Big Game Hunting

Seasons

Spring, fall and winter are the seasons when most big game hunters will be in the woods or on the grasslands.

2026 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
Tag sale deadline: Oct. 2

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. 2

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

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

Deer, western Oregon Any Legal Weapon

Oct. 3 - Nov. 6
Tag required: General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon Tag
Tag sale deadline: Oct. 2

Deer, eastern Oregon Any Legal Weapon

Eastern Oregon any legal weapon is entirely controlled hunts.

ATTENTION DEER HUNTERS: Starting in 2026, Eastern Oregon deer hunts will be structured based on Deer Hunt Areas, not WMUs, to reflect mule deer biology and allow for more accurate monitoring and management. Learn more and view the interactive map

Deer, western Archery

Season: Aug. 29 – Sept. 27*
Tag required: General Archery Season Western Oregon Tag
Tag sale deadline: Aug. 28
^*^{See page 33 of Big Game Regulations for late season hunts.}

Deer, eastern Archery

Eastern Oregon archery is entirely controlled hunts.

Successful hunter with a Cascade elk. Photo by Brian Ferry

Elk, West Cascade Any Legal Weapon

Season: Nov. 7-13
Tag required: General West Cascade Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 6

Elk, Rocky Mountain Any Legal Weapon

Second Season: Nov. 7 – Nov. 15
Tag required: General Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain Second Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 6

Elk, Coast Bull Elk Any Legal Weapon

First Season: Nov. 14 - Nov. 17
Tag required: General Western Oregon Coast First Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 13

Second Season: Nov. 21 – Nov. 27
Tag required: General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Nov. 20

**Elk, western/eastern* Archery**

Season: Aug. 29 – Sept. 27
Tag required: General Archery Season Tag
Tag sale deadline: Aug. 28
^{*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.}

Elk, Antlerless Damage

Season: Aug. 1 – Mar. 31, 2027
Tag required: General Season Antlerless Elk Damage Tag

^{*Some portions of units in eastern Oregon have a limited season: Aug. - Nov. 30. See page 48 in the Big Game Hunting Regulations for available units and dates.}

Western gray squirrel

North - Central Oregon

Open Season: Sept. 15 – Oct. 31
Open Area: Units 34, 35, 39, 41 and 42.

Remainder of the state

Open Season: Sept. 1 – Nov. 15
Open Area: Units 10-33, 36-38, 40, 43-77. 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.

Finally got my first bear and it’s a big old boar. Close quarters, a 15 yard shot dropped him in his tracks. — Ryder Bartholomew bagged his first black bear in the White River unit.

Controlled hunts

Controlled hunts are limited entry hunts that require you to apply in advance for the opportunity to draw a tag in ODFW's controlled hunts drawing. Much of Oregon's deer and elk hunting is limited entry — along with all pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, spring bear and Rocky Mtn goat hunting. Learn more about controlled hunts.

Complete your application and apply by February 10 for spring bear, and May 15 for all other big game species.

Specific controlled hunt details and their seasons are listed in the current Oregon Big Game Regulations.