Tuesday, May 26, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Largemouth Bass Fishing at Fern Ridge Reservoir: Oregon's Best Warmwater Opportunity Near Eugene

Largemouth Bass Fishing at Fern Ridge Reservoir: Oregon's Best Warmwater Opportunity Near Eugene

Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene is Oregon's most productive largemouth bass fishery. Here's how to fish it from early summer through fall—launch ramps, structure, lures, and tactics that actually work.

By HFR Staff  ·  May 26, 2026
Reloading the 6.5 Grendel: Efficient AR-Platform Loads for Deer Hunting and Long-Range Varmints
Reloading

Reloading the 6.5 Grendel: Efficient AR-Platform Loads for Deer Hunting and Long-Range Varmints

The 6.5 Grendel punches well above its weight in an AR-15 package. Here's how to reload it for maximum performance—from deer hunting loads to flat-shooting varmint rounds.

May 26, 2026
Waldo Lake Wilderness: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Oregon's Highest Natural Lake
Backpacking

Waldo Lake Wilderness: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Oregon's Highest Natural Lake

Waldo Lake sits at 5,414 feet in the Oregon Cascades and is one of the clearest, purest lakes in the world. Here's how to plan a 3-day loop through the surrounding wilderness.

May 26, 2026
Hunting Dusky Grouse in Oregon's Cascades: Timber Birds, Elevation, and the September Opener
Hunting

Hunting Dusky Grouse in Oregon's Cascades: Timber Birds, Elevation, and the September Opener

Dusky grouse are underutilized, underappreciated, and surprisingly challenging. Here's where to find them in Oregon's Cascades, what gear to bring, and how to hunt them effectively.

May 26, 2026
Thermal and Night Vision Optics for Oregon Predator Hunters: A Practical Buyer's Guide
Shooting

Thermal and Night Vision Optics for Oregon Predator Hunters: A Practical Buyer's Guide

Thermal and digital night vision have transformed predator hunting. Here's what Oregon hunters need to know about legality, technology, and choosing the right setup without wasting money.

May 26, 2026
Oregon Offshore Albacore Tuna Fishing: Timing, Tackle, and Finding the Blue Water
Fishing

Oregon Offshore Albacore Tuna Fishing: Timing, Tackle, and Finding the Blue Water

Every summer, Pacific albacore tuna push north into Oregon waters aboard warm blue currents. Here's how to find them, rig for them, and bring a cooler full of the best-eating fish in the ocean back to the dock.

May 25, 2026
Reloading the .350 Legend: Straight-Wall Deer Loads for Oregon Cascade Hunters
Reloading

Reloading the .350 Legend: Straight-Wall Deer Loads for Oregon Cascade Hunters

The .350 Legend is a modern straight-wall cartridge that delivers serious deer-killing power with manageable recoil. Here's how to build accurate, effective handloads for it — and why it's become a go-to for hunting Oregon's dense west-side timber.

May 25, 2026
Field Shooting Positions Every Western Hunter Needs to Master
Shooting

Field Shooting Positions Every Western Hunter Needs to Master

The bench rest doesn't follow you into the field. Mastering prone, sitting, kneeling, and supported positions before the season opens could be the difference between a clean kill and a miss when the moment counts.

May 25, 2026
Sandhill Crane Hunting in Oregon's Klamath Basin: Decoys, Calling, and Migration Timing
Hunting

Sandhill Crane Hunting in Oregon's Klamath Basin: Decoys, Calling, and Migration Timing

Sandhill cranes are one of the most challenging and rewarding birds you can hunt in Oregon. The Klamath Basin hosts one of the Pacific Flyway's most significant crane concentrations — here's how to be ready when the season opens.

May 25, 2026
Opal Creek Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Route Through Oregon's Ancient Forest
Backpacking

Opal Creek Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Route Through Oregon's Ancient Forest

Just 60 miles from Portland, the Opal Creek Wilderness protects some of the largest remaining old-growth lowland forest in the Pacific Northwest. Here's a weekend route that takes you through massive Douglas fir stands, past jewel-colored pools, and deep into the kind of forest that takes your breath away.

May 25, 2026