Wednesday, April 15, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
9
No hunting, fishing for non-residents Citizens can report to
law enforcement online
ODFW is closing rec-
reational hunting, fishing,
crabbing and clamming to
non-residents due to con-
cerns about travel to Oregon
to participate in these out-
door activities.
The agency believes that
such travel could spread
the virus and put more of a
burden on Oregon9s rural
communities.
As of Friday, April 10,
non-residents may no longer
participate in these activi-
ties in Oregon. The restric-
tion extends until COVID-
19 restrictions are lifted and
it is deemed safe to travel
into Oregon. This order does
not apply to anyone liv-
ing in Oregon for less than
six months who has not yet
established residency.
Some states, including
Washington, have closed
hunting and fishing to limit
the spread of the virus.
While seasons remain
open in Oregon (except for
Columbia River salmon/
steelhead fishing), resident
hunters and anglers should
not be travelling to partici-
pate. ODFW is hearing con-
cerns from rural communi-
ties about people visiting
to hunt and fish and plac-
ing additional burdens on
these communities9 limited
resources.
<Rural communities are
concerned about the poten-
tial impact of COVID-19 on
medical and emergency ser-
vices, search and rescue and
their citizens. Some have
asked us to close seasons to
reduce travel,= said ODFW
Director Curt Melcher. <We
would like to keep seasons
open to give locals an outlet
during this difficult time, but
that doesn9t mean it9s OK to
travel to these communities.
Stick close to home and fish
at your local lake, pond or
river and do not go crabbing
or clamming unless you live
on the coast, and then only
to places where access is still
open.=
ODFW monitoring has
shown that while Oregonians
are still participating in fish-
eries, clamming, shed hunt-
ing, and wildlife viewing
it is in significantly lower
numbers and that the major-
ity of participants are doing
it close to home and prac-
ticing social distancing.
<We appreciate that many
Oregonians are taking the
Stay Home, Save Lives order
seriously,= added Melcher.
ODFW field staff moni-
toring participation in the
field have seen out of state
license plates and out of
state angling and shellfish
licenses in use. Staff are
also fielding numerous calls
from non-residents inquiring
about plans come to Oregon
to hunt or fish.
<ODFW believes this
action restricting non-resi-
dents will help local commu-
nities enforce the restrictions
on out-of-state travelers vio-
lating the order, and putting
local resources and residents
at risk,= said Melcher. <We
appreciate everyone9s under-
standing at this difficult time
and look forward to seeing
you outdoors again in the
future when this passes.=
ODFW anticipates there
will be opportunity for non-
residents who have already
purchased a 2020 license to
participate in hunting, fish-
ing or shellfish opportunities
later in the year. ODFW will
refund non-resident spring
bear and spring turkey tags
and reinstate preference
points for spring bear hunt-
ers. Please contact Licensing
at odfw.websales@state.
or.us, 503-947-6101 to
arrange for a refund.
Non-residents inter-
ested in applying for a fall
controlled hunt may still
apply online at https://odfw.
huntfishoregon.com/login
and the deadline to apply
remains May 15.
Oregon residents who do
choose to hunt, fish, crab or
clam are reminded to:
" Stay close to home
rather than traveling far. The
Governor9s Executive Order
says hunting and fishing are
OK, but to limit travel.
" Practice social distanc-
ing and stay six feet away
from anyone who doesn9t
live in your immediate
household, including when
outdoors.
" Check access where
you are headed as the area
may be closed. State Parks
are closed, counties have
closed some parks and
boat ramps, beach access
is closed in some areas and
national forests and BLM
lands have closed recreation
sites.
" Stay home if you are
sick.
" Carry needed supplies
with you to minimize non-
essential stops4includ-
ing buying your license/tag
online instead of making a
trip to a license sale agent
if possible and bringing
all needed food, water and
sanitization supplies with
you.
The Deschutes County
Sheriff9s Office is now offer-
ing an online reporting ser-
vice that allows citizens to
file non-emergency reports
over the Internet.
The service can be uti-
lized for a minor traffic crash,
theft, criminal mischief, or a
vehicle break-in. A citizen
will receive a no cost copy
of their report within seven
days of it being submitted and
approved.
Citizens can also submit
a crime tip, request extra
patrol at a specific location,
or complete a vacation check
request.
The sheriff9s office notes
that this service should not
be used for any crime where
a known suspect has been
identified or for in-progress
crimes or emergencies.
To file on online report,
visit sheriff.deschutes.org and
follow the link to File Online
Report. Reports can be sub-
mitted via a desktop com-
puter or by mobile device. If
a particular crime or incident
is not listed on our webpage,
call non-emergency dispatch
at 541-693-6911 and speak
with a deputy.
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