Apply for point savers beginning at age 9

Age 12 is the minimum age for kids to hunt big game on their own tag, but kids can start applying for point savers at age 9 for each species. (A hunting license is required which costs only $10 for kids, plus $8 per application.)

Point savers are available for purchase from Dec 1-May 15 and again from July 1-Nov 30 each year.

Register each year for mentored youth hunter program

This is a great way to introduce kids to hunting. It allows youth 9 through 15 years of age to hunt without first passing an approved hunter safety education course. It gives unlicensed youngsters the opportunity to receive mentored, one-on-one field experience and training on the ethics, safety, responsibility and enjoyment of hunting while closely supervised by a licensed adult. As an added benefit, each calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) that a youth registers for the program, they bank one free MYHP preference point for that year.

To redeem banked points, the mentored youth can login to their account in MyODFW and apply the points to their selected hunt series. Points must be used at one time and may not be split among species. Once Mentored Youth Preference Points are redeemed, they are converted to the Preference Point System and are subject to the Oregon Administrative Rules that govern preference points.‌

Once logged into your MyODFW account, select the View Preference Points link then select the Edit button next to the hunt series where you are applying points. In the upper right corner of the window is a link to Apply Mentor Points. Select that link and press Save to apply the points.‌

These special points don't expire and youth may redeem them even after they turn age 18 if they choose.

First Time Youth Hunt Program

This program gives families the chance for a back-up plan that ensures new, young hunters will have an opportunity to hunt even it they are unsuccessful in the controlled hunt drawing.

To qualify for the First Time Youth Hunt Program:

• Resident youth 12 to 17 years old.
• Youth may not hunt with First Time tags once they turn 18.
• Youth must have applied for and been unsuccessful for 100, 200, and/or 600 series controlled hunts in the current year's controlled hunt drawing.
• Have never drawn a controlled hunt for that respective series including youth hunts and LOP tags.

Application period begins July 1, and your tag must be applied for prior to the day the hunt begins.

Tag deadlines apply - If tag is not purchased prior to the first day of the hunt, the tag sale deadline fee will apply.

Keep in mind that:

• Youth must have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card) prior to hunt start date.
• Youth that only apply for a Point Saver in the current year are not eligible for a First Time youth tag for that hunt series.
• A youth loses eligibility for a First Time youth tag in a hunt series once they are successful for any hunt choice in that series (including youth hunts and LOP tags), except for leftover tags.
• Preference points will not be used if participating in the First Time program.
• Youth can use their First Time program options in any combination (all in one year, one per year, skip years between tags).
• First Time approvals are valid for the year they are approved. If all species are selected and youth is approved for all, then all of the tags will need to be purchased for that year or be forfeited.
• Once a youth has been approved for any or all series First Time youth tags, they are no longer eligible for that series, whether or not the tag is purchased for that year.
• Youth can opt to hunt in general seasons and use leftover tags if available without losing eligibility for "First Time" tag.
• First Time youth tags are not extra tags. Youth are still limited to the maximum number of tags per species (series) per year. For example, a youth can possess only one controlled buck deer tag or one general rifle deer tag or one general bow deer tag or one leftover tag, if available.
• Other hunters with appropriate tags may hunt with youth.

The First Time Youth Hunt Program applies to all controlled hunts that meet a minimum tag allocation:

Buck Deer (100 series): at least 201 tags.
Elk (200 series) antlerless only: at least 51 tags.
Antlerless deer (600 series): at least 51 tags.

2025 FTY List

To apply for the first-time youth tag:

• You will need to log into the youth's account.
• If you do not have access to the youth's account, please call ODFW Licensing at 503-947-6101, Option 2.
• Go to the "Controlled Hunts" section.

• If they have met the requirements, you will select the First Time Youth Button.

• The species that they have met the requirements for will be available to select in the drop down menu.

• Once you have chosen the species you will be provided a list of the eligible hunts. Choose the one you want.

• Read and attest that you understand this is a one time per species opportunity and will no longer be eligible even if the tag is not purchased.
• You can opt to wait to purchase the tag later if you wish.

If you select to purchase the tag now it will take you to the product catalog and the tag will be available to go through the purchase process.

If you think your youth is eligible but do not see the button, please contact ODFW Licensing at 503-947-6101, Option 2.

Youth-only hunts and seasons

Big game hunts

Elk
ODFW offers youth controlled elk hunts with longer seasons (Aug-Mar). To apply, hunters must:

• Be 12-17 years old at the time of the hunt.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
• Have a valid hunting license and tag valid for the dates, area and species being hunted.

The application deadline is May 15. For more information about the hunts available and how to apply, see this year's Oregon Big Game Regulations.

Visit e-regulations

Deer
To increase youth hunting opportunity, the Western Oregon general buck deer Any Legal Weapon season is extended two days for youth 12-17 years of age. Youth hunters with an unfilled General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon deer tag or an unfilled W. High Cascade (119A) controlled hunt tag may hunt the area of the Western Oregon General Buck Deer season the Saturday and Sunday after general season ends. This opportunity is not available to Mentored Youth Hunt Program participants as each youth hunter must have their own tag to participate.

To apply for this program hunters must:

• Be 12-17 years old at the time of the hunt.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
• Have a valid hunting license and tag valid for the dates, area and species being hunted.

The application deadline is May 15. For more information about the hunts available and how to apply, see this year's Oregon Big Game Regulations.

Visit e-regulations

Game bird hunts

Youth Upland Bird Hunts

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus on safety and success. These hunts are held at state wildlife areas and on private and federal lands throughout the state each fall. Participants in these hunts must:

• Must be age 17 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
• Have a valid hunting license, if 12 or older, with an upland game bird validation, and a permit for the hunt area, if required.
• Wear a blaze orange hat and vest, and shooting glasses or other eye protection. Adults accompanying you must also wear these same items.

The dates and locations of each year's hunts are posted by August. Some hunts require reservation, check the list below for your hunt area. Also check out details for the Youth Chukar Hunt in October!

Find this year's hunts

Spring Youth Turkey Hunt

Every year on the weekend before the opening of the General Spring Turkey Season, hunters 17 years and younger will have the field to themselves for a youth-only turkey season. No special registration or application is required to participate in this hunt, but youth hunters must:

• Be 17 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
• Have a valid hunting license, if 12 or older, and a spring turkey tag.
• Not be hunting under the Mentored Youth Hunt Program. (Youth hunters must have their own tag to participate in the youth-only season, and not be hunting on an adult's tag. They may hunt under the Mentored Youth program during the regular general spring turkey season).

Waterfowl

Youth waterfowl hunts are held at several wildlife areas and federal refuges each fall/winter. In addition, there is a statewide waterfowl season in late September. To participate in these hunts, youth must:

• Be 17 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Hunter Safety Education card in possession (orange temporary or permanent card).
• Have a valid hunting license, if 12 or older, with a migratory HIP validation, and a permit for the hunt area, if required.
• Have a federal waterfowl stamp if 16 years or older.

For more information about the hunts available and how to make a reservation, see this year's Oregon Game Bird Regulations.

Visit e-regulations

Youth licenses - purchase online

Youth license includes fishing, hunting, shellfish, and Columbia River Basin Endorsement.
Resident/nonresident $10

Youth Sports Pac includes a Combination fishing/hunting/shellfish license, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag; Spring Turkey Tag, General Cougar Tag, General or Controlled Bear Tag, General or Controlled Elk Tag, and General or Controlled Deer Tag ; and Validations for Upland Birds and Waterfowl (redeem after July 1 for current season).
Resident $55
Nonresident N/A

Deer, elk, and bear tags are not automatically issued at the time a Sports Pac License is issued. Hunters must remember to redeem voucher(s) or pick up deer, elk and bear tags prior to the tag sale deadline for deer, elk and controlled bear and by Sept. 30 for general bear. (See this year's Oregon Big Game Regulations)

Hunter Safety Education

Youth 17 and younger must pass a hunter safety education course before hunting in Oregon, unless enrolled in the Mentored Youth Program. Students have two options: an online course with a required in-person field day or an all in-person conventional class taught through ODFW's statewide network of over 200 volunteer instructors. Online students must pass a required field day with a hunter safety education instructor before receiving a valid Hunter Safety Education certification card.

Learn more about taking a HuntER SAFETY EDUCATION COURSE

Hunters age 17 and under must wear a hunter orange exterior garment (shirt, jacket, coat, vest, or sweater) or hat when hunting game mammals or upland birds (except turkey) with any firearm. The exterior garment or hat must have hunter orange visible in all directions (360 degrees).