Oregon archery hunters hit the woods this weekend amid extreme fire danger and glitches in the state’s license phone app that for now won’t work on iPhones or iPads in the field if the device is out of service or in airplane mode.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife this week discovered the glitch on its MyODFW license and tag app that might not let hunters or anglers tag their kills or catch on time while in the field.
The agency is trying to fix it as soon as possible, and the glitch does not affect those using Android devices, ODFW spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy says.
Until it’s fixed, hunters and anglers are asked to take a screenshot on their license and tags. Also, open the app while you still have cell or wifi service and leave it and your phone turned on during the length of your trip.
The Oregon Big game-e resolution for a list of hunt numbers; they will correspond with series and unit (so the Premium deer hunt in Applegate Unit is L28 and the Premium elk hunt is M28). Note that some hunts (highlighted in red in regulations) are mostly on private lands so make sure you arrange for access before applying.
Apply for more than one hunt
You can apply for a tag in each series (deer, elk, and pronghorn) and list a 1st – 5th choice hunt in each series, similar to regular controlled hunt applications. Usually, just one hunter will draw their 1st choice in each unit. We suggest you list at least a 2nd choice hunt in case there is a hunt cancellation or other change.
Where the money goes
ODFW uses the money raised through Premium Hunt sales for special projects that help big game populations, and hunters by providing more hunting opportunity.
One proposal is to use the proceeds for targeted enforcement on key mule deer winter ranges, where documented poaching and other problems are harming mule deer populations.
Hunting Access Map
We are lucky in Oregon to have over 50 percent of the state as public land. Even with all this available land, finding legal entry points can be a challenge. To help find access for your next hunt, there is the Oregon Hunting Access Map:
With this map, you can:
- Search the search function to look-up properties by name, species or wildlife management unit
- Use the species tab at the top to find properties that have the species you are targeting
- View ownership, wildlife management units, and current and historic fire layers by turning on different map layers
- Find game bird ranges via map layers
- Scout with both satellite and map views
