🌲

Compound Bow Hunting in Oregon — Roosevelt Elk, Blacktail Deer & High Desert

Roosevelt ElkColumbian BlacktailMule DeerBlack BearPronghorn

📅 2026 Season & License Info

Archery Season Open

August 25

Archery Season Close

September 27

Min Draw Weight

None specified

Resident License

$29/yr + tags

Non-Resident License

$171/yr + tags

Top Species

Roosevelt Elk, Columbian Blacktail, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Pronghorn

📍 Top Public Hunting Spots

Deschutes National Forest

1,600,000 acres

Mule Deer, Elk, Bear

Central Oregon. Mixed forest and high desert. Good road access for OTC deer hunting.

Siuslaw National Forest

630,000 acres

Roosevelt Elk, Blacktail Deer, Bear

Coast Range. Blacktail and Roosevelt elk country. Dense timber requires close shots.

Malheur National Forest

1,460,000 acres

Elk, Mule Deer, Bear, Antelope

Eastern Oregon high desert. Quality elk hunting. Pronghorn on adjacent BLM land.

⚖️ Oregon Archery Regulations

  • •Archery deer hunting is generally OTC for most units
  • •Elk requires draw in most zones — some OTC archery elk available
  • •No specific draw weight minimum — check regulations
  • •Hunter orange required during simultaneous firearm seasons

💡 Expert Tips for Oregon

  • →Oregon blacktail hunting in the Coast Range is a unique and challenging bowhunting style
  • →Roosevelt elk in western Oregon are the largest elk subspecies in North America
  • →Eastern Oregon mule deer can be spot-and-stalked in open sage and juniper terrain
  • →September archery elk season in the Blues (Umatilla NF) is prime bugling time
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Oregon state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.