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Species and Subspecies
Features: Unlike gaper clams, softshell clams have no gape on their neck end. Softshell clams have a spoon like projection on the left valve, this feature is called a chondrophore. Habitat: Brackish, muddy areas all along Oregon's coastline. Find softshells 12-18" depth. Technique: Softshells can be harvested by digging with either a shovel or clam gun. As the name suggests, they have soft or thin shells which are easy to break. Although a clam with a broken shell is still good to eat, sharp edges of a broken shell can be very dangerous. Until you've refined your shoveling skills you
Landing page
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
February 20, 2018
Article
Frigid temperatures, frozen water, wary birds – the last month of duck hunting season can be tough. Here are some tips for closing the season strong.
January 10, 2023
Species and Subspecies
Features: Identified by its prominent radiating ridges. Habitat: Cockles are "hard shelled" clams. Their protective, stout shells and short siphons mean that they do not have to bury as deeply as other common bay clams. Good cockle beds will often have cockles right on top of the sand on a good tide. They prefer sandy areas with high salinity, but can be found at many types of tideflats. Technique: The best clamming is during low/minus tides. Because these clams are so near the surface, you rake, rather than dig, for them. A four prong gardening rake is perfect for raking
Landing page
Establishment of the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area initially started in 1961 when a parcel of land was purchased from the Frank Hilbert estate. After the initial purchase, several private holdings were acquired to consolidate the land under department ownership. The last parcel was purchased from the Colvin Cattle Company in 1975. The primary purpose of the wildlife area is to maintain and protect a key historic winter range for Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni).
February 21, 2018
Recreation Report
March 6, 2025 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: http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/Pages/beach_safety.aspx Whales, orcas and porpoises Whales migrate along the Oregon
September 05, 2017
Article
Let us share your photos with other anglers, hunters and wildlife appreciators. When you submit your photos to ODFW, they could appear on our website or social media channels, or be used in a brochure or exhibit.
Article
One of ODFW’s newest wildlife areas, the Minam River WA harbors a wide variety of fish, wildlife and their habitats. Anglers can enjoy trout and mountain whitefish fishing, hunters can target deer and elk, and hikers can follow the Minam River Trail to the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
Article
Salvaging deer and elk struck by vehicles is legal in Oregon. However, you must fill out a permit (after the fact) and surrender the antlers and head to ODFW. Roadkill Salvage Permits: Now a free product in the Electronic Licensing System (ELS) Catalog (see how-to for getting permit). Salvagers can complete an application through guest checkout or through your ELS profile by accessing the ODFW product catalog. All other aspects of the program remain unchanged. Remember that you must submit your permit application within 24 hours of taking possession of the carcass. Antlers and head of all salvaged animals must
February 14, 2023
Article
What to get for family and friends who love the outdoors—the birder, hiker, aspiring angler, avid hunter or neighbor who cares deeply about conservation? Here's a list of gift ideas that get them outdoors the entire year or contribute to conserving fish, wildlife and their habitats.
Article
All first time Oregon trappers of any age must complete trapper education.
April 7, 2020
Species and Subspecies
Features: Butter clams have oval and oblong shaped shells with heavy, thick valves and hinge. Their shells have fine concentric rings. When the shell is open a little, you can see the pale ruffled mantle reminiscent of a tuxedo. Like the gaper clam, they have their two siphons fused together into one "neck." Average adult size is 3-4 inches but can range up to 5 inches. Butter clams can live more than 20 years. Habitat: Butter clams can be found in a wide variety of substrates but prefer sand and gravel/cobble beaches. They live approximately 6-12 inches deep and can
Species and Subspecies
Features: Gaper clams have large "neck" housing the two siphons that protrude above the substrate surface when feeding. Protective leathery plates are found just below the siphon tips and feel rough to the touch. Gapers are unable to retract their neck entirely into the shell, producing a "gape" in the shell. It is common for algae to grow on their necks and gaper pea crabs to dwell inside the shell with the gaper clam. Habitat: Gapers can be found in high salinity sandy and/or muddy areas in most of Oregon's larger estuaries. Tillamook, Netarts, Yaquina, and Coos are favorite bays
Educational Moment
Chris Kern, Region Manager Fisher research in southern Oregon Fisher are a Species of Greatest Conservaion Need in Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan, and ODFW is actively conducting research to understand fisher occupancy and distribution east of I-5, as well as that of their competitors and predators. Wildlife Research staff maintained 30 baited camera traps in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Southern Cascades. The cameras were deployed in mid-September on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in areas with proposed habitat management efforts. The goal is to evaluate how these land alterations influence changes in mesocarnivore occupancy
February 25, 2025
Article
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.
Landing page
Build a wood duck house to encourage nesting. Walk a stream counting steelhead redds. Teach families to fish. Just some of the things ODFW volunteers do to help protect and enhance Oregon's natural resources. Current volunteer opportunities
August 21, 2023
Article
Change up your tactics to take more early season birds.
Article
Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat the rarest game mammals in Oregon today, with less than 100 bighorn sheep tags and 20 Rocky Mtn goat tags offered in 2015. The tags are “once-in-a-lifetime” so hunters who draw them can’t draw them again.
March 2, 2019
Article
Here are the current volunteer opportunities at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Find the one that's right for you! Learn more about volunteering with ODFW
July 2, 2024
Article
Spring bear is the first big game hunting season of the year – just one reason it’s popular with a dedicated group of hunters.
