Oct. 23, 2024
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your hunting photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Currently open
Eurasian collared dove, ruffed and blue grouse, quail (mountain and CA), fall turkey, South Coast goose, rooster pheasant, chukar/Hungarian partridge, duck, SW goose, NW goose
Announcements, resources
Bird harvest statistics from ODFW wildlife areas
Wondering how good hunting has been on ODFW wildlife areas? Several wildlife areas post waterfowl (duck and/or goose) and upland game bird harvest statistics on MyODFW.com. Combine recent harvest numbers with current conditions in the field to decide where to hunt.
Hunt by Reservation Program
ODFW's Hunt by Reservation Program connects bird hunters with private landowners. By making a reservation online, hunters receive a permit to hunt select private lands on dates that landowners select ahead of time.
Turn in wings and tails
Grouse and mountain quail hunters, please turn in your bird's wings and tails – our biologist use them to help assess bird populations and set seasons. Use this map to find blue collection barrels where you hunt.
District updates
ALL DISTRICTS
Eurasian collared-doves: These birds have no protections in Oregon, so there are no closed seasons and no limits to their harvest. Target Eurasian collared doves around agricultural areas where food sources are abundant.
Be sure of your identification before you hunt these birds which are larger and lighter than mourning doves with a distinctive band around the back of the neck. Identify this species and its habitat.
NORTH AND MID-COAST DISTRICTS
Habitat conditions: Wet fall weather is hitting the coast. While conditions have been dry, the fall rains are forecasted to arrive this week. This should improve waterfowl hunting as wetlands and ponds refill. Expect wet foggy mornings. Target upland birds during calm periods in the afternoon and evening.
Due to the wetter conditions and decreasing fire danger, multiple timber companies are reopening their lands to public access. Hampton's forestlands are now open to walk in access by the public. Manulife is open as well but have travel management restrictions on some roads. Look for "No Motor Vehicle" signs to know what roads are accessible to motorized vehicles and which are walk in only. Check the Oregon Forest Industries Council website for timber company contact information and changing access conditions. The North Alsea-Stott Mountain Travel Management Area(West TMA, East TMA) remains open to the public. Weyerhaeuser land enrolled in the TMA is open to public access until IFPL 4. Be sure to abide by all TMA rules and "No Motor Vehicle" restrictions on specified roads. Last updated 10/16/24.
Mourning dove: Reopens Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Forest grouse: Season on the north coast opened Sept. 1 and include sooty (blue) and ruffed grouse. While both species are associated with conifer forests, sooty grouse occupy the higher elevations of the coast range, especially ridge tops, while ruffed grouse are most commonly seen at mid to lower elevations of forest habitats, including riparian areas. Due to the wet early portion of the nesting season, we anticipate that hunting will likely be only average this year for these birds, with fewer juveniles available.
Mountain quail: Season runs concurrently with the forest grouse season on the north coast, and hunting is likely to be average. The early nesting season was wet, making for poor reproduction but mountain quail readily re-nest and can pull off broods during the late summer. These birds are most commonly found in brushy clear-cuts, especially those with a south-facing aspect.
Waterfowl: Migrating waterfowl have begun showing up along the coast as they make their way south. Duck opened to harvest on Oct. 12 and goose will open on Oct. 19 for the Northwest permit zone, both will close on Oct. 27. Cacklers are currently abundant in the coastal bays along with some duck species. Hunting quality should increase as more birds migrate south and fall rains replenish water sources.
WILLAMETTE DISTRICT
Mourning dove: Reopens Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Grouse: While both ruffed and sooty grouse are associated with conifer forests, sooty grouse occupy the higher elevations of the coast range, especially ridge tops, while ruffed grouse are most commonly seen at mid to lower elevations of forest habitats, including riparian areas.
Quail: Quail are commonly seen along dirt roads with thickly vegetated edges.
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area
Habitat conditions: Water levels are good in the Fisher Butte unit. The wetland cells in the north portion of the unit have the most water. Pumps no longer have access to water so rainfall will be needed to fully fill each wetland. Last update 10/16/24.
The Royal Amazon, Fisher Butte, W. Coyote, E. Coyote, and S. Coyote units are closed to all public access, providing uninterrupted resting areas for waterfowl. Please consult the game bird regulations (page 35) for details related to access of any wildlife area unit.
Reminder that only non-toxic shot is allowed on the wildlife area. Hunters must carry with them and complete a daily hunting permit. Permits are free and available at most wildlife area access points.
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Headquarters: (541) 935-2591.
SOUTHWEST AREA GAME BIRD HUNTING
COOS COUNTY
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 to 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 your visit please fill out the B half and deposited it in the same slot.
CVWA, both Winter Lake and Beaver Slough Tracts, are open to seven-day-a-week access from Feb. 1 through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 through Jan. 31 Winter Lake Tract is open to public access Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays while Beaver Slough Tract remains open seven days a week. Please note that only non-toxic shot is allowed on the wildlife area.
Habitat conditions: Conditions are just starting to get cooler and wetter in Coos county. Fire season restrictions ended on Oct. 21, which should open up more industrial timberlands to public access. Be sure to check with landowners for access restrictions or permission prior to entry. Last updated 10/23/24.
Mourning dove: Reopens Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Grouse: Grouse numbers appear to be low this year. While the mild spring and summer weather was conducive to good brood survival the adult population appears to be quite low. It will take several of mild springs and summers for the overall abundance of grouse to improve. Hunters who want to hunt grouse should look for them on closed forest roads with clover and other forbs growing on them.
Quail: Quail populations in the southern Coast Range had a productive spring and summer for brood production. Hunters should find relatively large covey sizes as a result of good chick survival.
Those interested in hunting quail should look for mountain quail in young clearcuts, they especially like areas with rocky outcroppings. California quail will be most numerous around agriculture fields.
Fall turkey: Turkey populations in Coos County have been increasing over the past several years as has their distribution. This summer saw conditions that were good for brood survival. Surveys indicated larger brood sizes than have been seen in some recent years. This will contribute to the continued growth of turkey flocks in Coos County. While the highest abundance of turkeys is concentrated around the Coquille Valley, turkeys can now be found in many other parts of the county.
Generally, turkeys get through winter by congregating in or near agricultural lands in Coos County. Therefore, they are most likely to be found within a short distance from ag lands, even in the summer or fall. However, with increasing populations they can be found in forest openings such as clearcuts and meadows adjacent to ag lands. It is worth a hunter's time to scout these kinds of places for sign of turkeys during the fall season.
Waterfowl:
Conditions are just starting to change with regular rain and cooler temperatures. Waterfowl numbers and diversity are still increasing as more migratory birds show up and move through. This time of year, hunters should focus on finding waterfowl in the large bays. Duck numbers are highest in the bays, but they can also be found upriver and on smaller water. Geese in this area can also be found on agricultural fields, where hunters should seek access permission. Finding food sources and resting locations prior to hunting will be key to success.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Habitat conditions: Things remain hot and dry in Douglas County. We continue to get new fires starting and are still in extreme fire danger. Hunters need to be checking ODF, BLM and USFS websites for up-to-date information on access. Last updated 9/11/24.
Mourning dove: Reopens Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
There is not a lot of publicly accessible dove hunting in Douglas County. Those interested in doves should be concentrating on getting permission on private property.
Grouse: Ruffed and blue grouse seasons open Sept. 1.
Our surveys this summer indicate that forest grouse production was below average throughout the county. The same surveys showed that Mountain Quail production was average to above average in the coast range and lower elevations in the cascades. With the continued drought conditions hunters should focus on areas with nearby water or older timber stands.
Fall turkey: The western fall turkey season runs from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024.
Turkey production for Douglas County seemed to average. Hens with poults were encountered in new areas in the Cascades, likely meaning expansion into some previously unoccupied habitats.
JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES
Attention: Hunters in Jackson County should be aware of additions to our Jackson County Travel Management Area (JACTMA). Beginning Oct. 15, 2024, there is an additional portion of land included in JACTMA north of Butte Falls in the Fredenburg Butte Area. For more information see both of the linked maps:
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/travel_management_areas/jackson.pdf
Habitat conditions: Josephine and Curry counties remain dry with fire danger levels still moderate. With fire danger levels being elevated as well as end of summer temperatures, it would be a great idea to carry a fire extinguisher and/or container of water in your vehicle. Some of the roads will have tall brush down the center of the road and hot vehicles parking over them can cause a fire to ignite. Find current fire danger levels here.
During the warmer portions of the month of October, hunters will find more birds near water sources in the early mornings and evenings, when temperatures are cooler. Look for a good water source with habitat suited to the species' eating habits.
Always watch local weather reports and prepare for possible weather changing conditions over the extension of your hunt. Last updated 10/9/24.
Mourning Dove: Reopens Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Doves are small fast flying birds so it is best to get some practice with clay pigeons in before the season starts. Learn more about hunting mourning dove.
Grouse: Season opened Sept. 1 statewide. The daily bag limit is three birds of each species (sooty and ruffed). Driving less used dirt roads in the late evening can be an effective method in finding grouse to harvest. During our spring and summer inventory routes we documented good numbers of both ruffed and sooty grouse. Hunting should be productive this fall and winter.
Quail: Season opened Sept. 1 in western Oregon. The daily bag limit is 10 quail (in aggregate with both Mountain and California quail). Driving old dirt roads in the late afternoon and evening is usually a good way to locate groups. Mixed forests offer your best chance to find mountain quail, while California quail tend to prefer the more open, shrubby areas on the valley floor
Our summer brood routes indicated good numbers of quail in Jackson and Josephine county. For more information refer to the Oregon Game Bird Regulations.
Fall turkey: season opened Sept. 1 in western Oregon with a season bag limit of 2 wild turkeys of either sex. Turkey numbers are extremely high in southern Oregon which should make for a good fall hunting season. Successful hunters can purchase an additional fall turkey tag for a second opportunity.
Rooster pheasant: Statewide pheasant season opened Oct. 12 and remains open through Dec. 31. Multiple wildlife areas across the state release pheasants for their Special Fee Hunts held in early to mid-September. A large portion of the Denman Wildlife Area has leftover pheasants from their fee hunt for hunting opportunities during the statewide season.
Please remember a parking permit is required at all wildlife areas and a hunt permit card is required while actively hunting all of the wildlife areas. The hunt permit cards are available at 8 different kiosks on the Denman Wildlife Area.
