The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has reopened hunting and fishing opportunities to nonresidents as of Tuesday, May 5, 2020. The reopening is a result of loosened restrictions on outdoor recreation in neighboring Washington state and the surrounding region. ODFW had closed hunting and fishing to nonresidents in early April when there was a surge in purchases of hunting and fishing licenses by out-of-staters due to COVID-19 related closures in other states.
Oregon and Washington have also reopened the salmon and steelhead fishing on the Columbia River, which they had closed jointly due to the pandemic. Crabbing and clamming on the beaches, however, will remain closed to nonresidents for now. Oregon residents who do not live on the coast are also discouraged from traveling to beaches. In some areas beach access may be closed to prevent the possibility of crowding until the crisis passes.
Applications for Oregon’s fall controlled hunts are currently being accepted, and nonresidents are free to submit applications for these hunts. The application deadline is May 15. Hunters may apply online at https://myodfw.com/articles/how-apply-controlled-hunt.
Nonresidents who purchased fishing licenses between April 6-15 and did not keep any fish or shellfish are able to request refunds under a special refund policy. Those who purchased a hunting license for spring turkey and were unable to hunt due to the travel restrictions may request refunds at https://odfw.wufoo.com/forms/nonresident-refund-request-a-covid19-period/ . As reported previously, nonresidents who purchased spring bear tags had until May 1 to request refunds. For questions contact [email protected].
