CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING
OPEN: QUAIL (Mtn. Quail closed some areas), CHUKAR/HUN PHEASANT, FOREST GROUSE, and WATERFOWL (goose closed, see regulations), COUGAR and BEAR
Get your elk checked for CWD Nov. 1-2
Help ODFW monitor our big game populations for Chronic Wasting Disease, an untreatable and fatal neurological disease that can affect deer, elk and moose. If you harvest an elk, stop by one of our check stations on Sunday or Monday and get your elk checked. Stations open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at I-84 West at Biggs Junction or Prineville Weigh Station, just east of Prineville on Hwy 26.
Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.
It’s still a good idea to check for any fire related access restrictions before you go hunting.
Don’t forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information
EVENT
Canyon Creek Youth Pheasant Hunt, Nov. 20-21 at Canyon Creek Outfitters in Dufur, Ore. Hosted by OHA Bend Chapter, Canyon Creek Outfitters, and ODFW. Register Oct. 5-Nov. 16 by calling 541-382-7229.
PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT
Hunters should come prepared for typical fall to early winter conditions, which can mean extremes from sun to snow, and everything in between. All hunters and outdoor recreationalists should dress and be equipped accordingly. Hunters planning to hunt public lands should check with Ochoco National Forest or Prineville BLM offices for the latest information on access and camping.
FIRST PERIOD CONTROLLED BULL hunters should expect good hunting conditions if the predicted weather forecasts of snow are accurate. This year’s carryover of older, mature bulls are down from recent years, but the numbers of younger bulls, particularly yearling spikes, appears strong. Ochoco unit hunter are reminded the Rager and South Boundary Travel Management Areas (TMA’s) remain in effect.
EARLY RIFLE ANTLERLESS ELK hunts are active on mostly private lands in portions of the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. These hunts include private agricultural and ranch lands that require having landowner permission for access.
COUGAR and BEAR seasons are open, and hunters are reminded they must have valid controlled bull tags to be hunting when those seasons are open. Both species require check in at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest that includes calling ahead of time to make an appointment, and remembering to bring in the unfrozen skull, hide, and other necessary parts needed for check in. Please consult the synopsis for all required parts. It’s also a good idea to prop the mouth open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.
BEAR are more plentiful in the more forested Ochoco and Grizzly units. The denser forested north slopes at higher elevations in both units would be areas to scout and look for bear sign. COUGAR are also present in these 2 units and the Maury as well. Cougars are present at all elevations, and use the more open juniper-sage desert habitats, as well as the forested country. Areas with known cougar activity include the Maury Mountains and S. Fk. Crooked River (Maury unit); S. F. John Day River, N F. Crooked River, and Lookout Mtn. (Ochoco unit); Upper Mill Crk., Green Mtn., and Grizzly Mtn (Grizzly unit).
FOREST GROUSE opportunities are limited to higher elevation forest lands on the Ochoco National Forest. Hunters should check the more heavily forested portions of the Lookout Mtn. and Paulina Ranger districts for these elusive birds. DUCK, VALLEY QUAIL, AND CHUKAR SEASONS are open.
This years QUAIL and CHUKAR populations appear down due to a difficult nesting conditions earlier this spring. Mountain quail season is open only in the Grant and Wheeler County portions of the District. Hunters are encouraged to check likely habitat areas on the Crooked River National Grasslands and the breaks of the John Day River system for opportunities.
WATERFOWL hunters will find opportunities limited as most birds in this area are closely associated with private lands where access may be difficult. GOOSE hunters are reminded the season closes in this area from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6, reopening Nov. 7.
THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT
Be sure to check with local state forestry and US Forest offices for fire season regulations before planning your outdoor adventure.
First season ELK opens Oct. 28. Elk are still generally using higher elevation forests, as we have yet to get enough winter weather to move animals to lower elevations, but weather reports look promising. Hunters should expect to cover some ground to locate elk in the Hood and White River units.
FOREST GROUSE in the area are scattered, with the best hunting generally being found in stream bottoms or on open ridges on either side of the Hood River Valley. Successful hunters are asked to give a wing and a tail to ODFW to help manage grouse populations in the state. Wings can be turned in at any ODFW office, or in one of the many wing barrels scattered throughout the district.
COUGAR season is open. Hunters wishing to pursue cougar will find best success near areas of deer and elk concentrations, or in the Deschutes and John Day river canyons. Successful hunters, remember you must check in cougar (hide and skull) and bear skull at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest and bring them in unfrozen. It’s also a good idea to prop their mouths open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. See regulations for details.
BEAR hunters should focus their efforts within recent clearcuts within the Hood unit, or in one of the stream canyons along the eastern edge of the Cascades in the White River unit. Finding a good vantage point and spending time with good optics can increase the odds of finding a bear.
WATERFOWL are beginning to appear in the region as fall progresses. Limited public access for waterfowl hunting can be found along the Columbia and Deschutes Rivers.
Those wishing to pursue COYOTE will find the best success near agricultural lands. Be sure to ask permission to hunt private lands. Limited opportunities may also be found at White River Wildlife area, and on lower elevation forest service lands.
WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA
BEAR and COUGAR hunting are open. BEAR hunters will find the best success adjacent to major drainages such as White River, Tygh Creek or Badger Creek.
COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area.
GROUND SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, can be found throughout the wildlife area.
The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Open roads have a green dot on them. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited.
Related posts:
ODFW Recreation Report – Central Zone
ODFW Central Oregon Fishing Report for Week of October 29
Controlled hunt deadline extended until June 1
