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The pintail is a large, long-necked duck of open spaces. The long-tailed, full-plumaged drake is striking with a chestnut head, gray back and flanks, bright white breast and front of neck, and iridescent green bronze speculum. The brown hen is nondescript, but shares the long neck and graceful shape of the drake. Common vocalizations are the two-note flute-like whistle of the drake and harsh gaak, either single or in a series, of the hen. In fall and winter, pintails travel in medium to large flocks. In Oregon, flocks seem to fly exceptional distances in daily foraging and can be seen…
Following droughts in the 1930s that affected most of North America, major conservation efforts, both private and governmental, were enacted to reverse trends of degrading and disappearing wetlands. During this time period there was a major creation and expansion of Federal refuges and State wildlife areas. As the concept of waterfowl flyway management was endorsed and developed, wildlife areas were acquired and managed as part of a larger plan focused on migratory waterfowl needs. Klamath Wildlife Area was one of several wetland-focused wildlife areas established in Oregon. KWA was established in 1958, with primary objectives of protecting and improving waterfowl…
The development of the WWA began in 1953 with the acquisition of five parcels of land consisting of 4,400 acres. The Department continued to purchase additional lands, acquiring 1,670 acres in 1954 and another 760 acres in 1955. From 1961 to the present the department has purchased or received another 4,219 acres. The wildlife area currently consists of 12,419 acres owned by the department. In addition, the department, through agreements with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), manage 1,329 acres within or adjacent to the wildlife area. The WWA was established in response to continuing complaints from landowners concerned with…
Fire Closure: As of July 29, 2026, the northern portion of the wildlife area is closed. More information here: https://myodfw.com/news/odfw-closes-northern-portion-white-river-wildli… White River Wildlife Area was established in 1953. Located along the east slope of the Cascade Mountains in the north central part of Oregon, the wildlife area encompasses 29,480 acres. An additional 1,280 acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is managed by the ODFW bringing the total acres managed by the department to 30,760. The primary purpose of White River Wildlife Area is to provide winter range habitat for black-tailed deer and Rocky Mountain elk…
This small owl is unusual in that it nests in earthen burrows in open shrub-steppe regions and grasslands. This habit is even more curious in Oregon since most burrows used for nesting were previously excavated by badgers, a major predator of Burrowing owl eggs and young. These long-legged, short tailed owls are generally brownish buff with spots across the back and barring across the front. Males are usually lighter colored than females, possibly because they spend more time exposed to the elements. Males also average five percent larger than females, a situation rare among owls. The Burrowing owl is a…
SOUTH CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30…
While recreationally harvesting green crab has been allowed for decades, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission recently increased the daily bag limit to 35 crab. This gives recreational shellfishers an opportunity to help native shellfish by taking more of these invaders home. European green crab are an invasive species in Oregon. While recreational harvest is allowed (35 per day), harvesters must correctly identify these crabs (see below) as they often are mistaken for native species. Green crab: Compete with native crabs for food. Larger green crab may eat smaller native shellfish. May disturb eelgrass beds important to native fishes and…
The bright yellow, red, and black plumage of the male Western Tanager, so conspicuous in open situations is very obscure in forested areas where it tends to blend into the shaded foliage. The species perhaps is best known in migration when it visits city parks, orchards, and other open urban and suburban areas. It is attracted to birdbaths but seldom to bird feeders. It breeds in open coniferous forests and mixed coniferous and deciduous woodlands, primarily in mountains. They usually nest in conifers - rarely deciduous trees - at varying heights, usually well out on a branch, often at the…
SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee will hold its regularly occurring meeting, virtually on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. For a full agenda and virtual login information about the meeting, please visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/habitat/PFA/meetings.html The public is welcome to attend virtually. The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund was established…
SALEM, Ore.— Hunters are the first line of defense against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). By getting their animals tested, hunters can help wildlife managers detect the disease early and slow its spread in the state's deer and elk herds. OHA and ODFW are again teaming up to encourage hunters who…
The wild turkey is the largest game bird in North American with mature males weighing upwards of 20 pounds and standing 40 inches tall. These large terrestrial birds are generally dark brown to black in appearance but iridescent color in feathers ranging from gold and copper to green and black gives a metallic appearance, particularly in full sunlight. Males and about 10 percent of females sport a unique beard of keratinous filament that protrudes from the junction of the breast and neck. Beards grow continuously but rarely exceed 10 inches in length. Females are smaller and duller in appearance. Densities…
SALEM, Ore.—Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission meets April 23-24 in Lincoln City. View the agenda online. Commissioners will visit coastal coho habitat restoration and monitoring projects in the Siletz River Basin during a field tour on Thursday. To join the tour, meet at the Shearwater Inn, 120 Inlet Court at…
