Central Zone

April 10, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

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Crook County

There are red-tailed, rough-legged and ferruginous hawks, northern harriers, American kestrels, prairie falcons and golden eagles throughout Crook County and they're usually associated more closely with open/agricultural areas. Bald eagles and osprey, on the other hand, are more closely associated with water bodies. Look for northern goshawks throughout the Ochoco National Forest, and for ducklings and goslings in rivers and lakes.‌

Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area‌

The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area offers access to view a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, otter, beaver, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Maps of the wildlife area are available at the Prineville ODFW office, at Prineville Reservoir State Park office and the ODFW website. Vehicles must remain on open roads, designated by a green dot, and cross-country motorized travel is prohibited.‌

Wasco/Sherman/Hood County

The Lower Deschutes River provides ample wildlife viewing opportunities. California bighorn sheep are frequently observed in the canyon and can provide fantastic viewing all times of the year. Bighorn sheep lambs are beginning to be born and can provide an awesome viewing experience if you can locate them. The best spot to view sheep is from the BLM access road just downstream and across the river from Sherars Falls (along Hwy 216). Focus your efforts near large cliff complexes for best viewing. You can also see sheep from The Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area access trail on the east side of the river by hiking up from the mouth of the river. Sheep can be seen as low as river mile 7 or 8. ‌

The Deschutes River can also provide great viewing opportunities for a variety of waterfowl, raptors, and upland birds including goldeneye, bufflehead, mergansers, mallards, geese, bald eagles, great blue heron, chukar, and pheasants. ‌

The John Day River Canyon also is home to bighorn sheep but access is a bit more limited. The easiest place to access the canyon is at Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Hike up or downstream from the access point to look for sheep.‌

Oak woodlands throughout Hood River and Wasco counties provide food and cover for many wildlife species. Acorns from these trees are a particularly important food source for western gray squirrels and deer. Woodpeckers such as Lewis's woodpeckers, may be found scouring live and dead oak trees for insects found in the wood. ‌

Black-tailed deer and mule deer can also be found throughout the district. Deer can easily be seen scattered throughout agricultural fields and within lower elevation winter range grassland habitats. Towards the end of April, deer will begin migrating up to higher elevation summer range habitats where they will remain for the next six months. Keep an eye out and you may be able to catch them migrating from low elevation private lands up to higher elevation forested public lands. ‌

You can see a variety of common raptor species throughout the Mid-Columbia district. Many birds are beginning to migrate back to their spring/summer ranges. The Columbia River Gorge is a great place to view nesting raptor species. Osprey have started to arrive from their wintering areas and are working on nests to prepare for the breeding season. Bald eagles and Peregrine falcons are also common breeding species and can be observed nesting in suitable habitat along the river. Peregrine falcons use large cliff faces for nesting while bald eagles generally build their nests in trees. Other species that may be found nesting within the district include red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, American kestrel, northern harrier, prairie falcon and Swainson's hawk. ‌

A variety of songbirds are also beginning to show up to their summer breeding grounds providing ample opportunities to go birding throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest, White River Wildlife Area, and the Deschutes and John Day River Canyons. ‌

White River Wildlife Area‌

Photography opportunities are good in the wildlife area. Deer and elk have been seen near agricultural fields, south facing slopes and open water ways. If you're traveling on or near the wildlife area, be alert for big game animals, especially deer. ‌

The wildlife area is also home to many other game and nongame species. Look for wild turkeys foraging, skunks, coyotes, the occasional river otter and muskrat in waterways, and black bear or cougar as they move throughout the wildlife area. ‌

There are many chances to see bald eagles and golden eagles on the wildlife area. You can spot other raptors such as red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, osprey and northern harriers hunting their prey. Rough-legged hawks have been seen in the area too. Look for birds perched on powerlines/poles, fences and trees. ‌

Visitors area still seeing geese and ducks in the area. Ponds and waterways are full so waterfowl can be seen in several locations.‌

Lewis' woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, flickers, western meadowlarks, Steller's jays, scrub jays, gray jays, Townsend's solitaire, horned larks, golden-crowed kinglets and robins are all at home on the wildlife area. ‌

A parking permit is required to park at White River Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit. ‌

Current road and weather conditions: Roads in the area are very wet and muddy. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for many of the open green dot roads. Many of the seasonal roads are closed Dec. 1 through March 31. The Wildlife Area lands north of Forest Rd 27 are closed to all public access from Dec. 1 through March 31. Look for maps with road information at entrances to the wildlife area or click here WRWA Map. ‌

The weather forecast includes rain, snow and some dry periods with the high temperatures in the high 40s and low temperatures in the low 30s. Be prepared for unexpected weather like snow and ice, carry chains, a shovel and warm, dry clothing. ‌

Campfires are allowed only in designated campsites. Firewood cutting is closed for the season. ‌

Reminder: WILDLIFE AREA PARKING PERMIT required. Display your required parking permit when visiting the wildlife area. If you are using ELS, you must print out your parking permit and display it. Camping in the wildlife area is only allowed in designated camping areas. Please pack out your trash. Only street legal vehicles are allowed in the wildlife area, no ATV's or snowmobiles. WRWA headquarters 541-544-2126. ‌