From left, Larry Bennett and Otis Ricker, both of Mt. Vernon, show off the 20-pound turkey they got during a hunt this week. The Eagle/Allan Mandell

Following is the recent recreation report from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

GRANT DISTRICT

COUGAR: Harvested cougars are required to be checked into an ODFW field office within 10 days of the hunt.

BAKER DISTRICT

SQUIRRELS: Excellent squirrel hunting can be found this time of year in the agricultural valleys. Many private landowners are happy to grant access to hunters who ask permission.

TURKEYS: Time to start scouting for spring turkey season which starts April 15. Look for turkeys in lower elevation forest of the Keating and Pine Creek Units.

COUGARS: Cougar numbers remain at high levels. With the absence of fresh snow cougar hunting is best accomplished with the use of calls and patience.

COYOTES: Coyote numbers remain relatively high and calling and trapping should be good. Be sure to ask permission to hunt or trap on private properties.

UMATILLA/PENDLETON DISTRICT

COUGAR: Cougars are well distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and sitting on it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located. Tracking conditions will improve with snows forecast for the end of November and December.

COYOTE: Coyotes are numerous throughout the District and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands.

Wallowa District

COUGAR: Cougars are abundant throughout Wallowa County, but can be difficult to observe during winter months. Locating fresh cougar sign and patiently calling attempting to imitate a fawn or calf in distress can sometimes be an effective technique.

COYOTE: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling is most successful in areas of reduced human activity.

SQUIRRELS: Excellent time for hunting ground squirrels. Many private landowners are happy to grant permission.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Areas above 4,000 feet still have snow while lower elevations are soft and muddy, making off-roading difficult. Roads plowed for logging still provide some access, but will have log truck traffic. Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock travel management areas are in effect through May 31.

UNION DISTRICT

COUGAR – Locating fresh cougar tracks in the snow continues to be a good starting point on where to hunt. More hunters are starting to use remotely activated calls with good results. Finding a fresh deer or elk kill that a cougar has fed on is an excellent place to set up a blind down wind of the carcass. Cougar will cover their kills between feeding and are most active in the morning and early evening.

GROUND SQUIRRELS – As the weather warms in the next several months, ground squirrels will begin to become available. Scout agricultural grounds on the east side of the Grande Ronde Valley and southern Union County. Always ask for permission before hunting private lands. Many landowners are receptive to allowing youth ground squirrel hunters.

TURKEY – Spring turkey season opens April 15. The mild winter has resulted in excellent turkey survival. Some birds have already started moving upslope. Most of the turkeys are located in the northern end of the county. Elkhorn Wildlife Area is closed to all entry.

BEAR – Spring bear season opens April 15. Look for bears in mid to low elevations within the Starkey Unit. Elkhorn Wildlife Area is closed to all entry. Successful hunters are requested to send in a premolar tooth for black bear population monitoring.

VIEWING

Bald eagles can be seen along the South Columbia River basin wildlife management areas.

BAKER DISTRICT: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bald eagles can be observed along Snake River Road between Huntington and Richland. Waterfowl viewing opportunities are abundant this time of year at the reservoir and pods of the county. Listen for ruffed grouse drumming in forested areas.

WALLOWA DISTRICT: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer can be observed at the Wenaha Wildlife Area, Troy, Oregon. Eden Bench provides a good opportunity to view deer and elk, while bighorn sheep are often observed in rim rocks above the Grande Ronde River. Bald eagles are common along the Grande Ronde River near Troy, and along the Wallowa River from Minam to Joseph.

BRIDGE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA: Good elk viewing opportunities at the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area in Pendleton.

ELKHORN WILDLIFE AREAS: Reopen to public access. Many migratory song birds are returning to the area. With warmer temperatures elk are leaving the feed site areas.