SALEM, Ore. – The Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m., at The Dalles Civic Auditorium (323 East 4th St., The Dalles).

See the agenda here. The meeting will also be livestreamed from the Commission page.

At Friday's meeting, the Commission will be asked to consider whether to accept or deny a petition from several tribal nations to repeal or, alternatively, amend OAR 635-800-0300. This rule implements the "Memorandum of Agreement for Off-Reservation and Non-Trust Land Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, and Gathering with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon". If the Commission accepts the petition, it will only initiate the rule making process; the Commission will not take action to repeal or amend the rule on July 11.

During the meeting, the Commission will hear presentations from the Petitioners and the Grand Ronde Tribe.

Per the Administrative Procedures Act, the public is invited to provide written comment upon OAR 635-800-0300. Comments are requested as to whether options exist for achieving the rule's substantive goals in a way that reduces any negative economic impact on businesses.

No public testimony will be taken during the July 11 Commission meeting.

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Learn how to spot and identify animal tracks, splash around in a stream to check out aquatic bugs, and play "survival of the fish-est." Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Jackson County Parks, and Rogue River Watershed Council for Wildlife Wisdom every Saturday from July 12 to Aug. 16.

The interpretive series is free to all, although park locations have small day-use parking fees (unless you have the Jackson County Parks Pass.)

July 12, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Cantrall Buckley County Park: Wiggly Water Explorers. Splash around with us to learn about the organisms that are a vital part of river ecosystems. Equipment is provided.

July 19, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area: Under the Turtle Shell. Life is better under the turtle shell, and you'll learn why at this program which focuses on Oregon's two native turtle species.

July 26, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area: Coats & Shoes, Animal Edition. You'll learn how to identify animal tracks, one of the only things wildlife leaves behind.

Aug. 2, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area: Flying Mammals Unleashed, the Nocturnal Life of Bats. This evening program will help you spread your wings of knowledge about Oregon's 15 species of bats – the state's only flying mammals.

Aug. 9, 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area: Tracking Tails, Pursuit of the Wolfpack. We'll talk about the tools of the trade for wildlife tracking, and you'll have the chance to try some equipment while learning about Oregon's wolves.

Aug. 16, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area: Survival of the fish-est. The Wildlife Wisdom interpretive series ends with games, activities, and challenges. We'll put you to the test to see if you would survive the arduous life cycle of salmon. Wear comfy shoes.

For more information about this project, contact Beth Boos (bboos@rogueriverwc.org) or head to https://www.rogueriverwc.org/get-involved/calendar

Wildlife Wisdom flier

SALEM, Ore. – The deadline for applications has been extended to July 11, 2025, for the Landowner Representative.

Application forms are available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/lands/AH/get_involved.asp.

The Landowner Representative position is looking for individuals with experience in forestry or agriculture with an interest and experience in hunting and wildlife conservation. You do not need to own a farm, ranch, or timber to qualify. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply.

Statewide Board members are appointed to four-year terms by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. They meet four times each year in various communities throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony and act as liaisons between the program and the public. Hunter Representatives review project proposals from a hunter's perspective and ensure hunters' wants and concerns are addressed. A Landowner Representative ensures landowner views are incorporated into projects.

The A&H Board is made up of seven volunteers — three hunter representatives, three landowner representatives, and the Chair — who review and recommend wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The A&H Program is funded by a $4 surcharge on hunting licenses and the sale of deer and elk raffle entries and auction tags.

See the A&H Program webpage and most recent A&H Biennium Report for additional information on the A&H program.

Please contact Travis Schultz at (503) 947-6087 if you have any questions on the position.

SALEM, Ore.—Do you have a love of hunting and passion for wildlife conservation? Are you knowledgeable about forestry and/or agriculture? If so, there are vacancies for a Landowner Representative and a Hunter Representative on the Access & Habitat (A&H) Board.

Applications are being accepted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife through June 27, 2025. Application forms are available here.

Individuals with knowledge and experience in hunting, wildlife conservation, forestry or agriculture are encouraged to apply. A&H Board members are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission). One Landowner Representative has reached the two-term limit and one Hunter Representative's first term is ending but they are eligible to apply for a second term.

The A&H Board is made up of seven volunteers — three hunter representatives, three landowner representatives, and the Chair — who review and recommend wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects to the Commission.

The A&H Board meets four times each year in various locations throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony and act as liaisons between the program and the public. Hunter Representatives review project proposals from a hunter's perspective and ensure hunters' wants and concerns are addressed whereas Landowner Representative ensures landowner views are incorporated into projects.

See the A&H Program webpage and most recent A&H Biennium Report for additional information on the A&H program. Please contact Travis Schultz at (503) 947-6087 if you have any questions on the position.

###

ASTORIA, Ore – The annual conservation closure of razor clamming on Clatsop beaches begins 12:01 a.m. July 15.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages clammers to take advantage of the low tide series that begins July 8. However, ODFW reminds clammers that although the low tide series goes through July 15, they cannot clam that day – clamming ends at 11:59 p.m. July 14.

Since 1967, Clatsop beaches close each year July 15 through Sept. 30 for conservation. This lets young clams settle on the beaches to provide future harvest opportunities.

Know before you go:

• Call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest shellfish – biotoxin levels can change rapidly.
• You must have a shellfishing license.
• Daily limit: first 15 clams dug, regardless of size or condition.
• Each digger must have their own container, dig their own clams, and can only have one limit in possession while in the clam digging area (see exception under an Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit.)

Clam diggers can check Clatsop tide charts and go to ODFW's clamming page for more information on razor clamming. View ODFWs video on how to razor clam.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a public meeting to review the agency's draft Endangered Species Management Plan for Southern Resident Orcas (SRO). The online-only meeting is July 9 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

ODFW staff will give a brief presentation of SRO life history and biology, then present information from the draft plan and take public comments. The draft plan is posted online here.

Comments about the draft plan can be emailed to ODFW Southern Resident Orca Coordinator Howard Takata at Howard.K.Takata@odfw.oregon.gov until July 15.

After considering comments, ODFW will then present a final draft management plan to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for adoption during their Aug. 15 meeting in Salem. The final draft plan will be posted online at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Public comments on the final draft plan for the Commission can be submitted using this page.

SROs are a distinct population of orcas native to the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Their population is estimated to number just 74 orcas in three pods (J, K, and L). The Oregon coast is a travel corridor for the K and L pods as they move between feeding areas to the north and south. They have been listed as Endangered under the federal ESA since 2005, by the state of Washington since 2004, and by Oregon since 2024.

The meeting can be joined online or phone:

Virtual meeting:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 232 833 330 890 4
Passcode: RU92Dx3F

Dial in by phone
+1 503-446-4951,,994643264# United States, Portland
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 994 643 264#

NOAA Fisheries photo: ODFW developed a draft management plan for Southern Resident Orcas and is looking for public comment during a July 9 public meeting.

###