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Article

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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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

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 - Northwest Area

NW BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southeast Area

SE BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Columbia Area

COLUMBIA BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 05, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Central Area

CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southwest Area

SW BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 05, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Northeast Area

NE BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30, 2026…

September 21, 2017

Article

Big game statistics

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

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - South Central Area

SOUTH CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING July 30, 2026 Currently open Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote Season openings beginning in August Bear; Archery & Youth Only Controlled series hunts; Premium, auction and raffle hunts *Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your tag before hunting. Announcements and resources Summertime is here for youth to get ahead of the game-- Register for Hunter Safety Education before fall. 2026 Point Summary Reports are posted to help you plan this season's big game hunts. It's not too late to purchase Point Savers for each series, available now until November 30…

September 21, 2017

Article

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

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

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

2025 Big Game hunting forecast

Over-winter survival was generally good for Oregon's deer and elk herds. Parts of the state even got a reprieve from years-long drought this spring but dry conditions came back in late summer and fall, and big game body condition heading into the fall season will vary by district. See the district reports for details on what to expect. Get your animal tested for CWD: While it's never been found in Oregon, CWD has been detected in most surrounding states and animals can carry the disease (and spread it) for years without showing symptoms. By getting your deer or elk tested…

September 2, 2025

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Game Bird Hunting

Article

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