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Each year over 9 million Oregonians and visitors head to the mountains – and the desert, and the beach – to enjoy the outdoor beauty Oregon offers. But with that many people actively appreciating the outdoors, it’s becoming even more important that we learn to enjoy our fragile ecosystems today while also protecting them for tomorrow’s visitors.

Wide distribution, an aggressive nature and willingness to take bait, flies or lures, makes cutthroat trout a popular target in western Oregon rivers and streams. Here are some tips for catching them.

Black bears are part of the natural ecosystem but conflict can occur when they enter our space, or we enter theirs. Follow these tips to help keep bears wild, and people safe.

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.

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island - an introduction. Part 1 of a 5 part series.

Hunter's Resources Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Oregon hunter's bucket list: Over 34 million acres of public land open to hunters. Diverse habitats from coastal rain forests to eastern deserts, with a couple of mountain ranges in between offer several opportunities to hunt deer and elk.

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Resources to help prepare for a successful hunt in sagebrush country.

The free disabled veteran combination license, and permit for disabled hunters and anglers make it easier for everyone to participate.

May 7, 2026

Oregon offers some of the best upland game bird hunting in the West. The state’s diverse habitats support nine species of upland game birds— pheasants, chukar, Hungarian partridge, valley (California) quail, mountain quail, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, sage-grouse and wild turkey. There are upland hunting opportunities in every corner of the state, and one upland bird season or another is open continuously from September 1 through January 31. Throw in a six-week spring turkey season and you can hunt upland game birds in Oregon for more than half of the year! Also, since many of the species share similar habitat…

Digging razor clams is a challenging and fun recreational pastime with delicious rewards. Continue reading to learn some fundamental skills needed to harvest razor clams.

Mentored Youth Hunter Program allows youth 9 through 15 years of age to hunt without first passing an approved hunter safety education program. It gives unlicensed youngsters an unlimited opportunity to receive mentored, one-on-one field experience and training on the ethics, safety, responsibility and enjoyment of hunting while closely supervised by a licensed adult who is 21 years of age or older and who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area and species being hunted. Register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online (or after clicking the online link – go to Purchase from…

Take a look at what hunters can expect in 2026 for their specific hunt areas, details provided by wildlife biologists throughout the state.

Teach, restore, study, host, build, communicate When you sign up to be an ODFW volunteer, you are helping to protect Oregon's fish and wildlife, manage ODFW properties and spark a passion in others to hunt, fish and appreciate the outdoors building and enhancing fish, wildlife and their habitats for current and future generations. Donating even one day a year is all it takes to be helpful. We can be as flexible as possible to find the right opportunity to fit your schedule. Join thousands of volunteers by sharing your time and talents with ODFW.