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Oregon

Game Bird Hunting

Game Bird Hunting

Veterans & Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunt

Season Date

Feb. 1, 2025

Shooting Hours

See table on Shooting Hours for legal shooting hours, except in the Northwest Permit Zone legal shooting hours for geese are 7:26 a.m. to 5:27 p.m.

Bag Limit

Hunters may take ducks (including mergansers), coots and geese at the established bag limits (see Migratory Game Bird Seasons).

Eligibility

Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate (federal regulation defines those eligible to participate in this hunt).

Requirements

Each hunter must have in possession:

  • A valid hunting license
  • A valid state waterfowl or nonresident game bird validation
  • A valid HIP validation
  • A valid Federal Duck stamp
  • Valid proof of veterans or active duty status issued by the U.S. Department of Defense or Veteran’s Affairs.

Open Areas

Statewide. However, some public lands may not be open for hunting during this season. Please check with the appropriate management agency before hunting during this hunt. All ODFW WAs, except those with seasonal closures to protect big game (Elkhorn, Bridge Creek, etc.) are open for this hunt. Daily hunt permits, where required during the regular season, are required. At Fern Ridge WA (East, West, and South Coyote units) and Sauvie Island WA (Eastside, Westside and Oak Island) public hunt permits will be issued through a random drawing conducted at the check stations. For check station locations see State Wildlife Area Regulations.

Hunters wishing to participate in the drawings at Sauvie Island must be in the vehicle line at the Westside check station 1-1/2 hours before shooting time or the reservation vehicle line at the Eastside check station 2 hours before shooting time (Shooting Hours). Each hunter will be given the opportunity to draw a random number and hunters in parties (up to four members who must all be eligible to participate in the hunt) will be assigned the lowest random number drawn among the party’s members. Hunters will be called via AM Radio Station 1580 to the check station in the order of their draw number (lowest to highest) to choose hunting sites and obtain public hunt area permits. Hunters arriving after random numbers are distributed will be issued remaining public hunt area permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Shooting hours end at 4:00 p.m. and all hunters must check out at check stations by 6:00 p.m.

Hunters wishing to hunt in the East, West, and South Coyote units at Fern Ridge must be present at the check station 1-1/2 hours before shooting time. Each hunter will be given the opportunity to draw a random number. WA staff will then draw from a corresponding set of numbers to determine the order for choosing hunting sites. Hunters successful during the drawing may be accompanied by one hunting guest (must also be eligible to participate in the hunt). Shooting hours close at 1:00 p.m. and close to all public access at 2:00 p.m. Hunters must check out using the self-check out boxes located in the parking lots.