February 11–15, 2026
Portland Expo Center
ODFW TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Trip Of A Lifetime
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in partnership with the Sportsmen's Shows, is raffling off two exceptional outdoor experiences. Billed as the “Trip Of A Lifetime”, two lucky winners will enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime outing with seasoned field biologists in two very special getaways.
It’s easy to participate, just enter the raffle below by clicking on the appropriate button (either Marine Reserves or Goat Survey), the most difficult choice is which one because you can only enter once. Enter your information and that’s it! You’re entered to win. The selection of a winner will occur after the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show and the two winners will be notified by phone and email (both).
Last year’s winners both thoroughly enjoyed their “Trip Of A Lifetime” and we know that our 2026 winners will agree --- this is a very special once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Rocky Mountain Goat Survey
One lucky winner and a guest will have the experience of a lifetime with ODFW biologists on a Rocky Mountain Goat Survey in the mountains of NE Oregon. You’ll have the opportunity to view and learn about these animals with wildlife biologists as they conduct their annual population survey.
The winner and guest will have the fortunate experience of visiting the first location where Rocky Mountain goats were reintroduced to Oregon. This location provided the Rocky Mountain goat population that has been used to populate other mountain ranges across Oregon.
This opportunity will occur high in the Elkhorn Mountains of eastern Oregon in the summer of 2026 (July or August). The exact dates will be arranged with the winner ahead of time. Food and one night’s lodging will be provided.
To participate in this experience the winner and guest must complete ODFW volunteer registration paperwork and processes. Transport will be provided for the winner and guest from Baker City, Oregon to the survey location.
Survey will be conducted in the afternoon/evening and then repeated the following morning. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be provided for close viewing opportunity.
Winner and guest will be responsible for getting themselves to NE Oregon. The winner and guest must be 18+ years of age, capable of hiking on rocky terrain and standing for long periods of time.
Fishing Research in the Marine Reserves
One lucky winner and a guest will have the rare opportunity to fish in Oregon’s Cascade Head Marine Reserves by joining ODFW staff on a “hook and line survey” to gather data for scientific research.
A "hook and line survey" is a method used to study and monitor fish populations by catching them with traditional fishing rods and lines, allowing researchers to collect data on species, size, and abundance in a specific area. Oregon’s five marine reserves are closed to fishing and ocean development year-round making this research experience a unique opportunity for the winner.
The winner will learn about the Oregon Coast ecosystem, the implementation of marine reserves, and about the different marine species inhabiting the marine reserves. The winner will fish for different groundfish including rockfish, lingcod and cabezon while whales are also often observed during survey trips.
To participate in this experience the winner and guest must complete ODFW volunteer registration paperwork and processes. The date of the experience will be scheduled 1-2 weeks in advance but rescheduling, as well as short-notice cancelation, depending on weather is possible.
The research experience will have an 8-hour duration and will occur on a small fishing vessel, approximately 40 ft in length, that will be moving in the swell and waves. The winner and guest are advised to know their physical working limits under those conditions and when/if using sea sickness medication.
Foulweather gear and sea sickness medication should be brought by the raffle winner and guest. Lunch will be provided. Scientific surveys will not be interrupted due to normal sea sickness symptoms.
Winner and guest will be responsible for getting themselves to the Port of Garibaldi on time to join ODFW staff at 7AM for departure. The winner and guest must be 18+ years of age, capable of being outside in cold weather and standing for long periods of time.