Effective January 1, 2010, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Oregon online course—the official hunter education course of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Oregon certification.

Know Your Quarry

Of all the steps of preparation, educating yourself about the game you’re hunting is one of the most critical. Understanding your quarry will increase your success and add to the enjoyment of the experience as well.

Game animals Cottontail rabbit

In many cases, knowing your quarry is also necessary to ensure that you’re taking legal game. For example, you may need to determine the sex of game birds on sight or quickly recognize protected species as they move into firing range. If you hunt in a region where white-tailed, black-tailed, and mule deer occupy the same area, you’ll need to know how to identify each.

Pronghorn

There are many ways that wild animals are classified, but hunters are concerned with four basic categories:

Large mammals: Big game, such as deer, elk, and bear
Small mammals: Small game, such as rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons
Upland birds: Turkey, grouse, quail, and dove
Waterfowl: Ducks and geese

It is critical that you educate yourself about your quarry when preparing to hunt. Understanding game species will add to your enjoyment and increase your chances of success as well.