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Educational Moment

Navigating the regulations

Turkey hunters should be aware of all state hunting regulations, but pay special attention to these things – all of which are listed in the table of contents of the Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Licensing and tags Shooting hours Legal hunting methods Turkey hunting opportunities The Game Bird Regulations are available both online and in print, both are organized in the same way. Licensing and tags In Oregon, all hunters older than 12 years need a hunting license. Kids 12-17 years old can buy a special, value-priced youth license that also includes fishing and shellfishing. In addition to a…
May 19, 2020
Tagged antler
Article

Benefits for uniformed services and disabled veterans

ODFW wants to make sure our uniformed service members are given the opportunity to participate in the outdoor recreation Oregon has to offer.
January 7, 2026
Educational Moment

Firearm safety

Hunting involves a deadly weapon that can kill more than just your target. Hunting and handling your gun safely MUST be a top priority. Start with the fundamentals Start by learning these four gun safety fundamentals and you’ll be well on you way to a lifetime of safe hunting. Assume all guns are always loaded. The primary benefit of handling all guns as if they were loaded, is that it will help you develop safe gun handling habits. Never let the muzzle of the gun (the shooting end) point at something you’re not willing to shoot. Often referred to as…
May 19, 2020
image of four shooters demonstrating good muzzle control
Educational Moment

Patterning fall turkeys

In the spring, hunters try to take advantage of a tom’s predicted behavior during breeding season to bag a bird. In the fall, hunters fill their turkey tags by studying food sources and the daily routine of birds. Turkeys follow food sources As fall progresses, food sources for turkeys change. In late summer and early fall, turkeys largely feed on high-protein insects. Grasshoppers are a primary food source throughout Oregon this time of year. Silk worms, caterpillars, spiders and other bugs make up a good part of a turkey ’s fall diet. As fall leads to winter, earthworms and a…
May 19, 2020
image of tom turkey in a snow field
Article

Take care out there: A guide to respectful recreation

Each year over 9 million Oregonians and visitors head to hills – and the desert, and the beach – to enjoy the outdoor beauty Oregon offers. But with that many people actively appreciating the hills (and the desert and the beach) it’s becoming even more important that we learn to enjoy our fragile ecosystems today while also protecting them for tomorrow’s visitors.
February 14, 2020
image of three bird watchers looking in a tree through binoculars
Article

Big game population survey data

See the latest and historic data on big game population surveys from 2012 to present.
July 22, 2024
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Press Release

Serial poacher sentenced to jail time, $22,000 fines in Grant County

CANYON CITY, Ore.- A poacher investigated for more than 50 crimes committed in Grant County between 2023 and 2024 was sentenced to 95 days behind bars and more than $22,000 in restitution and fines, according to wildlife officials. In what wildlife enforcement officers refer to as a serial poaching case…

June 24, 2025
Article

General Season Antlerless Elk Damage tag

Due to increasing numbers of elk on private land and chronic elk damage, ODFW is piloting a new general season elk damage tag
May 5, 2022
image of a herd of grazing elk
Article

Upland birds harvest information

Historic harvest statistics can guide you to areas with good habitat that support healthy bird populations.
March 27, 2024
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Landing page

ODFW Articles

Need to figure out controlled hunts, find a place to clam, learn how to fish or get directions to a wildlife area? We've got information on all that and more, straight from ODFW biologists and other accomplished hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers. Header image by Dave Budeau

September 05, 2017
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Article

Charting your path from archery to bowhunting

August 25, 2025
archery target
Article

Shooting & archery ranges

Oregon has more than 75 ranges where you can improve your shooting and archery skills. Shooting range map. Some locations require a membership; contact or check range directly. Many of these ranges offer sight-in services before the fall hunting.
October 28, 2025
Article

Bowhunter Safety Education

Oregon's Bowhunter Safety Education Program teaches bowhunters the fundamentals of safe, responsible archery hunting with an appreciation and respect for the environment in which they hunt.
October 3, 2025
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Educational Moment

Arrows and broadheads

There are many options when it comes to choosing arrows and broadheads for turkey hunting. If you already hunt big game, you can use the same arrow shafts for hunting turkey. If you’re new to bowhunting and buying arrows for the first time, select an arrow shaft made of a lightweight, fast-moving material like carbon fiber. An arrow that weighs about 6 to 8 grains per per pound of draw weight (on a compound bow) is a good guideline. This will maximize kinetic energy, accuracy and penetration. There are three styles of broadheads popular with turkey hunters: Expandable, or mechanical…
May 19, 2020
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Recreation Report

Wildlife Viewing - Willamette Zone

WILLAMETTE WILDLIFE VIEWING January 15, 2026 Corvallis area EE Wilson Wildlife Area There are lots of deer, shorebirds and waterfowl to see on the wildlife area – look for goose, mallard, hooded merganser and wood duck broods. Wildlife viewing remains good for waterfowl and shorebirds. Note: Dogs are required to be on a leash inside the wildlife area boundary. Rifles and pistols are prohibited year-round. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area. A parking permit is required to park at EE Wilson Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit. Eugene area Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Observant visitors…

September 05, 2017
Article

Protect Oregon's wildlife

Protect Oregon's Wildlife
September 11, 2025
Landing page

Landowner Preference Program

The Landowner Preference Program (LOP) was established to acknowledge the contribution of private lands to support wildlife and provide a form of compensation to landowners for resources used by wildlife. Tags are available to landowners, family members, and others designated by the landowner based on the acreage owned. Pronghorn hunts are only available to landowners and family members. Recipients of LOP tags may only hunt on the property for which they are registered. step-by-step instructions Create Landowner Account

November 18, 2025
Landing page

Summer Lake Weekly Waterfowl Counts

Look here to find out how waterfowl counts this week compare to years past.

October 09, 2017
Educational Moment

Shotgun shooting tips

Turkey hunters using a shotgun face a very small target – the head and neck of a turkey. Combine that with today’s specialized turkey loads shooting very tight patterns, and making a clean kill shot might depend on a steady shooting rest. Turkeys are nervous-looking birds that seem to never stop moving. Because of their monocular vision and eyes set on the side of their skull, turkeys are often moving and bobbing their heads to try to decipher what they’re seeing. Consider a shooting rest If you’ve got your gun in a ready position, and are waiting for a turkey…
May 19, 2020
image of a turkey hunter with his gun resting on his knee
Workshop and Events

Free Fishing Days & Events

Date

Various

Location

These events are throughout the state.

Family fishing event