What Does it Mean to Hunters and Hunting in Oregon?
In 1995, Oregon Legislators adopted Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 166.170 giving all authority to regulate possession of firearms solely to the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
In 2003, the Oregon Attorney General reviewed the statute and determined the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) cannot limit what firearms can be carried or possessed during hunting seasons.
In the same opinion, the Oregon Attorney General confirmed that the Commission has statutory authority to regulate where, when, how and by whom wildlife are taken by hunting.
All ODFW hunting regulations and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) have been modified to comply with these changes concerning the possession of firearms during hunting seasons.
The Commission still determines the season dates, open hunt areas, bag limits, and tag numbers for game species.
The Commission still determines the weapon type that can be legally used to hunt during a specified season.
Requirements for weapons used to hunt with are independent of any weapon(s) the individual hunter may choose to carry while in the field hunting. Regulations regarding when a person may hunt for a particular species also still apply. For example, these regulations state that it is not legal to hunt with a centerfire or muzzleloading rifle without a valid unused deer or elk tag for that time period and area on the person during eastern Oregon buck deer seasons and many of the standard elk seasons (see HUNTING PROHIBITED on page 13 for the exact rule language).
Fast Facts about Firearms Possession (pdf)
CENTERFIRE FIREARMS
SPECIES AND SEASON Rifle Handgun Shotgun (any barrel)
.22 cal. or larger .24 cal. or larger .22 cal. or larger .24 cal. or larger #1 buck or larger Slugs only
BLACK BEAR & COUGAR
General or controlled seasons YES YES YES YES YES YES
PRONGHORN
Rifle YES YES YES YES YES YES
Muzzleloader (slugs only) NO NO NO NO NO
NO
Archery NO NO NO NO NO NO
BUCK DEER
General or Controlled YES YES YES YES YES YES
Muzzleloader(#1 or larger buckshot. slugs) NO NO NO NO NO NO
Archery NO NO NO NO NO NO
600 Series Deer Hunts* YES YES YES YES YES YES
ELK
General or controlled rifle
NO
YES NO YES NO YES
Muzzleloader (slugs only)
NO NO NO NO NO NO
Archery NO NO NO NO NO NO
OTHER
BIGHORN SHEEP and ROCKY MT GOAT NO YES NO YES NO NO
WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL Any rifle; handgun; shotgun; muzzleloading firearm; or long, recurve or compound bow.
OTHER WEAPONS
SPECIES AND SEASON Muzzleloading Firearm Archery
any .40 cal. or larger .40 cal . or larger; open or peep sights & open ignition any .50 cal. or larger .50 cal. or larger; open or peep sights & open ignition 40 lb. or greater recurve, long or compound bow 50 lb. or greater recurve, long or compound bow
BLACK BEAR & COUGAR
General or controlled seasons YES YES YES YES YES YES
PRONGHORN
Rifle YES YES YES YES NO NO
Muzzleloader (slugs only) NO YES NO YES NO NO
Archery NO NO NO NO YES YES
BUCK DEER
General or controlled rifle
YES YES YES YES NO NO
Muzzleloader(#1 or larger buckshot. slugs) NO YES NO YES NO NO
Archery NO NO NO NO YES YES
600 Series Deer Hunts* YES YES YES YES YES YES
ELK
General or controlled rifle NO NO YES YES NO NO
Muzzleloader (slugs only)
NO NO NO YES NO NO
Archery NO NO NO NO NO YES
OTHER
BIGHORN SHEEP and ROCKY MT GOAT NO NO YES YES NO YES
WESTERN GREY SQUIRREL Any rifle; handgun; shotgun; muzzleloading firearm; or long, recurve or compound bow.
* Except during 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restiction of shotgun/muzzleoader only or archery/muzzleloader only.
NOTE: Some hunts and areas have specific weapon restrictions; consult hunt tables and descriptions for other restrictions.
if that is to hard to follow here is the web page to view it on.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/regulations/weapons.asp
