How Much Does an Orgeon Hunting License Cost?
An Oregon hunting license costs $39 for residents and $193 for non-residents, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). That base license doesn't cover deer, elk, bear, turkey, or antelope, all of which require their own tag purchased separately once you're licensed.
Oregon runs its license on the calendar year, so every license expires December 31 regardless of when you bought it. Most big game tags also carry their own sale deadline, typically the day before your hunt begins, so buying early beats scrambling at the last minute.
Once you add a deer or elk tag, the total cost of an Oregon season can look dramatically different for residents versus non-residents. Here's what to know about Oregon hunting license costs.
How Much Does an Oregon Hunting License Cost?
Oregon keeps its license structure simple: one base license, plus tags for whatever you're hunting, with steep discounts available for youth and seniors.
Common Oregon Hunting License Fees | ||
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Annual Hunting License | $39.00 | $193.00 |
| Youth License (ages 12–17) | $10.00 | Not available |
| Senior Hunting License (70 and older, 5-year residency) | $25.00 | Not available |
Oregon's non-resident license costs nearly five times the resident rate, before adding a single species tag, which run even higher for out-of-state hunters.
Oregon also offers a Sports Pac bundle that combines the hunting license with fishing privileges and big game tag vouchers, worth considering if you're after multiple species in a season.
Required Stamps and Permits
An Oregon hunting license alone doesn't cover any big game species. You'll need to add the right tag for whatever you're hunting, and non-resident tags cost dramatically more than resident tags across the board.
Oregon Hunting Permits and Stamps | ||
| Item | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Deer Tag | $33.00 | $500.00 |
| Elk Tag | $56.00 | $660.00 |
| Antelope Tag | $58.00 | $443.00 |
| Black Bear Tag | $16.50 | $16.50 |
| Turkey Tag | $26.50 | $90.00 |
| Oregon Waterfowl Stamp (age 14 and older) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Resident Upland Bird Stamp | $11.00 | Not specified |
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also need the Federal Duck Stamp on top of the Oregon Waterfowl Stamp, plus proof of Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration.
Remember: Anyone parking at an ODFW wildlife area needs a separate Wildlife Area Parking Permit as well.
Youth and Discounted Licenses
Oregon offers several ways to lower costs for younger hunters, seniors, and veterans.
- Youth License (ages 12–17): Priced at $10, a steep discount from the standard $39 adult license.
- Senior Hunting License (70 and older, with 5 years of Oregon residency): Reduced to $25, with a Pioneer Combination bundling hunting and fishing available at 65 for residents of 50 years or more, at an even deeper discount.
- Free combination licenses for qualifying resident disabled veterans: ODFW waives the license fee entirely for veterans who meet the disability and residency requirements.
These programs make it considerably more affordable for young hunters to get started and for seniors and veterans to stay in the field.
What Is an Oregon Hunting License?
An Oregon hunting license is the base document ODFW requires before you can legally pursue any game species in the state. It's separate from your tags, which you purchase individually for deer, elk, bear, turkey, and other species once you hold a valid license.
The license is also separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed an ODFW-approved safety course, and once earned, it's good for life. The license itself, by contrast, resets every year and must be renewed by December 31.
Who Needs an Oregon Hunting License?
Oregon requires a hunting license for all residents and non-residents age 12 or older who hunt in the state.
Hunters ages 9 through 13 can hunt small game without a license under Oregon's Mentored Youth Program, provided they're under a licensed adult's direct supervision at all times.
For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, ODFW's licensing information lays out every option in detail.
What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License in Oregon?
Before buying a license, younger Oregon hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.
Anyone younger than 18 must complete an approved hunter education course and Field Day before buying a standard license, while adults 18 and older aren't required to take it at all, though many do anyway since other states sometimes require proof of it through reciprocity.
The course covers:
- Firearm and archery safety
- Wildlife identification and conservation
- Oregon-specific hunting laws and ethics
Oregon splits its field day requirement cleanly by age. Adults 18 and older can complete the entire course online through Hunter-Ed with no Field Day required, while hunters younger than 18 must complete the same online coursework and then attend a required in-person Field Day.
The Hunter-Ed Oregon course is an ODFW-approved option for both paths.
How to Get an Oregon Hunting License
Getting licensed in Oregon comes down to a few steps, though the order shifts slightly depending on your age.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you're younger than 18, then attend and pass the required Field Day.
- Choose your license type: standard Annual Hunting License, Youth License, or Senior Hunting License if you qualify.
- Purchase your license through the ODFW website, by mail, or through an approved license agent.
- Add any species tags you need, such as deer, elk, or turkey, before the applicable sale deadline.
- Add the Oregon Waterfowl Stamp and Federal Duck Stamp if you're hunting migratory birds.
- Carry your license, tags, and Hunter Education Certificate any time you hunt.
You can purchase your hunting license directly through ODFW's online licensing system, by mail, or in person through an approved license agent statewide.
Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License
Purchasing an Oregon hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.
- Legal Compliance: Hunting without a valid license or the correct tag is typically a Class A misdemeanor, carrying fines, potential jail time, and suspension of your hunting privileges.
- Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and tag revenue funds ODFW's work managing deer, elk, bear, and waterfowl populations statewide.
- Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season, unit, and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
- Public Land Access: License and tag revenue helps support the vast public lands that make up roughly half of Oregon's land base.
- Population Management: Oregon's controlled hunt draw system for deer, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep gives ODFW the harvest data needed to keep herds balanced across hunt units.
Costs and rules vary by species and unit, so it's worth checking current season dates and tag deadlines before you finalize your plans. And because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Oregon's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.
Ready to Hunt in Oregon? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License
An Oregon hunting license is affordable at the base level, but the real cost climbs fast once tags enter the picture, especially for non-residents chasing deer or elk. Whether you're budgeting for a $500 non-resident deer tag or getting a young hunter started with the discounted youth license, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.
Complete your hunter education course if it applies to you. Get your hunting license and permits, and you'll be ready for opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the Oregon hunting license fee a one-time payment?
A: No, an Oregon hunting license expires every December 31. It must be renewed annually regardless of when you bought it. The Hunter Education Certificate, on the other hand, is a one-time requirement for hunters younger than 18, and certification never expires once earned.
Q: Are there discounts for Oregon hunting licenses?
A: Yes. Oregon offers a $10 Youth License for ages 12 to 17, a $25 Senior Hunting License for residents 70 and older, and a Pioneer Combination for residents 65 and older with 50 years of Oregon residency. Qualifying disabled veterans can also receive a free combination license.
Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Oregon?
A: A non-resident annual hunting license costs $193 in Oregon, separate from any species tags. Non-resident tags cost considerably more than resident tags, with a deer tag running $500 and an elk tag running $660.
Q: Do adults need hunter education to hunt in Oregon?
A: No, adults 18 and older aren't required to complete hunter education to hunt in Oregon, since the state's mandate applies only to hunters younger than 18. Many adults take the course anyway, since some other states require proof of hunter education through reciprocity before issuing a non-resident license.
Q: How much does an Oregon deer or elk tag cost?
A: When hunting in Oregon, a resident deer tag costs $33 and a resident elk tag costs $56, while non-residents pay $500 for deer and $660 for elk. Both tags are purchased separately from the base hunting license and typically must be bought no later than the day before your hunt begins.
Q: How much does the Oregon hunter education course cost?
A: Oregon's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $34.95, plus a $10 fee for hunters 18 and older who choose to take it voluntarily. Hunters younger than 18 also need a required in-person Field Day, while the in-person conventional classroom course costs just $10 for the registration fee.
