The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife would like to remind hunters that the controlled hunt application deadline ends on May 15th. The online application process will stay open until 11:59 p.m. that day. Hunters are also reminded to try and get their application processed before the last second. If you attempt to apply on Saturday afternoon and have issues, none of the staff will be in the office to assist you.
Oregon has had several new changes to its controlled hunt regulations. Below we will list some of the new changes.
- Now eastern Oregon controlled hunt archery deer tags are no longer valid in the western Oregon general archery season.
- There is now one continuous season for General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon buck deer tags in the Coast and Cascade units.
- Hunters should also be aware that all archery deer hunting in eastern Oregon is managed by controlled hunts now.
- The West Cascade Elk general season has been moved to the second week of November.
- Likewise, the bag limit for the Desolation Unit during the general archery elk season has been reduced to one bull elk.
- There are now new California bighorn sheep ewe hunts. These hunts are in the John Day River and Deschutes River hunt areas. These ewe hunts are not once in a lifetime, so hunters can draw ewe permits without losing their ram points.
May 15th is also the last day to apply for Premium Hunts. Premium Hunts are hunts for deer, elk, and pronghorn. They offer a 4 month-long hunting season and either sex can be taken with a Premium Hunts permit. Both controlled hunts and Premium Hunts applications will cost you $8 per hunt. Both residents and non-residents can apply for either style of hunt.
