The Oregon Seal Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  
ignore
 » ODFW Home    » ODFW News Releases
ignore
ignore
ignore
About Us Fishing Hunting Viewing License/Regs Conservation Living With Wildlife Education
ignore
ignore
Elk ODFW RESOURCES
News Releases
ignore

Archery hunting opens Aug. 28, remember to check for access and fire restrictions before hunting
Tag sale deadline is Friday, Aug. 27

Saddle Mtn sunrise
Archery deer and elk seasons begin this Saturday, Aug. 28. Zach S. in Saddle Mtn Unit, photo by Ken S.
Fire restrictions
Fire restrictions
Common fire restrictions, check with the land manager where you are headed to find out what restrictions are in effect.

August 26, 2021

SALEM, Ore.—With archery deer and elk hunting seasons opening this Saturday, Aug. 28 and fire season still in effect, ODFW is reminding hunters to “Know before you go” and check for access before heading out.

ODFW does not close hunting seasons due to fire danger. But hunters may face fire restrictions and be unable to access certain areas  that are closed due to active fires, firefighting activity or post-fire cleanup. Hunters who cannot access a certain area should hunt somewhere else in their unit or hunt area instead—or if they have a controlled hunt tag and there is no reasonable access to their unit, ODFW may provide the option for a point reinstatement/tag refund (more information below).

Currently, major public land closures are in effect due to wildfire and firefighting activity in areas throughout the state. In additional, areas are still closed due to Oregon’s extensive fires last year. 

However, other areas that were closed earlier this summer due to extreme fire danger have reopened, including the Umatilla National Forest and Hancock A&H properties in northeast Oregon (reopened for day use only).

It’s a hunter’s responsibility to find out access restrictions before hunting. Some helpful links to find this information are below (find more info at https://myodfw.com/articles/hunting-and-fire-danger-oregon )

Fire restrictions will also be in effect in most areas; check with the land manger where you are headed for details. Some of the most common restrictions are:

  • Campfires may be either prohibited or only allowed in approved campgrounds.
  • Smoking and off-road driving (including motorcycles and ATVs) may also be prohibited in most areas.
  • You must have in your vehicle either 1) a gallon of water, or 2) a fully charged and operational 2½-pound fire extinguisher and shovel (except when travelling on state or county roads).
  • ATVs must have a charged and operational 2½ pound fire extinguisher.

New for 2021, eastern Oregon archery deer seasons are all controlled. Archery deer hunters for the Silver Lake and Interstate units (controlled units that are mostly inaccessible due to fire right now) have already been offered point reinstatement and a tag refund due to lack of access. ODFW has a policy in place to restore preference points and refund tags when no reasonable access is available the entire season and will contact those hunters who drew the tag directly with the process. See the policy here.

Archery hunters are also reminded to pick up their tag online or at a license sale agent no later than the day before the season begins or by Friday, Aug. 27. Sports Pac holders also need to redeem the voucher for their tag (at no additional cost) through the online licensing system or at a license sale agent by Aug. 27.

###

Contact: Michelle Dennehy, (503) 931-2748, Michelle.N.Dennehy@odfw.oregon.gov
 
facebook twitter youtube rss feed
ignore
   
 


About Us | Fishing | Crabbing & Clamming | Big Game Hunting | Game Bird Hunting | Wildlife Viewing | License / Regs | Conservation | Living with Wildlife | Education | Workday Login

ODFW Home | Driving Directions | Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents | Accessibility

4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE   ::   Salem, OR 97302   ::    Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]

Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
Share your opinion or comments on a Fish and Wildlife Commission issue at: odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov
Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Contact 503-947-6000 or click here.





   © ODFW. All rights reserved. This page was last updated: 08/26/2021 4:57 PM