A popular Rogue Valley angling venue is conspicuously absent from a list of Free Fishing Weekend events slated for this weekend, the first under a change in when Oregonians can fish, crab or dig clams without licenses.

Hunters looking to draw tags for limited-entry hunts this fall will look at this year's suite of tag proposals with more than a hint of deja vu.

BROOKINGS — Southern Oregon ocean anglers made up for a string of dismal fishing seasons with a break-out year in 2012, and they are in line for an encore performance this year — as long as the ocean cooperates.

ASHLAND — After a whirlwind offseason that saw Jackson County take over operation of Howard Prairie Resort for the first time in its 53-year history, county Parks Manager Steve Lambert hopes no one will even notice the different faces behind the cash register.

The greatest show on surf returns to the Oregon Coast next week during the annual spring migration of gray whales off the state's shores, and an army of volunteers will be available all week to help you spot them.

Ten young guns will have a good shot at bagging a tom turkey this spring because of an agreement with a local ranch that helps create hunting access and wildlife habitat.

Jackson County Sheriff's marine deputies over two upcoming weekends will give boaters the chance to have their powerboats and driftboats checked for the requisite safety gear.

Private timberland managers in eastern Jackson County who are tired of winter off-road drivers tearing up backwoods logging roads and meadows want their lands included in a seasonal road-closure program meant to curb erosion and improve big-game habitat.

Oregonians can expect a near replica in 2013 of last year's ocean fishing season for Pacific halibut after area fish managers skirted what was expected to be a sizeable cutback in this year's catch.

Oregon deer and elk hunters have until Thursday evening to report their success, or lack thereof, in the forests and fields last fall.