Summer is the start of big game season in Oregon, with August through October being the key months that hunters hit the ground running.
There are two kinds of hunts in Oregon – general season and controlled hunts. To get a controlled hunt tag, you must apply ahead of time and be chosen through the ODFW controlled hunt drawing. Anyone with a valid hunting license can purchase a general season hunting tag over-the-counter.
Here is a quick breakdown of big game seasons in Oregon for the 2022 hunting season.
Black Bear General Season:
- August 1 – December 31
- General fall tag required
- Tag sale deadline: September 30, 2022
- Additional tag required for additional bear
Cougar General Season
- January 1 – December 31
- General season tag required
- Tag sale deadline: September 30, 2022
- Additional tag required for additional cougar
Deer – Western Oregon (Any legal weapon)
- October 1 – November 4
- General any legal weapon western Oregon tag required
- Tag sale deadline: September 30, 2022
Deer – Eastern (Archery)
- Controlled hunts only
Deer – Western (Archery)
- August 27 – September 25
- General Archery Season Western Oregon Tag required
- Tag sale deadline: August 26, 2022
Elk – West Cascade (Any legal weapon)
- November 5 – November 11
- General West Cascade tag required
- Tag sale deadline: November 4, 2022
Elk – Rocky Mountain (Any legal weapon)
- Second season: November 5 – November 13
- General Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain Second Season Tag required
- Tag sale deadline: November 4, 2022
Elk – Coast Bull Elk (Any legal weapon)
- First season: November 12 – November 15
- General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag required
- Tag sale deadline: November 11, 2022
- Second season: November 19 – November 25
- General Western Oregon Coast Second Season Tag required
- Tag sale deadline: November 18, 2022
Elk – Western/Eastern (Archery)
- August 27 – September 25
- General Archery Season Tag required
- Tag sale deadline: August 26, 2022
Western Gray Squirrel
- Open Season: September 1 – November 15
- All units West of Easter boundary of the Santiam, McKenzie, Indigo, Sprague and Interstate Units
- Open Season: September 15 – October 31
- White River, Hood, Paulina, Metolius and Upper Deschutes