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Article
As early season hunters know, dry conditions and the associated wildfire danger can have a large impact on your hunting opportunity. Check below for resources for finding fire closures and restrictions, and for ODFW's policy on tag refunds and restoration of preference points.
Landing page
Oregon requires all hunters under the age of 18 to complete a hunter safety education course before hunting in the state. Upon completing the course (and a Field Day for youth), participants will receive a Hunter Safety certification number and card. Adults are also encouraged to take the online course, as it may be required for out of state hunts. Note: Youth under the age of 9 may struggle with the course material and may not have the physical strength needed to safely handle a firearm during a Field Day, particularly during muzzle control, loading, and unloading drills.
November 13, 2024
Landing page
Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
October 13, 2017
Article
Get your permit to hunt goose in the northwest corner of Oregon- part of the Pacific Flyway for migrating waterfowl.
Article
Cougar season and hunting information, including information about cougar conflict target areas. Resuming in 2022, successful cougar hunters must appear in-person at an ODFW office to check in their cougar.
Landing page
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!
May 08, 2018
Educational Moment
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
May 19, 2020
Educational Moment
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
May 19, 2020
Educational Moment
Wild turkeys can be eaten either fresh or aged. It all comes down to personal preference, and there are adherents on both sides. Why and how to age a turkey Aging is a process by which changes in muscle enzymes tenderize the meat, and concentrate the flavor. Many hunters prefer to age their meat – both big game and game birds. Others adhere to the motto “fresh birds are the best birds.” Aging is particularly helpful in tenderizing the meat of older toms. If you choose to age your bird, here are some tips: Wild turkey can be aged right
May 19, 2020
Article
Change up your tactics to take more early season birds.
Article
Archery is experiencing a surge in popularity, and rightly so. It provides both a physical and mental challenge; can be enjoyed year-round, and it’s an individual event that takes place in a fun social setting.
May 16, 2019
Article
This step-by-step guide will show you how to purchase leftover tags from the controlled hunt drawing. Leftover tags are available online beginning July 1 at 10 a.m. Remaining tags will be available from license vendors beginning July 2. 2024 Leftover Tag list
Landing page
Find the 2018-19 weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
October 13, 2017
Landing page
Find the 2018-19 weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
October 13, 2017
Article
Check if you drew your tag for the upcoming season. You can also learn why you did not draw your tag.
February 18, 2021
Species and Subspecies
The Pacific wren makes its home in dense coniferous forests with understory thickets where it often forages for insects. This bird was considered the same species as the winter wren but is now separated as its own distinct species. The Pacific wren is rufous brown above, richly colored below, and barred with a darker brown and dusky. Young birds are distinctly less barred. It’s most easily found by its sharp kep-kep call and ringing, tinkling song. Males defend territory by singing in spring and in hopes of attracting a mate.
Species and Subspecies
The Hammond's flycatcher spends much of its time in tall conifer canopies, where its subdued plumage and quiet, monotonous chant let it be easily overlooked. A diligent observer may be able to locate this aerial insectivore on a dead limb just beneath the live crowns of mature conifers from which it sallies into a canopy gap to capture insect prey on the wing. It is a common summer resident of montane coniferous forests through the state, on both sides of the Cascades. Hear the song of the Hammond's flycatcher Photo by Keith Williams, Flickr
Species and Subspecies
Merriam's ground squirrel is one of the two small gray ground squirrels in Oregon without stripes or spots. Most of the geographic range of this squirrel is in Oregon, where it occurs south and east of a line connecting Huntington, North Powder, Maupin, Warm Springs, Bend, and Fort Rock, Summer Lake, and Plush. This species does not occur south of the North Fork Owyhee River in Malheur County. These ground squirrels emerge in early March, breed, rear their young, become exceedingly fat and go into their hibernacula by early August. Photo by ©John Rakestraw
Species and Subspecies
This small greenish flycatcher is easily overlooked in the moist, shady forests where it makes its summer home. It is a common to abundant breeder in forests of the Coast Range and west Cascades below about 4,000 feet and a common transient in western Oregon. The Pacific-slope flycatcher is most easily detected and identified by voice, but there is incongruence between published descriptions of vocalizations and some birds heard in the field lessens the certainty of identification to species, especially those in eastern Oregon. Hear the sounds of the Pacific-slope flycatcher Photo by Trish Gussler, Flickr
