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
| Archery | Controlled 100 Series Hunts | 1-Aug - 16-Nov | Buck |
| Muzzleloader | 6-Nov - 17-Dec |
| Any Legal Weapon | 16-Sep - 5-Jan |
| Controlled 600 Series Hunts | 1-Sep - 29-Feb | Antlerless |
| General | Western | 7-Oct - 10-Nov | Buck |
| Archery | 2-Sep - 1-Oct |
| 18-Nov - 10-Dec |
| 25-Nov - 17-Dec |
| Archery Controlled 400 Series Hunts | 10-Aug - 1-Oct |
| Any Legal Weapon Controlled 400 Series Hunts | 19-Aug - 29-Oct |
| Muzzleloader Controlled 400 Series Hunts | 30-Aug - 17-Sep |
| West Cascade | Nov 11-17 |
| Rocky Mountain | Nov 11 - Nov 19 |
| Coast Bull Elk | Nov 18 - Nov 21 |
| Nov 25 - Dec 1 |
| Western/eastern | Sept 2 - Oct 1 |
| California – Any legal weapon controlled | 15-Aug - 26-Nov |
| Rocky Mtn – Any Legal Weapon Controlled | 15-Aug - 31-Oct |
| Any legal weapon controlled hunts | 1-Aug - 31-Oct |
| General Statewide | 1-Jan - 31-Dec |
| General Season Fall Tag | Aug 1 - Dec 31 | Black Bear |
| Additional General Season Fall Tag |
| General Season Tag | Jan 1 - Dec 31 |
| Additional General Season Tag |
| Turkey Season | Hunting Dates | Bag Limit |
| Fall General | Oct 14 - Nov 30 | 1 |
| Dec 1- Jan 31 |
| Fall Private Land | Sept 1 - Nov 30 |
| Dec 1- Jan 31 |
| Fall Western | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | 2 |
| Spring General | Apr 15 - May 31 | One male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard |
| Spring Youth | Apr 13-14 | One male turkey or one turkey with a visible beard |
Upland Birds
| Ruffed and blue grouse | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | 3 of each species |
| Controlled Sage-grouse | Sept 9 - 17 | 2 |
| Chukar and Hungarian (gray) partridge | Oct 14 - Jan 31, 2024 | Bag of 8 |
| Rooster | | Oct 14 - Dec 31, 2023 |
| Denman Wildlife Area | Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts | Sept 18 - Oct 6 |
| EE Wilson Wildlife Area | Sept 25 - Oct 31 |
| Fern Ridge Wildlife Area | Sept 11 - Oct 8 |
| Sauvie Island Wildlife Area | Sept 18 - Oct 1 |
| Eastern Oregon | Oct 14 - Jan 31, 2024 | 10 (max 2 mtn Quail) |
| California and mountain | Sept 1 - Jan 31, 2024 | 10 |
Migratory Bird
| Mourning dove (Zone 1) | Sept 1 - Sept 30 | 15 |
| Nov 15 - Dec 14 |
| Mourning dove (Zone 2) | Sept 1 - Oct 30 |
| Band-tailed pigeon (Statewide) | Sept 15 - Sept 23 | 2 |
| Statewide | Oct 1 - Jan 31, 2024 | No Limit |
Waterfowls
| Including merganser | Oct. 14 - Oct. 29 & Nov. 2 - Jan. 28, 2024 | Zone 1 |
| Scaup | Nov. 4 - Jan. 28, 2024 |
| Including merganser | Oct. 14 - Dec. 3 & Dec. 7 - Jan. 28, 2024 | Zone 2 |
| Scaup | Oct. 14 - Dec. 3 & Dec. 7 - Jan. 10, 2024 |
| Zone 1 | Oct 14 - Oct 29 |
| Nov 2 - Jan 28 |
| Nov 4 - Jan 28 |
| Zone 2 | Oct 14 - Dec 3 |
| Dec 7 - Jan 28 |
| Oct 14 - Dec 3 |
| Dec 7 - Jan 10 |
| Statewide | Nov 25 - Dec 10 | Bag of 2 |
| Zones | | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Northwest Permit | Sept 9 - Sept 17 | 5 Canada Geese | 15 |
| Southwest | Sept 9 - Sept 13 |
| All Eastern Oregon Cos | Sept 9 - Sept 13 |
| Regular seasons | | |
| Canada Geese | | | |
| Northwest Permit | Oct 21 - Oct 29 | 3 | 10 |
| Nov 18 - Jan 12 | 3 | 10 |
| Feb 10 - Mar 10 |
| Southwest | Oct 14 - Oct 29 | 4 |
| Nov 7 - Jan 28 |
| South Coast | Oct 7 - Dec 10 | 6 |
| Dec 23 - Jan 14 |
| Feb 24 - Mar 10 |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains Canada Geese | Oct 14 - Dec 3 | 4 | - |
| Dec 12 - Jan 28 | |
| Mid-Columbia Canada Geese | Oct 14 - Oct 29 | - |
| Nov 7 - Jan 28 | | |
| White-fronted | | | |
| Northwest Permit c | Oct 21 - Oct 29 | 9 | 30 |
| Nov 18 - Jan 12 | 9 | 30 |
| Feb 10 - Mar 10 |
| Southwest | Oct 14 - Oct 29 | 12 |
| Nov 7 - Jan 28 |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains White and White-fronted | Oct 14 - Dec 3 | - |
| Jan 17 - Mar 10 | | |
| Mid-Columbia White and White-fronted | Nov 7 - Jan 28 | - | 30 |
| Feb 3 - Feb 24 | - |
Goose Bag Limit Details
| Bag Limits | | | |
| September Canada goose season | Daily bag limit | | |
| Northwest Permit Zone | 5 Canada geese | | |
| Southwest Zone | 5 Canada geese | | |
| All Eastern Oregon Cos | 5 Canada geese | | |
| | | |
| Regular Goose Season | Canada geese | White-fronted geese | White geese |
| Northwest Permit Zone | 3d | 10 | 20 |
| Southwest Zone | 4 | 10 | 20 |
| South Coast Zone | 6 | 10 | 20 |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone Canada Goose | 4 | — | — |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone White and White-fronted Goose | — | 10f | 20 |
| | | |
| Possession Limit | | | |
| Mid-Columbia Zone Canada Goose | 4 | — | — |
| Mid-Columbia Zone White and White-fronted Goose | — | 10 | 20 |
| | | |
| Regular Goose Season | Canada geese | White-fronted geese | White geese |
| Northwest Permit Zone | 9d | 30 | 60 |
| Southwest Zone | 12 | 30 | 60 |
| South Coast Zone | 18 | 30 | 60 |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone Canada Goose | 12 | — | — |
| High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone White and White-fronted Goose | — | 30f | 60 |
| | | |
| Mid-Columbia Zone Canada Goose | 12 | — | — |
| Mid-Columbia Zone White and White-fronted Goose | — | 30 | 60 |
| | | |
| September Canada goose season | Possession limit | | |
| Northwest Permit Zone | 15 geese | | |
| Southwest Zone | 15 geese | | |
| All Eastern Oregon Cos | 15 geese | | |
| Wilson's snipe | Nov 4 - Feb 18 | 8 | Zone 1 |
| Oct 14 - Jan 28 | Zone 2 |
Furbearers
| Western Gray Squirrel | Sept 1 - Nov 15 | All units west of the eastern boundary of the Santiam, McKenzie, Indigo, Sprague and Interstate units |
| Sept 15 - Oct 31 | White River, Hood, Paulina, Metolius and Upper Deschutes units |
| Western | December 1- February 28 | No bag limit |
| Eastern | 5 |
| Gray Fox and Red Fox | October 15-February 28 |
| Marten Season | November 1-January 31 | Bag of 5 |
| Muskrat Season | November 1-March 31 |
| River Otter | November 15-March 15 |
| Sea Otter | Closed season
entire year |
Fisher, Ringtail, Wolverine, Kit Fox, Canada Lynx
| Fisher | Closed season
entire year |
| Ringtail |
| Wolverine |
| Kit Fox |
| Canada lynx Season |
| Nutria | January 1- December 31 |
| Opossum | January 1- December 31 |
| Porcupine | January 1- December 31 |
| Spotted skunk | January 1- December 31 |
| Striped skunk |
| Bobcat | 1-Sep - 28-Feb |
| Fox | 1-Sep - 28-Feb |
| Raccoon | 1-Sep - 15-Mar |
| Species | Open seasons |
| Bobcat | December 1-February 28 |
| December 1-February 28 |
| Gray fox and red fox | October 15-February 28 |
| Marten | November 1-January 31 |
| |
| |
| Muskrat and mink | November 15-March 31 |
| Raccoon | November 15-March 15 |
| River otter | November 15-March 15 |
| Fisher, ringtail, wolverine, kit fox, Canada lynx and sea otter | Closed season entire year. |
| Badger, coyote, nutria, opossum, porcupine, spotted skunk, striped skunk and weasel | Open season entire year. |
| Beaver | November 15-March 15 |
Trapping Season
Obtaining a furtaker’s license is mandatory if you want to catch animals for their fur.
It is legal to capture bobcats, gray foxes, red foxes, martens, muskrats, minks, raccoons, river otters, badgers, coyotes, nutrias, opossums, porcupines, spotted skunks, striped skunks, weasels, and beavers.
There is a ban on hunting fishers, ringtails, wolverines, kit foxes, Canada lynxes, and sea otters because of their valuable fur.
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.
| License Category | Fees For Non-resident | Fees For Resident |
| (Hunting) | USD 172.00 | USD 34.50 |
| (Black Bear) | USD 16.50 | USD 16.50 |
| (Cougar) | USD 16.50 | USD 16.50 |
| (Deer) | USD 443.50 | USD 28.50 |
| (Elk) | USD 588.00 | USD 49.50 |
| (Bighorn Sheep) | USD 1,513.50 | USD 142.00 |
| (Pronghorn Antelope) | USD 395.50 | USD 51.50 |
| Youth Hunting (between 12-17 years old) | USD 10.00 | USD 10.00 |
| (Sr. Hunting) | Not Applicable | USD 22.00 |
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.
FAQ
What firearms are allowed during the deer and elk hunting season in Oregon?
During the deer and elk season, only centerfire rifles are allowed in the Wildlife Management Units listed in the Centerfire Rifle Restrictions table. You must also have an unused or valid deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, or Rocky Mountain goat tag for the dates and area being hunted.
Is it legal to hunt on private property without permission from the landowner in Oregon?
Yes, it is illegal to hunt on private property without permission from the landowner according to ORS 105.700 and 498.120.
Are electronic sights and devices allowed during hunting in Oregon?
No, the use of night vision or electronic sights and devices is not permitted, except for trail cameras. Artificial lights for certain animals like raccoons, bobcats, and opossums are allowed, but they must not be attached to or cast from a motor vehicle.
Is party hunting allowed?
No, it is illegal in Oregon. Each hunter must have an unused tag to hunt a game mammal that requires one.
Is it legal to use commercial cervid attractants during hunting in Oregon?
Using or having commercial cervid attractants that contain or come from cervid urine is against the law, as defined in the Oregon Hunting and Fishing Regulations book.
Can I hunt on a public road, road right-of-way, or railway right-of-way in Oregon?
No, it is prohibited to engage in activities on public roads, road right-of-ways, or railway right-of-ways, except on roads that are closed to motor vehicle use.
What are the penalties for violating hunting laws in Oregon?
Consequences for breaking laws related to wildlife activities differ depending on the type and seriousness of the offense. Penalties may include fines, suspension of licenses, or imprisonment.
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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