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Oregon Cougar Zones and Quotas
Six cougar zones with a statewide quota of 970: units, counties, quotas and the 2025 harvest in each zone.
Photo: Yellowstone National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Oregon cougar zones A to F
Cougar hunt zones and mortality quotas (statewide total 970); a zone closes when its quota is reached (quotas are typically not met). The table prints "26 27" for Zone A (read as Units 26 and 27). The general cougar season runs January 1 to December 31, 2026 statewide. General Season Tag (sale deadline October 2) plus one Additional Tag. Statewide quota 970. Hide with skull and proof of sex checked within 10 days. Unlawful to use bait to attract or take black bears or to use dogs to hunt or pursue black bears or cougars (ORS 498.164; bear and cougar regulations). In 2025 the cougar report rows sum to 381 cougars for 16,116 hunters; the zone columns below add up the rows for the units in each zone.
| Zone | Name | Quota | Units | Counties | 2025 hunters* | 2025 harvest* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Coast/North Cascade | 180 | 6,526 | 139 | ||
| B | Southwest Cascades | 200 | 2,949 | 56 | ||
| C | Southeast Cascades | 80 | 809 | 25 | ||
| D | Columbia Basin | 100 | 500 | 14 | ||
| E | Blue Mountains | 270 | 4,387 | 114 | ||
| F | Southeast Oregon | 140 | 945 | 33 |
From 2026 cougar zones and quotas and 2025 cougar harvest summary (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Top cougar units in the 2025 report
| Unit | Zone | Hunters | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trask Unit (14) | A | 999 | 29 |
| Alsea Unit (18) | A | 886 | 23 |
| Heppner Unit (48) | E | 704 | 15 |
| Applegate Unit (28) | B | 374 | 14 |
| Sumpter Unit (51) | E | 293 | 13 |
| Murderers Creek Unit (46) | E | 268 | 12 |
| Stott Mtn Unit (17) | A | 235 | 11 |
| White River Unit (41) | A | 359 | 11 |
| Sled Springs Unit (57) | E | 240 | 11 |
| Santiam Unit (16) | A | 1,093 | 9 |
| Dixon Unit (22) | B | 298 | 9 |
| Chetco Unit (27) | A | 209 | 9 |
| Ochoco Unit (37) | E | 282 | 9 |
| Northside Unit (47) | E | 260 | 9 |
| Interstate Unit (75) | C | 152 | 9 |
From 2025 cougar harvest summary (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife); unit totals computed from the report rows, checked November 8, 2026.
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: Oregon State University (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Answers about the cougar zones and quotas
How many cougars can be taken in Oregon?
The statewide quota is 970, split across six zones. One General Season Tag and one Additional Tag; no spotted kittens or females with spotted kittens.
What happens when a cougar zone quota is reached?
The zone closes to cougar hunting; ODFW notes that quotas are typically not met.
Which Oregon cougar zone has the largest quota?
Zone E (Blue Mountains) with 270.
Can I hunt cougars with hounds in Oregon?
Unlawful to use bait to attract or take black bears or to use dogs to hunt or pursue black bears or cougars (ORS 498.164; bear and cougar regulations).
Must I check in a cougar?
Present the unfrozen hide with skull and proof of sex within 10 days; female reproductive tract required.
When does the cougar tag go on sale and stop?
The general cougar tag sale deadline is October 2; the additional cougar tag has no deadline.
What are civil damages for an unlawful cougar?
deer with 4+ points, gray wolf, black bear, cougar $7,500.
Other photos on this page: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (CC BY-SA 2.0); Oregon State University (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0).