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Not sure what to do with a fishing rod even if you had one? Thought about hunting but getting started seems like an impossible task? Then let us help you. During ODFW's hands-on workshops and family fishing events we will provide the instruction and gear you'll need to actually catch a fish or shoot a pheasant. Other classes will help you navigate the controlled hunt process, or show you what equipment you'll need to hunt or fish. ODFW offers many classes and workshops throughout the year. View and register for an upcoming event in our new Volunteer and Event Management
September 05, 2017
Article
"I was out hunting near a reserve, and I shot a white-tailed deer. I didn’t know it was a white-tailed deer. The rules don’t say what kind of deer to hunt, they just say a deer, and I shot a deer, but I guess it’s a white-tail. What do I do now?" "Do I have to turn myself in to OSP?" -- recent call to ODFW
December 8, 2020
Educational Moment
Spring turkey hunting is about appealing to a tom’s urge to mate. Fall hunting, on the other hand, is about keying in on a flock’s daily routine. Look for a lone bird As fall turkey flocks become established, there’s a pecking order in each group. It’s not uncommon for a lone bird – usually a jake or young tom – to be wandering by himself looking for a flock to join. If you spot a lone bird, waste no time trying to get in front of him to set up and call. Don’t intimidate the lone bird with aggressive calling
May 19, 2020
Serial poacher sentenced to jail time, $22,000 fines in Grant County
CANYON CITY, Ore.- A poacher investigated for more than 50 crimes committed in Grant County between 2023 and 2024 was sentenced to 95 days behind bars and more than $22,000 in restitution and fines, according to wildlife officials. In what wildlife enforcement officers refer to as a serial poaching…
June 24, 2025
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Oregon requires all hunters under the age of 18 to complete a hunter safety education course before hunting in the state. Upon course completion, students will receive a temporary Hunter Safety certification card to be carried while hunting in Oregon until a permanent card is received in the mail to replace it. Hunters over 18 are encouraged to take the online education 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
November 13, 2024
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Gnat Creek Hatchery was constructed in 1960 as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act)—a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The facility is used for egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook and winter steelhead. Most of the production is released off-station. The hatchery is an easy drive toward Oregon’s coast on Highway 30 and a visitor-friendly place for the entire family. With lots to do, located on beautiful Gnat Creek and tucked away amid the rainforest, this is a worthwhile stop on the way to the coast.
November 01, 2017
Species and Subspecies
The Northern flying squirrel is the smallest arboreal squirrel in Oregon. It is typically squirrel-like except that the fore- and hind legs are connected by a furred patagium that extends from the ankle to the wrist. It is lead colored with buffy brown to brown tips. It occurs in forested areas west of the Cascade Range and eastward to near Lakeview, Lake County and Paulina Lake, Deschutes County. The species also occurs in the Blue, Ochoco, and Wallowa mountains. Northern flying squirrels are mostly nocturnal although individuals may be observed abroad during light hours on rare occasions. They are usually
Educational Moment
When a turkey is shot in the head with a shotgun, death is usually instant. However, a turkey may flop on the ground for several seconds, even up to a minute, after it’s “dead.” In this case, the turkey isn’t going anywhere so simply wait for it to go still. If the bird is wounded and laying with its head up, you may need to shoot it again – in the head with a shotgun, or in the spine or vitals with an arrow. Don’t try to ring the neck of a bird that’s still alive but not going anywhere
May 19, 2020
Article
Snipe fly fast and erratically. They aren’t hard to kill, just hard to hit. Here are a few tips to improve your odds.
Article
An experienced hunter witnessed a mule deer being poached. He was so rattled he forgot who to call and how to report the crime. Here are tips for what to do when you see poaching, then read on for this hunter’s story that bagged him a reward.
November 24, 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
Species and Subspecies
Features: During the fall, winter and spring months, males can be quickly identified by their distinctive iridescent green heads. Females are mottled-brown, with a dark brown stripe through each eye, an orange bill with black splotching and have orange legs. Immature ducks resemble adult females until the males develop more colorful plumage in early fall. After breeding season, males develop duller eclipse plumage beginning in June and resemble hens until mid-September. Wings of both sexes have a violet-blue speculum bordered in front and behind by a pronounced white stripe. Habitat: Mallards are the most common breeding and wintering duck in
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This 141-acre property along both sides of the Yachats River was first purchased in the early 1980s to provide forage for elk and help alleviate elk damage to surrounding agricultural land. It also provides public access to the Siuslaw National Forest along the Yachats River Highway, where there are few public access points.
February 07, 2018
Educational Moment
Turkeys don’t like to fly at night, so the best time to get set up for your hunt is either right before dark the day before your hunt. Or before daylight the day of your hunt. Once you ’ve located a tom, either seeing it or by hearing it gobble, it’s time to make a plan. The goal is to get close enough to call in a tom, without letting him know you’re there. Be in place before daylight If you’ve been out the night before and used a locator call to find a tom on his roost, get to
May 19, 2020
Species and Subspecies
The pelage of this mouse is grayish or brownish dorsally, the venter hairs are white with lead-colored bases, and the tail is light colored. In Oregon, it occurs within the area circumscribed by a line connecting Denio Nevada; Fort Rock, Lake County; Powell Butte, Crook County; Malheur National Wildlife headquarters, Harney County; and Burns Junction, Malheur County. On a daily basis, activity begins with an intense burst during the first light to hours after sunset, and declines to almost nil six hours after sunset, then, especially in summer, increases again before sunrise. The Dark Kangaroo Mouse constructs elaborate nests with
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Build bird houses for ODFW. Teach families to fish. Walk a stream or hike in a forest looking for animals or sign of animals to support various studies. Teach others to hunt or about hunter safety. Assist Marine Reserves with onshore or offshore studies. These are just some of the things ODFW volunteers do to help protect and enhance Oregon's natural resources. Current volunteer opportunities
August 21, 2023
Article
Commission materials have moved to MyODFW.com: Commission materials have a new look. ODFW is working to transition its older odfw.com site to a new web platform. Some Commission pages that used to be on the older site have been moved over to MyODFW.com during this transition period. View the agenda Workshop: Thursday, December 11, 2025- 1:00 PM ODFW HQ Commission Room Salem, OR 97302 Meeting: Friday, December 12, 2025 - 8:00 AM ODFW HQ Commission Room Salem, OR 97302
December 12, 2025
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Clackamas Hatchery began operation in 1979 and is used for adult collection, egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook and winter steelhead, rearing of coho and acclimation of summer steelhead.
November 13, 2017
Species and Subspecies
The bobcat is the smallest wild felid in Oregon, with females being considerably smaller than males. The bobcat is about twice the size of a domestic cat, but its legs are longer, its tail is shorter, and its body is more muscular and compact. The feet are relatively small and the bobcat is not well adapted to negotiate deep snow. In general, the variously spotted pelage is yellowish with grayish overtones in winter and with reddish overtones in summer, reflecting the two annual molts. The ears are black with a large white spot and are equipped with short black tufts
