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Get ready, hunters! We are eagerly anticipating the 2024 Oregon Deer Season and will provide you with dates, rules, and license information.
Oregon's diverse game species, beautiful landscapes, and over 34 million acres of vast hunting areas make for unforgettable experiences.
So, gear up, lace up your hunting boots, and let's start on a thrilling journey through the deer hunting in Oregon.
When Does Oregon Deer Season Start?
From August to October, hunters are most active in the woods for big game hunting.
| Season | Date | Limit | Zone |
| Western Oregon Any Legal Weapon | Oct. 5 - Nov. 8 | One buck with visible antler | Units 10 - 30 |
| Eastern Archery | Refer to Controlled Hunts | Refer to Controlled Hunts | Refer to Controlled Hunts |
| Western Archery | Aug. 31 – Sept. 29 | One buck with visible antler | Units 11, 12, 14, 22, 24, 27, and 28 |
| Aug. 31 - Sept. 29 & Nov. 16 - Dec. 8 | One buck with visible antler | Units 25, 29, and 30 | |
| One deer | Unit 23 | ||
| Aug. 31 - Sept. 29 & Nov. 16 - Dec. 8(Any legal archery weapon) | One buck with visible antler | Unit 26 | |
| Nov. 16 - Dec. 8(Traditional archery only) | |||
| Aug. 31 - Sept. 29 & Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | One buck with visible antler | Units 10, 17, 18, 20 | |
| One deer | Units 15, 16, 19 and the northern portion of unit 21 |
🔔Note:
- It is prohibited to hunt white-tailed deer in all Western Oregon units unless specified in controlled hunts in the Melrose Unit (#23) with white-tailed deer listed in the bag limit.
- The specific season date and unit restrictions of deer controlled hunt can be checked on the official file here: Deer Controlled Hunt PDF.
When Does Oregon Elk Season Start?
| Season | Date | Limit | Zone |
| Rocky Mountain Any Legal Weapon | Nov. 9 – Nov. 17 | One spike elk | Units 49, 50, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63, unit 48 north and west of N Fork John Day Rvr and Unit 51 north of Hwy 245 and Burnt Rvr Canyon Rd between Unity and Durkee |
| Coast Bull Elk Any Legal Weapon | Nov. 16 - Nov. 19 | One bull elk | Units 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, and 28 |
| Nov. 23 – Nov. 29 | One spike elk | Units 11, 15, 17, 18, 23, and 28 | |
| Units 12, 14, and 20 | |||
| Western/Eastern Archery | Aug. 31 – Sept. 29 | One elk | Units 15, 20, 23, 25, and 28 |
| One bull elk | Units 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, and 27 | ||
| One bull 3 pt.+ | Units 10 and 24 | ||
| One spike only elk | Unit 26 |
Hunting License, Tags And Permits Fees
| License | Resident Cost | NonResident Cost |
| Hunting | $34.50 | $172.00 |
| Senior Hunting(age 70 and 5 years Oregon residency) |
$22.00 | / |
| Combination License - Angling and Hunting |
$73.00 | / |
| Sports Pac | $196.50 | / |
| Pioneer Combination - Hunting, Angling, and Columbia Rvr Basin Endorsement (age 65 and 50 years Oregon residency) |
$6.00 | / |
| Combination License (12-17 years old) | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Youth Sports Pac | $55.00 | / |
| Uniformed Services Hunting | $17.00 | $34.50 |
| Disabled Veteran Combination | Free | / |
| Big Game Tag | Resident Cost | NonResident Cost |
| Black Bear | $16.50 | $16.50 |
| Additional Bear | $16.50 | $16.50 |
| Cougar | $16.50 | $16.50 |
| Additional Cougar | $16.50 | $16.50 |
| Deer | $28.50 | $443.50 |
| Elk | $49.50 | $588.00 |
| Bighorn Sheep | $142.00 | $1,513.50 |
| Pronghorn Antelope | $51.50 | $395.50 |
| Rocky Mountain Goat | $142.00 | $1,513.50 |
| Permit | Resident Cost | NonResident Cost |
| Duplicate Tag | $2.00 | |
| Wildlife Area Parking Permit - Daily | $10.00 | |
| Wildlife Area Parking Permit - Annual | $30.00 | |
| Controlled Hunt Application - Big Game | $8.00 | |
| Waterway Access Permit | $7.00 weekly/7day $19.00 annual $32.00 two-year |
|
| Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit | Free | |
How To Buy Licenses, Tags Or Permits?
There are three options for purchasing a license, tags, or applying for a controlled hunt in Oregon:
- Purchase online at the official site: Oregon Department of Fish&Wildlife and opt for electronic documents; bring them on your mobile device;
- Purchase online and choose paper documents and print them at home;
- Purchase from a license sales agent or ODFW office that sells licenses; they can print your documents on standard paper or help you with electronic documents.
License Requirements:
- All hunters must have a valid hunting license.
- Licenses are valid from January 1 or the date of purchase onwards until December 31 of the current year.
- Only one annual hunting license per person is allowed.
- For hunting big game, except for a hunting license, a valid big game tag is required.
What Is a Controlled Hunt In Oregon?
In Oregon, a controlled hunt is a limited hunting opportunity where hunters must apply in advance through a drawing system, with some tags given based on preference points and the rest distributed randomly among applicants.
Many types of hunting in the state, including deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, Spring Bear, and Rocky Mtn goat, fall under these limited entry regulations.
Each controlled hunt application is given a unique seven-digit random number. A seed number is drawn for each hunt series to determine successful tag applicants.
In big game hunts like deer, elk, pronghorn, and spring bear, 75% of tags go to first choice applicants with preference points, while the rest are randomly awarded to the rest first choice and second choice.
If your first choice hunt is not drawn each year, you earn a preference point to boost your chances for the next year. Successfully drawing your first choice hunt resets your preference points to zero.
These points are linked to your ODFW ID# and remain until you draw your first choice hunt in a series. To keep accumulating points and improve your odds, apply for a point saver if you are unable to hunt or opt for a general season.
How To Apply For Controlled Hunt?
To apply, you must first purchase an annual hunting license. The application deadline is on May 15, and the draw result is available to check on June 12.
Step 1: Log in to your account HERE, and select "Controlled hunts";
Step 2: Choose your hunt series and add them to cart;
Step 3: Complete each application on the popup window and then proceed to the checkout
Step 4: Confirm all your applications are correct and Pay Now for them.
Oregon Deer Hunting Regulations
- Hunting hours: Deer may only be hunted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
- It is illegal to hunt or bother wildlife from a motorized vehicle or use drones for hunting or trapping
- Individuals under 18 must wear visible orange while hunting certain game animals.
- Hunters must leave evident to prove deer sex in the field after harvesting.
- Selling, borrowing, or lending big game tags is prohibited.
- Hunting deer with dogs, using artificial light, and hunting on private property without permission is not allowed.
- Centerfire rifles during deer and elk seasons, bows with less than 40 pounds draw weight, and scopes are not allowed.
- Specific weapon restrictions include a minimum .22 caliber for rifles; .40 caliber Round ball or legal bullet for Muzzleloader; and #1 or larger buckshot or slugs for shotguns.
- Hunting with a centerfire rifle without a valid deer or elk tag is illegal in certain areas and times.
- Reporting deer and elk through ELS is mandatory, or there will be a penalty of$25 for not doing so.
Conclusion
As the Oregon Deer Season will start in a few months, we hope this guide has led you to make the most of your hunting trips in the state.
Oregon's deer season offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the wilderness, test your skills, and create lasting memories. So, mark your calendar with our guide, obtain your licenses, and follow the regulations to hunt ethically for a trophy hunting!