Mule Deer - Rifle

Big Game

Oregon manages an array of big game with most requiring obtaining a tag for the specific species, and these tags are divided into two types: General Season Tags (over-the-counter) and Controlled Hunt Tags (by draw).

For deer and elk, Oregon has both general seasons and controlled hunts depending on the area. To get a controlled hunt tag, you must apply in the annual drawing with the application deadline on May 15 each year for all fall controlled big game hunts.

Oregon uses a preference point system: the more points you have (from years of unsuccessful applications), the better your odds. In fact, for each hunt, 75% of tags go to the applicants with the highest points, and 25% are drawn randomly among all who applied (with at least 1 point in the pool). This means eventually high-point holders are guaranteed a tag for hunts in high demand.

Non-residents do not have a separate draw and can participate in the same controlled draw, with a limitation that no more than ~5% of tags in a controlled hunt go to non-residents (except it can be up to 10% if non-residents apply as a party with residents).

All pronghorn antelope hunting in Oregon is by controlled draw (no general season). Application by May 15, results in June. Tags are limited and require many preference points (often 10+ for a buck tag).

Oregon has general season tags for Black bear. There are two bear seasons: spring and fall. Spring bear hunting is controlled in most units – one must apply by Feb 10 for a spring bear tag (with limited tags per unit).

Cougar (Mountain Lion): Cougar hunting in Oregon is year-round (with some unit seasonal exceptions) and is over-the-counter with zonal harvest limits. Hunters must purchase a cougar tag (up to two tags per year) and report any harvest.

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat: Oregon conducts controlled draw hunts for Rocky Mountain and California bighorn sheep and mountain goats. These are once-in-a-lifetime tags if drawn. Very few tags (like ~25 sheep tags, ~2-5 goat tags per year) are available, and applications are due May 15 with results in June. It often takes maximum points or extreme luck to draw.

Small Game

Oregon’s small game and bird hunting includes upland game birds (pheasant, quail, grouse, partridge), migratory game birds (ducks, geese, doves, band-tailed pigeon), cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare, and furbearers/small mammals like coyotes, nutria, etc. Hunting small game in Oregon requires a valid hunting license and certain validations for bird hunting:

• Upland Game Bird Validation: Required for hunters 18 years and older who hunt upland game birds.
• Waterfowl Validation: Required for hunters 14 years and older to hunt ducks and geese in Oregon
• Non-Resident Game Bird Validation: Oregon has a special combined validation for non-residents age 18+ that covers all game birds (both upland and waterfowl)
• HIP (Harvest Information Program) Validation: Required for any migratory bird hunting (dove, waterfowl, band-tailed pigeon, etc.). This is a free validation you must obtain each year (just like other states’ HIP).
• Federal Duck Stamp: Same federal requirement – needed for waterfowl hunters 16 and older.
• Furbearer License – to hunt or trap furbearers like bobcat or river otter, you need a Furtaker’s License or a Hunting License for Furbearers. However, a general hunting license does allow hunting of “unprotected mammals” (coyotes, skunks, etc.) and furbearers except you cannot take bobcat/otter without a furtaker permit. If you’re just after coyotes or rabbits, no additional license needed beyond hunting license

Turkey: In Oregon, wild turkey hunting is regulated as upland game bird. You must have an Oregon hunting license and a Turkey Tag for spring or fall hunts. Turkey tags are sold over-the-counter (no draw) for both spring and fall seasons. Each tag allows the harvest of one turkey (male or bearded in spring, either-sex in fall with some limits). Residents and non-residents can each purchase up to 3 turkey tags per year (generally 2 in spring, 1 in fall).

Documents that you need for hunting in Oregon:

• Oregon Hunting License – Required for anyone 12 or older to hunt. Youth 12-17 can get the Youth Combo License which covers hunting and fishing.
• Big Game Tags
• Upland Game Bird Validation, Waterfowl (Migratory Bird) Validation, Non-Resident Game Bird Validation, HIP Validation, Federal Duck Stamp, Turkey Tags, and other game bird permits, if applicable.
• Hunter Education Card
• Harvest Reporting – After the season, you are required to report whether or not you hunted and whether you harvested for each big game or turkey tag you had.
• Wildlife Area Parking Permit – If you drive to certain ODFW wildlife areas, you need a parking permit. One annual permit is included with the purchase of a hunting license (for residents; non-res maybe too – check license docs), or you can buy one. It must be displayed in your vehicle. This is relevant if hunting in those areas (like Sauvie Island).
• Furbearer License (if pursuing bobcat/otter by hunting)

Minimum Hunter Age

In Oregon, the minimum age to hunt big game is effectively 12 years old. Youth must be 12 or older to obtain a hunting license and big game tags. Additionally, all hunters under 18 must have hunter education certification.

Youth 11 and under can still hunt certain game under supervision, even though they can’t be licensed for big game. Oregon provides a free Youth Game Bird license for those 11 and younger, which allows them to hunt game birds (upland and migratory) under adult supervision without paying. From age 12 to 17, youth hunters must obtain a Youth Hunting License ($10) and are allowed to hunt independently (though parental supervision is recommended). They are required to have completed hunter education.

Links to Read More Information

• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife – https://myodfw.com/