Kick start your summer during the 19th annual Free Fishing Weekend this Saturday and Sunday. Oregonians and visitors are invited to fish, crab and clam anywhere in Oregon without a license. Just be sure to follow all current regulations. Check out ODFW Zone reports for fishing hot spots.?ĮNo gear? No bait? No problem. More than 40 Free Fishing Events will be held at around the state. Most are geared toward introductory angling opportunities for young people and most provide gear, bait and basic angling instruction. Some locations are accessible to disabled anglers. See locations and times on our website.

If you care, leave young wildlife in the wild

Summer signals new life. This is the time of year when wildlife are giving birth and raising young.

Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when many well-intentioned Oregonians mistake young animals temporarily and naturally away from their parents as orphans and remove them from the wild. The majority of these people are unable to provide an appropriate diet and environment for the animal and as a result, "rescued" animals often suffer malnourishment and even death.

Instead of making this mistake, follow these rules when you encounter young wildlife:

1. Don't pick up a young animal. It's safe to assume its mother left it there temporarily and will return.
2. If you find a nestling bird on the ground, you can gently and quickly return it to the nest.
3. Teach children to leave young wildlife alone.
4. If you believe an animal or bird is in danger or seriously hurt, call a local ODFW office or the Oregon State Police.