Wallowa County Outdoors: Kokanee fishing interest revitalized at lake

Dry weather conditions continue early this week, prompting Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to remind outdoor recreationists to check on fire restrictions and possible road closures in areas where they may intend to hunt or fish.

Archery season opened last weekend and several upland bird seasons open this week, along with continuing excellent fishing opportunities.

ODFW suggests that sportsmen keep plans flexible and move activities in the event of road closures due to fire.

Recent road closures in Wallowa County were removed when the Tryon fire complex was contained, but open fire restrictions remain in place throughout the county early this week.

An ODFW spokesman says that the department does not close hunting seasons due to fire hazards, but plans may need to be adjusted if an active fire or landowner or land management agency closes access into a favorite location.

Cooperative Travel Management road closures are in effect as scheduled.

Current information about fire restrictions is available at (egov.oregon.gov.odf/fire/fire.shtml)

Hunting activity last weekend was generally reported as low. Dave Tanzey at Imnaha Store says he is getting numerous calls from hunters who believed that road closures in the area were still in effect and he anticipates a greater turnout this weekend when hunters combine their first outing with the long Labor Day weekend.

Archery hunting success was low over opening weekend from a combination of hot weather, that kept big game at rest during the day and the small number of hunters.

Bird seasons open this week for mourning doves and forest grouse. There seems to be a good number of doves early in the week, which could provide a few days of good hunting if frosty nights don’t arrive just ahead of the season, which is a typical scenario, and send most of the birds south.