Oregon Wildfire, Access Resources For Deer, Elk Archers As Seasons Begin; Problem With myODFW App For iPhones, iPads Reported

THE FOLLOWING ARE PRESS RELEASES FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

As archery hunters head into the field, fires are burning—including the White River fire which as of yesterday was less than a half mile from the boundary of ODFW’s White River Wildlife Area. 

Hunters are reminded to check for access before they go and follow fire restrictions. Go to https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html to access an interactive fire restrictions map. The most common restrictions are:

• Campfires are either prohibited or restricted to certain areas.
• Smoking and off -road driving is also prohibited in most areas, which includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
• Vehicles must have either a gallon of water or a fully charged and operational 2½-pound fire extinguisher and shovel (except when travelling on state highways or county roads).
• ATVs must have a charged and operational 2½-pound fire extinguisher.
• Roads and areas may be closed while firefighters are actively fighting a fire.

Below are some helpful links for checking on access and fire restrictions:

Private timberland: For a list of corporate closures on private timberland, visit http://www.ofic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2020-OFIC-Closure-Form.pdf The chart also contains phone numbers to get the latest information from timberland owners.

Federal land: Check the U.S. Forest Service or BLM website or call them.

For the White River Wildlife Area, the fire has closed the Smock Prairie area to public access and there are evacuation warnings for the Smock Prairie and Pine Grove portions of the wildlife area. For the latest on the fire visit the InciWeb fire page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013/

Firefighters throughout the state have been busy following numerous lightning events this month. But human-caused fires have been a factor for firefighters as well. 

“The end of fire season is not yet in sight. Vegetation remains dry, extreme fire danger persists, and firefighting resources have been stretched thin throughout the region due to the amount of wildfires currently burning on the landscape. The chance of any spark or abandoned campfire turning into a harmful blaze is real,” says Kristin Babbs, Executive Director of Keep Oregon Green, which works to increase awareness of wildlife fire risk and how to prevent human-caused wildfires. “Our plea to hunters, other outdoor recreationalists and the general public is to be vigilant and have fire prevention front and center in their minds.”

Regulations changes for 2020

Archery hunters are also reminded of some hunting regulation changes for this year:

Commercial cervid attractants (deer and elk urine) banned: Hunters may not possess or use a commercial cervid attractant that contains or is derived from cervid urine, a regulation that was passed by the 2019 Oregon State Legislature to protect Oregon’s deer, elk and moose from Chronic Wasting Disease. More info

Cameras allowed on bows: For the 2020 season, archery hunters may attach a camera to their bow, provided the camera has no other function (e.g. no range finders are allowed). This change does not appear in the printed regulations but is in the online E-regulations.

Note there is a printing error on page 28 in the archery deer section of the printed regulations. The Biggs Unit is not closed; it is open to archery deer hunting.

***********************

ODFW recently became aware that the MyODFW app will not open on iPhones or iPads when the device is out of cell service or in airplane mode—users will get an error message instead. App users who encounter this problem will not be able to e-tag their fish or animal once out of cell service if their MyODFW app isn’t already open on their Apple device.

ODFW is working on fixing the problem but isn’t sure when it will be resolved. In the meantime, ODFW is asking iPhone and iPad users to take the following steps. (Android devices are not affected.)

• Take a screenshot of your license and tags.
• Open the app while you still have cell service or WiFi and leave it turned on/logged in during your trip.
• Do not swipe the app off the screen during your trip as this will close the MyODFW app.
• If possible, do not turn off your phone during your trip as this will close the MyODFW app.

Until this problem is resolved, the screenshot showing a valid tag will temporarily suffice to show to Oregon State Police or ODFW, should you encounter them in the field. However, MyODFW app users who encounter this problem must immediately complete e-tagging once they are back in cell or WiFi service. Also, app users will need to update to the latest app version that fixes this problem once it is available as the screenshot will no longer suffice for proof of tag (users will be alerted to update their app once the new version is available).

Hunters and anglers who have this problem with their MyODFW app in the field need to take the following steps:

HUNTERS: If you harvest an animal, take all the steps you normally would (except for electronically validating the tag and adding the confirmation number to your handwritten tag). Reminder that hunters who are e-tagging need to write their name, ODFW ID, date of birth and harvest date on anything that will stand up to the elements (like flagging or duct tape) and affix it to the animal like a traditional tag. Keep it attached to the carcass in transport. As soon as you are back in cell service, complete e-tagging and write the confirmation number down on whatever is affixed to your animal.

ANGLERS: At the time of harvest, document the required information (species, type wild or hatchery, location) either on paper or with any tool available on your mobile device (text, email, notepad). As soon as you are in cell service, complete the regular e-tagging procedure.

ODFW is notifying all customers who have downloaded the MyODFW app and opted in to receive emails from us about this problem.

“We apologize for this inconvenience and want to thank all our customers for their business and their patience while we resolve this problem,” said Mathew Oeder, ODFW Management Resources Division Administrator.