Fall hunting seasons are underway, and hunters are reminded that Access Areas and Open Fields properties provide great opportunities on private land – just don’t forget to fill out a free permit when required!

Some Access Areas and Open Fields properties require hunters to fill out a free permit to go hunting on the property, information that ODFW uses to track the property’s use. Hunters who do fill out a permit are entered to win a firearm provided by ODFW and Oregon Hunters Association. Recently, Shaun Mullins of Heppner won a rifle for filling out a permit.

Look for a free standing kiosk when you visit the property to get the permit and fill it out (see photo). Find out about Access Areas and Open Fields properties at www.oregonhuntingmap.com, along with information on ODFW wildlife areas, TMAs and other private and public properties open to hunting.

It’s a great year to go upland bird hunting at these properties, as wild upland bird populations are at some of the highest levels seen in the past decade. “An excellent production year in 2017 coupled with a mild winter and spring has resulted in abundant populations of chukar and California quail, and we are also seeing strong returns on wild pheasants and gray partridge,” said Mikal Cline, ODFW’s upland bird coordinator. “If you’ve been waiting for a good year to go afield for upland game birds in Oregon, this is it.”

Some of the strongest populations of upland game birds are in the Columbia Basin, including Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Morrow counties. Much of the best bird habitat in this area is on private land, but ODFW has partnered with private landowners in the Columbia Basin to provide public hunting access to some premier game bird habitat through the Access and Habitat program, Regulated Hunt Areas, and the Upland Cooperative Access Program. Visit the Columbia Basin Hunting Guide online to find out more about these areas and how to hunt them.

Find out more about upland bird hunting at ODFW’s how-to page, or in the Weekly Game Bird Hunting Report.