An exceptionally mild and warm 2025-‘26 winter across much of Oregon has provided good overwinter survival for Oregon’s deer and elk herds.
Drought-impacted areas got a short reprieve in spring before dry conditions returned in late summer. Recent rains with cooler temperatures offer a temporary fix as fall moves into winter.
Big game fitness and resiliency heading into fall hunting seasons will vary by region. Check out the fall forecast at https://myodfw.com/articles/2026-big-game-hunting-forecast.
Meanwhile, it’s…