Celebrate the Season

All of us at ODFW are wishing you a wonderful holiday season. We’d like to thank you for supporting ODFW and fish, wildlife and habitat conservation in Oregon. These beloved natural resources mean so much to all of us and we encourage you to give a gift of the outdoors to someone on your list this holiday season. Share with them the splendor of Oregon’s outdoors and feel good knowing your dollars help to preserve these natural resources for current and future generations to come.

Hooray the holidays are here. Did you know that as of December 1, all 2024 licenses are on sale? Now is the perfect time to give the gift of the outdoors. Stressed out about what to give? We’re here to help. We’ve got gift lists for the angler and/or hunter on your list as well as suggestions to delight any outdoor enthusiast in your life. Check out our recommendations below and get rave reviews from those you give gifts to this year.

A great gift for kayakers, rafters, and paddleboarders as the permit is required for paddlecraft (SUPs, rafts, drift boats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) 10 feet long and longer and sailboats under 12 feet. Sales of these permits support the aquatic invasive species prevention program and grants for boating facilities.

The wildlife viewer or hiker in your life would enjoy an annual permit that allows parking at all of ODFW's 20+ wildlife areas (including Sauvie Island in Portland).

Conservation stamps are a great gift for both art and wildlife lovers and support conservation of Oregon's most vulnerable fish and wildlife and their habitats. Collector stamps and signed art prints are also available, along with upland bird, and waterfowl stamps. Purchase your art prints using this form.

Fund new opportunities for wildlife watching, urban conservation, community science and other wildlife-associated recreation with a donation to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF). Simply, round up your purchase in ODFW’s license system. Donate via the OCRF’s website in honor of a loved one or friend by writing their name in the donation box.

A Note on Gifting Licenses

If you already have an ODFW account and are buying for family and friends that have one too, the Group Purchase feature makes it even easier to give gifts. To gift an annual license for a brand new customer, you need their name, date of birth, address, email and other personal information.

Mussels, razor clams, Dungeness crab and more! There are plenty of delicious shellfish to harvest with a simple license to crab and clam. An annual license is a great stocking stuffer for any adventurer and food lover in your life.

Gift someone on your list the thrill of the catch with the purchase of an annual fishing license this year. Fishing really is approachable and fun for all ages and skill levels, but we’ll help you get started to add some cheer.

Whether new and aspiring or seasoned and avid – the hunter in your life would love to receive an annual hunting license from you. Gift them a combination license if you want to provide the full outdoor experience to your loved one this year. Then they’ll be able to go fishing and hunting all year long. Elf Pro Tip: Consider a SportsPac if you really want to impress!

Support more recreational access and habitat restoration work by gifting someone a series of raffle tickets. Each ticket is a chance to win a four-month long big game hunting season and the proceeds from the raffle benefit the Access and Habitat program.

2024 Fishing and Big Game Regs Out Now

It’s time to start planning next year’s outdoor adventures! Grab a copy of the 2024 regs at your local license agent or at the eregulations.com webpage (see under PDF Downloads).

Winter Trout Fishing Tips

In Oregon, trout fishing is available year-round. Winter is one of the best times to go if you’re up for a challenge. This time of year, Oregon’s popular trout rivers have smaller crowds and beautiful winter landscapes to see. ODFW’s tips will help you catch more trout in winter conditions.

Hunt Birds on Private Land with Open Fields

The Oregon Open Fields program helps connect goose hunters with Willamette Valley private landowners experiencing goose damage and upland bird hunters with access to private land in the Columbia Basin.

Goose Hunting Season Continues

The NW Permit goose season doesn’t end until March 10 and is a great way to extend your hunting season—but you need to be familiar with each subspecies and pass a test to hunt this region.

Catch of the Month Photo Showcase

Report a Wildlife or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity 
Call 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone
Email TIP@osp.oregon.gov​ between hours of 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday – Friday

ODFW Messenger: Special Edition | December 2023

The ODFW Messenger is a monthly email which highlights some of the best seasonal opportunity available, and we’ll cover content for fishing, hunting, clamming, crabbing, wildlife viewing, and everything in between. Consider the Messenger your short list for the best adventures in the current season. Lastly, we want to thank you for your continued readership and hope you’ll share it with your friends.