Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

04/09/2026

Great news for your Friday: We can all celebrate a win for salmon and for fishing!

The Bonneville Power Administration has reversed its decision. They will not end funding for the SAFE hatchery salmon program on Oct. 1. BPA will continue to fund the program for one year.

That means the 7 million hatchery salmon in production are no longer at risk and can be released as planned next year. A few years from now, recreational anglers and commercial fishermen will be catching those salmon.

We appreciate the BPA Administrator’s willingness to listen and reconsider the decision. This one-year reprieve gives us time to keep working toward a long-term solution.

ODFW Director Debbie Colbert had this to say:

“This was an all-hands-on-deck situation for everyone who loves salmon and fishing. I am grateful to the Governor, our Congressional delegation and state legislators for their help in getting this decision reversed. I continue to be blown away by the passion of Oregon’s fishing community and could not be more grateful for their advocacy.”

Thanks to Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Coastal Conservation Association Oregon, Keep America Fishing, Englund Marine & Industrial Supply and everyone who contacted BPA.

04/09/2026

Golden mussels were intercepted on another boat entering Oregon at a watercraft inspection station. This marks the third interception this summer, highlighting the ongoing threat of invasive mussels hitchhiking on watercraft.

On Aug. 30, ODFW staff at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station intercepted a watercraft traveling from San Diego to Seattle and found adult golden mussels attached. The boat was fully decontaminated and all mussels were removed and properly disposed.

First found in North America in 2024, golden mussels pose a serious threat to Oregon’s waters. These invasive freshwater mussels can clog and damage irrigation systems, hydropower facilities, and other water infrastructure. They also degrade water quality and can impact recreation like fishing and boating.

📌 REMINDER:
It is the law in Oregon that any vehicle transporting a watercraft is required to stop at any open watercraft inspection stations for aquatic invasive species inspections.

Watercraft owners should be aware of inspection station locations around Oregon. Stations are open if orange "Boat Inspection Ahead" signs are posted, followed by "Inspection Required for All Watercraft."

Boaters and anglers are also reminded to "Clean, Drain, and Dry" all boats and equipment and report any suspected sightings of invasive mussels.

🔗See the link below for more about the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program.

02/09/2026

Dove season is here, and with it the opportunity to shake off the rust and get those shooting skills sharpened up in time for upcoming upland or waterfowl seasons while enjoying one of the best seasons to be outdoors.

Zone 1 (West side and Columbia River Basin) Sept. 1 - Sept. 30 and Nov. 15 - Dec. 14
Zone 2 (East side minus the Columbia River Basin) Sept. 1 - Oct. 30

Check out our Dove Hunting Tips at the link below.

01/09/2026

On Sunday, Aug. 30, ODFW Pendleton district staff responded to a bull elk near the boundary of the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County that had become entangled in a fire hose. The elk was sedated and the hose successfully removed from its antlers.
 
ODFW would like to thank the fire crew for their quick assistance in helping get this young bull untangled and back on his way. We’re deeply grateful for the firefighters and crews working tirelessly across the state to protect our communities and natural landscapes.

01/09/2026

Hello Oregon gamebird hunters! Some seasons begin today and some begin October 10, depending on which part of the state you live or hunt in. Don't forget to Buy your 2026-27 bird stamp(s) and validations or redeem your Sports Pac vouchers.

Check out the full gamebird forecast below!

27/08/2026

Gamebird seasons are nearly upon us, and this is your yearly reminder to clip your grouse wings and tails and your mountain quail wings and throw them in a paper bag for us.

The data provided from these samples helps biologists determine age, s*x and whether females nested successfully or not.

Click the link below to learn more and for locations for grouse wing collection barrels around the state.

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

A dispersing male gray wolf originating from the Indigo Pack has been seen frequently around the Cascade Lakes Highway corridor in recent weeks. This radio-collared wolf, known as OR-213, has been moving throughout the eastern slopes of the Cascades, and ODFW has received many reports of his travels.

It is common for young wolves to leave their family packs as they mature. They may travel hundreds or even thousands of miles while searching for a mate, available habitat, and an opportunity to establish a territory. They are typically not in the same area long before they move on.

OR-213 may look lean, but wolves are generally at their leanest during late summer and after shedding their summer coat. As a transient wolf covering long distances, this condition is not unusual for him.

Wolves are generally shy and will avoid contact with people. Follow these tips if you encounter a wolf:

● Give it plenty of space. Do not approach, follow, feed, or otherwise attempt to interact with a wolf.

● If a wolf is lingering near a roadway, motorists should give it space and can honk their horn to encourage it to move along. If you encounter a wolf while recreating on foot, make noise and wave your arms in the air to make yourself look larger.

● Any wild animal can be dangerous if it is cornered, injured, sick, or has become habituated to people. Keep your distance and always leave room for an animal to escape.

Report wolf sightings to ODFW using our online form.

📷 Photo courtesy of Kayla Cook