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 have long-standing traditions of deer or elk camp spent with family and friends.
2021 big game seasons
There are two ways to hunt big game in Oregon – during a general season or in a controlled hunt.
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
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
Additional: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31
Tag Required: Additional General Season Tag
Deer, western Oregon Any Legal Weapon*
Oct. 2 - Nov. 5
Tag Required: General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon Tag
*hunts formerly known as Centerfire
Deer, eastern Archery
Beginning in 2021, eastern Oregon archery is entirely controlled hunts.
Deer, western Archery
Season: Aug. 28 – Sept. 26*
Tag Required: General Archery Season Western Oregon Tag
*See page 29 of Big Game Regulations for late season hunts.
Elk, West Cascade Any Legal Weapon*
Season: Nov. 6-12
Tag Required: General West Cascade Tag
*hunts formerly known as Centerfire
Elk, Rocky Mountain Any Legal Weapon*
Second Season: Nov. 6 – Nov. 14
Tag Required: General Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain Second Season Tag
*hunts formerly known as Centerfire
Elk, Coast Bull Elk Any Legal Weapon*
First Season: Nov. 13 - Nov. 16
Tag Required: General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag
Second Season: Nov. 20 – Nov. 26
Tag Required: General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag
*hunts formerly known as Centerfire
Elk, western/eastern Archery
Season: Aug. 28 – Sept. 26
Tag Required: General Archery Season Tag
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 of 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.
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Additional Resources
Take a hunter education course
Sign up to take a hunter education course -- find online options, order a workbook or register for a traditional class.
Find a place to hunt
Finding a place to hunt can be a challenge — even in a state that's 50 percent public land. This map will help you find access for your next hunt.
Find your hunter information
Check preference points, application results and report hunts.
Find the latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.