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Article

2025-26 game bird shooting hours

Legal shooting hours for Game Birds and Northwest Permit Goose for the 2025-26 hunting seasons.
August 13, 2025
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Article

Shooting & archery ranges

Oregon has more than 75 ranges where you can improve your shooting and archery skills. Shooting range map. Some locations require a membership; contact or check range directly. Many of these ranges offer sight-in services before the fall hunting.
October 28, 2025
Educational Moment

Shotgun shooting tips

Turkey hunters using a shotgun face a very small target – the head and neck of a turkey. Combine that with today’s specialized turkey loads shooting very tight patterns, and making a clean kill shot might depend on a steady shooting rest. Turkeys are nervous-looking birds that seem to never stop moving. Because of their monocular vision and eyes set on the side of their skull, turkeys are often moving and bobbing their heads to try to decipher what they’re seeing. Consider a shooting rest If you’ve got your gun in a ready position, and are waiting for a turkey…
May 19, 2020
image of a turkey hunter with his gun resting on his knee
Educational Moment

Bow shooting safety

Before shooting a bow, you’ll want to make sure it's safe to fire. Bow/arrow safety check list Check that the string and cable are in good condition and aren ’t rubbing or fraying at any point. Use bowstring wax regularly to keep your string in good condition and safe to shoot. Check that the cams, limbs and riser are all in good shape. Look for cracks, dents, breaks, delaminations, peeling fiberglass, and any mechanical parts that may be defective. If any part of the bow is suspect, don’t shoot it. Fix it or take it to an archery shop to…
May 19, 2020
image of a bow cam, to be inspected before shooting
Educational Moment

Gripping and shooting a bow

To be an accurate shooter, it’s important to develop a consistent grip and draw. One of the most common mistakes bowhunters make is tensing up and gripping the bow too firmly. A firm grip will torque the bow, or send it out of alignment, resulting in a poor shot and perhaps a painful slap on your arm from the bow string. Develop a consistent grip The grip of the bow should rest on the pad of your thumb and should not cross the lifeline of your hand. With the bow in this position, your fingers will be off to the…
May 19, 2020
close up image a hand holding a bow
Educational Moment

Bow shooting tips

Turkey anatomy plays a big part in determining shot placement with a bow. Knowing where vital organs like the heart and lungs are will help you make a clean shot. Sometime getting to the vital organs may mean going through bone. In fact, a shot to the spine will drop a turkey quickly. But turkey bones are very strong, despite being hollow. That’s why many experienced archers prefer shooting a bow with a heavy draw weight, often the same setup they use for deer and elk hunting. Head shots, the most popular turkey shot for shotgun hunters, should be avoided…
May 19, 2020
image of a successful bow hunter and his turkey
Educational Segment

Bow shooting tips

May 19, 2020
image of an archer practicing, showing good form
Educational Moment

Proper archery shooting stance

Shooting accurately starts with the proper form, and that begins with a good stance. From your feet up through your hips and torso, a solid foundation in your lower body will improve your shooting. Start with an open stance The “open” stance is a good one for beginners. It’s easy to master and to practice consistently. An open stance positions yours hips and shoulders in-line with the direction you ’re shooting. This perpendicular setup to the target is simple to do. First, place one foot on each side of the shooting line. Most ranges will have these lines. If not…
May 19, 2020
image of how to place feet when bow shooting
Educational Moment

Where to practice shooting a bow

Practice shooting your bow regularly and you’ll develop the form and muscle memory you need to shoot accurately and confidently. Places to shoot from the backyard to the backcountry You can practice your shooting anywhere it’s safe and outside of urban growth boundaries. It's also illegal to shoot in the direction of any person, building, structure or vehicle within the range of your bow. So be sure there's y a clear line of sight between you and the target, and a safe backstop. Possible locations include: A large backyard in a rural setting Archery specific indoor and outdoor target ranges…
May 19, 2020
image of arrows being properly pulled from a target
Article

Hunting band-tailed pigeons in Oregon

Learning the flight patterns of the birds, and honing your long-range shooting skills are keys to this unique and challenging hunting experience.
August 4, 2022
three band-tailed pigeons feeding on the groud
Press Release

Bowhunters can warm up for the archery season at free La Pine 3D shoot

SALEM, Ore. – Bowhunters can warm up for the archery season at a free 3D shoot in La Pine on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Three Rivers Archers Park located at the intersection of Coach Rd. and Memorial Lane. This unique course offers hunting scenarios and learning opportunities to help you…

July 24, 2025
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Workshop and Events

Rifle Skills: Precision Hunter Course Schedule

This is a one-day training course designed for hunters who want to shoot farther when conditions and skill allow. This course emphasizes ethical shot execution and practical field positions with mid-to-long range targets.

Date

Several dates in March, April & May

Location

Multiple locations

Rifle Skills Precision
Workshop and Events

Rifle Skills: Fundamentals

This hands-on course is designed for adults eager to enter (or advance in) big game hunting with a modern, scoped bolt-action rifle—the most popular and precise choice for ethical big game pursuits.

Date

Several dates in March, April & May

Location

Multiple locations

Rifle Skills WS
Species and Subspecies

Wood duck

Features: Wood ducks can not be mistaken. The drake's iridescent chestnut, greens and white patterning are distinctive. The hen has a unique profile and white pattern around the eye. Habitat: Wood ducks are found in wooded swamps, on rivers and ponds. They feed on mostly seeds, but wood ducks will supplement their diet with aquatic plants, insects and crustaceans too. Acorns, hazelnuts, waste grains, and fallen seeds from trees and shrubs make up a good deal of their diet. As the name implies, they nest in tree cavities near water. Techniques: Search out a wood duck's food source and wait…

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Educational Moment

Navigating the regulations

Turkey hunters should be aware of all state hunting regulations, but pay special attention to these things – all of which are listed in the table of contents of the Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Licensing and tags Shooting hours Legal hunting methods Turkey hunting opportunities The Game Bird Regulations are available both online and in print, both are organized in the same way. Licensing and tags In Oregon, all hunters older than 12 years need a hunting license. Kids 12-17 years old can buy a special, value-priced youth license that also includes fishing and shellfishing. In addition to a…
May 19, 2020
Tagged antler
Landing page

E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area: A visitors' guide

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

Charting your path from archery to bowhunting

August 25, 2025
archery target
Article

Hunting Sauvie Island’s East Side Unit

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island - Hunting in the Eastside Unit. Part 2 of a 5 part series.
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Article

12 tips for better wildlife photos

Always have your camera with you, explore your backyard and 10 more pro tips.
Tree harliquin ducks lined up on a log
Press Release

Veterans inspire improvements to shotgun range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area

Veterans invited to grand reopening event set for Nov. 15 MONMOUTH, Ore.—ODFW Hunter Education Coordinator Jered Goodwin used to see a group of disabled Veterans regularly visiting the shotgun shooting range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, a former military base turned wildlife area and popular outdoor destination in the Willamette…

November 7, 2025
EE Wilson shotgun range improvements 2025