Page 14 - hunt tab 2013.indd

14 HUNTING & FISHING 2013 August 2013
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
adopted bird hunting and fishing regulations
on Aug. 2 during its meeting in Eugene.
Bird hunting regulations adopted cover the
period from Sept. 1 through May 31, 2014.
Printed copies of the regulations will be avail-
able later in August. Here’s a look as some of
the changes from last year’s regulations.
BIRD HUNTING
Duck/other migratory birds:
• Canvasback bag limit increases to two
(up from one last year.)
• The possession limit for all migratory
game birds increases to three-times the daily
bag limit (up from two-times.)
• Scaup season will revert to a moderate
limit of 3/day with an 86-day season.
September Canada goose:
• Klamath County reopens (closed to
September goose since 2006).
• Bag limit back to five a day in Eastern
Oregon (up from 3/day).
Regular goose seasons:
• Allows white goose hunting on Sauvie
Island Wildlife Area (primarily snow geese),
which will increase public land opportunity
for geese in Northwest Oregon. (A North-
west goose permit is required.)
• Separate dark goose limits into individu-
al limits for Canada geese and white-fronted
geese.
• Bag limit of four for Canada geese in
most areas and six for white-fronted geese in
most areas.
• Different seasons for white-fronts and
Canada geese in Malheur County.
• Shorten split during Klamath County
Canada goose season so it is identical to
Lake and Harney counties.
• Increase bag limit for white geese in Mal-
heur County to 20/day (up from 10/day.)
Non-resident licenses
The three-day non-resident bird hunting
license will cover all game birds and in-
clude a wildlife area parking permit. (Non-
residents must still purchase applicable
tags and validations.) Previously, this li-
cense did not include a parking permit or
cover mourning dove, band-tailed pigeon,
turkey and snipe hunting.
Upland birds
Most upland game bird seasons are set un-
der a five-year framework, so 2013-14 seasons
are similar to last year except for standard date
shifts. The only major changes from last year
are:
• Closure of part of the Whitehorse Unit to
sage-grouse hunting to protect birds using
habitat impacted by last year’s fires.
• No minimum shot size for turkey, as new
alloys provide effective shot in smaller sizes.
• The commission did approve dates for sev-
eral special pheasant hunting clinics for youths
and adults. Registration for these events is
open now; see the ODFW Outdoors Calendar
for information or sign up directly at ODFW’s
license sales page. Note: ODFW is offering a
new Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt on Sept.
15 at EEWilsonWildlife Area near Corvallis.
FISHING
The Commission also adopted 2014 sport
fishing regulations. After last year’smajor pub-
lic process to revise the regulations, most
changes for 2014 are relatively minor and ad-
dress issues related to conservation, house-
keeping or expanded fishing opportunities.
Key changes include:
• Expand the Willamette River sturgeon
sanctuary in Oregon City an additional 5 1/2
miles from the I-205 bridge to the Lake Oswego-
Oak Grove bridge.
• Open the Willamette River above the Falls
to sturgeon retention.
• Close the upper Sandy River above the con-
fluence with the Salmon River to salmon and
steelhead fishing from July 1 to Aug. 31. The
closure is designed to protect wild spring chi-
nook.
BIG GAME
The Commission also reinstated the five-
year review period for Oregon’s Black Bear
and Cougar Management Plans, due to public
request and the continued high level of inter-
est in management of large predators.
— ODFW
434996.HFG0813
The Brand Names You Want
Rock Bottom Prices With Reliable Service
TO B A C C
O
OUTLET
Everyday
Low Prices
WE NOW HAVE
HOT DOGS, CORN
DOGS & MORE
503-661-2290
1173 NE Division • Near Pony Soldier, Gresham
7am - 10pm Sun - Thurs • 7am - 11pm Fri & Sat
TO B A C C
O
OUTLET
Everyday
Low Prices
SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING:
Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduced Serious Risks to Your Health.
Prices subject to change. While supplies last. Not valid with any other offer.
Limit 3. Expires 10/31/13. 1 coupon per day per person
$1 OFF
ANY CARTON
WE HAVE
E-CIGS, BLU,
CIG20 & MORE
CIGARS
ENERGY
DRINKS
SNACKS
Strong expected returns of spring chi-
nook salmon are buoying fishing pros-
pects on the Sandy River this summer, ac-
cording to Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife biologists.
“We have a good return of spring chi-
nook this year and fishing conditions are
excellent,” said Todd Alsbury, fish biolo-
gist for ODFW’s North Willamette Water-
shed District. Alsbury said an estimated
6,500 spring chinook are expected to re-
turn to the Sandy River basin this year.
“People just aren’t used to fishing for
spring chinook in the summer,” he said,
adding, “This is a great time for an outing
on one of Oregon’s most scenic rivers.”
Of the total, approximately 4,000 are
hatchery fish, identified by clipped adi-
pose fins, and are available for harvest.
Wild fish must be immediately released
unharmed under state fishing regulations.
The Sandy is open for fishing from its
confluence with the Columbia near Trout-
dale approximately 35 miles upstream
with its confluence with the Salmon River
near Brightwood.
Public access to the river is available at
the following locations:
• Mouth of the Salmon River off Barlow
Trail Road.
• The former Marmot Dam site.
• Marsh Road near Dodge Park.
• Mouth of the Bull Run River at Dodge
Park.
• Mouth of Cedar Creek below ODFW’s
Sandy Fish Hatchery.
• Oxbow State Park.
• Dabney State Park.
• Lewis & Clark State Park.
• Along Historic Columbia River High-
way next to the river between Lewis &
Clark and Dabney state parks
The Sandy is closed to salmon fishing
above its confluence with the Salmon Riv-
er.
The best fishing is likely going to be be-
tween the mouth of the Salmon River
downstream to Oxbow Park, according to
Alsbury.
“The fish don’t seem to be holding in the
lower river due to the lack of deep pools
that spring chinook tend to hold in,” he
said, “but you still might pick a springer
on its way through to the upper river.”
Alsbury noted that the dynamics of the
Sandy River chinook fishery have changed
in recent years. He said springers now re-
turn later than in years past. Despite this,
the fish are in excellent condition, he said.
Alsbury suggests anglers targeting
these fish look for deep holes, fish earlier
in the morning and later in the evening.
He said effective presentations include a
bobber and eggs/sand shrimp, spoons,
spinners, and even wet flies in the long,
deep riffles where chinook sometime lay.
— ODFW
Chinook fishing looks good on Sandy River
Commission adopts bird hunting, shing regulations for 2013-14 seasons