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Oregon Hunting
Contact Info
4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE
Salem, OR 97302
ph 503-947-6000
App Deadlines
February 10 (black bear)
May 15 (big game)
Results Posted
2025 : June 12
2024 : June 12
2023 : June 12
2022 : June 20
2021 : June 20
2020 : June 20
2019 : June 19
2018 : June 20
2017 : June 15

2025 Non-Resident Fees

Up-Front Fees
Hunting License (adult)
$172.00
Hunting License (youth 9-17 years old)
$10.00
Application Fee (per species)
$8.00
Post Draw Fees (if successful)
Bighorn Sheep
$1,513.50
Mountain Goat
$1,513.50
Elk (controlled or general)
$588.00
Deer (controlled or general)
$443.50
Antelope
$395.50
Black Bear
$16.50
Cougar
$16.50
Oregon Species Specific Information
Oregon Elk Oregon Bighorn Sheep Hunting Oregon Deer Hunting
Oregon Mountain Goat Oregon Pronghorn Antelope Available Oregon Hunts (HF Adventures)
Oregon Mountain Lion Oregon Bear  

 

Oregon Hunting 2025

Oregon’s Big Game Regulations for 2025 are available. Go online to www.eregulations.com/oregon/big-game-hunting/ to download a copy or call 503-947-6000 to request that a copy be mailed to you. The application deadline is May 15th with draw results available by June 12th. Since applicants do not submit tag fees, no refunds will be sent. If you draw, you will receive a notice to purchase your tag.

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Oregon Big Game Applications

The only ways you can apply are online using a credit card or at a license sales agent. You can apply online at https://odfw.huntfishoregon.com/login. Oregon no longer accepts faxed or mailed applications.

There is no limit to the size of the parties that may apply for deer, elk, and antelope. No party applications will be accepted for bighorn sheep or mountain goat. If your party is drawn and there aren’t enough tags remaining to fill your party, then no hunter in your party will receive a tag. Party applicant points will be averaged. Oregon rounds points up from .51 and down from .50 to the next whole number. An example is that if 3.50 is the average, then the applicants will go in as having 3 points.

application service

Details of the Oregon Draw

A maximum of 3% of tags for antelope hunts and a maximum of 5% of tags for controlled deer, controlled elk, and controlled black bear hunts can be issued to non-residents, but the guides and outfitters program gets 2.5% of these tags before the draw takes place. No less than 5% and no more than 10% of all bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat tags will be issued to nonresidents.

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If you draw your second through fifth choice, you will gain a point and still obtain the tag. If you draw your first choice, your points go back to zero, whether or not you decide to purchase the tag. You will retain your points until you are successful in drawing your first choice.

There are no waiting periods for deer, elk, or antelope. Bighorn sheep and mountain goat tags are limited to one tag per lifetime.

There are two options for tagging game mammals – paper tags and electronic tags. Hunters must choose one option at the time of purchase. The electronic tags must be immediately validated by pressing the validate button on the image of the tag in the Department’s electronic licensing system mobile app. At the time of validation, a confirmation number will become visible. In addition to validating a tag electronically, the tag owner’s name, date of birth, ODFW ID#, harvest date, and confirmation number must be written in ink on material of the tag owner’s choice (options include flagging tape, duct tape, or paper in a plastic bag to protect it) and attached securely in plain sight to the game mammal.

Oregon Big Game Hunting Fees

Non-residents may apply using a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Hunting license, application, and shipping and handling fees will not be refunded.

Oregon Big Game Hunter Requirements

Oregon issues their own ID number to hunters and anglers to track them in their system. All of your points and information are attached to this number. It can be found on your previous year’s Oregon hunting license listed as ODFW ID#.

Hunters 17 years old or younger need to have a hunter education certificate in their possession to hunt big game if they are not enrolled in the youth mentored program. Hunters 9-15 years old may hunt without having passed hunter education as long as they are registered for the Youth Mentored Hunter Program.

Oregon has no hunter orange clothing requirements for adults, but hunters under 18 years old must wear a fluorescent orange hat or exterior garment visible from all sides while hunting any game mammal or upland game bird, excluding turkey.

Oregon Big Game Age Restrictions

Youth hunters 12-17 years old may hunt in Oregon. Youth applicants must purchase a juvenile hunting license prior to hunting. Youth hunters can be 11 years old at the time of applying but must be 12 years old by the time of their hunt. Youth 9-11 years old may apply for points only.

Oregon Hunting Point Structure

Oregon has a preference point system for elk, deer, and antelope where 75% of the controlled draw permits will be issued to the applicants with the most points. The remaining 25% will be drawn randomly from a pool of all applicants. If there are three tags or less issued for a particular hunt, they will be issued to applicants with the most points. There is no point system for bighorn sheep or mountain goat. If you want to build points for elk, deer, and/or antelope and be guaranteed not to draw, you can apply for points only. If applying for points only, the hunt numbers you enter in as your first choice are 199 for buck deer, 299 for elk, and 499 for antelope. The point saver code for all 600 series deer hunts, which are mostly antlerless, youth, and spike deer hunts, is 699. For 2025, the maximum number of points a non-resident can have for deer and antelope is 32 and for elk is 31. Each year, it will increase by one point. The only way to lose your points is to draw your first choice.

Applicants can apply for points only for deer, elk, antelope, and black bear in the main draw, or they may apply for points only during an additional, separate application period from July 1st to November 30th.

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Oregon Big Game Draw Odds

Remember, for all species except bighorn sheep and mountain goat, 75% of the tags are issued to the applicants with the most points. The other 25% is awarded to the remaining applicants with no regard to points so that all remaining applicants have the same chance at drawing. In most cases, non-residents who applied with the most points were the only hunters who drew tags as tag numbers in quality units are low.

Youth Information

The Youth Mentored Hunter Program allows youth ages 9-15 to hunt without passing a hunter education class or purchasing a license or tags. The youth must hunt with a supervisor who is at least 21 years of age. This is a great program where the youth is allowed to fill the supervisor’s tags. For example, a husband and wife both buy over-the-counter deer tags in Oregon. They hunt with their 9-year-old son who kills his first buck and puts his mother’s tag on it and then he kills another buck and puts his dad’s tag on it. Under the Youth Mentored Hunter Program, a youth can fill as many tags as the supervisors are willing to donate.

Weapon Restrictions

Muzzleloaders no longer need to have an open ignition system. Muzzleloader restrictions include no scopes (unless you are visually impaired, so see regulations for more information), pelletized powders, sabots, jacketed bullets, or centerfire primers. Only the following bullet types are allowed: round balls made of lead, lead alloy, or federally-approved nontoxic shot material. Cloth, felt, and paper patches are legal. Archers may not have electronic devices attached to the bow or arrow or a draw-lock device. Broadheads can be either fixed or mechanical. They must be unbarbed and at least 7/8" wide. Archers must have a draw weight of at least 40 lbs.

Other Tag Opportunities

Oregon is issuing one premium hunt per unit for elk, deer, and antelope that allows hunt winners to hunt with any weapon and have extended season dates. A separate application is required to apply for these premium hunts. There isn’t a non-resident quota associated with these tags. You can apply for these premium hunts in addition to the regular controlled hunts. Applicants are allowed to submit one application per species and the standard $8 application fee as well as the standard species-specific tag fee. There are no preference points associated with these permits. Elk, deer, and antelope season dates will be August 1-November 30, 2025. Our top five trophy picks are shown in the section for each species. If you are interested in the entire list of available hunts, refer to pages 69-70 in the 2024 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations booklet.

Search our Database of available Oregon Big game Hunts.

Each year, Oregon raffles and auctions off a variety of big game tags for most species. For more information, check out pages 71-72 of the Big Game Hunting Regulations booklet or visit https://myodfw.com/articles/big-game-raffle-and-auction-hunts.

Leftover licenses for hunts with fewer applicants than there are tags will only be sold online beginning at 10 a.m. on March 15th for black bear and July 1st at 10 a.m. for all other big game tags. Tags awarded through the controlled hunt drawing but not claimed or purchased will not be available for sale.

Oregon has a landowner tag system for elk and deer, which requires the landowner to submit an application and then the hunter applies with the landowner through the draw process. You must hunt on that landowner’s property within the unit where you applied. Landowner antelope tags are only available to landowners and their family members, and they have to go through the same draw process as listed above. See page 24 of the regulations for more information on the landowner tag program.

The Oregon guides and outfitters program provides guides and outfitters with the opportunity to market nonresident tags. A number of tags equal to one-half of the non-resident deer and elk tags drawn in the previous year are available through this program. In units with only one non-resident tag, that tag will alternate year to year between being issued through the draw or to an outfitter. Guides certified by the Oregon State Marine Board submit applications and compete for the right to market these tags. Tags not sold by April 15th will be available in the big game drawing. For more information, contact the Oregon State Marine Board at 503-378-2633.

Refunds/Returns/Transfers

If you made an error or want to change your application, you can do so in your online account through June 1st. Hunters have the option of deciding whether or not they want to purchase the tag for the hunt choice drawn. For all controlled hunts, hunters have until the day before the earliest hunt period opens to purchase their tag. After you have purchased your tag, Oregon does not offer tag refunds except for special circumstances. Contact the License Department for more information.

Harvest Reporting

You can report your harvest by calling 503-947-6101 or by going online to https://odfw.huntfishoregon.com/login. Those who failed to report on last year's tags by the deadline will be penalized a $25 fee when they go to purchase a new hunting license.

Hunt Planning

ODFW big game hunting maps can be found online at https://myodfw.com/biggame-hunting/areas.

Access

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s access and habitat program was created in 1993 to improve wildlife habitat and public hunting access on private lands throughout the state. The program’s funding base comes primarily from a surcharge on hunting licenses and the annual auction and raffle of special deer and elk tags. Landowners participating in the program provide a wide range of public hunting opportunities, ranging from open access areas where no permission is required to hunt to areas where landowner permission is required.

Oregon Wolf Updates

Unfortunately, the Oregon wolf population is healthy and growing, estimated at around 200 wolves. The state has 35 confirmed packs. The actual number of wolves in Oregon is likely much greater than this minimum estimate. Grey wolves are currently protected statewide, so hunting is not allowed. Oregon trapped 10 wolves, which they gave to Colorado. The wolves were then released in Summit and Grand counties as voters in Colorado approved a ballot measure to reintroduce wolves to their state.


Additional Resources

At Huntin' Fool, we provide a variety of resources for you to plan ahead! From applying for tags, researching draw odds, hunt consultations, and more, we have you covered!

Apply for License Applications
Schedule a Hunt Consultations
Research Draw Odds
Research Application Deadlines
Get Your Magazine!

 

Your Huntin' Fool Membership

A Huntin' Fool Membership is the one-stop shop! For $150 a year, get unlimited access to our Hunt Advisor Team and our full DIY tool set!

Unlimited 1-1 Draw Consultations. Learn More
> Digital Tools. Draw Odds, Harvest Statistics & Unit Breakdowns
Previous Tag Holder List- Contact HF Members who recently hunted the unit. Learn More.
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> Monthly Magazine. Unit breakdowns and analysis


 

OREGON HUNTING FAQ


When are draw results for Oregon hunting?
Draw results for Oregon hunting are released at different times depending on the hunt type. For spring Black Bear, results are usually available around February 20, following the February 10 application deadline. For all other big game controlled hunts—including deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat—results are typically posted around June 12, after the May 15 application deadline. You can check your results by logging into your ODFW account or visiting a license sales agent.

When does Oregon draw hunting tags?
Oregon draw hunting tags are issued through controlled hunts, with results released at two key times each year. For Spring Black Bear hunts, the application deadline is February 10, and draw results are typically available by February 20. For all other big game controlled hunts—including deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat—the application deadline is May 15, with results usually released by June 12. You can view your results by logging into your ODFW account or visiting a license agent. General season tags do not require a draw and can be purchased directly, though deadlines still apply.

How much is a hunting license in Oregon?
In Oregon, the cost of a hunting license varies based on residency, age, and eligibility. A resident hunting license is $34.50, while a nonresident hunting license costs $172.00. Youth hunters (ages 12–17) can purchase a Combination License for just $10.00, and a Youth Sports Pac is available for $55.00. Seniors (age 70+ with 5 years of residency) can get a Senior Hunting License for $22.00 or a Senior Combo License for $47.50. The Sports Pac—which bundles hunting, angling, and multiple tags—is $196.50 for residents. Veterans, uniformed service members, and qualifying disabled individuals may receive discounted or free licenses. All licenses are valid for the calendar year, and big game hunting requires an additional tag.

https://myodfw.com/big-game-hunting/licensing-info

How much is a non-resident hunting license in Oregon?
A non-resident hunting license in Oregon costs $172.00 for the 2025 season. This license allows non-residents to hunt game species in the state, but additional tags are required for big game such as deer, elk, bear, and cougar. Tags and controlled hunt applications have separate fees and deadlines.

How to get a hunting license in Oregon?
To get a hunting license in Oregon, you must purchase a valid license—either online at MyODFW.com, through the MyODFW app, or from an ODFW license agent or office. Licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31 of the calendar year. To qualify as a resident, you must have lived in Oregon for at least six consecutive months before applying. Big game hunters must also purchase the appropriate tags and may need a license before applying for controlled hunts. Special discounted or free licenses are available for youth (ages 12–17), active duty military, veterans, and disabled veterans. When you buy a license, you also receive a free annual wildlife area parking permit. Always carry your license (electronic or printed) while hunting and be ready to show it upon request.

Does Oregon have a lifetime hunting license?
No, Oregon does not offer a lifetime hunting license. All hunting licenses in Oregon are issued on an annual basis, valid from January 1 through December 31 of the calendar year. While there are reduced-cost licenses for qualifying seniors and long-term residents—such as the Pioneer Combination License and Senior Hunting License—these still need to be renewed each year and are not lifetime licenses.

Can you hunt BLM land in Oregon?
Yes, you can hunt on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Oregon. BLM lands are widely accessible for hunting and are specifically referenced in Oregon’s hunting regulations as public lands open to hunters. Many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) include BLM lands, and some controlled hunts are even defined by BLM road boundaries. Additionally, BLM maps are listed as resources for hunters, and habitat notices further confirm public access. As with all public land hunting, hunters must follow state regulations and check for any area-specific restrictions or closures before heading out.

Can you hunt on Weyerhaeuser land in Oregon?
Yes, you can hunt on Weyerhaeuser land in Oregon, but access typically requires a permit or lease. Weyerhaeuser allows hunting on its forestlands and offers both individual permits and exclusive recreational leases across its Oregon landscape. These permits are usually seasonal and must be obtained through their website: recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. Before hunting, be sure to check specific area rules, availability, and access requirements, as they vary by location and may sell out quickly.

Can you hunt on your own land in Oregon?
Yes, you can hunt on your own land in Oregon, but there are important conditions. If you're a resident and hunting on land you own and reside on, or that is owned by an immediate family member, you do not need a hunting license—but only for species that do not require tags. Most big game species (like deer and elk) require tags, so you must still purchase a hunting license to apply for and use those tags, even on your own land. However, no license or tag is required for landowners or their agents to hunt predatory animals (like coyotes or feral swine) on their property, and they may use spotlights or hunt from vehicles when doing so. Oregon also offers a Landowner Preference Program (LOP) that allows qualifying landowners with at least 40 contiguous acres to apply for controlled hunt tags specific to their property.

Can you hunt with a pistol in Oregon?
Yes, you can hunt with a pistol in Oregon, as long as it meets specific legal requirements. Handguns must be centerfire and meet minimum caliber standards: at least .22 caliber for deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar, and at least .24 caliber for elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat. Rimfire handguns (like .22 LR) are not legal for hunting big game (except western gray squirrel), and it is illegal to use fully automatic firearms, tracer or full-metal jacket bullets, or electronic sighting devices that project a beam or communicate with other devices. Always check area-specific rules, as some controlled hunts or units may restrict firearms or require other weapon types.

How old to hunt in Oregon?
In Oregon, the minimum age to hunt depends on the type of game and license. Youth 11 and under may hunt small game and birds without a license but cannot hunt big game unless enrolled in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program, which allows youth ages 9–15 to hunt big game under the supervision of a licensed adult. Youth ages 12–17 must purchase a Combination License or Youth Sports Pac to hunt big game, enter controlled hunt drawings, or earn preference points. All hunters 17 and under must complete a Hunter Education Course before hunting, unless hunting on land owned by their parent or legal guardian. Additionally, youth 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older while hunting off family-owned property, and anyone under 18 hunting game mammals or upland birds (except turkey) must wear hunter orange.

Is hunter safety required in Oregon?
Yes, Hunter Education is required in Oregon for many hunters, especially youth. Anyone 17 years old or younger must complete a Hunter Education Course before hunting game mammals or upland game birds with a firearm (except turkey), unless they are hunting on land owned by their parent or legal guardian. The course can be taken online or in-person and includes a field day. An exception applies to youth ages 9–15 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program, who may hunt big game without having completed the course—but they must be registered and accompanied by a qualified adult mentor. While not required for adults, Oregon strongly encourages all hunters to take Hunter Education for safety and awareness, and hunters under 18 must wear hunter orange while hunting big game or upland birds with a firearm.

Do you have to wear orange when hunting in Oregon?
Yes, in Oregon, hunters under 18 years old are required to wear hunter orange when hunting game mammals or upland game birds (excluding turkey) with a firearm. This includes wearing a hat or exterior garment that is hunter orange and visible from all directions. For adults, hunter orange is not required, but it is strongly recommended by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for safety, as most firearm-related incidents are visibility-related. Additionally, youth in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program must also follow the hunter orange requirement when using a firearm to hunt applicable species.

What big game animals can you hunt in Oregon?
In Oregon, the big game animals you can hunt include deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, cougar, and black bear. Deer and elk have both general and controlled hunt seasons, with varying bag limits such as antlered, antlerless, or spike-only designations. Pronghorn antelope hunting is primarily through controlled hunts, with tags for buck or either-sex. Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat hunts are strictly controlled with lifetime tag limits and no party applications allowed. Cougar hunting is permitted statewide during general seasons, though use of dogs is prohibited and some zones have mortality quotas. Black bear hunts include spring and fall seasons with general and controlled options, and successful hunters must check in their bear with ODFW. Moose is classified as a game mammal in Oregon, but there are no hunts listed for the 2025 season. Western gray squirrel is also classified as a game mammal, though it is typically managed under small game regulations.

Can you hunt with a suppressor in Oregon?
Yes, you can hunt with a suppressor in Oregon, as there are no wildlife regulations that prohibit their use for hunting. The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division confirms that suppressors are legal under state wildlife laws. However, you must comply with federal law, which requires that any suppressor be properly registered through the ATF. Possessing or using an unregistered suppressor is illegal under ORS 166.272. So while hunting with a suppressor is allowed in Oregon, make sure your suppressor is legally acquired and federally registered before using it in the field.

When is hunting season in Oregon?
Hunting season in Oregon varies by species, weapon type, and whether the hunt is a general season or a controlled hunt. For 2025, general archery seasons for deer and elk typically run from August 30 to September 28, with additional late deer archery opportunities in November and December depending on the unit. General rifle deer season runs from October 4 to November 7, while general rifle elk seasons vary by region, ranging from November 8 to 28. Black bear season spans August 1 to December 31, and cougar season is open year-round (January 1 to December 31). Controlled hunts for species like deer, elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep require applications, with deadlines on February 10 for spring bear and May 15 for most big game. Tag sale deadlines typically fall the day before a season begins. Other seasons include damage hunts for antlerless elk (August 1 to March 31) and small game like western gray squirrel (September 1 to November 15 in most areas). Always consult the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for exact dates, tag requirements, and WMU-specific rules.

Deer
Archery (Western Oregon): Aug. 30 – Sept. 28 & Nov. 15 – Dec. 7/14 (varies by unit)
Any Legal Weapon (Western Oregon): Oct. 4 – Nov. 7
Controlled Hunts (varies): Refer to specific hunt codes and units

Elk
Archery: Aug. 30 – Sept. 28
West Cascade Elk (Any Legal Weapon): Nov. 8 – Nov. 14
Western Oregon Coast Elk 1st Season: Nov. 15 – Nov. 18
Western Oregon Coast Elk 2nd Season: Nov. 22 – Nov. 28
Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain Elk 2nd Season: Nov. 8 – Nov. 16
Antlerless Elk Damage Hunts: Aug. 1 – Nov. 30 or Aug. 1 – Mar. 31, 2026 (varies by unit)

Antelope (Pronghorn)
Controlled Hunts Only: Season dates vary by unit and hunt number (apply by May 15)

Bighorn Sheep
Controlled Hunts Only: Season dates vary by hunt code and unit (apply by May 15)

Rocky Mountain Goat
Controlled Hunts Only: Season dates vary (apply by May 15)