Oregon has two elk hunts in one state. West of the Cascades, Roosevelt elk live in the rain-soaked Coast Range and Cascade foothills, and general season tags are sold over the counter. East of the Cascades, Rocky Mountain elk roam the Blue and Wallowa mountains, where most of the rifle bull hunting is by controlled hunt. Nonresidents can hunt both, but they draw from a small share of controlled tags.
This guide pulls the pieces together. Start here, then use the links below.
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Oregon elk hunting at a glance
| Where to buy | ODFW’s online licensing system (MyODFW), license agents, or ODFW offices |
| Controlled hunt applications | Due May 15 (2026) |
| Controlled hunt results | By June 12 (2026) |
| Leftover controlled tags | On sale July 1 at 10 a.m., online only |
| Nonresident license and elk tag | $193 license + $660 elk tag (2026) |
| Resident license and elk tag | $39 license + $56 elk tag (2026) |
| Seasons | General archery August 29 – September 27; rifle seasons in late October and November |
Fees and dates are from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the 2026 Oregon Big Game Regulations.
Step 1: Understand the two ways to get a tag
- General season tags. Sold over the counter, with no draw. They cover general archery in many units, the West Cascade and Coast rifle seasons in western Oregon, and a spike-only Rocky Mountain season in parts of northeast Oregon. See how general season tags work.
- Controlled hunts. Oregon’s draw. Most eastern Oregon rifle bull hunts, northeast Oregon and some central Oregon archery hunts, muzzleloader hunts and antlerless hunts are controlled. You can list five choices, and points help only your first choice. Read our controlled hunt guide.
Most Oregon hunters can hold only one elk tag a year, so choosing between a general tag and a controlled hunt is a real decision.
Step 2: Roosevelt or Rocky Mountain elk?
| Roosevelt elk | Rocky Mountain elk | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Coast Range and west slope of the Cascades | Blue Mountains, Wallowas, and other eastern Oregon ranges |
| Country | Thick, wet forest, clearcuts and private timberland | Open ridges, timber pockets, canyon country |
| Rifle tags | Mostly general season (Coast and West Cascade) | Mostly controlled hunts |
| Archery | General season | General in some eastern units; controlled in much of northeast Oregon |
Step 3: Pick your season
Archery season runs August 29 – September 27 in 2026, through the rut. Western Oregon rifle seasons fall in November: West Cascade November 7–13, Coast first season November 14–17, Coast second season November 21–27. Eastern Oregon controlled bull hunts run in late October and November.
See all 2026 Oregon elk season dates
Step 4: Set a budget
A nonresident pays $853 for a hunting license and elk tag. A fully guided hunt typically runs from about $4,500 to $7,000, and private-land hunts with landowner or outfitter tags can cost more.
Break down the full cost of an Oregon elk hunt
Step 5: Choose guided, DIY or a drop camp
Oregon has a lot of national forest land in both halves of the state. Western Oregon elk often live on private industrial timberland, where access rules change. Eastern Oregon has big, steep canyon country where getting an elk out is the main challenge.
Compare guided, DIY and drop camp hunts
Before you go: requirements every hunter needs
- Hunting license first. You need an annual hunting license before you can buy a tag or apply for a controlled hunt.
- Hunter education. Required for hunters under 18. Adults don’t need it to hunt in Oregon, though ODFW encourages it.
- Tag sale deadlines. General season tags must be bought by the day before the season opens. Late purchases cost extra.
- Harvest reporting. You must report on every deer and elk tag, even if you didn’t hunt. For 2026 hunts, report by January 31, 2027 (April 15, 2027 for hunts ending after December 31). Late reporting brings a $25 penalty fee.
- New for 2026. Hunting is banned within 500 feet of designated highway wildlife crossing structures, and the rules on electronic devices attached to firearms or scopes were clarified.
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Looking for a deal? Check our discount guided hunts and self-guided and DIY hunts.
Hunting deer too? See our Oregon deer hunting guide.