Legal Calibers for Deer Hunting in Oregon

Note: Option 1 must be used for deer and elk hunts with restrictions on the tip of the woods. 1 Edged firearms are only permitted for forest grouse hunting. 2 Shotgun: A flexible firearm, including muzzle-loading, designed to shoot birds and intended to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel length of 18 inches or more, a total length of 26 inches or more. Rifled shotguns (see definitions) are considered shotguns if they are used for hunting wild mammals, if medium-fire rifles or shotguns are legal weapons. If you hunt in an area where CWD can occur, you can find more detailed information about precautions when handling potentially exposed animals to cwd-info.org/recommendations-for-hunters-simple-precautions/ online. Although CWD has not been documented in humans, health and wildlife officials advise hunters to take precautions when tracking or handling deer, moose and moose that may have been exposed to CWD. Basic precautions include: Remember that group hunting is illegal. A hunter must have an unused tag to hunt a wild mammal that requires a tag. The leading wildlife disease in North America, CWD, is a 100% fatal, infectious and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in deer, moose and moose. The disease has not been detected in Oregon. In areas where this neurological condition occurs, it is transmitted through nose-to-nose contact between animals and through urine, feces and saliva that infect soils and habitats.

CWD remains in soil for an unknown number of years and continues to infect animals using infected sites. Illegal coins brought into Oregon will be confiscated and individuals may be held responsible for disposal costs. Except for the following parts, no person may import or possess a deer carcass (deer/moose family) from any other state or country, in whole or in part, into Oregon. Common species of deer, moose, moose and caribou. During the Oregon Morderleloader hunting season, riflescopes (permanent and removable) and sights that use batteries, artificial light or energy are not permitted during the 600 series muzzle magazine and hunting season where there is a weapon restriction, Only shotgun/muzzle magazine or archery/muzzle magazine only, except for visually impaired hunters who have a visual acuity of 20/200 with lenses or a 20 degree field of view. Open visors and visors made of alloys, plastic or other materials that do not have the properties described above are legal viewfinders. Optical fibers and fluorescent paint incorporated in or on open or iron visors are legal. 

It is illegal to hunt with lead-free bullets, sheathed bullets, hooves and bullets with plastic or plastic bases during muzzle loading season and 600 series hunts where there is a restriction on firearms, shotgun/muzzle magazine only, or archery/muzzle magazine only. Conical lead or lead alloy bullets not exceeding twice the diameter and round lead or lead alloy balls used with fabric, paper or felt stains are permitted.



It is illegal to hunt with pellet powder or propellants during the 600 series muzzle loading and hunting season, where there is a firearms restriction only for muzzle/muzzle-loading shotguns or archery/muzzle magazine only. Granular black powder (bulk) and black powder substitutes are the only legal thrusters during the 600 series muzzle and hunting season where there is a firearm restriction only for shotguns/muzzle-loading or archery/muzzle magazine only. 

Muzzle-loading firearms with rotating action are prohibited during the muzzle-loading season and 600 series hunts, where there is a firearms restriction only for muzzle/muzzle-loading shotguns or archery/muzzle magazine only. 

For muzzle loading seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction, muzzle shotgun/magazine only or archery/muzzle magazine only, the muzzle magazine must have an open ignition. Legal hunting weapons and firearms restrictions for big game and wild bird hunting in Oregon. During the season with legal weapons, hunters can use muzzle magazines with any type of ignition (except match), legal sight, fuel or bullet type, as long as the gun meets the caliber restrictions for the species. Oregon`s mouth feeder hunting season varies by unit – myodfw.com/big-game-hunting/seasons Find links to current fishing and hunting regulations, as well as seasonal regulations. 3 There are no restrictions on the type of arrows or wideheads that can be used to hunt wild birds. 4 Hunters may not use electronic devices attached to bows and arrows, with the exception of illuminated arrows, which have no other function than to increase the visibility of the arrow.

Rocky Mtn Bull Elk (controlled) Season 1 (October 26 – Oct. 30) 32, 35-38, 41, 45-64, 66, 69, 72, 74-76, Parts 33 and 77 E of Highway 97 Wild mammals can only be hunted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The obligation to recover, not to rob, does not justify any other criminal offence, including, but not limited to, trespassing. Below are the requirements for weapons that can be used to hunt wild mammals. In addition to these restrictions, some controlled hunts or special areas may have additional restrictions on weapons. During the muzzle loading and 600 series hunting season where there is a weapon restriction for muzzle/muzzle-loading shotguns only or archery/muzzle magazine only: This information is subject to change, please visit: www.dfw.state.or.us/ It is illegal to hunt on private property without the permission of the landowner. See ORS 105.700 and 498.120. There are two options for marking wild mammals for which a tag is issued: paper labels and electronic labels. Hunters must select an option at the time of purchase. Persons under 18 years of age may hunt wild mammals or highland wild birds (other than turkey) with a firearm, unless they wear a hunter orange hat or outer garment in a manner visible from all directions.