OAR 635-043-0120: Ceremonial Harvest Permits

Ceremonial harvest permits for use by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (for the purpose of this rule here in referred to as the Tribe). (1) The Commission authorizes the harvest of deer, elk, and black bear by members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon for ceremonial purposes in accordance with these rules. (2) Authorization for ceremonial harvest permits will be considered only upon written request from the Tribe. (3) Authorization for harvest shall specify the season dates, times, locations, and numbers of permits authorized for each species. (a) Permits authorized shall be provided to the Tribe and may be used only by authorized members of the Tribe. Each permit shall specify the season dates, times, and location where the permit is valid. (b) Tribal hunters using authorized ceremonial harvest permits must carry on their person a valid ceremonial harvest permit, and shall present this document, as well as documents identifying said hunter as a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, to Department employees or law enforcement personnel upon request. (c) Tribal members designated to harvest animals using ceremonial harvest permits shall not be required to possess big game tags in addition to the ceremonial harvest permits authorizing harvest. (d) In recognition of accepted Tribal custom, the Commission acknowledges that Tribal authorities may designate individuals to harvest animals using these ceremonial harvest permits. The Tribe may designate the number of permits used by a Tribal member, so long as the total harvest does not exceed the number of ceremonial tags authorized under subsection (e) of these rules. (e) Pursuant to a request received under subsection (2), the Department shall issue up to 15 deer permits with a bag limit of “one deer”, 9 elk permits with a bag limit of “one elk”, and 3 bear permits with a bag limit of “one bear” for ceremonial purposes annually. Season dates are: for elk, April 1 through 3 days before the 1st day of general archery season (inclusive); for deer, January 1 through 3 days before the 1st day of general archery season (inclusive); for bear, January 1 through March 31 and June 1 through July 31 (inclusive) each year. (f) Each permit shall be validated immediately upon successful harvest of a designated animal by entry on the permit, in ink, the date of the kill. The permit shall be attached securely to the game mammal in plain sight. The permit shall be kept attached to the carcass or remain with any parts thereof so long as the same are preserved. (g) Ceremonial harvest permits are valid only in the area as described in section 4 (a) 1 of the 1986 Agreement between the State of Oregon and the Tribes (See OAR 635-041-0600(4)(a)(1)). Ceremonial harvest permits do not authorize trespass upon private lands or entry or use on private or public lands where landowner permission has not been obtained or where hunting, access, or discharge of firearms is precluded by any other statute or rule. (h) Methods of take, shooting hours, and other restrictions or limits on hunting methods, weapons and techniques all remain the same as those pertaining to sport harvest during other Commission authorized big game seasons. (4) All harvest of deer, elk, or bear conducted under ceremonial harvest permit by a tribe shall be reported to the Department on an annual basis. (5) Animals harvested under an authorized ceremonial harvest permit may only be used by Tribal members for ceremonial and cultural purposes. Animals and parts thereof may not be bartered or sold. (6) Authorization of these ceremonial-hunting permits does not create, convey or imply any additional tribal legal or treaty entitlement, nor does it modify any existing agreement, treaty, or court decree.