The three areas opening for the first time Dec. 2 include the area around Fern Ridge Reservoir near Eugene, Grand Island area near St. Paul, and the Tangent area. Check stations located at the Nielson Road parking lot at the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, or at Greenberry, seven miles south of Corvallis on Hwy. 99W, or at Wilbur Ellis Agricultural Products, three miles west of Tangent on Hwy. Check stations located at the St. Paul Market in St. Paul, or at G.I. Joes on Commercial St., S.E. in Salem. Increased funding was critical to opening these areas.
Bales says the funding came as a direct result of support from Oregon's congressional delegation.
They recognized that these geese pose a serious problem for farmers and that hunters can help solve that problem. As with last year, hunters must have a valid Northwest Oregon Goose permit and harvest card, which they will receive automatically after passing the goose identification test. Hunters who have not yet taken the test should contact their local ODFW office for the home-study booklet and local test times. The regulations in this flyer supersede those printed in the 1998-99 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. It's also critical that hunters check the 24-hour recorded line immediately prior to hunting to find out if their hunt area is still open.