Choosing a controlled hunt

While the word "hunt" is most commonly used as a verb, in the controlled hunt process the word "hunt" is a noun that describes the species, location and (sometimes) the type of weapon you can use. Each hunt has a unique identifier that includes three numbers and (often) a letter.

• The first digit indicates what you want to hunt for.
• The next two digits indicate where you want to hunt.
• The letter(s) at the end indicates how you want to hunt (rifle, bow, muzzleloader) or other special hunt features.

WHAT do you want to hunt?

This is probably the easiest question to answer. The first digit of each hunt relates to the species you want to hunt. Each big game mammal has its own hunt series.

Hunt series

• 100 - Buck Deer
• 200 - Elk
• 400 - Pronghorn antelope
• 500 - Bighorn sheep
• 600 - Antlerless deer (including hunts with a bag limit of "one deer")
• 700 - Spring bear
• 900 - Rocky Mountain goat

A hunt starting with a 1 will always be a 100 series buck deer hunt. Hunts beginning with a 2 will always be a 200 series elk hunt, and so on. Each big game species also has its own section in the Big Game Hunting Regulations where you will find all of the controlled hunts and general seasons for that species.

WHERE do you want to hunt?

The second and third numbers in a controlled hunt tell you where the hunt is. Oregon is divided into 68 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs or units). Each of these units has a unique name and unique WMU number. For example: The McKenzie Unit is WMU 19. Sled Springs is WMU 57.

You can find a written description of the boundaries for each WMU towards the back of the Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations. You also can find maps of these units on MyODFW.com. Just use the search bar and the unit name, such as "Trask map" or "Upper Deschutes map."

Hunt boundaries

Some hunts have the exact same hunt boundaries as the WMU they are in. They will not have an asterisk (*) at the end of the hunt name.

However, hunts may be bigger than one unit, or smaller than a full unit. These hunts are marked with an asterisk(*).

The 139R2 hunt does not have an asterisk. The boundaries for this hunt are the exact boundaries for WMU 39, the Metolius Unit. You will not find a separate hunt boundary description in the regulations or a map for the 139R2 hunt. Instead, use the map for the Metolius WMU.

Hunts including part of more than one unit

The 141R hunt does have an asterisk (*) In this case the hunt includes sections of more than one WMU. There is a written description of the 141R hunt boundaries Big Game Regulations that reads:

Hunts smaller than a full WMU

Some hunts will be smaller than the full WMU. For example, both of the buck deer hunts in the Biggs Unit (WMU 43) have an asterisk and are examples of hunts that are smaller than a full WMU.

Hunts including more than one full unit

Other hunts may include more than one WMU. For example, the hunts in the Eagle Cap Zone cover a huge area.

Usually when there are two or more units, the hunt is numbered with the lowest WMU number, in this case WMU 53 is the lowest of the five WMUs included in these hunts.

HOW do you want to hunt?

The majority of controlled hunts are Any Legal Weapon seasons. You can use any legal rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader or bow during these seasons. The two exceptions for controlled hunts are:

• R - archery only
• M - muzzleloader only.
• If the hunt description doesn't include an R or M, you can hunt with any legal weapon.

Some hunt descriptions include one or more additional letters:

• T - Youth only (12-17 years of age). Once a youth turns 18, they can no longer participate in these hunts, even if their birthday falls in the middle of the season.
• A, B, Y, X, D1, D2, and all other numbers and letters designate the hunt boundary, dates, bag limit or other special notes listed in the regulations.

Putting it all together

Now that you know what the numbers and letters mean, let's apply them to some hunts.

Hunt 119A

1xxx = 100 series buck deer
x19x = WMU 19, McKenzie Unit
xxxA = different hunt boundary 
* = hunt map available online, written description of hunt area in regulations, special note about a different regulation for this hunt

Hunt 257X

2xxx = 200 series elk
x57x = WMU 57, Sleds Springs Unit 
xxxX = special bag limit and season dates (see details in regulations)
No asterisk (*) = no special hunt map, same as unit map

Hunt 248R2

2xxxx = 200 series elk
x48xx = WMU 48, Heppner 
xxxRx = archery only
xxxx2 = different bag limit than the 248R1 and other hunts
No asterisk (*) = no special hunt map, same as unit map

How can I avoid putting in for the wrong hunt?

Every year hunters put in for the wrong hunt. For example, a common mistake is when a hunter puts in for the Sled Springs No. 2 spike hunt when they really meant to put in for Sled Springs Unit No. 1, where the bag limit is one bull elk. The hunts look very similar when listed in the regulations.

To avoid making this mistake, be sure to double check your controlled hunt application.

• If you are at a store, check your application before you leave. Get and keep your receipt showing your hunt choices for proof of application.
• If you apply online, check your controlled hunt application in your online account to verify it's correct.

How can I correct a mistake?

If you apply for the wrong hunt, you have until May 25 to correct it. There are two ways to correct your application.

• Correct your application in your MyODFW account. There is no additional fee and you can make as many changes as you want prior to May 25.
• Go to an ODFW office, where there will be a $2.00 handling fee for each controlled hunt application change. ODFW cannot change your controlled hunt application after May 25.

To learn more about how to choose a controlled hunt and how to apply for a tag, see the related articles below.

See ODFW hunting classes and workshops