2026 Oregon Application Details

If you’re planning to hunt Oregon this year, get the need-to-know details from Huntin’ Fool.

Cost Overview

A hunting license is required to submit an application for Oregon controlled (limited) hunts; the cost for residents is $39, and the non-resident cost is $193. The application fee is $10 per application submitted. Due to this cost and the fact that Oregon caps non-resident deer and elk tag allocations at 5%, the state is not typically considered a popular hunt destination for non-residents.

Costs to apply and hunt:

• Hunting license fee (you need a qualifying license before you can apply).
• Application fee.
• Points-only fee (fees for people just buying points and not actually applying for a hunt).
• Tag fee (paid after you draw).

Application Dates

The big game application period is currently open and closes on May 15, 2026, with results available by June 12, 2026.

Hunters may apply for tags on the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s website.

Key Changes for 2026

• Changed and renamed all the deer units in the eastern two-thirds of the state to better align hunting areas with actual deer herd movements. See the new deer map.
• Changed select deer units in the northeast part of the state to either mule deer-only or whitetail deer-only tags.
• Increased prices for all hunting licences, tags, and application fees.

How Oregon’s Preference Point System Works

For elk, deer, and antelope controlled hunts, Oregon uses a preference point system.

Preference points are like a place in line: first in, first out. The applicants with the most preference points draw before those with fewer.

If you apply for and are unsuccessful in drawing your first choice, you’ll receive an additional preference point for future drawings.

Applicants may apply for preference points only during the primary application window or in a separate application window that begins July 1.

Preference points are considered for your first choice only. If you draw your first choice for a species, your preference points are purged back to zero.

Preference points do not expire.

Tag Allocation Details

• For every individual controlled hunt code, 75% of the total number of tags for that hunt will be awarded to the applicants with the most preference points.
• The remaining 25% of tags for any given hunt code will be issued in the random draw. The preference point drawing occurs first, then the random draw.
• For elk and deer, a maximum of 5% of the total number of tags can be issued to non-residents.
• However, half of the non-resident tags issued the prior year for deer and elk can be issued to outfitters in a separate drawing that occurs before the primary draw.
• For antelope, a maximum of 3% of the total number of tags can be issued to non-residents.
• The non-resident allocation is not guaranteed, so it is possible for non-residents to draw no tags for a hunt code if resident demand is high enough.
• When determining the 75% preference point tag quota, round up a tag if the decimal percentage is .5 or higher, otherwise round down.
• For hunt codes with three or fewer tags, all will be issued in the Preference Point drawing.
• For hunt codes with a total quota of 35 or fewer, a maximum of one tag will be made available to non-residents/outfitters.

Oregon-Specific Considerations

1. There are general tags available for elk and blacktail deer that are valid for specific game management units mostly in the western third of the state.
2. For elk, deer, and antelope group applications, 18 is the maximum number of people in your party. Preference points are averaged for the group, rounding up only if the decimal portion for the average is .5 or higher. There must be enough tags left unissued for your entire party when drawn, otherwise the group application will be unsuccessful.
3. In Oregon, all applicants are eligible to draw in the random drawing, and preference points have no impact. Every applicant has the same odds in the random drawing for each particular hunt code (with consideration of an applicant’s residency status). Most of all the random tags are awarded to resident hunters due to the 5% non-resident cap on deer and elk tags.

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