Hunting Seasons & Licensing · OR
Oregon Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonOregon offers diverse hunting across dramatically varied terrain — from the Cascade Range and high desert to coastal rainforests and river valleys. The state manages over 3 million acres of public land open to hunting. Major big game species include Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black-tailed deer, pronghorn, and black bear. Oregon uses a controlled hunt tag system for most big game, with a preference point system for popular units.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt/Rocky Mountain Elk | Archery | Aug 30 – Sep 28, 2025 | 1 elk per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Roosevelt/Rocky Mountain Elk | Rifle | Oct 25 – Nov 7, 2025 (varies by unit) | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader |
| Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer | Archery | Aug 30 – Sep 28, 2025 | 1 deer per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer | Rifle | Oct 4 – Nov 7, 2025 (varies by unit) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader |
| Pronghorn | General | Aug 9 – Aug 24, 2025 | 1 pronghorn per tag | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Black Bear | General | Aug 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Lion | General | Year-round | 1 lion per year | Rifle, bow, handgun |
Roosevelt/Rocky Mountain Elk (Archery): General archery season. Controlled hunt tags for rifle seasons.
Roosevelt/Rocky Mountain Elk (Rifle): Most rifle elk tags by controlled hunt drawing
Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer (Rifle): Western Oregon general season available; eastern Oregon mostly controlled hunt
Pronghorn (General): All tags by controlled hunt drawing
Black Bear (General): General season tag available over the counter. No hound hunting.
Mountain Lion (General): Tag available with hunting license. No hound hunting.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey per tag | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Second tag available in some units
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 11 – Dec 31, 2025 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 6 possession | Shotgun |
| Mountain Quail | General | Oct 11 – Jan 31, 2026 | 5 daily / 15 possession | Shotgun |
| Chukar | General | Oct 11 – Jan 31, 2026 | 8 daily / 24 possession | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Oregon has excellent Pacific Flyway waterfowl hunting.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Cottontail | General | Year-round | 5 daily / 10 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Western Gray Squirrel | General | Closed | N/A | N/A |
Western Gray Squirrel (General): Protected species — no open season
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $33.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $169.50 | — |
| Resident Deer Tag | $30.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | $349.50 | — |
| Resident Elk Tag | $44.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Elk Tag | $544.50 | — |
| Youth (12–17) | Reduced fees | — |
| Controlled Hunt Application Fee | $8 per application | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Oregon uses a controlled hunt system for most elk rifle tags, eastern Oregon deer, pronghorn, and premium units. Applications are due in mid-May. A preference point system applies — hunters who are not drawn accumulate points that improve odds in subsequent years. General season archery tags and western Oregon deer rifle tags are available over the counter. Leftover controlled hunt tags go on sale in August.
Harvest Reporting
Oregon requires mandatory harvest reporting for all deer and elk within 10 days of harvest. Hunters must report online or by phone. Mandatory CWD testing is required for deer and elk harvested in designated surveillance areas. All big game animals must be validated (tagged) immediately upon harvest.
Oregon Wildlife Resources
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: TIP Line: 1-800-452-7888
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.