ODFW Recreation Report
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Highlights from this week’s Recreation Report:
Deer and elk hunting
Rifle deer hunting continues in western Oregon. Remember Cascade units are closed for Cascade Elk season running Oct. 14-20. Conditions for big game hunting are improving with the rain. See reports below or the Big Game Hunting Forecast for what to expect.
Western Oregon waterfowl and turkey are open
Zone 1 duck season is open as is the general fall turkey season in Western Oregon Oct. 15. Northeast fall turkey tags are sold out.
It’s a great time for trout fishing
Some of the best trout fishing of the year can happen during the cool fall months. Trout are eating heavily in anticipation of a cold winter, fewer anglers are out as the school year and football season begins, and cool, clear days are a chance to wear your favorite fishing sweater.
Fishing, archery events coming up
ODFW has several great events coming up including family fishing in Gresham Oct. 21, steelhead workshops at North Santiam Recreation Area on Oct. 21 and Troutdale Nov. 5 and 11 and an all ages archery competition in Junction City on Oct. 28. Sign up now.
Crabbing is good in bays; ocean waters closed
Recreational crabbing is open in bays along the entire Oregon coast, with some limits showing up at the docks. Ocean crabbing is closed until Nov. 30.
KLAMATH COUNTY BIG GAME RECREATION REPORT
OPEN: COUGAR, BEAR, CASCADE ELK (Oct. 14-20)
See the Big Game Hunting Forecast for reports on what to expect from field biologists statewide.
KLAMATH COUNTY
Cascade Elk: Season runs Oct. 14-20. Seek areas away from roads encroaching on the wilderness to increase opportunities of finding elk.
Cougar - Hunting is open. Populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. Use of predator calls is a great hunting technique during the summer period. Don’t forget successful hunters must check-in cougars no more than 10 days after harvest; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open so that field staff can quickly process the animal and get you on your way. Remember a 2017 cougar tag and hunting license is needed to hunt.
Coyote hunting opportunities are improving. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species. Please consult the annual Big Game hunting regulations for further information.
BEAR – General Fall Bear Season continues. Best bear prospects are in the Cascades or in the Interstate Unit. Hunters are reminded to check-in harvested bears at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest. Please bring in skull thawed with mouth propped open. Be sure to call ahead to schedule an appointment.