Oregon

Oregon Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Oregon hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $39 General hunting

Non-Resident License $193 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1959-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Oregon Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Annual Hunting $39 —

Resident Sports Pac $253 —

Resident Youth Combination (12-17) $10 —

Resident Youth Sports Pac (12-17) $75 —

Resident Pioneer (65+) $10 —

Resident Disabled Veteran Free —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Annual Hunting — $193

Non-Resident Youth (12-17) — $10

Non-Resident Military (Active Duty in OR) — $39

Non-Resident 1-Day Hunting — $25.50

Tags & Permits

Deer (General/Controlled) $33 $500

Elk (General/Controlled) $56 $660

Black Bear $16.50 $16.50

Cougar $16.50 $16.50

Turkey $26.50 $90

Antelope (Pronghorn) $43 $332

Bighorn Sheep $113 $1401

Mountain Goat $113 $1401

Additional Deer Tag (2nd) $33 $500

Endorsements & Stamps

Controlled Hunt Application Fee $10 Per species; up from $8; apply online during draw windows

Upland Game Bird Validation $10 Required for pheasant, quail, chukar, partridge

Western Oregon Elk Tag Validation $12 Required for elk in western Oregon units (Roosevelt elk)

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

Oregon Waterfowl Stamp $10 Required for waterfowl hunting in Oregon

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Oregon Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit odfw.huntfishoregon.com. Create account or sign in. Purchase hunting license ($39 res / $193 NR). Buy deer ($33/$500), elk ($56/$660), or other tags. Apply for controlled hunts ($10/species) during draw windows. Add upland bird validation if hunting pheasant/chukar. Print license and tags

Buy In Person

Walmart stores statewide, Bi-Mart stores, Sportsman's Warehouse, Local sporting goods stores, ODFW regional offices

Buy By Phone

Call 503-947-6000. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Oregon hunting license is online through the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Oregon

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1959

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 12 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Oregon?

Youth (12-17) $10 combo Youth combo covers hunting + angling + shellfish; $10 through 2030; NR youth same price

Senior/Pioneer (65+) $10 license Pioneer license $10; also reduces species tag fees significantly

Disabled Veteran Free Qualifying OR disabled veterans receive free licenses and tags

Active Military $39 (resident) NR active duty stationed in OR pay resident rate

Youth (Under 12) Free with mentor Youth under 12 may participate in mentored hunts with licensed adult

Landowner Preference Preference points Landowners who provide habitat get controlled hunt preference

SEASONS

Oregon Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

Deer (Mule/Blacktail) Archery Aug 23 – Sep 21 Bow only

Deer (Mule/Blacktail) General Rifle Oct 4 – Nov 2 Rifle, muzzleloader, bow

Deer (Blacktail – West) Late Season Nov 8 – Nov 14 Rifle; Cascades/Coast Range

Elk (Roosevelt – West) Archery Aug 23 – Sep 21 Bow only

Elk (Rocky Mtn – East) Archery Aug 23 – Sep 21 Bow only

Elk General Rifle (1st Season) Nov 1 – Nov 7 Rifle, muzzleloader, bow

Elk General Rifle (2nd Season) Nov 15 – Nov 21 Rifle; select eastern OR units

Black Bear Spring Apr 1 – May 31 Rifle, bow

Black Bear Fall Aug 1 – Dec 31 Rifle, bow, muzzleloader

Cougar Year-Round (select zones) Jan 1 – Dec 31 Rifle, bow; no hounds

Turkey Spring Apr 15 – May 31 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct-Nov – Varies Shotgun, bow, rifle

Antelope (Pronghorn) Rifle Aug 9 – Sep 7 Rifle; controlled draw

Pheasant/Chukar Regular Oct 11 – Jan 31 Shotgun

Quail (Mountain/Valley) Regular Oct 4 – Jan 31 Shotgun

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Oct 30 Shotgun

BAG LIMITS

Oregon Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

Deer (Mule/Blacktail) 1 1-2 depending on tags Mule deer east, Columbian blacktail west; 2nd tag in select units

Elk 1 1 One per tag; Roosevelt (west) and Rocky Mountain (east); antler point restrictions

Black Bear 1 1 One per tag; no cubs or sows; spring bait banned in 2025

Cougar 1 1 One per tag; hound hunting banned (Measure 18); zone quotas

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys; 2 per spring

Turkey (Fall) 1 1 Either sex

Pheasant 2 No season limit Roosters only; ODFW stocks public land

Chukar 8 No season limit Eastern OR rimrock country; very popular upland bird

COMPARE

How Oregon Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Oregon $39 $193

Washington $117.30 $1076.40 Idaho $15.75 $185 Nevada $38 $155 California $62.90 $219.81

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Oregon?

Resident: $39 (up from $34.50). NR: $193 (up from $172). Sports Pac ($253) bundles everything. Youth: $10 through 2030. Pioneer 65+: $10. Oregon implemented phased increases in 2026, 2028, 2030.

Did Oregon increase fees in 2026?

Yes — hunting license $34.50→$39, deer tag $28.50→$33, elk $49.50→$56, controlled hunt app $8→$10. Bear/cougar tags stayed at $16.50. More increases coming in 2028 and 2030. Revenue funds hatcheries and anti-poaching.

How much is a non-resident elk tag?

NR elk: $660 tag + $193 license + $12 Western OR validation = $865+ total. NR allocation capped at 5%. Draw required for most quality units. World-class Roosevelt elk (west) and Rocky Mountain elk (east).

How does Oregon's controlled hunt system work?

Controlled hunts are draws for limited-entry units. Apply at $10/species. Unsuccessful applicants earn preference points. Some general tags available OTC. Draw results posted online. NR capped at 5% deer/elk, 3% antelope.

What's the difference between blacktail and mule deer?

Oregon has Columbian blacktail west of the Cascades (rainforest/coastal) and mule deer east (high desert/juniper). Same tag price ($33/$500) but very different habitat and hunting styles. Both require a deer tag.

Can I hunt bear and cougar in Oregon?

Yes — both tags are only $16.50 (same res/NR). Bear: spring Apr-May, fall Aug-Dec. Cougar: year-round in some units. Hound hunting banned for both (voter measures). Spring bear baiting banned in 2025.

What is Oregon's Sports Pac?

The Sports Pac ($253 res / $75 youth) bundles hunting license, angling, shellfish, deer tag, elk tag, bear tag, cougar tag, and upland bird validation. Saves significantly vs. buying separately ($400+ individually).

Can I buy an Oregon license online?

Yes, at odfw.huntfishoregon.com. Apply for controlled hunts during draw windows. OTC tags available year-round. Also at Walmart, Bi-Mart, Sportsman's Warehouse, and ODFW offices.