Search myodfw.com
Although quite common in the U.S., the Black-crowned night-heron's nocturnal and crepuscular feeding habits can make it difficult to locate. Its habitat consists of marshes, lakes, rivers, and other wetlands, where it feeds mostly on fish. It is a thick-billed, medium-sized, stocky heron with relatively short neck and legs. Adults have a black back and cap which contrast with the pale gray or whitish underparts. Immatures have brown backs with large pale spots and heavily streaked underparts. A distinctive choking squawk call is often heard at dusk. It is a fairly common summer resident east of the Cascades where it…
SALEM, Ore. – Razor clam harvesting is now open from the Washington/Oregon border to Cape Blanco, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Razor clamming had been closed from Cascade Head to the California border. But marine biotoxin levels have tested below…
Sperm whales inhabit all oceans of the world, and have been observed in Oregon waters from March through November. Sperm whales are usually found in deep off-shore waters so they are only occasionally seen off Oregon by fishers and birders on offshore trips. It is the largest of the toothed whales and possesses the largest brain of any animal with an enormous head to house it. Sperm whales have 20 to 26 large conical teeth found only in their lower jaw. A mature male can grow to 52 feet long with its head representing up to one-third of its length…
NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends people avoid harvesting and consuming softshell and bay clams from Alsea Bay estuary after the Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use advisory for Eckman Lake in Lincoln County. The OHA issued a July 31 advisory due to the…
SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee will hold its regularly occurring meeting, virtually on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. For a full agenda and virtual login information about the meeting, please visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/habitat/PFA/meetings.html The public is welcome to attend virtually. The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund was established…
SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Advisory Committee will not hold its regularly scheduled public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The next meeting will take place in September. The meeting schedule is available on ODFW's website. The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund was established in the 2022 Legislative Session…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a family-friendly 3D archery event Aug. 2-3 at the Military Slough tract on Denman Wildlife Area. For just $10 (cash only, pay at entrance), archers can take shots at 40 3D animal targets on a two-mile course…
The southwest zone includes Umpqua River, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Port Orford, Rogue River and Chetco River - all of which offer shellfishing.
Updated statement Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 SALEM, Ore. – A coyote was captured and humanely killed on Oct. 31 and confirmed to be the individual animal that bit a 9-year-old child in the Alameda neighborhood on Oct. 23. ODFW worked with partners at the city, state, and federal levels to…
NEWPORT, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now open coastwide from the Washington border to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Marine biotoxin levels tested below the alert level. People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before…
ASTORIA, Ore. – Clatsop beaches reopen for razor clam harvesting Oct. 1 following the annual conservation closure that began July 15. Before harvesting razor clams or any shellfish, always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Webpage. During the closure, Oregon Department of…
SALEM, Ore. – Mussel harvesting is now open from Cape Blanco to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Marine biotoxin levels in this area tested below the alert level. People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at…
SALEM, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now closed from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River (Florence) the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Recent mussel samples indicate levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) – a…
SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Advisory Committee will attend an in-person field trip in Coos Bay on Thursday, Oct. 2. The Advisory Committee will tour several project locations previously funded by the PFA Grants Program. The public is welcome to attend in person and are responsible for arranging…
SALEM, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now closed from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River (Florence) the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Recent mussel samples indicate levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) – a…
SALEM, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now closed from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River (Florence) the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Recent mussel samples indicate levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) – a…
Whether it's concerns about your local fishery, questions about an upcoming hunt, or comments about an agency policy, we want to hear from you. Please feel free to call or send us an e-mail.