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Rabbit hunting is the third most popular type of hunting activity in the U.S., behind wild turkey and deer hunting. Few people take advantage of it in Oregon, but they should—rabbits and hares are abundant and there is no closed season or bag limit. Plus, they taste good!

Nehalem Bay offers both beach and boat access to softshell and purple varnish clam beds.

Small game species provide a variety of hunting experiences throughout the state and are an excellent way to introduce new hunters to hunting. Only the appropriate hunting license is necessary to hunt small game (no tags or permits). There are three major categories of small game in Oregon: western gray squirrel, unprotected mammals and furbearers.

Clamming is the main attraction in Netarts Bay. The bay is also one of five major crabbing bays in Oregon with good populations of both Dungeness and redrock crab.

Crabbing can be good year-round but the best catches are in the winter. Tidal flats throughout the bay produce lots of gapers, cockles and softshell clams.

Lower Yaquina Bay is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers many shellfishing oppurtunities.

Coos Bay is Oregon’s largest bay. The lower bay (areas from the ocean entrance to the airport) is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers some of Oregon’s most productive shellfishing opportunities.

Oregon offers some of the best upland game bird hunting in the West. The state’s diverse habitats support nine species of upland game birds— pheasants, chukar, Hungarian partridge, valley (California) quail, mountain quail, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, sage-grouse and wild turkey. There are upland hunting opportunities in every corner of the state, and one upland bird season or another is open continuously from September 1 through January 31. Throw in a six-week spring turkey season and you can hunt upland game birds in Oregon for more than half of the year! Also, since many of the species share similar habitat

Mentored Youth Hunter Program allows youth 9 through 15 years of age to hunt without first passing an approved hunter safety education program. It gives unlicensed youngsters an unlimited opportunity to receive mentored, one-on-one field experience and training on the ethics, safety, responsibility and enjoyment of hunting while closely supervised by a licensed adult who is 21 years of age or older and who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area and species being hunted. Register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online (or after clicking the online link – go to Purchase from

Umpqua River is one of Oregon's largest estuaries; however, high freshwater influence makes the bay seasonal for crabbing. Softshell clam populations in the Umpqua River are among the highest in the state, and they are large clams. Razor clams can be dug at the North Jetty of the Umpqua, though its a long drive down Sparrow Park Rd. (just north of Gardiner), then South along the beach about‌ 8 miles.

If you bought a tag you must report, even if you weren't successful or didn't hunt. Hunters have until Jan. 31 and April 15 each year to report their previous year's hunts. Report your hunt online or at an ODFW license vendor.

Regulated Hunt Areas (RHAs) are cooperative programs between Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and private landowners that offer regulated hunting on private lands. Each RHA has special regulations so be sure to check them before hunting. The Upland Cooperative Access Program (UCAP) is an incentive-based program designed to provide quality public hunting opportunities for upland game birds on private lands in Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Morrow counties in the Columbia Basin.

Better known for their elaborate courtship displays, greater sage-grouse also offers the wingshooter a unique hunting experience. This is a small, well-regulated hunt by permit only. Permit applications are due in mid-August each year. Apply for a permit

Legal hunting weapons and weapon restrictions for hunting big game and game birds in Oregon.

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island - hunting in the North Unit. Part 4 of a 5 part series.

Hunter's Resources Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Oregon hunter's bucket list: Over 34 million acres of public land open to hunters. Diverse habitats from coastal rain forests to eastern deserts, with a couple of mountain ranges in between offer several opportunities to hunt deer and elk.

Hunters and anglers can still visit their local ODFW license agent to purchase and print licenses, tags and other documents. This list will be updated periodically.

The Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts offer new hunters a chance to hone their skills in a hunt that’s close to home and offers a good chance of bagging some birds.