![image of turkey hunter with binoculars, camo gloves, and other gear](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Essential-gear.jpg?itok=2BmpbbK-)
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Oregon hosted the first successful introduction of the ring-necked pheasant in North America. This exotic game bird, released for sport hunting from China is now widely introduced and distributed throughout North America. Although more likely to run than fly, the ring-necked pheasant will explode into the air if startled, producing a distinctive sound from rapid wing-beats. It inhabits open areas such as grasslands, agricultural fields, and brushy areas, and avoids forested habitats. Hear the call of the ring-necked pheasant Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp
![pheasant_ganskopp.jpg Ring-necked pheasant](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/pheasant_ganskopp.jpg?itok=iz5PIVvo)
You don’t need a lot of gear to hunt turkey – that’s one reason for its growing popularity. However, the more you hunt – in different seasons and in different parts of the state – the more you’ll discover there are some things that can make you a more comfortable and successful hunter. Here are some essential pieces of gear beginning turkey hunters will want to consider: A face mask or camouflage face paint. Turkeys have keen eyesight so you’ll want to cover your entire face and neck with something camouflage that’s comfortable to wear. Bowhunters often prefer camo face
![image of turkey hunter with binoculars, camo gloves, and other gear](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Essential-gear.jpg?itok=2BmpbbK-)
Peregrine falcons are among the most charismatic and noted of the world's birds. They are described as the fastest animal on the planet, and have been recorded reaching speeds in excess of 240 miles an hour in dives after prey. They are one of Oregon's boldest raptors, and have been observed usurping active Golden eagle nest sites, stealing fish from Ospreys and ground squirrels from adult Bald eagles who stray into their territory. It has, for perhaps 4,000 years, been used by falconers because of its skill in capturing game birds in tandem hunts with humans. Peregrines are medium-sized raptors
![230_peregrine_falcon_moore_odfw.jpg Peregrine falcon](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/230_peregrine_falcon_moore_odfw_cx.jpg?itok=g321CRQV)
![0182_bird_watchers_munsel_odfw_hero.jpg Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2018-03/0182_bird_watchers_munsel_odfw_hero.jpg?itok=cUy7TC-y)
Chukars are ground-loving birds that quickly run uphill or burst from cover with rapid wing-beats and a characteristic whitoo call if alarmed. Introduced by managers wishing to increase hunting opportunities in arid western North America, the chukar is a very successful exotic species that occupies habitats where few other gamebirds exist. It is the most harvested upland bird in Oregon. It is a common permanent resident of eastern Oregon. Populations are distributed in steppe habitats along the breaks of the Columbia, John Day, Snake, Owyhee, Deschutes, Malheur, Burnt and Grand Ronde rivers and lesser watercourses or reservoirs. Hear the call
![Chuckar](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/0317_chukar_budeau.jpg?itok=UgEMKnAx)
![Spotted fawn](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2022-06/0461_spotted_fawn.jpg?itok=02TFJSMN)
Turkey anatomy plays a big part in determining shot placement with a bow. Knowing where vital organs like the heart and lungs are will help you make a clean shot. Sometime getting to the vital organs may mean going through bone. In fact, a shot to the spine will drop a turkey quickly. But turkey bones are very strong, despite being hollow. That’s why many experienced archers prefer shooting a bow with a heavy draw weight, often the same setup they use for deer and elk hunting. Head shots, the most popular turkey shot for shotgun hunters, should be avoided
![image of a successful bow hunter and his turkey](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/bow%20shooting%20tips.jpg?itok=J9oySsA6)
Turkey behavior changes over a hunting season. So it helps to think a bit like a turkey when planning your strategy for finding turkeys and setting up your hunt. Spring turkey behavior By the time hunting season opens on April 15, most of the hen turkeys have already bred. Though they may not be sitting on their nests quite yet. This keeps tom turkeys close to the hens during the first few weeks of the season, making it difficult for hunters to lure toms away from hens and into shooting range. If tom numbers are low, they are less likely
![image of a small flock of hen turkeys](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Finding-turkeys.jpg?itok=QOFFWgzk)
Marion Forks Hatchery began operation in 1951. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) funds the majority of operational costs as mitigation for the development of Detroit and Big Cliff dams. The hatchery is used for egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook.
Summer Lake Wildlife Area was established in 1944, with primary objectives of protecting and improving waterfowl habitat and providing a public hunting area. It is now a popular destination for hunting, wildlife viewing and environmental education due to its geographic setting, the abundance of wildlife present and species diversity.
Oak Springs Hatchery was constructed in several phases beginning in 1922 with the last major construction in 1996. The facility is currently used for egg production, incubation and rearing of rainbow trout, incubation and rearing of summer and winter steelhead, and maintains one resident rainbow trout and one resident cutthroat broodstock.
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A quiet, modest, unobtrusive little bird that must be sought to be seen in its shady retreats, this little-studied species can easily be overlooked. It is typically associated with oaks and mixed woodlands, where it hops along the foliage hunting for insects. In winter it forages with flocks of chickadees, kinglets, and nuthatches. This is Oregon's only resident vireo. Although it is sometimes referred to as non-migratory, some seasonal movement has been observed. Similar in appearance and behavior to the more common and widespread Ruby-crowned kinglet. Hear the song of the Hutton's vireo Photo by Greg Gilson
![1895_huttons_vireo_gilson.jpg Hutton's Vireo](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/IMG_1895_huttons_vireo_cx.jpg?itok=f9zStxsj)
Bonneville Hatchery was constructed in 1909. In 1957, the facility was remodeled and expanded as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act)—a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The hatchery underwent another renovation in 1974 as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) mitigation of fish losses from the construction of the John Day Dam. In 1998, construction was completed on the Captive Broodstock Facility for the Grande Ronde Basin spring Chinook supplementation program.
This majestically crested bird is often heard before being seen due to its conspicuous harsh rattling call. Kingfishers are most frequently associated with lake and pond shorelines and islands, as well as coastal dunes with ponds and widely scattered shrubs and trees. They hunt from a vantage point above water such as an overhead branch, telephone wires along shore lines or pilings of piers. This is a common permanent resident throughout most of the state except in the north Lake and east Deschutes counties where open water is generally absent Hear the call of the belted kingfisher Photo from ODFW
![Banded kingfisher](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/kingfisher_1_cx.jpg?itok=YYHNk8-E)
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
![image of tom turkey in a snow field](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/pattering-fall-turkeys.jpg?itok=bslREMdU)
Fishing licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. You can begin buying your next year's license on Dec. 1 of the prior year. If you have questions, please call ODFW licensing staff at 503-947-6101.