Are you excited for the hunting season in Oregon this year? With over 34 million acres of open land for hunting, Oregon is an exciting hunting ground for many. But you must know the regulations and have the necessary licenses before hunting. Let’s look at when the deer hunting season starts in Oregon and what you’ll need to get your trophy stag!
Season Dates
When the open season for deer hunting begins, ensure you remember your bag limit and have the correct license with the required tag. Oregon’s hunting zones split into the western and eastern zones.
Zones 10 to 30 form the western zone, while 31 to 75 comprise the eastern zone. Take note that seasons also go according to certain weapons being used. The dates below are for both zones’ general and controlled hunting seasons.
| Open Season | Tag | Bag Limit | Zone Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Zone (General) | 7 Oct. – Nov 10. | Any legal weapon with an appropriate tag | One Deer with antlers | Zone 10 to 30 |
| Eastern Zone (Controlled) | Consult controlled hunt tables | Controlled 100 Series Deer Tag | Consult controlled hunt tables | Consult the controlled hunt table; see pages 34–37. |
Specific Dates Hunting Days
| Dates | Region / Species of Deer | Weapon | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Season | Western | All legal Weapons | Oct. 7 – Nov. 10 |
| Deer Season | Eastern | Archery | Completely controlled hunts |
| Deer Season | Western | Archery | Sept. 2 – Oct. 1 |
| Elk | Western | All Legal Weapons | Nov. 11 – 17 |
| Elk | Eastern (Rocky Mountains) | All Legal Weapons | Nov. 11 – 19 |
| Elk | Western (Coast) | All Legal Weapons | Nov. 18 – 21Nov. 25 – Dec. 1 |
| Elk | Western/Eastern | Archery | Sept. 2 – Oct 1 |
Check the Oregon Hunting Regulations document for more information regarding dates and regulations.
Licensing and Tags
| License / Tag Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident Apprentice Hunting License | $34 |
| Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License | $172 |
| Resident Junior Hunting License | $11 |
| Resident Senior Hunting License | $22 |
| Pioneer Combination | $6 |
What Weapons can you Hunt Deer with in Oregon?
Firearms:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | 28 gauge and shoot a solid projectile, you may use #1 Buckshot |
| Centerfire rifle | Must exert 1200 pounds of muzzle energy |
| Handguns | 43 caliber and down with a barrel no longer than four and a half inches. |
Bow and Arrow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrows | Arrow must be 24 inches in length. |
| Broadheads | Broadheads can be fixed with two blades and must be ⅞ inches wide at their widest point. |
| Bow characteristics | LongBow minimum draw weight for hunting deer is 30 lbs and a draw length of 28’. Recurve Bows minimum draw weight is 30 lbs. |
Crossbow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Crossbow draw weight | Crossbows have a draw tension that exceeds 75 lbs and must be mechanically safe. |
| Arrows/ bolts | The arrow/ bolt must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broad head. |
| Broadheads | Must be ⅞ inches at the widest point. |
Muzzleloading Rifle:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Powder | Black powder or black powder substitute only. At least 60 grains of black powder. |
| Caliber | Single barrel of .40 caliber or greater, with a 6-inch barrel. |
| Legal projectile | Muzzleloaders can be smoothbore or rifled, lead alloy, all-lead, or copper soft-nosed projectiles. |
| Ignition | Matchlock, flintlock ignition system, percussion ignition system with a primer or percussion cap, or a wheel-lock. |
What Types of Deer Are Popular in Oregon?
In Oregon, there are various deer species to hunt, including the Mule Deer, Columbian White Tailed deer, Black Tailed Deer, Pronghorn, and Elk.
The Mule Deer is a prized North American game with unmistakably large ears. Their natural habitat consists of a blend of open and forested terrain, and they can travel great distances between their summer and winter ranges. As a hunter, it’s essential to know their preferred habitats and migration patterns. Their diet consists solely of plants, and they serve as a valuable source of sustenance for predators.
The Columbian White-tailed deer is a prized game species that can be found in the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The deer has a light brown hide and a unique white rump marked by a dark stripe. They inhabit areas close to bodies of water within wooded regions and marshlands. Their numbers were once scarce, but they have made a comeback through hunting efforts.
The Black-tailed deer is a prized game animal found in North America’s rugged western coastal regions. This deer has a dark brown hide, a snowy underbelly, and a stubby, obsidian tail. They inhabit the forests, brushlands, and meadows. They’re crucial to the ecosystem as prey and carriers of seeds.
The Pronghorn antelope is a prized catch for hunters in western North America due to its impressive speed. You can identify this deer through its tan and white hide, adorned with dark markings on the countenance and upper torso. We suggest checking our types of deer article to know how to spot which deer you’re looking at. Due to their vegetation-based diets, they inhabit grasslands, shrublands, and deserts.
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of spotting a massive elk. Catching them is a different story; here are a few tips for bowhunting elk. These majestic creatures boast a rich brown coat and a distinctive light rump patch that makes them easy to spot from a distance. In addition, the bull elk boasts impressive antlers and feeds on vegetation. This prey species inhabit the rugged terrain of mountains, dense forests, and open grasslands, serving as sustenance for apex predators such as wolves and bears.
What else is Popular to Hunt in Oregon?
Oregon has plenty of great game species you can hunt besides deer; just be sure to purchase the appropriate tags before you hunt any and ensure that your weapons meet the requirements for hunting small game. Here is a list of other animals you can hunt in Oregon:
- Elk
- Bighorn Sheep
- California Quail
- Pheasant
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit
- Black-tailed Deer
- White-Tailed Jackrabbit
- Cougar
- Pronghorn
- Coots
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ground Squirrel
- Gray Fox
- American Black Bear
- Western gray Squirrel
- Chukar
- Mountain Cottontail hare
- Eurasian Collared Dove
- Muskrat