ODFW & COVID-19, March 23

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW offices are limiting public access beginning Monday, March 23, as part of statewide efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. While all ODFW offices will be closed to walk-in visitors as of Monday morning when they open, ODFW staff remain available by phone and email to assist customers. See ODFW contacts online at https://myodfw.com/contact-us Hunting and fishing seasons remain open as adopted in permanent and in-season regulations. Fish are being stocked in lakes and ponds. ODFW wildlife areas remain open to day-use including hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, but overnight camping at wildlife areas is prohibited beginning Sunday, March 22. Fish hatcheries are closed to visitors so staff remain healthy and keep hatcheries operating. State public health officials say that hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other outdoor recreation is OK to do in small groups, provided people maintain social distance (minimum of 3-6 feet from other people) and stay home if they are sick. See Oregon Health Authority’s FAQ for more information on outdoor recreation and COVID-19 and other guidance. In keeping with public safety guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19, ODFW is adjusting some regulations that required people to visit our offices: SOME BEAR AND COUGAR CHECK-IN REQUIREMENTS WAIVED – Successful cougar and bear hunters are temporarily not required to check-in their animal at an ODFW office, though they do still need to report basic information about their harvest within 10 days. Hunters need to call the office in the district where they harvested their cougar or bear and report their name, ODFW ID number, date of harvest, location of harvest (wildlife management unit), sex of animal and confirmation number for electronic tags. Or, they can email all the above information to ODFW.WildlifeInfo@state.or.us ROADKILL PERMITS – Rules requiring that people check in roadkill parts within 5 business days have also been waived with the exception of heads with antlers from male deer and male elk. (The requirement to surrender heads with antlers is in statute and cannot be waived by ODFW.) Roadkill permittees must call a local office to arrange surrendering antlers. Please call your local office within 5 days of salvaging roadkill to make arrangements (though the actual surrender may occur after 5 days). LICENSE SALES – Sales of all hunting and fishing licenses and controlled hunt applications continue online and at license sale agents that are open. Purchase online at https://odfw.huntfishoregon.com/login  Customers who have never purchased online before, find tips at www.myodfw.com/els Don’t forget to use the Verify/Look Up button to find your account if you have preference points, certifications, or have purchased an annual license since 2016 or later. If you need assistance with online purchasing, email odfw.websales@state.or.us or call Licensing at (503) 947-6101. WILDLIFE AREAS OPEN FOR DAY USE, CLOSE TO CAMPING – ODFW is also closing its Wildlife Areas to overnight camping effective Sunday, March 22. Campers need to vacate their campground before 10 p.m. on Sunday night. While camping will be prohibited, wildlife areas that are currently open remain open to visitors for day-use activities including wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation. (Note some areas are closed annually this time of year to protect wintering wildlife but they reopen on various dates in April.) The closure affects both dispersed camping and established campgrounds. See the ODFW Wildlife Area Visitor Guide for more information, https://myodfw.com/visit-odfw-wildlife-areas SPECIAL LICENSES – Special licenses for people and veterans with disabilities can be applied for via online form and mailed; see https://myodfw.com/articles/hunters-and-anglers-disabilities for more information. Pioneer license applications are also online at https://myodfw.com/articles/pioneer-and-other-licenses-seniors These special licenses can be renewed online at ODFW’s Licensing Page. “We are taking these steps with the well-being of our staff and our customers in mind, and we thank you for your understanding,” said Curt Melcher, ODFW Director. “The closure is to avoid people standing in lines, failing to maintain social distancing or coming into close contact with staff. ODFW is still here to serve you, but through other, safer means during this time,” he added.  Find the latest ODFW updates related to COVID-19 at https://myodfw.com/COVID-19 For the latest on COVID-19 in Oregon, see the Oregon Health Authority webpage at https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19