Department of Fish & Wildlife

Hunters – We Need Your Grouse Wings and Tails

Wings and tails from ruffed grouse, blue grouse, and mountain quail provide biologists important data about populations. To request bags and return envelopes, call 503-947-6301.

What to Do:

1. Remove one entire wing and whole tail including small rump feathers.
2. Place in PAPER bags provided by ODFW or use your own PAPER bag (1 bird per bag).
3. Mark the bag with the date and general location of harvest.
4. Drop bag off at designated collection sites located around the state or at ODFW offices. A map of collection sites is available at myodfw.com.
5. If there will be a delay in dropping off your bag, please freeze it.

Protect Oregon Waters from Invasive Species — Practice Clean, Drain, Dry

You may need an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit or a Waterway Access Permit!

• “Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit”, required for all motorized boats.
• Oregon resident, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit is automatically included with motorboat registration
• Non-residents motorized boats cost is $22
• “Waterway Access permit”, required for all Non-motorized boats (drift boats, kayaks, rafts, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, etc.); 10 feet in length or longer for both resident and non-residents.
  • $7.00 weekly/7 days,
  • $19.00 annual,
  • $32.00 two-years.
• One permit required per boat that is on the water; permit is transferable.
• Purchase where hunting/fishing licenses are sold or the Electronic License System or online at the Boat Oregon Store website.

All boats, regardless of size, are required to stop at inspection stations when stations are open.

The Oregon Legislature established the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program in an effort to keep Oregon’s lakes, rivers and streams free of destructive aquatic invasive species like quagga mussels. See myodfw.com/boater-permits or oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/AIS-FAQs.aspx for more information

Your Oregon Game Bird Stamp Dollars at Work

Oregon game bird stamps have been providing funds to maintain healthy game bird populations in the state for more than 30 years. The Oregon migratory waterfowl stamp began in 1984 and the upland bird stamp followed in 1990. The stamps (now called validations) are purchased by game bird hunters in conjunction with the general hunting license. Collectively, sales of game bird stamps and related artwork generate nearly $1 million each year. Funds are used to accomplish a variety of program-related activities, such as game bird research and banding, equipment purchases, and habitat improvement and conservation projects.

Upland Game Bird Emergency Closures

OregonHuntingMap.com

• When snow is deep, upland game birds can concentrate in high numbers, leaving them vulnerable to unethical hunters. ODFW has procedures in place to allow early closure of the season in unusually severe winter weather.
• Emergency closures will only take effect on either the 15th or the last day of the month.
• For example, if winter conditions do not warrant the closure of chukar season on Dec. 31st, the season will extend at least through Jan. 14th.
• Closures will be by Co and publicized as widely as possible.

Support wildlife — Buy a Habitat Conservation Stamp

Buy an annual stamp to benefit conservation of Oregon’s native species.

Proceeds are used for restoration of the habitats that are home to the state’s fish and wildlife. The Habitat Conservation Stamp is available anywhere fishing and hunting licenses are sold.

Know before you go: Check fire restrictions!

It is a hunter’s responsibility to check fire restrictions before heading afield. Check with the land manager where you plan to hunt. To see a list of industrial forestland closures/restrictions visit oregon.gov/ODF and click fire restrictions & closures, then click Check industrial fire restrictions button.

Most common fire restrictions

• No smoking
• No off-road driving
• No exploding targets or tracer ammunition
• Check if camp/warming fires are allowed. If open fires are permitted, make sure the fire is truly out when you’re done.

Field Dressing of Game Birds — What’s Legal?

Hunters understand the importance to care for meat while in the field to protect it from spoiling. However, what is not understood by many is the legal requirements necessary to transport dressed birds from the field. Some hunters commonly practice “breasting” birds out and discarding the rest of the carcass before getting home. This is not legal and hunters need to note the following:

The head or one fully feathered wing must be left attached to all game birds in the field or while in transit to the place of permanent residence of the possessor. Further restrictions apply to the Northwest Oregon Permit Goose Zone, see Northwest Permit Goose Season.

So why is this necessary? There are many restrictions on sex and species of birds that can be included in your daily bag. Leaving a head or wing attached allows law enforcement personnel to identify the birds taken by a hunter. You can be cited if it is not possible to determine the types of birds in your possession.

The edible portion of a game bird means, at a minimum the meat of the breast associated with the sternum. However, the Department encourages hunters to consume meat from the leg (drumstick), thigh, and wing when practicable. Many hunters don’t realize how much meat is lost when just the breast is consumed. On most game birds, 25% to 35% of the meat is found on just the legs and thighs, with only 55% to 60% found on the breast.

General Hunting Regulations outlines the important regulation for hunting game birds in Oregon. Please familiarize yourself with all these regulations.

Dogs on Dept Lands

The following rules apply to all Department owned, managed, or controlled areas:

• All dogs must be kept on a leash except:
  • While accompanied by a licensed hunter when being used to hunt game birds, including while going to or coming from hunting locations;
  • In a posted dog training area;
  • While the dog is under direct control in a posted parking area, designated campground or on a road currently open to public motor vehicle traffic; or
  • As otherwise specified in 635-008-0112, 0147, 0190, 0211 (see Sauvie Island and EE Wilson sections for additional exceptions.)

Don’t Shoot if it’s a Spruce Grouse

Spruce grouse are protected in Oregon and are not open to hunting

Spruce grouse only occur in the Wallowa Mountains of Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties of northeastern Oregon. Our small population of spruce grouse is likely geographically isolated from neighboring birds in Washington and Idaho, so we need to take extra care to protect them.

Spruce grouse are smaller than both blue and ruffed grouse. Male spruce grouse have a red eye comb, a black patch that covers the throat and upper chest, and white spotting on the lower chest. Females are browner and have white barring on the chest. Spruce grouse are often less wary of humans than blue and ruffed grouse. If you are grouse hunting in the Wallowa Mountains, please take the time to educate yourself on how to identify a spruce grouse before going out in the field.

Thank you for protecting Oregon's Rich Cultural Heritage

• Cultural Resources in Oregon include both Indian and early Euro-American archaeological sites, burials, and sacred objects.
• Cultural sites are not a renewable resource. Once taken or damaged they are lost forever.
• They are protected by law on public and private land. Disturbing them can lead to serious penalties.
• Further information is available at oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/technicalresources.aspx

Planning Your Hunt

Many WAs post daily, weekly, and/or monthly harvest and hunter effort numbers to myodfw.com/articles/game-bird-hunting-statistics-odfw-wildlife-areas?

You can also find tips for applying for reservation hunts at Fern Ridge and Sauvie Island.

See myodfw.com/game-bird-harvest-stats for more information.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Avian influenza, or “bird flu,” is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses. Wild birds can carry and spread these viruses but may show no signs of illness.

Although avian influenza viruses rarely infect people, you should still protect yourself:

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
• Always wear disposable gloves when handling or cleaning game and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterward.
• Dress game birds in a location away from poultry and other birds and bag the carcass for disposal. Disinfect all tools and work surfaces.
• Clothing and boots used in hunting wild birds should be changed before handling live poultry.
• Cook game meat thoroughly.
• Report dead wild birds to ODFW 866-968-2600 or email [email protected]

For more information about avian influenza, go to www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/.

Notice to Hunters

In an effort to make these regulations easier to understand, at times simplified language is used. ODFW’s intention is for these summarized regulations to be consistent with the actual language in Oregon Statutes and Administrative Rules, but in the event of an inconsistency the statutes and administrative rules take precedence. The actual wording of relevant Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules can be found at: odfw.com/oars and secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/processLogin.action.

Violation of state migratory game bird hunting regulations is a violation of federal regulations. Each hunter should consult the actual federal regulations in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20. Also, more restrictive regulations may apply to NWRs open to public hunting. For additional information on federal regulations, contact Resident Agent in Charge, USFWS, 9025 SW Hillman Ct, Suite 3134, Wilsonville, OR 97070; Phone: 503-682-6131.

Mountain Quail Locations Needed

ODFW is tracking the distribution of Mtn Quail in eastern Oregon. Please report any observations including the date, specific location, county of observation and number of Mtn Quail to:

[email protected]

New to Hunting?

Game bird hunting is available across Oregon and is a great way to begin hunting. ODFW has a resource webpage to help you start hunting game birds. On the page, you’ll discover: where to hunt, when to hunt, various game species, and the basic gear and equipment you’ll need to get started.

To visit the resource page now: myodfw.com/articles/start-hunting-game-birds