ODFW’s electronic licensing system (ELS)

Getting started

To purchase online, first you need to set up your account. You may already have a profile in the system—all customers who have purchased an annual license since 2016, or have preference points or any certifications (such as disabilities permit) already have a profile. Use Verify/Look up your Account to find your profile and complete account setup which requires a valid email address.

If you are a brand new ODFW customer with no preference points or certifications then choose Create an Account Today instead.

Don’t want to create an online account? You can purchase all documents at a license sale agent

Electronic or paper tagging

While setting up your account, you can choose whether you want to carry electronic licenses and tags on your phone or mobile device, or carry paper licenses and tags that you print yourself.

If you choose electronic and are fishing or hunting for a species that requires a tag, you MUST download the MyODFW app on your mobile device and sign in to it after you have created your account (more below). You are required to immediately tag any salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, big game animal, turkey or pheasant on the app even when you are without internet access. You may be cited by Oregon State Police if you don’t immediately tag so please download the app which lets you tag without internet access.

If you choose paper, you can print your license and tag directly from your home or any printer. (E-taggers can also print paper copies of their licenses but not their tags.) You can also visit a license sale agent to have it printed. ODFW recommends you keep your documents in a plastic bag to protect them.

The MyODFW app and where to get it

Regulations require you to IMMEDIATELY tag your fish (salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut), big game animal, turkey or pheasant after harvest. The MyODFW app works when you are offline allowing you to tag immediately, even without internet service.

It’s important to first create your ODFW account on the MyODFW licensing page before attempting to login to the app. Use the username and password created on the licensing page to login and sync your app.

For more tips on e-tagging please visit https://myodfw.com/articles/tips-tagging-fish-and-game

You can download the MyODFW app in the Google Play or Apple App store

Apply for a controlled hunt online

There are step-by-step directions at "How to apply for a controlled hunt."

Common problems and fixes

I am having problems with the site and using Internet Explorer.

The preferred browsers for ODFW’s licensing system are Chrome and Firefox. Safari and Edge also work.

Customers using Internet Explorer are likely to experience problems as Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft (Edge is now Microsoft’s default browser).

If you are still using Internet Explorer, ODFW recommends changing to another browser. Here’s how to do that:

From your desktop

In the search bar next to the start menu type “default” then select “Choose a default web browser.”

If not using a search bar, click on the start menu and go to Settings > Choose a default web browser (or Settings > Apps > Default Apps).

Scroll down to the web browser section and click on the menu to pick a new default browser. You may need to visit the App store to download Chrome, Firefox or Edge (or Safari for Apple products).

As with any app, it’s important to keep the app updated. Most browsers on your desktop will automatically update (though you can check to confirm this and update manually). From your mobile phone, go to the App store, hit updates, and then Update the browser to be sure you are using most current version.

I can’t report on my tags/ see my preference points / see my certifications online.

It’s likely you didn’t Verify/Look up your Account, but created a new one, and that’s why you are not seeing your tags or points. Email odfw.websales@odfw.Oregon.gov, call Licensing at 503-947-6101 so we can delete your duplicate account. Once that’s done, go back to the ODFW Licensing website and use Verify/Lookup Account to enter your Hunter/Angler ID number# (aka ODFW ID#) from a prior license, or an email or phone number associated with your account. You will be able to use your email again in your verified account but will need to select a new username. 

I can’t get past verifying my residence / verifying social security number in system.

Be sure you are entering residence for the date system is asking for, which is not necessarily your current residence. Another trick is to try entering just a zip code and letting the city auto-populate (the system is picky about spelling and sometimes information migrated from old system was misspelled when entered). If that still doesn’t work, you can contact ODFW by email to odfw.websales@odfw.Oregon,gov, or at 503-947-6101 and we’ll look up your city for you.

If the system is not letting you past social security number verification, it may indicate that you created a duplicate account or have some other problem. Contact us via one of the channels above so we can try to fix your problem.

I’m locked out of the ELS system and can’t login.

Wait at least five minutes and try again. Users have three tries to enter a correct username and password before they are locked out for five minutes. If needed, use the “Forgot Password” or “Forgot Username” and follow the process to reset your password or retrieve username. If you do reset your password, you still need to wait five minutes to enter information and log back in.

If you never receive your password reset email, check your spam folder. If you used a work email, it may be because your employer’s firewall is blocking the email. There also may be an issue with the spelling of the email you entered into the licensing system. Contact ODFW if you are unable to reset your password.

I get an error message when I try to visit the ODFW Licensing page?

Do not use Internet Explorer to attempt to login to ODFW’s licensing page – this browser is no longer supported by Microsoft and does not meet security standards. Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers for the ODFW licensing system. Safari and Edge are supported, but can experience issues if not kept up to date.

My Android version 4.0 and earlier does not work with the MyODFW app?

The MyODFW app works with Android version 5 and newer because earlier versions (for Android phones version 4.0 from 2013 and earlier) do not meet industry security standards. Android phones from 2013 and prior will not be able to use the app and people with these phones should choose paper tags. ODFW is unaware of similar compatibility issues with any version of iPhone.

How do I buy a one-day or multi-day license online?

For a paper one-day or multi-day license, you can use Guest Checkout to purchase a license and print it from any printer.

For an electronic one-day or multi-day license, you will need to Verify or Create an account at https://odfw.huntfishoregon.com/login Then download the MyODFW app on your phone and enter the username and password you created to see your licenses/tags and tag fish and game when offline.

You can also purchase at a license sales agent.

Hunter ed classes and outdoor workshops

Hunter education classes and outdoor workshops are available for sale online through the licensing page and at ODFW offices. They are not available at license sale agents. More information at:

HOW TO REGISTER FOR COURSE, WORKSHOP OR EVENT

VIEW A LIST OF UPCOMING COURSES AND FIELD DAYS

Mentored Youth Hunter Program

Children age 9-15 are eligible to register for this program. The child who will be mentored (or their parent) needs to login to the child’s online account to register. (Don’t forget to Lookup/Verify the child’s account first if they already have preference points or had an annual Combo license between 2016-2018). Click “Purchase from the Catalog” and the “General” tab, then select Mentored Youth Hunter Program as you would any other item from the catalog and follow through to checkout. Registration is free and you will not be charged for this item. If the child chooses e-tagging, the Mentored Youth registration will show up in their MyODFW app when they sign in to their account.

Report your hunt

The fastest and easiest way to report you hunt is online. Login to your account on the Licensing page, then choose “Submit a Hunting and Fishing Outcome Report” or “Outcome Reporting / Mandatory Reporting” to complete your report. Click the year under License Year to find the tags you need to report on.

If you have never logged in to the Licensing page before, make sure to use the Verify/Look up your Account feature to retrieve your account and setup a username and password. Once your account setup is complete, you will be able to report on your tags.

If after you open an online account, you don’t see your tags to report on, it may be because you created a duplicate account. Contact ODFW at odfw.websales@odfw.Oregon.gov or (503) 947-6101 to fix this issue.

Beginning in 2021, hunters can now report their hunts by visiting a license sales agent. Hunters also can continue to complete mandatory reporting by calling ODFW at 1-866-947-6339 during regular business hours.

Other FAQs 

What products can I purchase online without creating an account at MyODFW.com?

Use the “Shop for Products that don’t Require an account” button to purchase paper (not electronic) daily or multi-day fishing and bird hunting licenses, wildlife area parking permit, habitat conservation stamp, aquatic invasive species prevention permit (motorized or non-motorized), or to make a contribution to conservation. Reminder that if you want to purchase an electronic daily or multi-day license, you will need to create an account.

What happens if my phone dies and I can’t show my electronic license, tag or validation?

Hunters and anglers are required to have and display a license and tag upon contact by ODFW or OSP. It is the hunter or angler’s responsibility to ensure they always have enough battery or an external battery source to power their phone so they can validate their harvest and show their license or tag. Note that even when they are in the field and without cell reception, ODFW and OSP will also be able to see information about licenses/tags/validations you purchased and to check your confirmation number (which indicates you have electronically tagged your big game animal).

Will I have to pin my location when I tag my fish or animal electronically?

Customers have the option of either pinning the location of their harvest or providing the wildlife management unit or fishery location code as they currently do. ODFW recognizes the potential sensitivity of personal hunting and fishing locations and has no current plans to change how it uses location data received from recreational hunters and anglers (which is at the wildlife management unit or fishery location level only). ODFW does not store location data provided though the app.

Do I still have to report my hunt (mandatory reporting) even if I’m using electronic tagging?

Yes and reporting will remains a separate step under the new system as this data is handled separately. Report online through your online licensing account or as of mid December 2022, report from the latest version of the MyODFW app Version 3.0. or if you don’t have access to the internet, visit a license sale agent to report. You can also call ODFW at (503) 947-6101 during regular office hours to report your hunt.

Will the paper tags/validations I print hold up as well as the specialized paper from the old system?

Paper tags/validations will be printed on regular printer paper and will require a little extra care when you’re in the field, such as keeping them in a Ziploc/plastic bag or some other waterproof carrier. If you damage or lose your paper tag, visit any license sales agent or ODFW office and get a new one for $2. The new paper tag will have a different barcode so the old paper tag will be invalid. (Note that previously, duplicate tags cost $25.50 or the original cost of the document if lower.) There are no limits on how many copies of your angling or hunting license you can print.

Can I have both an electronic and paper version of my license or tag?

No. You need to choose either electronic or paper. However, customers who choose paper will have the option of changing to electronic during the season. Customers who chose paper will also be able to create an online account and use the MyODFW app where they can see licenses/tags purchased, but will be expected to furnish a paper copy of their license (recreational portfolio) and tag upon contact by OSP.

How many copies of my tags can I print?

Customers may print only one big game, turkey, fee pheasant, angling tag or hatchery harvest card. It is unlawful to make copies. If you lose your tag and need a reprint, you need to go to a license sales agent or ODFW office and pay $2 for a reprint. Each reprinted tag is unique and only the most recent reprint from the system is valid. OSP and ODFW staff have the ability to scan the barcode on a printed tag to confirm it's valid.

While tags are limited to one copy, customers may print multiple copies of their paper license (e.g. recreational portfolio).

Can I carry my kids’ (or anyone else’s) electronic licenses/tags along with my own on my phone?

No, due to the long-standing regulation that requires each hunter/angler to carry their own license/tag. People without cell phones should choose paper tagging.

Can I purchase a federal duck stamp on the new system?

No. Federal duck stamps (required for duck, goose, merganser, brant hunting) are not sold through ODFW’s licensing system and will not appear on the MyODFW app or in your online account. Hunters need to carry their federal duck stamp in addition to their ODFW licenses. Purchase your stamp at a post office or another location that sells them (such as an outdoor retailer or national wildlife refuge and some ODFW offices). While it’s not available in Oregon right now, some state electronic licensing systems sell federal duck stamps, see https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/e-stamp.php for more information.

Does ODFW intend to eventually phase out paper licenses/tags?

No. ODFW will continue to offer an electronic or paper option.

Will my data be secure?

Yes, the new system meets all data security requirements, including encryption of personally identifiable information in transit and at rest. Personally identifiable information and financial information will not be collected by or stored in the system that you will interact with to access your license and other products. The information will be stored, using full encryption for both in transit and at rest data, in a separate system that has no direct access point for the general public.

Need help? Email odfw.websales@odfw.Oregon.gov, call ODFW Licensing at (503) 947-6101.