Search myodfw.com

Showing 321 - 340 of 774 results

Article

Watch for wildlife on Oregon’s roads and highways

In late September, deer and elk begin their annual migration to wintering grounds, and often have to cross roads and highways to get there. Here are 7 tips to help avoid a collision.

image of two bicyclists stopping to allow a herd of elk to cross the road

Article

Disabled angler access map

Many of the more popular fishing locations across the state are accessible to anglers with disabilities. ODFW tries to keep the information on this map current but it's always best to check with the waterbody manager for the latest information before going fishing. ‌

Article

Wildfire and its impact on fish and wildlife

Most of the wildlife in Oregon evolved with wildfire. And even though fires are intensifying, they are nothing new to Oregon’s wild animals. There are also no documented cases of fires that have wiped out entire populations or species.

August 29, 2025

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

Press Release

Hunters urged to get deer and elk tested for CWD: Chance to win prize from Oregon Hunters Association

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…

September 2, 2025

Buck deer with large rack looking straight into camera

Workshop and Events

Become an ODFW Volunteer

When you sign up to be an ODFW volunteer, you're helping to protect Oregon's fish and wildlife, manage ODFW properties, and share your hunting and fishing experiences with others while creating a stronger appreciation for the outdoors. Already volunteering with ODFW

Date

Year round opportunities

Location

Various programs statewide

Groups of hunters volunteering at HBR property

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

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

Educational Moment

Lifecycle of a wild turkey

For hunters, spring marks the beginning of the “turkey year” so let’s trace turkey activity through the year beginning in the spring. Spring nesting season The peak of the breeding season has already passed by the time the spring turkey hunting season opens April 15. Toms will breed with multiple hens throughout the spring and early summer. As the eggs develop, the hen will build a ground nest in a place with good cover and close to good brood habitat, which is normally an opening in the forest cover. Once she starts laying eggs, a hen will lay one egg…

May 19, 2020

image of a hen turkey surrounded by young turkey poults

Article

Current Big Game Auction Sales

February 9, 2026

Article

What’s new in 2024

Check out the fishing, clamming, crabbing and hunting regulation updates for 2024. These new regulations are highlighted in yellow in both online and printed versions.‌

December 21, 2023

Educational Moment

How to skin a turkey

When preparing your turkey for the pot, you can either skin it or pluck it. Because wild turkeys have such thin skin, many hunters prefer skinning their turkeys as it ’s must faster than plucking the bird. Pick up where you left off gutting the bird Simply continue making the cut in the skin from the body cavity, all the way up the breast bone to the base of the neck. The skin is thin enough that you often can peel it free from the breast meat. Slide your thumbs under the skin and working it up and away from…

May 19, 2020

Press Release

Hunters play key role in CWD testing: Reminder to stop at CWD Check Stations (in Baker City, Celilo Park, Elgin, Prineville, Riley, Ukiah)

SALEM, Ore.—As 2025 deer and elk hunting seasons begin, ODFW is ramping up its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance statewide. Hunters are encouraged to take advantage of streamlined testing options and reminded that CWD check stations are mandatory to stop at when transporting harvested deer or elk. Sampling is quick…

September 25, 2025

Landing page

Round Butte Hatchery Visitors' Guide

Round Butte Hatchery was constructed in 1972 to mitigate for the fishery losses caused by Pelton/Round Butte (PRB) Hydroelectric Complex. Round Butte and its satellite, Pelton Ladder, are used for adult collection, egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook, summer steelhead, and sockeye salmon.

November 15, 2017

Recreation Report

Wildlife Viewing - Marine Zone

MARINE WILDLIFE VIEWING March 5, 2026 The Oregon coast is a great place to come and view a variety of wildlife. Enjoy the great diversity of life: from giant whales and barking sea lions, to majestic bald eagles and diving pelicans, to showy Harlequin ducks and flocking shorebirds, to the tiny anemones and crabs inhabiting tidepools. There is always something new to discover. Visit our wildlife viewing map for locations to visit and view wildlife along the Oregon coast. Maximize your viewing of coastal creatures by bringing binoculars for close-up views. Beach Safety: Check conditions here  Whales, orcas and porpoises…

September 05, 2017

Article

Visiting Sauvie Island Wildlife Area's Beaches

Get a Free Sauvie Island Beaches Pass here

Educational Moment

Selecting shotgun shells and chokes

The variety of available shotgun shells can be dizzying, and there are more being introduced all the time. But taking into account the size of your shotgun and your intended target will help you narrow the choices to a more manageable number. Where to find shell information When you buy shells, the box they’re in will be labeled with the gauge, shell length, amount of shot inside the shell (in ounces), the size of shot and how many feet per second the load travels. Some of this information may also be printed on each shell to help you identify loose…

May 19, 2020

Landing page

About ODFW

Protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife, and the habitats they use, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations is at the heart of what we do.

September 05, 2017

Article

Living with coyotes

Coyotes are a native species that is well-adapted to Oregon's urban and natural landscapes. It is not unusual to see them in the daytime, even in developed areas. Understanding coyote behavior and how to avoid problems is key to coexistence.