You don’t have to draw to hunt elk in Oregon. General season tags are sold over the counter to residents and nonresidents, with no cap on numbers. They cover most of the archery hunting in the state and the rifle seasons in western Oregon’s Roosevelt elk country. Here’s what’s available for 2026 and how to choose.

How general season elk tags work

• No draw and no points. You buy the tag outright, after buying your annual hunting license.
• One tag, one season. Each general tag is good for one specific season, such as general archery or Coast first season.
• One elk tag a year for most hunters. You can hold only one of the general elk tags, and if you buy a general elk tag first, you can’t apply for a controlled (200 series) elk hunt. Pick carefully.
• Buy before the deadline. Tags must be bought by the day before the season opens. You can buy after the deadline for an added $25.50 fee, but you can’t exchange a tag once the season starts.

2026 cost	Resident	Nonresident
Annual hunting license	$39	$193
General season elk tag	$56	$660
Total	$95	$853

Resident Sports Pac buyers ($253) get a general or controlled elk tag as part of the package.

The general season elk tags for 2026

Tag	2026 dates	Where	Tag sale deadline
General archery	August 29 – September 27	Western Oregon and parts of eastern Oregon	August 28
West Cascade (rifle)	November 7–13	Units 16, 19, 21, 22, 29, 30	November 6
Coast, 1st season (rifle)	November 14–17	Units 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28	November 13
Coast, 2nd season (rifle)	November 21–27	Units 11, 15, 17, 18, 23, 28	November 20
Rocky Mountain, 2nd season (rifle)	November 7–15	Parts of northeast Oregon, spike only	November 6

“Any legal weapon” seasons allow rifles, muzzleloaders, bows and other legal weapons.

Bag limits

Western Oregon rifle seasons

• West Cascade: One bull with at least one visible antler.
• Coast 1st season: One bull in Units 11, 15, 17, 18, 23 and 28. Units 12, 14 and 20 also carry a one-spike bag limit in the regulations, so confirm the exact bag limit for those units.
• Coast 2nd season: One bull in Units 11, 15, 17, 18, 23 and 28.

General archery

• In western Oregon, the bag limit depends on the unit. Some units allow any elk (for example 15, 20, 23, 25 and 28). Others are bull only, 3 point or better (Units 10 and 24), or spike only (Unit 26).
• In eastern Oregon, general archery covers Units 31–35 and 38–45, part of 51, and much of central and south-central Oregon (parts of 64–77). Some units allow any elk and others are bull only.
• Northeast Oregon archery is not general. Units like Heppner, Desolation, Starkey and the Eagle Cap Zone are controlled bow hunts, so you have to apply by May 15. Some central Oregon units, such as Maury and Ochoco, also have controlled bow hunts.

Rocky Mountain 2nd season

One spike elk in Units 49, 50, 52, 53, 61, 62 and 63, plus parts of Units 48 and 51. Mature bull hunting in eastern Oregon is by controlled hunt.

Western vs. eastern Oregon on a general tag

	Western Oregon	Eastern Oregon
Elk	Roosevelt	Rocky Mountain
Rifle	General (West Cascade, Coast)	Spike only on a general tag in part of the northeast; most bulls are controlled
Archery	General	General in central and southern units; controlled in much of the northeast
Country	Dense forest, clearcuts, private timberland	Open ridges, timber, steep canyons

Making a general season hunt work

• Know the access. Much of the Coast Range is private industrial timberland, and some is gated or limited. Check landowner rules before you plan.
• Hunt clearcuts and edges. Roosevelt elk feed in young clearcuts and bed in the timber nearby.
• Archery is your best rut hunt. General archery runs through the September rut, when bulls answer calls.
• Plan for rain. November rifle seasons in western Oregon are often wet. Good rain gear makes a long sit possible.
• Report your tag. Every deer and elk tag must be reported, even if you didn’t hunt.
• Use a guide’s knowledge. Local outfitters know where access is open and where elk go once the shooting starts.

General tag vs. controlled hunt

	General season tag	Controlled hunt
Availability	Guaranteed, over the counter	Draw; points help first choice only
Nonresidents	No cap	Up to 5% of tags
Hunter density	Higher	Lower
Bull quality	Mostly younger bulls	Better in limited units
Best for	First trips, western Oregon, archery	Eastern Oregon rifle bulls, northeast archery

Related: How Oregon draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Oregon Elk Hunting Guide · How to apply for controlled hunts · Season dates

Rules and fees are from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for 2026. Always check the current Oregon Big Game Regulations for exact units and bag limits before you buy.