Hunting Regulations in Oregon

Big game tags required in addition to hunting license. Controlled hunt (limited entry) application fee: $10 per species applied. Resident deer tag ~$28; elk tag ~$44. Nonresident deer tag ~$500+; elk tag ~$660+. Draw/lottery required for pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, spring bear, Rocky Mountain goat, and most mule deer/elk zones. Much of Oregon's deer and elk hunting is limited entry — over-the-counter (OTC) general tags available only in select units. Federal Duck Stamp ($27) and HIP required for migratory birds.

Source: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (myodfw.com). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.

Oregon is a western hunting paradise offering remarkable diversity across its ecosystems – from dense coastal rainforests to the high desert of the Great Basin and the rugged Blue Mountains. The state is best known for its elk hunting, with large Rocky Mountain elk herds roaming eastern Oregon and Roosevelt elk thriving in the Coast Range and Cascades. Oregon's draw/controlled hunt system allocates the most coveted tags through a lottery with preference points, rewarding patience with once-in-a-lifetime hunts.

Mule deer, black-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, and Rocky Mountain goat all have dedicated draw systems for premium units, while over-the-counter tags remain available in select areas for deer, elk, turkey, and bear. The state's rugged terrain demands physical preparation, but rewards dedicated hunters with quality wildlife encounters and stunning scenery.

For upland bird hunters, Oregon's chukar and Hungarian partridge hunting in the Hells Canyon breaks and Snake River canyon country is world-class. Eastern Oregon pheasant and quail hunting provides additional small game action, and waterfowl hunters work productive marshes and river systems throughout the Willamette Valley.

Best Times to Hunt in Oregon

🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Oregon

• Apply for controlled elk hunts in the Starkey and Sled Springs units of the Blue Mountains, which consistently produce large 6x6 bulls through ODFW's limited entry draw system.
• Over-the-counter archery deer and elk hunters should explore the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in eastern Oregon, where OTC tags offer quality public land opportunities.
• Chukar hunters should target the Brownlee Reservoir area and Hells Canyon breaks in eastern Oregon's Snake River country during December–January when birds concentrate on south-facing slopes.
• Pronghorn antelope hunters who draw tags in the Hart Mountain or Warner Valley units of southeast Oregon will find trophy-class bucks with relatively high success rates.