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Article
Legal hunting weapons and weapon restrictions for hunting big game and game birds in Oregon.
April 6, 2020
Educational Moment
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
Article
Oregon's Bowhunter Safety Education Program teaches bowhunters the fundamentals of safe, responsible archery hunting with an appreciation and respect for the environment in which they hunt.
October 3, 2025
Article
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife owns or manages nearly 200,000 acres of land set aside for wildlife use and public recreation. The ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit helps fund habitat improvements and visitor amenities such as parking, restrooms and interpretive signs at these wildlife refuges. Buy a Parking Permit
November 17, 2025
Species and Subspecies
Oregon has one species of kingfisher, the raucous Belted kingfisher and 12 woodpecker species. Six woodpeckers are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species of management concern and in need of conservation. Famous for their hammering and hole drilling, woodpeckers might decide your home looks like a good place to set up shop. Learn how to discourage this on our Living with Wildlife, Birds page.
Article
In nearly every Oregon estuary, some species of bay clams can be found. However, abundances and variety of species is different for each bay depending on a number of factors. Size and shape of the bay are the most critical factors. Tidal exchange, salinity, species ranges, and substrates also weigh heavily.
Article
ODFW welcomes everyone to hunt, fish, trap, harvest shellfish and participate in wildlife viewing to the degree their passion exists for the experience. ODFW is committed to providing programs and services to all Oregonians regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin (including language), sex, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation.
September 29, 2025
Article
Looking for the perfect gift for the hunter on your holiday list? We’ve asked some ODFW staff, all avid hunters, to share their gift-giving (and gift-getting) ideas.
Article
Buy licenses/tags online and print them immediately from any printer—or choose electronic tagging to carry your documents and tag fish and game with the MyODFW mobile app on your phone. Buy a license
Landing page
Look here to find out how waterfowl counts this week compare to years past.
October 09, 2017
Article
It's an iconic part of life in the Pacific Northwest—salmon returning to their natal rivers after years at sea to spawn and then die. ODFW fish biologists recommend the following locations to catch a glimpse of salmon spawning.
September 30, 2024
Article
Hunters who want to know more about Oregon’s mule deer management should sign up to receive updates and provide input on the ODFW administrative web site: Mule Deer Management Plan Update
March 23, 2023
Article
ODFW’s Premium Hunts give any hunter a chance to draw an additional deer, elk or pronghorn tag with a months-long season.
Educational Moment
Hunting involves a deadly weapon that can kill more than just your target. Hunting and handling your gun safely MUST be a top priority. Start with the fundamentals Start by learning these four gun safety fundamentals and you’ll be well on you way to a lifetime of safe hunting. Assume all guns are always loaded. The primary benefit of handling all guns as if they were loaded, is that it will help you develop safe gun handling habits. Never let the muzzle of the gun (the shooting end) point at something you’re not willing to shoot. Often referred to as
May 19, 2020
Article
Spring bear is the first big game hunt of the season. Here's a look at what hunters can expect in 2025.
March 25, 2025
Species and Subspecies
The European starling is considered an invasive species in Oregon. It was introduced from Europe. They most closely resemble blackbirds, with which they often flock in fall and winter. While both have iridescent plumage, starlings can be told from blackbirds by their two-toned wing pattern - dark upperwing, pale underwing - and during the breeding season by the bright yellow bill. Starlings adapt readily and quickly to human habitation and are highly efficient and successful breeders. However, the abundance of the bird, the rapidity with which it has spread across North America, and its propensity to cause damage to crops
Educational Moment
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
Recreation Report
WILLAMETTE WILDLIFE VIEWING December 4, 2025 Corvallis area EE Wilson Wildlife Area There are lots of deer, shorebirds and waterfowl to see on the wildlife area – look for goose, mallard, hooded merganser and wood duck broods. Wildlife viewing remains good for waterfowl and shorebirds. Note: Dogs are required to be on a leash inside the wildlife area boundary. Rifles and pistols are prohibited year-round. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area. A parking permit is required to park at EE Wilson Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit. Eugene area Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Observant visitors
September 05, 2017
Species and Subspecies
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
Article
Oregon’s population of about 6,000 cougars occupies a wide variety of habitat across the state, offering a year-round, readily-accessible hunting opportunity.
August 29, 2019
