Hunting in Oregon: 19 Animals To Hunt in the Spring

Although the weather in Oregon is far from extreme spring is still the most delightful season in the Beaver State, especially for hunting.

Oregon's rain is spread out over more days of the year than any other big city in the U.S. (except for Rochester, New York), but in spring the sun starts to shine through the clouds, the air warms up enough to let you doff one layer of wool, and you can actually walk around a without squelching and splashing now and then. It's a great time to be outdoors, and the state's enthusiastic hunters agree.

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However, most states restrict hunting in the springtime, probably to allow game populations to recover from their lean winter foraging, and to raise their young.

Oregon also allows little hunting in springtime – deer and elk are untouchable until late summer at the earliest – but there are a few animals you can target as the skies clear, the trails dry, and the trees wake up.

Here's a list of animals to hunt to help you plan your springtime visit to the Beaver State:

Big Game
– Cougar: Cougars can be hunted all year round in Oregon, but the state manages its puma population carefully, as they the graceful cats had been hunted nearly to extinction in the past. Be sure to check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and obtain a game tag.

– Black Bear: Oregon holds "controlled hunts" for black bear in April or May. The number of hunters is strictly limited, and participants are generally chosen in a public drawing. The deadline for application in 2015 was Feb. 10, but this may vary year to year, so always check.

– Elk: A couple of small areas allow winter elk hunts that edge into the very early spring. Again, these are "controlled hunts," not open seasons.

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Birds
– Turkey: There is a spring turkey season in April and May.
– Pheasant, Partridge, and Grouse: Limited hunting as late as March 31. This is likely to change in 2016.

Small Game
– Red Fox: Open season all year, but only in certain areas; refer to ODFW literature.
– Mink and Muskrat: Can be hunted up till March 31 throughout the state.
– Badger, Coyote, Nutria, Opossum, Porcupine, Spotted Skunk, Striped Skunk, and Weasel: Open season year-round.

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

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