11-08-2007, 07:10 PM
Visit the Oregon Hatchery Research Center in Alsea this weekend for an opportunity to view salmon spawning and wildlife native to coastal streams. Brilliant red, orange and gold leaves against a backdrop of l green mountains and verdant fields, make the drive part of the destination. The Visitors' Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes displays of the salmon life cycle.
If predicted showers materialize on Friday or Saturday, water flow in Fall Creek will be ideal for wild fall chinook spawning. Blue heron and American dippers are daily visitors and there is usually the opportunity to see red-legged frogs, beaver and otter. Deer and elk are seen early in the morning and in the evening.
The 32-acre Hatchery Research Center is close enough for a day trip and far enough off the beaten path, you'll know you are in one of Oregon's wonderful wild places. See Willamette Zone Viewing for directions.
HUNTING: Have a wild turkey day
Turkey day is quickly approaching-why not try to put a wild turkey on the Thanksgiving dinner table? You can still purchase a general season tag for $18 and hunt in many counties in Southwest and Willamette Zones. See below for fall hunting tips and look to zone reports or ODFW's turkey hunting brochure for more info.
Turkeys in the fall are less vocal and less responsive to hunter calls but they flock up in larger groups. Some successful hunters disperse turkey flocks, then sit down and call using the lost call or whistle-like sounds turkeys make when regrouping. Call sparingly in the fall so you don't scare turkeys away.
Look for turkeys in food (hard and soft mast) producing areas like under oak, maple, hawthorn or dogwood trees. Turkeys tend to seek out easy food from local ranches and farms. Insects are still an important part of a turkey's diet in the fall too so key in on grasshopper producing areas.<br />
Turkeys spend a lot of time wandering large areas foraging for food. They are not tied to territories like they are in the spring breeding time so increase your searching and calling areas.<br />
Be prepared for adverse weather conditions.<br />
Remember that other hunts, like deer and elk hunting, might be going on in the same area so be safe and be sure of your target.<br />
Ask permission before hunting on private land (where many turkeys are found).
If predicted showers materialize on Friday or Saturday, water flow in Fall Creek will be ideal for wild fall chinook spawning. Blue heron and American dippers are daily visitors and there is usually the opportunity to see red-legged frogs, beaver and otter. Deer and elk are seen early in the morning and in the evening.
The 32-acre Hatchery Research Center is close enough for a day trip and far enough off the beaten path, you'll know you are in one of Oregon's wonderful wild places. See Willamette Zone Viewing for directions.
HUNTING: Have a wild turkey day
Turkey day is quickly approaching-why not try to put a wild turkey on the Thanksgiving dinner table? You can still purchase a general season tag for $18 and hunt in many counties in Southwest and Willamette Zones. See below for fall hunting tips and look to zone reports or ODFW's turkey hunting brochure for more info.
Turkeys in the fall are less vocal and less responsive to hunter calls but they flock up in larger groups. Some successful hunters disperse turkey flocks, then sit down and call using the lost call or whistle-like sounds turkeys make when regrouping. Call sparingly in the fall so you don't scare turkeys away.
Look for turkeys in food (hard and soft mast) producing areas like under oak, maple, hawthorn or dogwood trees. Turkeys tend to seek out easy food from local ranches and farms. Insects are still an important part of a turkey's diet in the fall too so key in on grasshopper producing areas.<br />
Turkeys spend a lot of time wandering large areas foraging for food. They are not tied to territories like they are in the spring breeding time so increase your searching and calling areas.<br />
Be prepared for adverse weather conditions.<br />
Remember that other hunts, like deer and elk hunting, might be going on in the same area so be safe and be sure of your target.<br />
Ask permission before hunting on private land (where many turkeys are found).