Oregon

A great variety of big game species and terrain, lots of public land, and a mixture of controlled and over-the-counter tags give hunters many opportunities in the Beaver State. Some species, such as mountain goats and bighorn sheep, are managed conservatively, allowing a good number of them to get big enough to grow trophy-size horns or antlers and leading to high hunter success rates. Other species, such as mule deer and elk, are managed under objectives that might differ by game management unit. Some units produce a good percentage of mature animals, while other units mainly provide opportunities to hunt with friends and family members or to take an animal for meat. Unsuccessful applicants for controlled tags get preference points that improve their future tag drawing odds. Some tags are issued only to clients designated by outfitters, while others are allocated to youth hunters.

License Costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Draw Result Dates

Draw System

Tag lottery

Controlled tags are issued to winners of an annual computerized tag lottery. Each applicant or party of applicants is assigned a random number and may apply for five hunt choices. Party size for application purposes is restricted to 18 for deer and elk and 2 for antelope. No party applications are accepted for mountain goat or bighorn sheep. Unsuccessful applicants receive a preference point per species every year when they apply for a first-choice hunt but do not draw a tag. All applicants must buy a nonrefundable hunting license to apply for tags.

Nonresident tag allocation

A maximum of 3% of tags for pronghorn antelope and a maximum of 5% of tags for controlled deer, elk, and bear hunts can be issued to nonresidents. No less than 5% and no more than 10% of all bighorn sheep and Rocky Mtn goat tags will be issued to nonresidents. Less than the maximum percentage may be issued, as nonresident applications receive no preference other than existing preference points in the drawings. The Guides and Outfitters Program impacts the number of nonresident tags available in the drawing.

Application choices

Oregon will look at all applicants 1st choice hunt applications before moving on to 2nd choice options.

Group Applications

Party applications are accepted for deer, elk, and turkey with no size limit. No party applications are accepted for mountain goat or bighorn sheep. A group application will have their points averaged and will round up to the next whole number if the average is .51 or above and down to the whole number if the average is .50 or below. A group application is treated as a single application where, if selected, all applicants will receive a tag provided there are enough tags to satisfy the size of the group. If there are not enough tags, no one on that application will receive a tag. Parties will not be split if the nonresident maximum is reached for any hunt or if not enough tags remain in the hunt for all party members to draw. Parties composed solely or partially of nonresidents will not be eligible to receive tags in a hunt after the nonresident maximum is reached.

Waiting period

Leftover licenses

After the primary draw and generally around the beginning of July, leftover licenses will be made available for purchase. Hunters who already hold a controlled hunt license or a general tag will not be able to purchase licenses until 24 hours after the sale has begun.

Credit cards

Credit cards are accepted (Visa and Mastercard only). Annual hunting license and application fees are charged immediately. An $8 application fee is charged for tags, but you are not charged for the tag until you pay for it. See the purchase deadlines above.

Hunting License

A hunting license is required before applying for a controlled hunt or purchasing a general license.

Getting a Tag

OTC Tags

Oregon does offer over-the-counter licenses for deer and elk. Hunters can also purchase leftover licenses

Landowner tags

Youth tags

Oregon offers youth hunters many opportunities that are not available to adults. Some tags are designated for hunters who are 12 to 17 years old and give them the chance to hunt before adult hunters or during other youth-only seasons. Many youth hunts are restricted to the taking of antlerless animals, but others permit the taking of mature bulls orbucks. The state also has a mentored youth program that gives youngsters from 9 to 15 years old the chance to hunt in the company of an adult and to take an animal with the mentor's tag.

Returning tags/Transferring tags

Hunting Rules

Minimum age to hunt

12 years old

Hunters education

Required for anyone 17 years old or younger

Bowhunters education

Not required in Oregon

Hunters Orange

Wearing a blaze orange hat or vest is required for rifle big game and upland bird hunters under age 17

Weapon restrictions

Oregon does have some weapon restrictions that you should pay attention to before you apply. For more information, check out thestate regulations.

Hunting opportunities for military members

Discounted licenses for active duty members

For Oregon residents who are currently on active duty, hunting licenses can be purchased at half price. Nonresident active service members are able to purchase hunting, fishing and shellfish licenses at resident costs.

Controlled deer and elk tags for active members of Armed Forces on leave in Oregon

Oregon residents who are stationed out-of-state, but have returned to Oregon on leave can purchase controlled hunt tags for deer and elk. Each district can issue up to 20 each of deer, elk, and bear tags. These tags are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Disabled veterans license

Qualifying disabled veterans are eligible to receive a free combination and shellfish license. Additionally, qualifying persons are also eligible to purchase an elk tag for $26.To qualify for the disabled veteran's license, individuals will have had to live in the state permanently for at least six months and have a disability rating of at least 25% due to service-connected injuries.