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Shellfish 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.
The common raccoon is a moderately sized, heavily furred mammal best characterized by its distinctive markings. The face has a dark brownish-black eye mask sharply separated from whitish nose patches, eyebrow lines, and exclamation points between the eyes. The inside of the ears is ringed with white, adding to the facial contrast. The tail is annulated with five to seven dark rings separated by light gray or tan rings. The hind legs are longer than the front; thus, in a walking gait, the rump is higher than the head. The common raccoon occurs in suitable habitats throughout Oregon; it does
![898_racoon_moore_odfw.jpg Racoon](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2023-05/898_racoon_moore_odfw_cx.jpg?itok=ldi8Lq4B)
Hunting 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.
July 10, 2024 If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen Submit your viewing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com. Tillamook county Birds Both residential and migratory songbirds are active in north coast forests as nesting and rearing of young has been in full swing for several weeks. As a result, many species are very visible as they forage not only for themselves but nests full of young. One less frequently seen species that is noticeable this time of year in Coast Range forests is the western tanager. This neo-tropical migrant is
Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
![Three ODFW biologists examine an elk at a CWD test station](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2022-01/CheckSta2015-hero%20shot.jpg?itok=2l03iNYs)
![1442_cougar_brian_wolfer_odfw.jpg Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2018-03/1442_cougar_brian_wolfer_odfw_0.jpg?itok=eM3SuUPn)
The Bureau of Land Management maintains a series of pastures along Oregon Highway 38 that are a year-round residence for a herd of 60-100 Roosevelt elk. Elk are visible almost every day of the year!
While turkey hunting is one of the safest forms of hunting, there are some safety tips hunters should follow. Be visible when you need to be The biggest risk in turkey hunting is being in the woods with other turkey hunters. Remember, everyone will be wearing camouflage and sounding like a turkey as they try to call in birds (including you). Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you and your location are visible while you’re walking to the blind or setting up, while you’re set up behind a tree and while you’re carrying your bird out of the field. A
![image of bow hunter safely carrying bow and arrows](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Safety-gear.jpg?itok=xcoj4_BG)
A box calls is the most popular turkey call, and is a good choice for new turkey hunters. Box calls not only are easy to use, but they can sound very realistic. A box call can create a wide range of yelps, clucks, purrs, fighting purrs, cackles and gobbles. If you can get yelps, clucks and purrs to sound good on a box call, you’ll routinely bring in birds. Parts of a box call Box calls come in two parts – a narrow rectangular box with a paddle attached at one end. Attached with a single screw in the center
![image of a turkey box call](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Using-box-call-NWTF.jpg?itok=GJmjtwpK)
Pot calls, often called slate calls, are friction-style calls that are easy to use and produce a range of turkey sounds. Parts of a pot call A pot call consists of three parts: a pot, a calling surface and a striker. The pot holds the slate and acts as a sound chamber. There are holes drilled in the bottom for sound to escape. To keep from covering the holes, hold the pot with the tips of your fingers, keeping it away from the palm of your hand. Pot calls can be made to be all-weather, with the right striker. The
![image of a hunter striking a slate with the striker](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Using-pot-call.jpg?h=8b92fa15&itok=hL71cNjI)
These calls have nothing to do with calling in turkeys, but everything to do with finding toms. Owl, crow, peacock, woodpecker and hawk sounds all can elicit a reactionary gobble from a tom – sometimes called a “shock gobble.” These calls are usually used when birds are on the roost early in the morning or late in the evening. Using a hen call to locate a tom can put the tom on the move before you’re ready to set up. If a tom comes in too quickly, it can mean a blown opportunity. Locator calls encourage toms to gobble without
![image of two hunters using a locator call to find turkeys](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Using-locator-call-NWTF_0.jpg?itok=KJnKQKSu)
Whether you ’re turkey hunting with a bow or shotgun, you’ll need to know when to take the shot. If you’re using a shotgun, the best shot will be at the head, preferably when it’s outstretched away from the bird’s body. Bowhunters will want to know something about turkey anatomy so they’ll recognize when they have a clear kill shot to a vital organ. Make sure it’s safe to shoot In addition to having a good shot at a bird, you’ll want to make sure there are no other hunters, livestock or other turkeys nearby that you could hit by
![image of turkey hunter taking aim at a turkey](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Timing-your-shot-NWTF.jpg?itok=xB-oaruG)
Turkeys are some of the best tasting game birds we hunt. The key to eliminating any “gaminess” in the meat is to take proper care of it in the field. After your shot, you’ll want to field dress your bird as quickly as possible. The goal is to cool the bird down by removing its internal organs and allowing air to circulate in the body cavity. Gutting a turkey All you need to gut a turkey is a simple pocket knife. Cut through the thin skin of the stomach from the bottom of the breastbone to the anus. Keep your
![image of a hunter beginning to field dress a bird](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/How%20to%20field%20dress%20a%20turkey_NWTF.jpg?itok=cyd6--b0)
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
![image of a hen turkey surrounded by young turkey poults](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Hen%20turkey%20with%20poults-NWTF.jpg?itok=gP-Wcke2)
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Find the 2018-19 weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
Find the 2018-19 weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.