Oregon Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 1 – January 31, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Pheasant:
    • Statewide: October 11 – December 31, 2025
    • Youth Hunt (ages 17 and under): September 27–28, 2025 (by reservation on specific Wildlife Areas)
  • Chukar and Hungarian Partridge:
    • Statewide: October 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Youth Hunt (Lower Klamath Hills): October 25–26, 2025 (by reservation)
  • Quail (California/Valley and Mountain):
    • Western Oregon: September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Eastern Oregon: October 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Grouse (Ruffed and Blue):
    • Statewide: September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Sage Grouse:
    • Limited controlled hunts in specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): September 13–21, 2025 (requires special permit; confirm dates with ODFW)
  • Cottontail Rabbits and Jackrabbits:
    • Year-round (classified as unprotected mammals, no closed season)

Note: Season dates are subject to change; confirm with ODFW at myodfw.com or the 2025-26 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations. Emergency closures may occur in severe winter weather to protect upland game birds.

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Hunting License (required for all hunters):
    • Resident Annual: $34.50
    • Nonresident Annual: $172.00
    • Nonresident 3-Day: $61.50
    • Youth (ages 12–17): $10.50 (resident), $61.50 (nonresident)
  • Upland Game Bird Validation (required for all upland bird hunters except youth in Mentored Youth Hunter Program):
    • Resident/Nonresident: $17.00 (valid through June 30, 2026)
  • Additional Permits:
    • Sage Grouse: Requires a controlled hunt permit (application-based, fees vary)
    • Fee Pheasant Hunts (e.g., Denman, EE Wilson, Fern Ridge, Sauvie Island Wildlife Areas): $12.50 per hunt
  • Notes:
    • Licenses and validations can be purchased online at myodfw.com, ODFW offices, or license vendors.
    • Youth hunters (12–17) must have a hunting license and upland game bird validation unless enrolled in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program (ages 9–15, no hunter education required).
    • Hunters 16+ need a federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation (free, included with license purchase).
    • Fees are for 2025; some may change starting January 2026 (validation fees unchanged until July 1, 2026).

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Pheasant:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters
    • Possession Limit: 8 roosters
  • Chukar and Hungarian Partridge (combined):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 8 birds (aggregate of both species)
    • Possession Limit: 24 birds (aggregate)
  • Quail (California/Valley and Mountain):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 10 birds (aggregate of both species)
    • Possession Limit: 30 birds (aggregate)
  • Grouse (Ruffed and Blue):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 birds per species
    • Possession Limit: 9 birds per species
  • Sage Grouse:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 birds (controlled hunts only)
    • Possession Limit: 4 birds
  • Cottontail Rabbits and Jackrabbits:
    • No bag or possession limits (unprotected mammals, hunting license required)

Notes:

  • The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to game birds in the field or in transit for identification.
  • Possession limits apply to fresh, frozen, or processed birds in the field or in transit to the hunter’s permanent residence.
  • Youth hunts may have specific limits (e.g., 2 chukar for Lower Klamath Hills youth hunt).

Additional Regulations

  • Hunter Orange: Required for hunters under 18 (hat or outer garment, visible from all directions) when hunting upland birds with a firearm (excluding turkey). Recommended for all hunters.
  • Weapons: Allowed weapons include shotguns (10 gauge or smaller, #2 shot or smaller, max 3 shells), muzzleloading shotguns, bows, and crossbows.
  • Dog Training: Pursuit season for dog training with wild birds is September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026. A free permit is required to release captive-bred game birds for training.
  • Private Land: Permission required from landowners to hunt on private property.
  • Reporting: Hunters must report harvests for certain species (e.g., sage grouse) via myodfw.com.

For the most up-to-date information, check the 2025-26 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations at myodfw.com or www.eregulations.com.