Recreation Report
East Area
Recreation Report
April 10, 2024
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Currently open
Eurasian collared dove, spring turkey (opens April 15)
District updates
For more information about the upcoming spring turkey season in your favorite hunting area, check out the 2024 spring turkey hunting forecast.
ALL DISTRICTS
Eurasian collared doves: These birds have no protections in Oregon, so there are no closed seasons or limits to their harvest. A hunting license is required on public land. Focus around agricultural areas where food sources are abundant.
Be sure of your identification before you hunt these birds which are larger and lighter in colof than mourning doves with a distinctive band around the back of the neck. Identify this species and its habitat.
COLUMBIA AREA (White River, Hood, West Biggs, and Maupin Units)
Turkey: Youth spring turkey season opens April 13 and goes through May 31. The spring season for adults begins on April 15 and goes until May 31. Male turkeys are very vocal during this time as they attempt to advertise themselves and find a mate during the breeding season. Prepare to get an early start before sunrise to locate a gobbling male on the roost. Sneak into range, set up decoys, and begin calling to lure the turkeys in for a close shot.
The White River and Hood units both have an abundance of birds. Private timberland and county forests in the Hood and western portion of the White River can be a good place to look for birds. The eastern edge of the White River unit where the forest transitions into an oak/pine overstory can also be a great place to find birds. The West Biggs and Maupin Units have lower densities of birds with majority of the population residing on private lands. The Deschutes and John Day River canyons are a few areas turkeys can be found on public land within these units.
Klamath Wildlife Area
Miller Island Unit:
- The Miller Island Unit is located 6 miles south and west of Klamath Falls. Miller Island Unit is closed to all access from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m.
- Discharging firearms is prohibited except during authorized game bird hunting seasons or by special permit.
- All other days are closed to all entry, except public roads, parking areas, boat ramp, designated birding trail and designated dog training area.
- Upland game bird shooting hours begin at 10 a.m.
- Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit.
Gorr Island Unit:
Gorr Island is located four miles south of the Miller Island Unit in the Klamath River, accessible only by boat. Gorr Island is open daily with no wildlife area permit required during authorized seasons.
Shoalwater Bay Unit and Sesti Tgawaals Unit:
Shoalwater Bay and Sesti Tgawaals are both located on the west side of Upper Klamath Lake approximately 10 miles to the north and west of Klamath Falls. Shoalwater Bay and Sesti Tgawaals Units are both open for hunting daily with no wildlife area permit required during authorized seasons.
Hunting Information Miller Island Unit:
Miller Island harvest statistics can be found on the MyODFW website: Klamath Wildlife Area
If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5732.
Summer Lake Wildlife Area
The wildlife area is currently closed to all game bird hunting.
Summer Lake Wildlife Area harvest statistics and weekly bird counts can be found on the ODFW website. Maps are available in the Headquarters lobby area.
Non-toxic shot is required for all game bird hunting and posted refuges are closed to hunting.
Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 for additional information.
LAKE COUNTY:
Turkey: Season opensvon April 15, with youth weekend on the 13/14. Turkey populations are extremely low in Lake County, and only persist due to translocations of birds. No translocations occurred in winter 2023/24 due to the risk of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The wild birds that do exist are primarily located on the western side of the Goose Lake Valley in the Interstate unit.
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area
All hunting seasons have closed.
Please call the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area with any questions 541-963-4954.
UNION COUNTY
Spring turkey: Turkey season opens up on April 15. Hunters should focus their efforts early in the season following the green up band up slope. We had a fairly mild winter and access to most spots will be fairly easy, barring our upper elevations where turkeys will not be quite yet. Locating birds on the roost early in the morning and setting up close is a effective way to hunt them, with evenings also being productive.