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Central Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
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July 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..
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. Adult female deer are beginning to give birth to their fawns. Female deer will often hide their fawns in thick cover as they move off to feed in efforts to avoid drawing predators close to their newborns. Look closely and you might find a young fawn stashed away in some brush.
Most deer have migrated up to higher elevation summer range habitats where they will remain for the next five months. Most summer range habitat is located on public ground throughout the Mt .Hood National Forest. High densities of deer will also summer on county and private forest timberland outside of Hood River. A subset of the population are year-round residents of lower elevation habitats and can continue to be found at lower elevations including within the John Day and Deschutes River canyons.
You can see a variety of common raptor species throughout the Mid-Columbia district. Many birds have migrated back to their summer ranges, have nested, and are beginning to care for their young. The Columbia River Gorge is a great place to view nesting raptor species.
Osprey have arrived from their wintering grounds and have been incubating eggs for several weeks. Osprey chicks are beginning to hatch and will fledge the nest 7-8 weeks after hatching.
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 have arrived at 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.
At higher elevations, hermit and Swainson's thrushes are beginning to stake out territories. Listen for their melodic song anywhere you see conifer cover.
In the Mosier area keep an eye out for western bluebirds. Several Gorge Scenic area properties here have nesting boxes that provide good viewing opportunities for them.
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.
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.