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.

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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.

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.