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Start hunting big game

Whether it’s spending more time outdoors or harvesting food for the freezer, there are lots reasons to become a hunter. Here’s how to get from thinking about it to doing it.

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How to snipe hunt in Oregon

Snipe fly fast and erratically. They aren’t hard to kill, just hard to hit. Here are a few tips to improve your odds.

photo of Wilson's snipe using long bill to feed in mud

Article

Here you’ll find links to game population, harvest statistics and point summary reports that can help you decide on choosing a general season, controlled or premium hunt. It's not too late to purchase point savers for each species, available now until November 30, 2026. Purchase Point Savers

April 30, 2026

Article

Premium big game hunts

ODFW’s Premium Hunts give any hunter a chance to draw an additional deer, elk or pronghorn tag with a months-long season.

Article

Big game raffle and auction hunts

All funds raised by deer and elk auction and raffle tags go directly to the Access and Habitat Program. Funds raised by bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and Rocky Mountain goat auction and raffle tags go directly to the management of those species.

November 25, 2025

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Northwest Area

NW BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel. *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover Tag…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Columbia Area

COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel. *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required species tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover…

September 05, 2017

Article

Big game hunting harvest statistics

See the latest and historic data about big game hunting statistics for different hunts.

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southwest Area

SW BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel. *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover Tag…

September 05, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southeast Area

SE BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, premium, auction and raffle hunts, and bighorn sheep Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover Tag List for an opportunity to hunt this year. Youth can register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online, find more youth hunting opportunities…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Central Area

CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Controlled archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled youth cow hunts, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel. *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required species tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover Tag List for an opportunity…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Northeast Area

NE BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Controlled archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts and western gray squirrel. *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required species tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - South Central Area

SOUTH CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING September 17, 2026 Currently open Controlled archery deer and elk, bear, cougar ( check current harvest numbers), coyote, controlled youth antlerless elk, western gray squirrel *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required species tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Gear up for this year's Big Game Hunting Forecast and get ahead of the game! Big game statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and maps that can help you decide where to hunt this season. Check the Leftover Tag List for an opportunity to hunt this year. Youth…

September 21, 2017

Article

Using big game hunting blinds on federal land

The number of big game hunters using blinds has increased over the last 20 years. Be sure to follow regulations if you plan to use them on federal land.

Pronghorn antelope gathered at a desert watering hole.

Article

2026 Big Game hunting forecast

An exceptionally mild and warm 2025/2026 winter across much of Oregon has provided good over-winter survival for Oregon's deer and elk herds. Drought impacted areas got a short reprieve in spring before dry conditions returned in late summer and recent rains with cooler temperatures offer a temporary fix as fall moves into winter. Big game fitness and resiliency heading into fall hunting seasons will vary by region. Scroll down to find the field reports for Oregon hunt zones. Get your animal tested for CWD:  While it's never been found in Oregon, CWD has been detected in most surrounding states and…

September 2, 2026

Article

How to hunt upland game birds

Oregon offers some of the best upland game bird hunting in the West. The state’s diverse habitats support nine species of upland game birds— pheasants, chukar, Hungarian partridge, valley (California) quail, mountain quail, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, sage-grouse and wild turkey. There are upland hunting opportunities in every corner of the state, and one upland bird season or another is open continuously from September 1 through January 31. Throw in a six-week spring turkey season and you can hunt upland game birds in Oregon for more than half of the year! Also, since many of the species share similar habitat…

August 18, 2025

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Game Bird Hunting

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Hunter's guide for Big Game success

Hunter's Resources Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Oregon hunter's bucket list: Over 34 million acres of public land open to hunters. Diverse habitats from coastal rain forests to eastern deserts, with a couple of mountain ranges in between offer several opportunities to hunt deer and elk.

October 1, 2025

Article

Hunter's technique for Big Game success

Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Hunter's Guide Hunter's Resources The goal in using key elements to spot the animal before it spots you include moving slowly and quietly, maintaining situational awareness, controlling your scent, being patient and approaching your target undetected.

September 10, 2025