Hunting in Oregon: Animals To Hunt in the Summer

Oregon offers natural delights such as the Cascade and Coast Range mountains, the Willamette and Columbia river valleys, extensive forests, and the high desert country of the Beaver State's dry eastern half. All of this makes for many hunting opportunities, including during the summer season.

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Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife is devoted to managing animal populations and making them accessible to hunters. While there are restrictions on which species and how many you can kill, the hunting seasons and bag limits are well-crafted and easy to find online.

Summer is not a big hunting season anywhere, as animals are still rearing their young and fattening up for winter scarcity, but there are some critters you can put in your gunsights. The seasons and bag limits may change from year to year, and may be different in different counties, so always check – and get your game tags when necessary – before heading out on the hunt.

Here's a list of animals open to hunting in the state, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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Big Game

• Cougar populations are carefully tended, but limited hunting of these graceful predators is allowed year-round in many parts of the state.
• Black bear season begins on Aug. 1 and continues into the fall.
• Deer may be hunted by archery only from Aug. 29 to Sept. 27. Controlled firearms hunting begin in September.
• Elk may be taken by bowhunting from Aug. 29 to Sept. 27. There are also a few controlled firearms hunts in August and September, including special youth hunt seasons.
• Pronghorn antelope seasons are limited in August and September and vary by location and allowed weaponry.
• Rocky Mountain goat limited season begins in September.
• Bighorn sheep have some limited seasons in August and September, varying greatly by location.

Birds

• Pheasant, quail and grouse are open to youth hunts starting Sept. 1, with a controlled hunt for grouse beginning in early September.
• Mourning dove season begins Sept. 1.
• Band-tailed pigeon may be hunted starting Sept. 15.
• Canada goose season takes place in early September.

Small Game

• Red fox, badger, coyote, nutria, opossum, porcupine, spotted skunk, striped skunk and weasel are open for hunting year-round in most of Oregon.
• Western gray squirrel season begins Aug. 29.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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