWS for Federal regulations regarding take at (503) 682-6131.
NORTH AND MID-COAST DISTRICTS
Forest grouse season on the north coast opened Sept.1 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 seen at mid to lower elevations of forest habitats, including riparian areas. We anticipate a productive hunt season as we saw mild weather during the clutch rearing period, as well as good forage production this year for the birds.
Mountain quail season runs concurrently with the forest grouse season on the north coast. Quail hunting should be productive this year with a mild Spring and Summer meaning successful brood production for the species. These birds are most found in roadway openings, and brushy clear-cuts, especially those with a south-facing aspect.
Eurasian collared doves are non-native birds found in developed portions of the north coast. There is no closed season or bag limit for them, but hunters need to get permission to hunt them on private land. Although similar in markings and appearance to the native mourning dove, they are larger (similar to a rock dove) and with a more squared-off tail.
WILLAMETTE DISTRICT
All units at FRWA and Fern Ridge Lake are open to public use daily.
Reminder that only non-toxic shot is allowed in 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.
A free youth pheasant hunt is coming up on September 12 and 13, no pre-registration necessary but in-person registration is required at 27733 Ken Nielsen Road.
The fee pheasant hunt, permit required, begins September 14.
Contact Fern Ridge Wildlife Area for more information at (541) 935-2591.
JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES
Habitat conditions: Jackson and Josephine counties remain dry with fire danger levels still high on National Forest lands and moderate everywhere else while Curry County fire danger levels are considered low. With fire danger levels being elevated as well as end of summer temperatures, it would be a great idea to carry a fire extinguisher and/or container of water in your vehicle. Some of the roads will have tall brush down the center of the road and hot vehicles parking over them can cause a fire to ignite. Current fire danger levels can be found here.
During the month of September birds can be more easily located in the early morning hours or in the early evening hours near water sources, as the temperatures are considerably cooler. Finding a great water source with habitat that is conducive to the species' eating habits would be the most advantageous way to harvest at the moment.
Always watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt.
Mourning Dove: Season started Sept. 1 statewide with a daily bag limit of 15 birds. Doves are small fast flying birds, so it is best to get some practice with clay pigeons before the season starts. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Grouse: Season opened Sept. 1 statewide with a daily bag limit of three birds of each species (blue 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: Season opened Sept. 1 in western Oregon. The daily bag limit is 10 quail (in aggregate with both Mountain and California quail). Driving on old dirt roads in the late afternoon and evening is usually a good way to locate groups. California quail are typically found at lower elevations in open fields and brushy patches, where mountain quail are found at higher elevations. While they like brushy areas as well, they are also found in heavily forested areas.
Our summer brood routes indicated good numbers of quail in all three 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.
September Goose: September goose season starts September 12 and runs through the 16. This season is intended for resident geese, so if you've seen geese in a particular location at some point over the summer it is likely still going to hold geese during this season. Popular areas to hunt include the Denman Wildlife Area, Lost Creek Lake, Willow Lake, and Agate Lake.