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Article
Coyotes are a native species that is well-adapted to Oregon's urban and natural landscapes. It is not unusual to see them in the daytime, even in developed areas. Understanding coyote behavior and how to avoid problems is key to coexistence.
Landing page
Located near the Elkhorn Mountain Range, Elkhorn Wildlife Area is best known for Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer herds that use the area during the winter. To keep deer and elk from feeding on agriculture lands when they come down from snow-covered higher elevations, ODFW operates 10 feeding sites on the area to feed 1,400 elk and 800 deer during the winter months.
March 05, 2018
Article
Small game species provide a variety of hunting experiences throughout the state and are an excellent way to introduce new hunters to hunting. Only the appropriate hunting license is necessary to hunt small game (no tags or permits). There are three major categories of small game in Oregon: western gray squirrel, unprotected mammals and furbearers.
Article
How to apply for a controlled hunt Step-by-step directions to apply for a controlled hunt online and how to change your hunt choices. The deadline to apply for a big game controlled hunt is May 15. Apply for a controlled hunt Landowner preference guide
November 25, 2025
Educational Moment
There are many options when it comes to choosing arrows and broadheads for turkey hunting. If you already hunt big game, you can use the same arrow shafts for hunting turkey. If you’re new to bowhunting and buying arrows for the first time, select an arrow shaft made of a lightweight, fast-moving material like carbon fiber. An arrow that weighs about 6 to 8 grains per per pound of draw weight (on a compound bow) is a good guideline. This will maximize kinetic energy, accuracy and penetration. There are three styles of broadheads popular with turkey hunters: Expandable, or mechanical
May 19, 2020
Article
Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Hunter's Guide Register now to attend an ODFW Hunter Recruitment Program workshop to up your Big Game hunting success. Skills classes and workshops are offered year-round throughout Oregon: Receive Workshops & Events Updates by E-mail
September 26, 2025
Commission adopts revised State Wildlife Action Plan
SALEM, Ore.—The Commission approved a revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) today, a plan that serves as a roadmap for protecting Oregon's at-risk species and their habitats. The Plan incorporates the latest available information on species and presents recommended conservation actions to inform…
August 15, 2025
Article
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease infecting deer, elk, and moose across North America. While CWD has not yet been detected in Oregon, it has been found in three bordering states – Idaho, California, and Washington. We have a chance to manage CWD if both hunters and wildlife managers work together. Get your animals tested and educate yourself and others about CWD. Ways to Get Tested Check Results Sign up for Updates
November 20, 2025
Commission meets Aug. 15 in Salem
SALEM, Ore.—Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Aug. 15 in Salem at ODFW Headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE. The meeting will be livestreamed from the Commission page. See the agenda here. (Note that Commission materials have moved to myodfw.com while ODFW's older…
August 8, 2025
Recreation Report
NW WILDLIFE VIEWING December 4, 2025 Tillamook County Birds Large numbers of waterfowl arrive before November and will likely spend the rest of the winter here. They will raft up out in the middle of most local estuaries on calm days but will move around with the incoming tide and on windy days. Many species of diving ducks can be seen on area lakes and bays. Likewise, many migrating geese are beginning to arrive and are using area fields, along with many egrets, herons and wintering raptors. Pastures and fields are heavily used by a variety of waterfowl when flooded
September 05, 2017
Recreation Report
COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING December 4, 2025 Currently open Bear, Cougar ( Check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled 600 series deer and 200 series antlerless elk. ( Check regulations for specific dates and units) Announcements, resources 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast Big game harvest statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for next season. Please report elk with hoof disease - If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves, please
September 05, 2017
Educational Moment
Mouth calls, also known as diaphragm calls, can seem intimidating but they have some advantages over other kinds of calls. Mouth calls are popular with Oregon turkey hunters because: They're easier to keep dry during wet, spring seasons than are box or slate calls. Since the the call is in your mouth, you can call in a turkey without moving and possible spooking the bird. With practice, they can produce very realistic turkey sounds. Parts of a mouth call There are four parts to a mouth call. Starting at the outside of the call there’s: The tape. The tape stops
May 19, 2020
Educational Moment
The modern compound bow is the most popular choice for turkey hunting, but traditional recurve and longbows also have their fans. Hunting with crossbows is illegal in Oregon. If you already have a bow you use for deer or elk hunting, it will work fine for turkey Many turkey hunters, though, like to reduce the draw weight of their deer/elk hunting bow to 45 pounds or less for turkey. Unlike deer and elk hunting, where you’re usually standing or kneeling when you take a shot, you’re likely to be sitting when shooting a turkey. In this case, a lighter draw
May 19, 2020
Landing page
The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area came into existence in 1950 when the U.S. Government gave quitclaim title to the property to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The wildlife area covers approximately 1,788 acres, is located on Highway 99W about 10 miles north of Corvallis and is situated on the Willamette Valley floor. SHOTGUN RANGE BACK OPEN AS OF LATE OCTOBER 2025: The renovation is complete and the shotgun range is back open. Improvements include: four times as many shooting lanes, fully paved ADA-compliant walkway with pullouts that will make it easier for disabled shooters, a new covered pole
February 07, 2018
Article
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
August 18, 2025
Recreation Report
Crabbing and Clamming Dec 4, 2025 Always check for closures at the ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting shellfish, which includes clams, crabs and mussels. Announcements Chinese mitten crab found in Willamette River A second confirmed Chinese mitten crab, a prohibited species in Oregon, was found and reported to ODFW on November 17 in the Willamette River near Sellwood Bridge. The first mitten crab was caught on April 22 in the Lower Columbia River. Mitten crabs caused significant infrastructure and ecological damage in and around San Francisco Bay when the population was at its height in the late 1990s and
September 21, 2017
Recreation Report
SW WILDLIFE VIEWING December 4, 2025 Coos and Curry counties Coquille Valley Wildlife Area (CVWA) Coquille Valley Wildlife Area (CVWA) in Coos County is open to public access. Permits for access are required and are available, free of charge, at the kiosk located in the parking lot along North Bank Road. You must access CVWA through this point. Please fill out the upper half ("A" half) of the permit and deposit it in the slot located on the post of the kiosk. Sign and carry the lower half ("B" half) with you while you enjoy CVWA. At the end of
September 05, 2017
Recreation Report
NE WILDLIFE VIEWING December 4, 2025 Baker County Bighorn sheep can be seen in the Burnt River Canyon west of Durkee or along the Snake River Road south of Richland. The best viewing is in the early morning and late in the evening. Take the Snake River Road between Richland and Huntington to see bald and golden eagles along the Snake River. There are deer throughout the valley. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are good times to view wildlife. A drive through the foothills of the Baker valley and through the Keating valley can turn up
September 05, 2017
Article
Whether it's a 6-inch bluegill or a trophy-size bass, Oregon's warmwater fish offer anglers of all ages a variety of fishing opportunities. Check out some basic tips here, then head to the article that details places to go looking for warmwater fish species within the area of the state you're interested in.
