Big Game Hunting

Seasons

August, September and October are the months when most big game hunters will be in the woods or on the grasslands. Many hunters have long-standing traditions of deer or elk camp spent with family and friends.

Visit e-regulations

2023 big game seasons

There are two ways to hunt big game in Oregon – during a general season or in a controlled hunt. (Learn more about controlled hunts.)

Julie Woodman bags a blacktail deer — Julie Woodman of North Bend bagged this blacktail deer in the Evans Creek Unit. Photo by Steve Woodman

General season dates

General season tags can be purchased over-the-counter by anyone with a valid hunting license, any time before the season begins.

Black bear

Statewide: Aug. 1 - Dec. 31
Tag required: General Season Fall Tag
Tag sale deadline: Oct. 6

Additional bear: Aug. 1 – Dec. 31
Tag Required: Additional General Season Fall Tag

Cougar

General statewide: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31
Tag required: General Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Oct. 6

Additional: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31
Tag required: Additional General Season Tag

Deer, western Oregon Any Legal Weapon*

Oct. 7 - Nov. 10
Tag required: General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon Tag
Tag sale deadline: Oct. 6
^{*hunts formerly known as Centerfire}

Deer, eastern Archery

Eastern Oregon archery is entirely controlled hunts.

Deer, western Archery

Season: Sept. 2 – Oct. 1*
Tag required: General Archery Season Western Oregon Tag
Tag sale deadline: Sept. 1
^{*See page 33 of Big Game Regulations for late season hunts.}

Elk, West Cascade Any Legal Weapon*

Season: Nov. 11-17
Tag required: General West Cascade Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov 10
^{*hunts formerly known as Centerfire}

Successful hunter with a Cascade elk. Photo by Brian Ferry

Elk, Rocky Mountain Any Legal Weapon*

Second Season: Nov. 11 – Nov. 19
Tag required: General Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain Second Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 10
^{* Hunts formerly known as centerfire}

Elk, Coast Bull Elk Any Legal Weapon*

First Season: Nov. 18 - Nov. 21
Tag required: General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 17

Second Season: Nov. 25 – Dec. 1
Tag required: General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 24
^{*hunts formerly known as Centerfire}

**Elk, western/eastern* Archery**

Season: Sept. 2 – Oct. 1
Tag required: General Archery Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Sept. 1
^{*Some units in eastern Oregon have moved to controlled only for archery elk. See pages 46-47 in the Big Game Hunting Regulations for available units.}

Western gray squirrel

Open Season: Sept. 1 – Nov. 15
Open Area: All units west of the eastern boundary of the Santiam, McKenzie, Indigo, Sprague and Interstate units. Exceptions: No bag limit or closed season in that part of the Rogue Unit south of Rogue River and South Fork Rogue River and north of Hwy 140.

Open Season: Sept. 15 – Oct. 31
Open Area: White River, Hood, Paulina, Metolius and Upper Deschutes units

Controlled hunts

Controlled hunt tags are limited and are available only through a drawing or lottery. They must be applied for in advance through the control hunt process and are usually required for hunts in eastern Oregon. The deadline to apply for controlled hunt tags is May 15 each year, except for spring bear hunts where the application deadline is Feb. 10.

Specific controlled hunts, and their seasons, are listed in the current Oregon Big Game Regulations.