Oregon wildfires may impact big game hunting seasons

Wildfires in Oregon's Baker and Grant counties are expected to impact upcoming big game hunting seasons, though biologists suggest the impact may be less severe than in 2024. While Oregon has seen record-breaking acreage burned this summer, these specific counties have been relatively less affected compared to other regions.

Significant blazes include the Fox and Powder River fires, which scorched nearly 100,000 acres within the Lookout Mountain Unit, a designated area for mule deer hunts. Other notable fires include the Bologna, Olive Butte, and Salmon fires. Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife noted that while mule deer typically remain in their usual ranges after a fire, elk are more likely to temporarily relocate from blackened areas.

The primary concern for hunters, particularly during the archery season beginning August 29, is the closure of public lands. For instance, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest recently closed sections north and west of Sumpter due to the McCulley and North Pole fires.