Big game
Black Bear in Oregon, 2026 Seasons and Tags
Every 2026 bear hunt number in Oregon (19), its tags and units, plus general seasons and harvest.
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Black Bear season snapshot, 2026-27
19 controlled or premium hunts cover black bears in 2026, with 11,067 tags in all (14 any legal weapon and 5 youth only). Demand runs high: 16,445 hunters listed a bear hunt first in 2025, around 1.5 per tag. Over-the-counter tags cover 1 general season as well (General fall black bear (statewide)). 700 series spring black bear – Any legal weapon starts the bear year on April 1, 2026; the final bear row closes on December 31, 2026. In ODFW's words, the bear bag is: one Controlled Spring Bear Tag, one General Season Fall Tag and one Additional Fall Tag (up to three bears per year); no cubs under one year or sows with such cubs.
From 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
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General bear seasons (no draw)
Each line is one ODFW row for black bears, earliest first, with the area it covers and the paperwork it needs.
| Hunt | Where | Tag or license | When | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fall black bear (statewide) | Statewide | General tag | Aug 1–Dec 31, 2026 | One bear per tag; unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs less than one year old |
From 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Drawn bear hunts in Oregon
Hunt boundaries come from ODFW's 2026 controlled hunt layers; where a hunt has no layer, the unit named in the hunt is used.
| Series | Hunts | 2026 tags | First choices | Opens | Closes | New in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700 series spring black bear | 19 | 11,067 | 16,445 | Apr 1, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 0 |
By first choices per tag, 754T, 754A and 757A drew the longest odds among bear hunts.
| No. | Name | Type | Dates | Tags | Apps (2025) | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 710A | NW Oregon | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 1,430 | 1,749 | |
| 717A | Alsea – Stott Mtn | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 273 | 586 | |
| 717T | Alsea-Stott Mtn Youth | Youth only | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 55 | 30 | |
| 722A | SW Oregon | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 4,840 | 5,532 | |
| 731A | S Central | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 605 | 533 | |
| 741A | White Rvr – Hood | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 363 | 474 | |
| 746A | S Blue Mtns | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 880 | 1,288 | |
| 752A | Starkey – Ukiah | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 330 | 489 | |
| 754A | Mt Emily – Walla Walla | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 242 | 1,614 | |
| 754T | Mt. Emily-Walla Walla Youth | Youth only | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 20 | 168 | |
| 756 | Wenaha Unit | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 275 | 569 | |
| 756T | Wenaha Unit Youth | Youth only | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 55 | 59 | |
| 757A | Sled Springs – Chesnimnus | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 303 | 931 | |
| 757T | Sled Springs – Chesnimnus Youth | Youth only | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 88 | 114 | |
| 759 | Snake Rvr Unit | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 440 | 681 | |
| 760A | Minam – Imnaha | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 275 | 519 | |
| 760T | Minam-Imnaha Youth | Youth only | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 55 | 53 | |
| 762A | Pine Cr – Keating – Catherine Cr | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 495 | 995 | |
| 764 | Lookout Mtn Unit | Any legal weapon | Apr 1–May 31, 2026 | 43 | 61 |
From 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations and controlled hunt applications (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Units and counties for black bears
County lines mean little in Oregon's big game rules: a bear row is valid in its units or hunt area, and a unit can cross three or four counties.
| County | Rows | Its WMUs | Oregon side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 10 | East | |
| Wallowa | 10 | East | |
| Baker | 4 | East | |
| Lane | 4 | West | |
| Umatilla | 4 | East | |
| Benton | 3 | West | |
| Polk | 3 | West | |
| Clackamas | 2 | West | |
| Grant | 2 | East | |
| Klamath | 2 | East | |
| Lincoln | 2 | West | |
| Wasco | 2 | East | |
| Clatsop | 1 | West | |
| Columbia | 1 | West | |
| Coos | 1 | West | |
| Crook | 1 | East | |
| Curry | 1 | West | |
| Douglas | 1 | West | |
| Gilliam | 1 | East | |
| Harney | 1 | East | |
| Hood River | 1 | East | |
| Jackson | 1 | West | |
| Jefferson | 1 | East | |
| Josephine | 1 | West | |
| Lake | 1 | East | |
| Linn | 1 | West | |
| Malheur | 1 | East | |
| Marion | 1 | West | |
| Morrow | 1 | East | |
| Multnomah | 1 | West | |
| Tillamook | 1 | West | |
| Washington | 1 | West | |
| Wheeler | 1 | East | |
| Yamhill | 1 | West |
From WMU maps and 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
2025 bear harvest in Oregon
Summing the 2025 rows gives 2,781 black bears for 28,089 hunters; by unit, Siuslaw Unit, Applegate Unit, Tioga Unit and Rogue Unit were highest.
2025 black bear: highest totals
| Hunt | Unit page | Hunters | Harvested | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 722A SW Oregon | Siuslaw Unit (20) | 474 | 134 | 28% |
| Fall Bear | Rogue Unit (30) | 1,390 | 101 | 7% |
| Fall Bear | Santiam Unit (16) | 1,564 | 100 | 6% |
| 759 Snake Rvr Unit | Snake River Unit (59) | 272 | 96 | 35% |
| Fall Bear | Applegate Unit (28) | 998 | 95 | 10% |
| 722A SW Oregon | Tioga Unit (24) | 368 | 78 | 21% |
| 722A SW Oregon | Applegate Unit (28) | 195 | 69 | 35% |
| Fall Bear | Alsea Unit (18) | 1,082 | 67 | 6% |
| Fall Bear | Indigo Unit (21) | 803 | 62 | 8% |
| Fall Bear | Trask Unit (14) | 1,198 | 61 | 5% |
From 2025 black bear summary (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Limits on black bears for 2026-27
These are the bear limits in ODFW's words; check the counting period before planning a second hunt.
| Where or what | Exact wording |
|---|---|
| Annual | One Controlled Spring Bear Tag, one General Season Fall Tag and one Additional Fall Tag (up to three bears per year); no cubs under one year or sows with such cubs. |
| Also printed | One bear (unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with such cubs) |
| Also printed | One bear per tag; unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs less than one year old |
From bag limit table and species table (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Oregon weapon rules for black bears
Night vision, thermal scopes and drones are never legal for hunting black bears in Oregon.
| Weapon rule | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Game mammals – any legal weapon |
|
|
Method line for black bears: any legal weapon for the species (centerfire rifle, handgun, shotgun, muzzleloader or bow meeting the species caliber/draw-weight rules); see Legal Hunting Weapons for Game Mammals.
From species table, legal weapons and general hunting regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Oregon bear fees for 2026-27
From the ODFW fee table: the license first, then any tag, validation or permit the bear rows call for.
| License, tag or validation | Who | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Resident | $39.00 |
| Hunting | Nonresident | $193.00 |
| Combination (hunt and angle) | Resident | $86.00 |
| Youth combination (12-17) | Either | $10.00 |
| Sports Pac | Resident | $253.00 |
| Youth Sports Pac | Resident | $75.00 |
| Black bear | Either | $16.50 |
| Additional bear | Either | $16.50 |
| Big game application | Either | $10.00 |
Physically reside in Oregon at least six consecutive months immediately before applying; owning property or paying property tax is not enough; claiming residency elsewhere disqualifies; false application is a crime. Waived for uniformed service members stationed in Oregon (and spouse/dependents).
Youth 17 and under must complete a hunter safety education course (any US state, Canada or Mexico) and carry the certificate or an ODFW document with the certificate number to hunt anywhere except land owned by their parent or legal guardian (Mentored Youth Hunter Program exception). No hunter education requirement for adults 18+ in the regulations.
From 2026 license and tag fees and license requirements (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Field rules that matter for black bears
Read these before a bear hunt; a violation with a culpable mental state is a Class A misdemeanor.
| Area | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Evidence of sex | Edible portions of game mammals (except cougar) and game birds must not be wasted; deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep and goat need evidence of sex (head/scalp with antlers or horns, or a reproductive organ attached to meat; option 1 for antler-point hunts); game birds keep the head or a fully feathered wing in transit. |
| Tags | Party hunting is illegal; a hunter must have an unused tag; no hunting or killing wildlife for another person; no selling, lending or borrowing big game tags. |
| Tagging | Paper tags: immediately write date, time and WMU in ink and attach; electronic tags: validate in the app and attach a record with name, date of birth, ODFW ID, harvest date and confirmation number. |
| Reporting | Report every deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, cougar and turkey tag (hunted or not) online or at a license agent: by January 31, 2027 for hunts ending April 1-December 31, 2026 and by April 15, 2027 for hunts ending January 1-March 31, 2027. Late deer/elk reports cost $25 with the 2028 license. On-time reporters are entered to win a special deer, elk or pronghorn tag. |
| Wildlife crossings | No hunting or taking game mammals within 500 feet of ODOT wildlife crossing structures on US 20 (MP 18-19) and US 97 (MP 149-153) (new for 2026). |
| Dogs and bait | 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). |
| Check-in | Present the unfrozen skull at an ODFW field office or collection site within 10 days (by appointment); provide sex, date, WMU and tag information. |
| Hunter orange | Hunters younger than 18 hunting any game mammal or upland game bird (except wild turkey) with a firearm must wear a hunter orange hat or exterior garment (shirt, jacket, coat, vest or sweater) visible from all directions; hunter orange camouflage is acceptable. No hunter orange requirement for adults. |
| Transport | Game mammals in the field or in transit more than 48 hours after the season closes must be tagged by ODFW or Oregon State Police; transfers need a written Wildlife Transfer Record. |
From tagging and reporting and ORS chapter 496 (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Public land for Oregon black bears
Public land picked for black bears: first the places whose agency source lists them, then big wildlife areas, forests or BLM land.
Willamette Private Timberlands Law Enforcement Project names bear in ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species); it lies in Santiam Unit and Stott Mtn Unit.
North Coast TMA-Law Enforcement Project names bear in ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species); it lies in Saddle Mtn Unit and Scappoose Unit.
Ochoco National Forest names bear in USFS forest hunting & shooting page; it lies in Maury Unit and Ochoco Unit.
Paulina Ranger District (Ochoco National Forest) names bear in USFS forest hunting & shooting page; it lies in Ochoco Unit.
Lincoln County Forest Patrol Project names bear in ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species); it lies in Stott Mtn Unit and Alsea Unit.
Linn County Forest Patrol Project names bear in ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species); it lies in Santiam Unit and McKenzie Unit.
Lookout Mountain Ranger District (Ochoco National Forest) names bear in USFS forest hunting & shooting page; it lies in Maury Unit and Ochoco Unit.
Mid Coast Access Area names bear in ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species); it lies in Trask Unit and Stott Mtn Unit.
From land records and agency page (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
When light allows bear hunting
Wildlife areas can set shorter hours than these for black bears.
ODFW's rule for black bears is the game mammal one, so short December days cut the window hard.
| Date | Tillamook County centre | Jefferson County centre | Malheur County centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | 6:27 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
| Aug 1, 2026 | 5:28 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 9:02 p.m. | 5:10 a.m. to 8:44 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | 7:22 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
Hours rule from the ODFW general hunting regulations; times worked out with the NOAA solar formula on Pacific Time for each county centre; checked November 8, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Photo: Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Photo: Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: Brandon Olafsson (CC BY 2.0)
Answers about Oregon black bears
What was the 2025 Oregon bear harvest?
The 2025 black bear report rows add up to 2,781 animals for 28,089 hunters (10% overall).
What does taking bear illegally cost?
Civil damages under ORS 496.705: deer with 4+ points, gray wolf, black bear, cougar $7,500. Criminal penalties for unlawful bear take come on top of the damages.
What dates apply to black bears in Oregon this season?
The bear calendar spans April 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. 700 series spring black bear – Any legal weapon: April 1, 2026; 700 series spring black bear – Youth only: April 1, 2026; General fall black bear (statewide): August 1, 2026. Black bears are in season today under at least one row.
Are bait and dogs allowed for black bears?
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).
Which permits apply to bear hunting in Oregon?
Every hunter needs an annual Oregon hunting license ($39.00 resident, $193.00 nonresident) plus a tag ($16.50 resident). Controlled hunts also need the $10.00 big game application.
What is the Oregon bear bag limit?
One bear (unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with such cubs); One bear per tag; unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs less than one year old.
How late can I buy an Oregon bear tag?
Fall Black Bear (General): October 2; Fall Black Bear (Additional): No Deadline. Tags must be bought before the hunt starts.
How does the bear controlled hunt draw work?
19 in the 700 series spring black bear. Spring black bear: apply by February 10 (results by February 20). 75% of deer, elk, pronghorn and spring bear tags go to first choices with the most preference points and 25% are random; sheep, goat and premium hunts are fully random.
Which parts of Oregon have bear seasons?
Rows tied to units name 54 Wildlife Management Units touching 34 counties, and some rows are statewide. The unit table above links each unit page.
What methods may be used on black bears?
Any legal weapon for the species (centerfire rifle, handgun, shotgun, muzzleloader or bow meeting the species caliber/draw-weight rules); see Legal Hunting Weapons for Game Mammals.
Is hunter orange the law for bear season?
Hunters younger than 18 hunting any game mammal or upland game bird (except wild turkey) with a firearm must wear a hunter orange hat or exterior garment (shirt, jacket, coat, vest or sweater) visible from all directions; hunter orange camouflage is acceptable. No hunter orange requirement for adults.
How late can I shoot black bears in Oregon?
The game mammal window applies to black bears: sunrise minus thirty minutes to sunset plus thirty, calculated for three county centres above.
When is the Oregon bear report due?
Report every deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, cougar and turkey tag (hunted or not) online or at a license agent: by January 31, 2027 for hunts ending April 1-December 31, 2026 and by April 15, 2027 for hunts ending January 1-March 31, 2027. Late deer/elk reports cost $25 with the 2028 license. On-time reporters are entered to win a special deer, elk or pronghorn tag. Present the unfrozen skull at an ODFW field office or collection site within 10 days (by appointment); provide sex, date, WMU and tag information.
Other photos on this page: Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0); Brandon Olafsson (CC BY 2.0).