2025-2026 Oregon Hunting Seasons New Dates & Regulation!

There are plenty of hunting possibilities in Oregon, with a variety of species to choose from, including bear, cougar, deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, turkey, waterfowl, and upland game birds. There are designated zones, with distinct rules and limitations for each. This page provides you with a thorough overview of all the things you need to know for your outdoor journey.

• The dates of the season.
• The types of game that can be taken.
• Licenses fees and regulations that apply to hunters.

Oregon Hunting Season

🦌 Big Game Hunting

Deer Seasons

Elk Seasons

Note: Some Eastern Oregon units are controlled-only for archery elk.

Bear & Cougar

🦃 Turkey Hunting in Oregon

Spring Turkey

Fall Turkey

🦆 Waterfowl Hunting in Oregon

Duck Seasons

Goose Seasons

Bag limits vary by zone and goose species.

Special Waterfowl Hunts

🐦 Upland Game Bird Hunting

🦊 Furbearer Hunting & Trapping

🐿️ Small Game Hunting

Pricing of Licenses for Hunting

Hunting in Oregon is legal only for those who have a valid hunting license.

Birds, small game, and other vulnerable species do not need a license, although hunters under the age of 11 must.

Please be aware that the targeted species may need an extra tag price.

Hunting Regulations

Vehicles, Aircraft, ATVS, Boats, Drones: Hunting activities that use vehicles, aircraft, ATVs, boats, or drones in a harmful way to animals are illegal. Hunting, trapping, or fishing from a motorized vehicle, using drones for these activities, or operating a motorized vehicle in violation of regulations is prohibited. Firearms and bows must be unloaded while riding a snowmobile or ATV, except for authorized individuals. Shining a bright light on game mammals, predatory animals, or cattle while armed and from a moving vehicle or within 500 feet of a moving vehicle is also illegal. Shooting game animals from a moving speedboat or sailboat is prohibited.

Ban of Parts: Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts must follow laws regarding the import and ownership of parts of deer, elk, moose, and caribou (cervids). Only certain parts, such as boned meat without spinal column or head, hides, antlers, and taxidermy heads, are allowed to be imported and owned. If these regulations are not followed, the offending parts may be confiscated and the person may face charges for disposal.

(CWD) Chronic Wasting Disease: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that can affect deer, elk, and moose. Although Oregon is not yet affected, the disease is a concern. The disease can spread through nose-to-nose contact, saliva, urine, and feces, so hunters should handle infected animals with care by wearing gloves, avoiding flesh and brain/spinal cord material, and avoiding disease-positive meat. Online resources can help hunters identify and avoid areas prone to CWD.

Illegal Activities: Engaging in unlawful activities in the realm of wildlife includes actions like submitting animals without the right permits or tags, avoiding inspections of equipment used for capturing animals, disrupting licensed traps or snares, tampering with approved signs from wildlife authorities, providing false information to the Department or Commission, and acquiring or owning wildlife through illegal methods with the intention of making a profit.

Disguising Sex, Waste, Sale: It is illegal to disguise the species of wildlife, possess the meat or carcass of deer, elk, antelope, sheep, or goat without evidence of sex, waste any game mammals or edible portions, and sell or exchange any game mammal or parts unless specified by Oregon Administrative Rule 635, Division 200. Proof of sex for deer, elk, antelope, sheep, and goat must be either the head or antlers/horns (Option 1) or reproductive organ attached to meat (Option 2). Hunters must retrieve all crippled or killed wildlife immediately and cannot waste game mammals.

Tagging: Tagging of game mammals is done either through paper tags or electronic tags. Hunters must choose one of these options when purchasing tags. For paper tags, the tag must be signed, validated immediately after harvest by writing the date, time and location of harvest, and securely attached to the game mammal in plain sight. Electronic tags must be validated through the MyODFW mobile app, and the tag owner’s information, harvest date, and confirmation number must be written in ink and attached to the game mammal. Both types of tags must be kept legible and maintained with the carcass or parts at all times. Unsigned or resized tags are unlawful.

Transportation & Possession: Transferring game mammals requires a written record documenting the animal’s description, the original hunter’s identity, tag information, and harvest time. Game mammals must be tagged by the ODFW or State Police after 48 hours post the hunting season. Possession and transportation of game mammals without a valid tag, or parts of a game animal that was illegally killed or obtained humanely, is prohibited. The sale, lending, or borrowing of big game tags is illegal, and possessing the horns of bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain goat that were not taken legally is not allowed. Transportation of a game animal that was found dead or killed humanely requires approval from the ODFW or Oregon State Police.

Illegal Methods: It is illegal to hunt with dogs (excluding western gray squirrels), use night vision or electronic sights, artificial lights (excluding raccoon, bobcat, and opossum), traps or snares, or hunt for someone else. Additionally, the use of commercial cervid attractants derived from cervid urine is prohibited, and hunting from or across public roads, road right-of-way, or railway right-of-way is not allowed, except on roads closed to motor vehicle use. Finally, the use of any poison, immobilizing, or tranquilizing drugs or chemicals to hunt or kill game mammals is illegal.

Trespassing: Entering someone’s land without permission is against the law. Being on private property without the owner’s consent is not justified even if the purpose is to find and protect game.

Restriction: Restrictions on the use of centerfire rifles for deer and elk require possessing a valid tag for deer, elk, antelope, sheep, or goat in the specific area and on the designated dates. Engaging in this activity within closed wildlife refuges, city or town limits, public parks, cemeteries, or school/college/university grounds is against the law. Additionally, participating in party activities related to this is not allowed, and every individual must have their own unused tag.

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John Lewis

John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.

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