Like many states, Oregon has experienced a decline in mule deer numbers due to a combination of factors. Still, a good number of bucks are taken every year, includingtrophy-class animals. Mule deer grow larger antlers than Columbia blacktail deer, which live in the western 20% of the state, and sometimes breed with them where their rangesoverlap. Locals call them bench-leg bucks or Cascade blacktails. Such interbred deer seldom qualify for B&C listing, so it’s no surprise that most of the biggest muleys come fromthe eastern half of the state. The state limits rifle and muzzleloader tags in most units where mule deer are pure, allowing some bucks to survive long enough to grow big racks.The state holds most mule deer seasons in October, when mature bucks tend to be inactive during daylight, making them hard to hunt.
License Costs
|
Resident |
Nonresident |
Deer Tag |
$28.50 |
$443.50 |
Controlled Hunt Application |
$8.00 |
$8.00 |
| Resident | Nonresident |
Deer Tag | $28.50 | $443.50 |
Controlled Hunt Application | $8.00 | $8.00 |
News, notes and alerts
Hunters who don’t get their first-choice tag earn a preference point
Applicants must buy a hunting license
Hunting parties may apply together
General bow tags sold until the day before general archery season
Highlights
A maximum of 5% of limited tags are issued to nonresidents
Forest fires have opened up a lot of forest, which is beneficial to mule deer
Bowhunters may buy tags over the counter in some units where rifle tags are limited
Limited hunting pressure on private land is allowing more bucks to get big
Predator control has shown promise in some units
75% of limited tags are issued to applicants with the most preference points
Preference points are averaged for groups of up to 18 hunters applying together
If you apply for and draw a second-choice tag, you can keep your preference points
Several muzzleloader seasons offer prime hunting
Drought has kept some herds from recovering
Disease has limited mule deer numbers in some areas
Boone and Crockett entries: Typical
** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if a significant part of the unit is found within the county.
County |
Entries |
Game Management Units |
Malheur |
22 |
Grant |
18 |
Baker |
16 |
Wallowa |
12 |
Boone and Crockett entries: Nontypical
** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if a significant part of the unit is found within the county.
County |
Entries |
Game Management Units |
Grant |
9 |
Deschutes |
7 |
Klamath |
7 |
Lake |
7 |
Harney |
6 |
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