Sunday, August 16, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
North Fork Malheur Wilderness: Backpacking Eastern Oregon's Remote River Canyon

North Fork Malheur Wilderness: Backpacking Eastern Oregon's Remote River Canyon

Tucked into the Malheur National Forest in Grant and Harney counties, the North Fork Malheur Wilderness offers 65,000 acres of remote canyon country, a wild redband trout river, and some of the least-trafficked trails in the entire state.

By HFR Staff  ·  August 15, 2026
Building Your First AR-15 Lower: A Pacific Northwest Shooter's Guide to Assembly and Oregon Legality
Shooting

Building Your First AR-15 Lower: A Pacific Northwest Shooter's Guide to Assembly and Oregon Legality

Building your own AR-15 lower receiver is a satisfying project that saves money and teaches you the platform inside and out. Here's a step-by-step guide for Pacific Northwest shooters, including Oregon-specific legal considerations.

August 15, 2026
Sauvie Island Duck Hunting: Oregon's Premier Metro-Area Waterfowl Destination
Hunting

Sauvie Island Duck Hunting: Oregon's Premier Metro-Area Waterfowl Destination

Ten miles from downtown Portland, Sauvie Island's wildlife management area holds thousands of ducks and geese every fall. Here's everything you need to hunt one of Oregon's most productive and accessible waterfowl destinations.

August 15, 2026
Mann Lake Lahontan Cutthroat: Fly Fishing Oregon's High Desert Trophy Trout
Fishing

Mann Lake Lahontan Cutthroat: Fly Fishing Oregon's High Desert Trophy Trout

Remote, alkaline, and full of trophy-sized Lahontan cutthroat trout, Mann Lake sits at the base of Steens Mountain in Harney County—one of Oregon's most unique and rewarding fly fishing destinations.

August 15, 2026
Fremont-Winema National Forest: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Southern Oregon’s Ponderosa Highlands
Backpacking

Fremont-Winema National Forest: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Southern Oregon’s Ponderosa Highlands

The Fremont-Winema National Forest covers nearly 2.3 million acres of southern Oregon ponderosa highland, yet most backpackers skip it entirely. This 3-day loop through the Fremont corridor rewards off-the-beaten-path adventurers with solitude, wildlife, and stunning volcanic views.

August 14, 2026
NRL Hunter Competition: Getting Started in Practical Long-Range Field Shooting in the Pacific Northwest
Shooting

NRL Hunter Competition: Getting Started in Practical Long-Range Field Shooting in the Pacific Northwest

NRL Hunter brings practical long-range field shooting to competitors across the Pacific Northwest. Here’s how to get started, what to expect at your first match, and why this sport will transform your hunting accuracy.

August 14, 2026
Northern Pintail Duck Hunting on Oregon's Pacific Flyway: Season Dates, Limits, and Decoy Tactics
Hunting

Northern Pintail Duck Hunting on Oregon's Pacific Flyway: Season Dates, Limits, and Decoy Tactics

The northern pintail is one of the most elegant and challenging ducks on the Pacific Flyway. Oregon hunters have solid opportunities from September through January—here's what you need to know to bring home one of the most beautiful birds in waterfowl hunting.

August 14, 2026
Odell Lake Mackinaw (Lake Trout): Deep Jigging and Trolling Oregon's High Cascade Trophy Fishery
Fishing

Odell Lake Mackinaw (Lake Trout): Deep Jigging and Trolling Oregon's High Cascade Trophy Fishery

Odell Lake holds Oregon's best mackinaw (lake trout) fishery, with trophy fish prowling deep, cold water year-round. Here's how to target them with deep jigging and trolling tactics at this stunning High Cascades gem.

August 14, 2026
PCP Air Rifles for Oregon Hunters: Off-Season Practice, Small Game, and Pest Control
Shooting

PCP Air Rifles for Oregon Hunters: Off-Season Practice, Small Game, and Pest Control

High-powered PCP air rifles have crossed a threshold. With enough energy to ethically take small game and pest species, and enough precision to sharpen your marksmanship year-round, they've earned a real place in the Oregon outdoorsman's toolkit.

August 13, 2026
Bullet Seating Depth Tuning: How COAL Affects Accuracy in Hunting Handloads
Reloading

Bullet Seating Depth Tuning: How COAL Affects Accuracy in Hunting Handloads

Seating depth is one of the most powerful — and most ignored — accuracy variables in handloading. Here's how to test it systematically and find the sweet spot for your hunting rifle.

August 13, 2026