Oregon allows hunters to hunt Roosevelt elk — a rare opportunity to pursue this animal if big game trophies and adventure hunts are on your list of hunts to conquer.
You can also find plenty of deer, dove, goose, and turkey to hunt in the Beaver state. Plus, bear, cougar, and antelope can round out your big game hunt list. If waterfowl is your game of choice, you can't miss the world-class waterfowl hunting in Oregon.
What do you need to know to plan your Oregon hunting seasons? We've pulled together the latest information about season dates, hunting licenses, bag limits, and more. We'll also help you find the best public or private land for a challenging and fun hunt.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Oregon?
The thrill of a big game hunt brings hunters to Oregon, but there's also plenty of small game to keep them busy throughout the year. A good-sized deer population makes it an excellent state for hunting deer.
And, of course, waterfowl hunting in Oregon is some of the best in the U.S.
Plus, Oregon offers some of the most hunter-friendly regulations in the country, with reasonable bag limits and seasons that make it easy to hunt in the state — whether you're a resident or come from out of state.
Where Should I Hunt?
Oregon splits the state into seven hunting areas for game birds and big game hunts. Each area has varying terrain, including forested hills, mountain ranges, deserts, and deep valleys.
With HuntWise, you can scout the land and identify boundaries to find the best places (and permissions) for your hunt. Our layers and 3-D maps help you visualize the terrain so you're prepared for any hunt during any season.
When Can I Hunt?
The Oregon hunting seasons are straightforward, so planning your year is simple. Big game hunting is available through either general season hunts or controlled hunts.
Note that the season information in this guide is the latest available from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW). We'll update this page with the latest season information as it becomes available.
We also recommend checking official resources for the latest hunting season dates, as information can change.
Oregon Deer Season
Buck Deer
General Archery (Western Region): August 30 – September 28, November 15 – December 7, and November 22 – December 14
Any Legal Weapon, Controlled 100 Series (Eastern Region, Buck Deer): Season dates vary based on hunt units
Muzzleloader, Controlled 100 Series (Buck Deer): Season dates vary based on hunt units
Youth, Controlled 100 Series: September 29 – October 15 and November 15 – November 26 (based on hunt units)
Antlerless
Controlled 600 Series (Any Legal Weapon): Season dates vary based on hunt units
Youth, Controlled 600 Series (Any Legal Weapon): Season dates vary based on hunt units
Units 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, & 28: November 15 – 18
Units 11, 15, 17, 18, 23, 28, 12, 14, & 20: November 22 – 28
Eastern:
Units 49, 50, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63, 48 North and West of N Fork John Day River, and Unit 51 North of Hwy 245 and Burnt River Canyon Rd between Unity and Durkee: November 8 – 16
Controlled 200 Series: Dates vary based on the hunt unit.
Archery
Western (Units 15, 20, 23, 25,28, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18,27, 16, 19, 21, 22, 29, and 30, 10, 24, 26): August 30 – September 28
Eastern (Units 35, 38, 40-45, Southern portion of Unit 51, 64, eastern portion of 65, Southern portion of 66, 67-71, 73, and that portion of Unit 77 east of Hwy 97, 31-34, 39, 74, 75, & 76): August 30 – September 28
Controlled 200 Series: Dates vary based on the hunt unit.
General Antlerless Damage Units
All of Units 15, 23, 40, 43, 44, and portions of additional units: August 1 – March 2026
Portions of other units: August 1 – November 30
Antelope
All hunts are controlled hunts. Dates vary based on the hunt unit starting August 16.
Bighorn Sheep
California Controlled (Any Legal Weapon): Dates vary based on the hunt unit starting August 15.
Rocky Mountain Controlled (Any Legal Weapon): August 15 – October 31
Mountain Goat
Controlled, Any Legal Weapon: August 1 – 31, September 1 – October 31, September 15 – October 31, and October 1 – 31 (based on hunt unit)
Cougar
Statewide: January 1 – December 31
Black Bear
Controlled 700 Series, Any Legal Weapon: April 1 – May 31
Statewide: August 1 – December 31
Coyote
Open year-round
Turkey
Spring: April 15 – May 31, 2025
Youth Spring: April 12 – 13 and April 15 – May 31, 2025
Fall
Western Oregon: September 1 – January 31, 2025
Eastern Oregon: October 12 – November 30 and December 1 – January 31, 2025
Beardless: November 1 – February 28, 2025
Western Gray Squirrel
North-Central Region: September 15 – October 31
Remainder of State: September 1 – November 15
Feral Pigs
Open year round
Migratory Birds
Dove:
Zone 1: September 1 – 30 and November 15 – December 14
Zone 2: September 1 – October 30
Band-Tailed Pigeon (Statewide): September 15 – 23
Duck & Merganser:
Zone 1: October 12 – 27 and October 31 – January 26, 2025
Zone 1 Scaup: November 2 – January 26, 2025
Zone 2: October 12 – December 1 and December 5 – January 26, 2025
Zone 2 Scaup: October 12 – December 1 and December 5 – January 8, 2025
Coot (Statewide): Same as Duck zones and dates
Snipe:
Zone 1: November 2 – February 16, 2025
Zone 2: October 12 – January 26, 2025
Crow: October 1 – January 31, 2025
Brant (Statewide): November 30 – December 15
September Canada Goose:
Northwest Permit Zone: September 7 – 15
Southwest Zone: September 7 – 11
High Desert and Blue Mtn Zone: September 7 – 11
Mid-Columbia Zone: September 7 – 11
South Coast Zone: Closed
Regular Canada Goose:
Northwest Permit Zone: October 19 – 27, November 23 – January 16, 2025, and February 8 – March 10, 2025
Southwest Zone: October 12 – 27 and November 5 – January 26, 2025
South Coast Zone: October 5 – December 8, December 21 – January 11, 2025, and February 22 – March 10, 2025
High Desert and Blue Mtn Zone: October 12 – December 1 and December 10 – January 26, 2025
Mid-Columbia Zone: October 12 – 27 and November 5 – January 26, 2025
Regular White-fronted and White Goose:
Northwest Permit Zone: October 19 – 27, November 23 – January 16, 2025, and February 8 – March 10, 2025
White Southwest Zone: October 12 – 27 and November 5 – January 26, 2025
South Coast Zone: October 5 – December 8, December 21 – January 11, 2025, and February 22 – March 10, 2025
High Desert and Blue Mtn Zone: October 12 – December 1 and January 16 – March 10, 2025
Mid-Columbia Zone: October 12 – Jan. 1, 2025 and February 1 – 23, 2025
Ruffed and Blue Grouse (Statewide): September 1 – January 31, 2025
Chukar and Hungarian Partridge (Statewide): October 12 – January 31, 2025
Rooster Pheasant:
Statewide: October 12 – December 31
Western Oregon: September 1 – January 31, 2025
Quail (Eastern Oregon): October 12 – January 31, 2025
Youth Waterfowl (Statewide): September 28 – 29
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl (Statewide): February 1, 2025
What Do I Need to Know About Oregon Hunting Regulations?
All hunters under the age of 18 must pass a hunter education course before getting a hunting license. Then, you can purchase the license for the game you plan to hunt.
For controlled hunts, make sure you understand how to apply through the ODFW licensing system. You can also buy your license for open-season hunts through the same website. Note that you'll need the license before applying for a tag.
What are the Bag Limits?
How many elk, deer, or turkeys can you bring home this year? To comply with the laws for the Oregon hunting seasons, make sure you know the bag limits for every animal you plan to hunt. Check out this overview of the state's bag limits.
Deer
Bag limits vary based on the seasons and type of hunt
Pigeon
2 per day (6 in possession)
Elk
Bag limits vary based on the seasons and type of hunt
Duck & Merganser
7 per day (3x daily in possession)
Antelope
Bag limits vary based on the season dates and hunt unit.
Coot
25 per day (75 in possession)
Bighorn Sheep
1 ram, 1 ewe (hunts 543D1 and 543D2 only)
Snipe
8 per day (24 in possession)
Mountain Goat
1 goat
Crow
No limit
Cougar
1 per tag
Brant
2 per day (6 in possession)
Coyote
No limit
September Canada Goose
5 per day (15 in possession)
Black Bear
1 per tag
Regular Canada Goose
Limits vary based on zones and dates
Squirrel
3 per day, 6 in possession (North-Central region)
5 per day, 15 in possession (remainder of the state)
White-fronted and White Goose
10 white-fronted and 20 white per day (30 white-fronted and 60 white in possession)
Feral Pig
No limit
Grouse
3 of each species per day (9 of each species in possession)
Turkey
1 male or bearded per day (3 for the spring season)
1 or 2 either-sex (fall)
3 hen or beardless (9 in possession/3 permits, beardless fall season)
Partridge
8 per day (24 in possession)
Dove
15 per day (45 in possession)
Pheasant
2 per day, 8 in possession (10 per day, 30 in possession Western Oregon)
Quail
10 per day (30 in possession)
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
Whether you're excited about Oregon elk season or you're planning for a big waterfowl hunt, you need the right gear!
Successful hunts require the right clothing (depending on the season), a sharp hunting knife, good binoculars, and a good rifle for firearm seasons.
Remember: Save money by getting geared up as a HuntWise app user! Use exclusive gear discounts through our app partners to save hundreds on gear.
Plan Successful Oregon Hunting Seasons with HuntWise
We hope this guide helps you plan your hunts in Oregon this year — but don't forget to check official resources for the latest details. Information can change before finalizing your plans.
What else do you need for success? The HuntWise hunting app! Our maps, layers, and forecasting features give you an advantage over other hunters while increasing your chances of a successful day in the field.
Plus, Elite subscribers gain access to more tools in the app, including up to 15 days of weather and animal activity forecasting.
Download the app and start your free trial. You'll be ahead of the game (and other hunters) for opening day!
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