Oregon Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Buy

A Oregon hunting license costs $39 for a resident adult and $193 for a non-resident adult (fees verified 2026-09-12).

Oregon raised its hunting license fees in 2026 for the first time since 2020, the start of a phased increase running through 2030. The base license itself still doesn't include a single tag: deer, elk, bear, turkey and antelope are all separate purchases layered on top once you're licensed.

Resident $39
Non-resident $193
  • Combination hunting + angling license, resident $86

The base license does not cover deer, elk, bear, turkey or antelope; each requires its own tag purchased separately once licensed (resident deer tag $33, elk $56, antelope $58; non-resident deer $500, elk $660, antelope $443). Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1960. A resident Combination license (hunting + angling) is $86; the resident Sports Pac at $253 bundles hunting, angling, shellfish and several tags together. ODFW's own fee-schedule PDF blocks automated fetching; figures here are cross-verified against eRegulations.com and match the $39/$193 figures reported across multiple current sources.

Fee last verified 2026-09-12.

Field Gear Checklist for Oregon Hunting Affiliate Disclosure

Heading out for Oregon hunting? Game wardens require carrying physical or digital license proof and valid tags. Equip yourself with a waterproof license and tag pouch, rechargeable wide-beam LED headlamp, and corrosion-resistant multi-tool pliers before your trip.

What an Oregon hunting license costs

Residents pay $39 for the annual hunting license; non-residents pay $193. Big game tags are separate: a resident deer tag is $33, elk $56 and antelope $58, while a non-resident deer tag runs $500, elk $660 and antelope $443. A resident Combination license (hunting plus angling) is $86, and the resident Sports Pac at $253 bundles hunting, angling, shellfish and several validations into one purchase.

Hunter education requirements

Oregon requires hunter education for anyone born on or after January 1, 1960, before a standard hunting license will be issued. Hunters under 18 must complete the course regardless of birth year exemptions that apply to some older adults. The Hunter Education Certificate is good for life once earned, even though the license itself needs annual renewal.

License year and deadlines

Oregon hunting licenses expire December 31 every year regardless of purchase date, so a license bought late in the year covers only the remaining weeks before a new one is needed.

How to buy your Oregon hunting license

ODFW's online licensing system at odfw.huntfishoregon.com sells the license and tags together, and licenses are also available at ODFW offices and authorized license sales agents across the state.

Hunting in Oregon: what to expect

Eastern Oregon's high desert and Blue Mountains country holds the state's best mule deer and elk hunting, with vast BLM and national forest tracts giving hunters genuine public-land access uncommon west of the Cascades. The Coast Range and western Cascades support Oregon's Roosevelt elk herds in dense timber country that demands a different hunting style than the open eastern rangeland. Waterfowl hunters concentrate around the Klamath Basin and the Willamette Valley's wildlife refuges, both key stops on the Pacific Flyway.

The draw system and public land access

Most of Oregon's best deer and elk hunts, particularly for eastern Oregon mule deer and the state's limited-entry elk units, run through a competitive draw rather than over-the-counter tag sales, so hunters should apply well ahead of the season and expect to build preference points over multiple years for premium units. Oregon's BLM and Forest Service land, concentrated heavily east of the Cascades, gives non-resident hunters without a lease or outfitter relationship a realistic way into quality hunting despite the state's otherwise steep non-resident tag prices.

How to renew a Oregon hunting license

There is no separate renewal process in Oregon. A hunting license is not extended in place; when it expires you buy a new one for the next license year through the same system you used the first time, and your customer profile, hunter or angler ID and any saved payment details carry over so the second purchase takes a couple of minutes. Hunting licenses expire December 31 regardless of purchase date. 2026 fees reflect ODFW's first increase since 2020, part of a phased schedule running through 2030.

The fastest route is the official Oregon online licensing portal, which also lets you print or download the new license and add any stamps, tags or endorsements in one transaction. In-person license agents (sporting goods stores, bait shops and, in many states, county clerks) sell the same license at the same price, so use whichever is closer. Buying before the old license lapses is not required, but it avoids an accidental gap if a season opens before you get round to it.

Planning more than one? See the Oregon fishing license page too, see how much a hunting license costs in every state, compare non-resident hunting fees across states, browse every state, or use the state license finder.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a hunting license in Oregon for residents?

The resident annual hunting license is $39. Big game tags (deer $33, elk $56, antelope $58) are separate.

How much is a non-resident Oregon hunting license?

Non-residents pay $193 for the annual license, plus tags that run far higher than resident rates, a non-resident elk tag is $660.

Do I need hunter education to hunt in Oregon?

Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1960, or if you are under 18. The certificate is valid for life once earned.

When does an Oregon hunting license expire?

December 31 every year, regardless of purchase date.

Where do I buy an Oregon hunting license?

Online at odfw.huntfishoregon.com, or at ODFW offices and authorized license agents statewide.

Recommended Hunting & Fishing Equipment

Satellite communicators, laser rangefinders, cellular trail cams, and mobile sonar for field compliance and success.

Affiliate Disclosure
Satellite SOS Backcountry Safety

Garmin inReach Mini 2 Handheld Satellite Communicator & GPS Tracker

Rugged satellite communicator with 100% global Iridium satellite network coverage. Enables two-way emergency SOS texting, real-time location tracking, and digital compass navigation beyond cellular coverage.

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Target Optics Shot Accuracy

1000-Yard Laser Rangefinder for Archery & Rifle Hunting with Angle Compensation

Precision hunting rangefinder featuring continuous scan mode, multi-coated optical lenses, and angle range compensation (ARC) for accurate horizontal distance on steep mountain shots.

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Game Scouting Cellular Scouting

Cellular 4G LTE Trail Camera with Integrated Solar Panel & No-Glow IR

Wireless game scouting camera delivering high-definition photos and video directly to your smartphone. Features no-glow 940nm black infrared LEDs and an integrated solar power kit for continuous field operation.

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Sonar Electronics Mobile Sonar

Castable Wireless Smart Fish Finder & Depth Sounder for Shore & Kayak Anglers

High-frequency wireless castable sonar transducer pairing with smartphones. Displays real-time water depth, bottom structure contours, vegetation, and fish arches up to 330 feet away.

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Vision Protection Sight Fishing

Polarized UV400 Glare-Cutting Fishing Sunglasses with Triacetate Lenses

Impact-resistant polarized lenses that eliminate blinding surface water glare. Allows anglers to clearly spot underwater structure, grass beds, and cruising fish in shallow freshwater flats.

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Angling Storage Field Proven

Waterproof Tactical Fishing Tackle Backpack with 4 Utility Trays & Rod Holders

Heavy-duty 1000D water-repellent nylon backpack with protective rain cover, four 3600-size tackle trays, integrated dual rod holders, and dedicated waterproof license pocket.

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Field Equipment & Sportsman Application Guide

Compare specialized field gear designed for big game scouting, precision archery, and mobile watercraft fishing:

Equipment Type Field Application Key Technical Feature Sportsman Advantage
Satellite Messenger / GPS Remote backcountry big game & wilderness hunts Global Iridium SOS + Topo navigation Operates when cell towers are completely out of reach
Laser Rangefinder Archery treestand & rifle hunting across canyons Angle Range Compensation (ARC) calculation Prevents shooting high or low on steep slope angles
Cellular Trail Camera Pre-season deer, turkey, and elk scouting 4G LTE photo transmission + solar charging Monitors game patterns without leaving human scent
Castable Sonar Fish Finder Shore, dock, kayak, and small skiff angling Chirp dual-frequency sonar transducer Maps bottom drop-offs and locates submerged fish
Polarized Eyewear Sight-fishing shallow flats, streams, and lakes UV400 polarized triacetate cellulose lens Cuts water surface reflections to spot underwater game
Tactical Tackle Backpack Hiking into remote rivers, lakes, and coastal jetties 1000D water-repellent nylon + 4 tackle trays Keeps licenses, tags, reels, and gear organized and dry

Field Regulation Pro Tip: Immediate Carcass Tagging & Waterproof Storage

State wildlife laws require hunters to notch and affix carcass tags to big game (such as deer, bear, or turkey) immediately at the kill site before field dressing or transporting the animal. Always keep physical tags and state license paperwork sealed inside a heavy-duty waterproof dry pouch with zip ties. In areas without cellular service, e-tagging apps will fail to validate unless you have pre-downloaded offline validation codes before entering the field.

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