Oregon › Species › Canada Lynx
Protected or no season
Canada Lynx in Oregon, Protected and Closed
Canada lynx in Oregon: protected status, Oregon Revised Statutes penalties and look-alike quarry.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Why there is no season for Canada lynx
No booklet opens Canada lynx, and the reasons are spelled out in the ODFW species notes and the statutes.
| Item | ODFW or statute text |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed all year. |
| Rule | Closed season all year; incidental capture or other take must be reported to ODFW within 48 hours. |
From ODFW regulations and ORS chapter 496 (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Bobcats instead of Canada lynx
Legal bobcat rows, shown because they overlap the places and methods where Canada lynx could be mistaken.
| Season | Area | Kind | Dates | Bag | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furbearer pursuit season (no killing) – bobcat | Statewide | Pursuit only | Sep 1–Feb 28, 2027 | None (pursuit only) | |
| Bobcat – Eastern Oregon | Eastern Oregon | Furtaker | Dec 1–Feb 28, 2027 | Five bobcats | |
| Bobcat – Western Oregon | Western Oregon | Furtaker | Dec 1–Feb 28, 2027 | No bag limit |
From furbearer regulations (2026-28) (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
What unlawful take of Canada lynx costs
Taking Canada lynx falls under the Oregon wildlife penalties in ORS 496.992 and the damages schedule in ORS 496.705; these are the lines.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| General violation with a culpable mental state | Class A misdemeanor: up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $6,250 (fine set at the maximum for repeat offenders or taking 3x the daily bag). |
| Violations without a culpable mental state | Taking game mammals or other wildlife (not nongame mammals or game birds): Class A violation (fine up to $2,000); nongame mammals or game birds: Class C violation (up to $500); not involving taking: Class D violation (up to $250). |
| Felonies | Class C felony (up to 5 years, $125,000): taking wildlife to sell or trade; second unlawful taking of a game mammal within 12 months; unlawful taking of moose, mountain sheep, Rocky Mountain goat or wolf; taking threatened or endangered species; second conviction in 10 years for taking big game more than an hour outside the season. |
| Civil damages (per animal) | State may sue for damages: game mammals $1,000 (deer, antelope); elk $5,000 ($15,000 with 6+ points); deer with 4+ points, gray wolf, black bear, cougar $7,500; antelope with a 14 inches+ horn $7,500; moose, mountain sheep, mountain goat $10,000 ($50,000 trophy class); silver gray squirrel $100; game birds $20 (turkey or sage-grouse $1,000); furbearers $100 (bobcat, fisher $700); threatened/endangered $2,500; raptors $2,000-$5,000. |
| License revocation | On conviction the court may order revocation of all licenses, tags and permits (in addition to other penalties), including for some trespass, criminal mischief and firearm offenses committed while hunting. |
From ORS 496.705 and 496.992 and ORS 497.415 (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Turning in lynx poachers
Reporting a lynx case: Report poaching at *OSP (*677) or 1-800-452-7888; rewards up to $5,000 or preference points; anonymous tips accepted.
From access and special programs, 2026-27 regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Oregon legal groups next to Canada lynx
Oregon's game mammals, game birds, furbearers and unprotected species, set against the protected list that holds Canada lynx.
| Group | Members |
|---|---|
| Game mammals |
|
| Game birds |
|
| Furbearers |
|
| Predatory animals (ORS 610.002) |
|
| Unprotected mammals and birds |
|
| Nongame birds and raptors | Protected |
| Threatened and endangered species | Protected |
From ODFW definitions (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Photo: Oregon Department of Forestry (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation (CC BY 2.0)
Canada Lynx questions
What else follows a wildlife conviction?
On conviction the court may order revocation of all licenses, tags and permits (in addition to other penalties), including for some trespass, criminal mischief and firearm offenses committed while hunting.
Is there an Oregon season for Canada lynx?
Closed all year. Closed season all year; incidental capture or other take must be reported to ODFW within 48 hours.
How serious is unlawful take of Canada lynx?
Class A misdemeanor: up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $6,250 (fine set at the maximum for repeat offenders or taking 3x the daily bag). Taking game mammals or other wildlife (not nongame mammals or game birds): Class A violation (fine up to $2,000); nongame mammals or game birds: Class C violation (up to $500); not involving taking: Class D violation (up to $250).
Which Oregon season shares lynx country?
Bobcat: 3 rows, December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Know the difference between bobcats and Canada lynx.
Can I report anonymously in Oregon?
Report poaching at *OSP (*677) or 1-800-452-7888; rewards up to $5,000 or preference points; anonymous tips accepted.
How fast must incidental lynx catches be reported?
Closed season all year; incidental capture or other take must be reported to ODFW within 48 hours.
Which animals are game in Oregon?
Game mammals: pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, cougar, deer and elk; Game birds: ducks and mergansers, geese, coot, Wilson's snipe, band-tailed pigeon and mourning dove; Furbearers: beaver, bobcat, fisher, marten, mink and muskrat.
Do I need hunter education to hunt near Canada lynx?
Young hunters need a hunter safety certificate; mentored youth aged 9 to 15 may hunt without one beside a supervising adult.
What damages apply to listed species?
Unlawful taking of a threatened or endangered species is a Class C felony; damages $2,500 per specimen.
Other photos on this page: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Oregon Department of Forestry (CC BY 2.0); Oregon Department of Transportation (CC BY 2.0).