New year, new rules for outdoor enthusiasts
PORTLAND, Ore. - Attention all hunters, anglers, boaters and ATV riders - with a new year comes new rules and regulations and knowing what they are will keep you out of trouble.
And to help you figure out what's new this year, we've put together a list of the big changes or modifications that you should be aware of:
OREGON
Sturgeon Fishing
In 2012, the bag limit was five but in 2013 you will only be able to keep one. It was originally supposed to be a limit of two this next year, but the Fish and Wildlife Commission made a last-minute change based on new information they received about Columbia River fisheries.
Barbless Hooks
You'll have to use a barbless hook when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout on the Columbia River from the mouth to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam. The rule will also affect some tributaries, including the Willamette River from the mouth to the falls in Oregon City (including the Multnomah Channel and Gilbert River).
Ice Fishing
Diamond Lake will be open for fishing year round in 2013, which means anglers can do some ice fishing during the winter months.
Free Fishing Weekend
Free Fishing Weekend (no license required to fish, crab or clam) is moving to the first full weekend in June to align it with the state's Free Camping Weekend and National Trails Day.
Mandatory Reporting for Hunters
Mandatory reporting - hunters need to report on their hunts by Jan. 31, whether they were successful or not. Even if you did not go hunting, you still need to report. If you don't report on time, you could be fined $25. And as an incentive to report on time, you will be entered to win a special tag that allows for a longer hunting season and expanded area.
- You can file a report online or by calling 1-866-947-6339.
Bow Hunting
Three new spike only controlled bow hunts have been added in Mt. Emily, Walla Walla, and Wenaha; these controlled hunts will be the hunter’s only archery elk opportunity for the year. The controlled elk tag will be required to deer hunt in these units during the archery season
Elk Hunting
The unit-wide Ochoco antlerless elk hunt has been replaced with private lands hunts to move elk back onto national forest lands, and a second controlled bow hunt for bulls only has been added in the Ochoco Unit.
Antlerless elk hunting on National Forest lands on the west slope of the Cascades will be reduced for almost all hunters, muzzleloader, rifle, archery, including those with Disability Permits.
Boating
No changes this year, but the Oregon State Marine Board would like boaters to keep these two laws in mind:
- Mandatory Education Requirement - Anyone who operates a powerboat over 10 horsepower must take a boating safety course (classroom, approved Internet, or equivalency exam) and carry a boater education card with them on the water.
- Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program - Boaters need to have a permit as part of the ongoing effort to keep invasive species out of Oregon's waterways.
ATV Riding
Effective January 1, 2012, both on-line safety training and hands-on rider training are required for youth 15 and under.
The classifications for Class I, II, and III ATVs are changing, and a fourth class of ATV (Class IV ATVs- Side x Sides) is being added.
For a Complete List of Oregon's 2013 Regulations
WASHINGTON
Barbless Hooks
You'll have to use a barbless hook when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout on the Columbia River from the mouth to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam.
- For more details
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's fishing hotline: (360) 902-2500
- The Columbian: Barbless hooks coming to Columbia River
Mandatory Reporting for Hunters
Hunters have a chance to win one of nine 2013 special hunting permits if they report this year’s hunting activities for black bear, deer, elk, or turkey to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife by Jan. 10. There's a $10 fine for not reporting.
For a Complete List of Washington's 2013 Regulations
Don't complain while you still vote for democrats. It's there function to destroy freedom.
ODFW's prime function is to make itself piles of cash. The cost of tags is swiftly turning hunting into a rich persons pursuit, not to mention the increasing cost of weapons and ammo, fuel etc...
The odds of drawing tags in my traditional unit are almost the same as hitting the powerball these days.
Like others have said, what else would you expect from government that is now for itself instead of being for the people.
Don't bother hunting in Oregon, It's been so screwed. Go hunt Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alaska. There you have a chance. Unless you want to drop $5k on an Eastern Oregon Rancher to hunt or look for whats left after the poachers of government favored ethnicities have their way.
@oops Really? I saw many buck and my fiance shot at a nice Whitetail 3pt in Eastern Oregon where we hunt, whereas I was in Washington and saw NOTHING. To many private lands in East Side with Permission only. If Washington had the same land-owner perks that Oregon offers, there would be more successful deer hunts. Oh, by the way my part hunting on public lands and private lands open to the public pulled out 2 deer for 5 hunters the last half of the hunt.... Usually we do at least a 66% success rate...
Just looked at the sections that affect the way I'm going to hunt next season - the changes make sense. No problems that I see
You might want to download the PDFs
how am i going to feed myself?
 @Phuzz Gub'mint cheese, comrade.
Every fish, deer, varmint, elf, bear, coon, (oops), should have an armed guard and the ILWU should be the ones to fill the jobs!
 @Manic Peddy hahaha!  Â
Hunting and fishing is a state run industry, desinged to allow the state to fine you.
It is good of KATU to help get the word out. And the links are worth reading also. Especially the invasive species information. Too many do not take seriously the rules that help everyone.
No rights are being taken away, just at times more information to sift through, to make sure you are not breaking laws. Laws in place usually to help the majority.
And other than hiring more government welfare workers to keep up with these changes, how the heII are any of these bureaucratic BS laws going to help the economy? All hail Liberalism.
 @last boyscout Yeah, I always tend to forget conservatives make all the right decisions all the time.
Even if you didn't go hunting you still have to report? How whacked is that? Every year more and more rights are taken away.
Â
"Attention all hunters, anglers, boaters and ATVÂ riders - with a new year comes new rules and regulations and knowing what they are will keep you out of trouble."
Â
Of course there are. Isn't that what government is all about?
 @RalphCramden Very similar to the FAA. I went through a whole section of government safety material on how not to get busted by the FAA for breaking a regulation.
Â
"Safety," to me, is about going home alive, not just avoiding trouble with the empire.
 @PlayanekesÂ
There are so many regulations and I am sure I break a dozen of them every day. Today I am replacing some old electrical outlets and I am sure I need to have a permit and approved.
Â
Screw the empire. Power to the rebels.
oh yeah, and turn in all handguns and semi-automatic weapons of any kind
 @Lo Pan Don't have any left. Tragic boating accident. :(
 @Lo Pan I already turned mine in. Every single one of 'em. I promise.
 @Playanekes  @Lo Pan Just don't look under your bed, back of the closet, in the attic, behind the book case, under the lamp with the large base, or in your pants though right:)
 @Lo Pan HAHAHAHAHAA.....no.
@Lo Pan "with lamp shades on their heads" I presume you are being facetious.