OAR 635-065-0015: General Tag Requirements and Limits

(1) Big Game Tags: Any person hunting game mammals for which a tag is required must have on their person a valid tag for the dates, area and species being hunted. (2) Any person 12 years of age or older may purchase game mammal tags if they possess an adult or juvenile hunting license. (3) A person may obtain and possess during an annual hunting season only: (a) One valid black bear general season fall tag; (b) One valid black bear additional general season fall tag; (c) One valid black bear spring controlled hunt tag in addition to general season bear tags issued under subsections (a) and (b) above; or (d) One valid black bear “leftover” spring controlled hunt tag; (e) One valid cougar general season tag; (f) One valid cougar additional general season ta g; (g) One valid controlled pronghorn antelope tag except as provided in OAR 635-073-0100. (4) Except as provided in OAR Chapter 635, Division 090, and in OAR 635-075-0010, and in OAR 635-073-0100, a person may obtain and possess only one of the following tags during an annual hunting season: (a) One valid buck deer general season archery tag; or (b) One valid buck deer general season western Oregon any legal weapon tag; or (c) One valid buck deer controlled hunt 100 series tag; or (d) One valid buck deer “left over” controlled hunt 100 series tag; and (e) In addition to one of (4)(a), or (4)(b), or (4)(c), or (4)(d) one valid antlerless deer controlled hunt 600 series tag; or (f) One valid antlerless deer “left over” controlled hunt 600 series tag; and (g) One valid “Take a Friend Hunting” Contest deer tag, season dates, bag limit, and hunt area are as in OAR 635-090-0150 for deer and elk auction tags; (5) Except as provided in OAR Chapter 635, Division 090, and OAR 635-073-0100, a person may obtain and possess only one of the following tags during an annual hunting season: (a) One valid general season elk west Cascades tag; or (b) One valid general season elk western Oregon Coast first season tag; or (c) One valid general season elk western Oregon Coast second season tag; or (d) One valid general season elk Eastern Oregon Rocky Mountain second season tag; or (e) One valid elk general archery season tag; or (f) One valid elk controlled hunt 200 series tag; or (g) One valid General Season Antlerless Elk Damage Tag; or (h) One valid elk “leftover” controlled hunt 200 series tag. (6) In addition to the tags described in OAR 635-065-0015 (3), (4), and (5), a person during an annual hunting season may obtain or possess only one valid “Mandatory Hunter Reporting Incentive Tag” per annual hunting season. If the Department awards a hunter such a tag through the controlled hunt draw authorized by OAR 635-060-0030(5), the following requirements will apply: (a) On or before July 15, 2026 the hunter must inform the Department which species the tag is to be issued for (pronghorn antelope, deer, or elk) and purchase the tag. Tags not purchased by July 15 will be offered to an alternate hunter with a tag sale deadline of July 31, 2026 . (b) Hunting hours, hunt dates, and hunt area for Mandatory Hunter Reporting Incentive Tags will be the same as those listed in OAR 635-090-150 (3) for deer or (4) for elk , or 635-067-0028 (2) for pronghorn. (c) Bag limit: one pronghorn antelope or one deer or one elk. (d) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employees are not eligible for a Mandatory Hunter Reporting Incentive Tag. (7) Except through the opportunity provided in OAR 635-067-0032 thru 635-067-0034, a person may obtain and possess only one bighorn sheep ram tag in a lifetime. (8) Except through the opportunity provided in OAR 635-067-0036 and 635-067-0041, a person may obtain and possess only one Rocky Mountain goat tag in a lifetime. (9) It is unlawful for any person to issue or to possess any game mammal tag which has been backdated. (10) Any game mammal tag having an issue date subsequent to the last day authorized for issue of such tag as listed in “Oregon Big Game Regulations” for the current season is a void tag. Exception: (a) Members of the uniformed services returning to the state after the deadline shall be permitted to purchase general season tags for themselves at the Salem headquarters and regional offices of the Department. (b) Notwithstanding the deadlines for tag purchases provided by rule and in the hunting regulation synopses, any person who qualifies to purchase a tag but fails to make the purchase by the deadline, may purchase the tag late if the person: (A) Submits an attestation to the Department’s Licensing Services Office certifying that the person has not yet hunted during the season for which the tag is sought; (B) The request must be received by the Department before the end of the season for the particular tag; and (C) Pays the Department the fee as provided in OAR 635-010-0019 for a tag issued after the tag sale deadline in addition to the usual tag fee. (D) A tag purchased for a season that has not begun may be canceled and exchanged for a tag for an ongoing season using the process outlined in 635-065-0015(10)(b)(A and B) provided the original tag is surrendered with the attestation and the fee for a tag issued after the tag sale deadline is paid to the Department.