Big game hunting season review

How to hunt big game

ODFW has been reviewing big game hunting to simplify regulations, provide fair and consistent opportunity and ensure biological objectives are met. Here's what’s happening for 2022 and how to comment.

Sign up for email or text updates

2023 Big Game Hunting Regulations proposals

19 meetings scheduled for 2023 season changes

Find a list of locations, dates and times

District wildlife biologists will present proposed statewide and local changes to the 2023 hunting seasons, answer questions and ask for attendees’ feedback.

Potential changes being considered for 2023 big game seasons includes a controlled youth archery elk hunt that would allow hunting in all but five Wildlife Management Units in the state. This hunt would provide those youth with a tag the flexibility to join family or friends archery hunting in general season units and in most units that only offer controlled archery elk hunting.

Find a complete list of all proposed changes

Public comment about the proposals and other issues related to big game regulations will be taken at these meetings. Comments can also be emailed to odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov

Final 2023 Big Game Hunting Regulations will be adopted at the Sept. 16 Commission meeting.

2023 draft tag tables

Improving big game hunting regulations

In 2018, ODFW began a multi-year process to simplify and improve the Big Game Hunting Regulations. Regulation changes are meant to provide more consistency, simplify where possible, and to align them with current wildlife management goals.

Collecting input on hunter opinions and preferences

As part of the Big Game Review, the Department prioritized collecting unbiased information on the preferences and opinions of Oregon’s deer and elk hunters. Responsive Management, a survey and research firm specializing in hunting, fishing and natural resources survey work, was contracted to survey Oregon hunters. Survey efforts began in 2019 with over 2,000 randomly selected hunters being surveyed on their satisfaction, weapon preferences, factors influencing hunt choices, and other issues important for the Department to know.

In early 2020, an online public forum was launched for 30 days so all hunters could provide input on deer and elk hunting season and other issues that were important to them. The forum provided an opportunity for hunters to share ideas and opinions prior to the Department developing proposed changes to 2021 hunting seasons. Following the online forum, another survey was conducted of 4,000 randomly selected Oregon resident deer and elk hunters. This survey focused on preferences and opinions on specific issues related to changes being considered for 2021 hunting seasons.