Oregon › Species › Striped Skunk
Unprotected mammal
Striped Skunk Hunting Rules in Oregon
No season and no limit for striped skunks; this page covers the rules that do apply in Oregon.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Striped Skunk hunting by the numbers
For striped skunks, the Oregon calendar is simple: every day is open and nothing caps how many a hunter takes. Licenses, trespass law and the method rules still govern a hunt for striped skunks, even with no season. No closed season or bag limit, but a hunting license and all hunting regulations apply. The furbearer regulations also list striped skunks under "open season entire year", so a Furtaker's License covers trapping them.
From furbearer regulations (2026-28) (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Striped Skunk general season dates
The striped skunk rows carry no dates because there is no closed season.
| Season line | Covers | Kind | Dates | Bag | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open season entire year (furbearer regulations) | Statewide | Furtaker | Year-round | – | Year-round |
From furbearer regulations (2026-28) (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Oregon wildlife groups and striped skunks
Striped skunks are not game mammals or furbearers with seasons; this table shows the group ODFW puts them in.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Furbearers |
| Need a Furtaker’s License or Hunting License for Furbearers; fisher (and ringtail, wolverine, kit fox, Canada lynx, sea otter) closed all year. |
| Predatory animals (ORS 610.002) |
| No closed season, bag limit or weapon restriction for predatory animals destructive to crops; landowners need no license on their land. |
| Unprotected mammals and birds |
| No closed season or bag limit, but a hunting license and all hunting regulations apply. |
From ODFW definitions (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Legal weapons for striped skunks
Check the season type on your striped skunk tag or row first, then read the matching line below.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Electronics |
|
Summed up for striped skunks: trap with a Furtaker’s License; hunt with a Hunting License for Furbearers or a general hunting license.
From species table and general hunting regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Rules on the ground for striped skunks
What ODFW expects of striped skunk hunters in the field, from tagging to transport.
| Rule | Text |
|---|---|
| Landowners | A resident does not need a license to hunt on land they reside on that is owned by them or immediate family, unless hunting a species that needs a tag or applying for big game tags; landowners/agents need no license to take predatory animals on their land. |
| Inspection | Must allow inspection of licenses, tags, game and gear; stop at signed wildlife/CWD inspection stations when carrying wildlife; carcass parts ban for cervids from other states. |
From tagging and reporting and ORS chapter 496 (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
What it costs to hunt striped skunks
Prices are the 2026 ODFW fees for what a striped skunk hunter may buy; hunting licenses run on the calendar year.
| License | For | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Resident | $39.00 |
| Hunting | Nonresident | $193.00 |
| Combination (hunt and angle) | Resident | $86.00 |
| Youth combination (12-17) | 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).
From 2026 license and tag fees and license requirements (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Striped Skunk country on public land
8 places below are listed for striped skunks by the agency source named on each card; the rest are large public lands of the usual kind.
Willamette Private Timberlands Law Enforcement Project lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Santiam Unit and Stott Mtn Unit.
North Coast TMA-Law Enforcement Project lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Saddle Mtn Unit and Scappoose Unit.
Lincoln County Forest Patrol Project lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Stott Mtn Unit and Alsea Unit.
Linn County Forest Patrol Project lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Santiam Unit and McKenzie Unit.
Mid Coast Access Area lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Trask Unit and Stott Mtn Unit.
Jackson Access & Cooperative Travel Management Area lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Dixon Unit and Evans Creek Unit.
Thomas Creek Access Area lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); Santiam Unit.
East Lane TMA-Law Enforcement Project lists predators (ODFW A&H page (Huntable Species)); McKenzie Unit and Indigo Unit.
From land records and agency page (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Shooting light for striped skunks
Times are Pacific clock times for the striped skunk season dates shown.
The mammal window applies to striped skunks, thirty minutes either side of sunrise and sunset.
| Date | Linn County centre | Lake County centre | Wallowa County centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | 6:02 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 8:09 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 6:54 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | 7:13 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | 7:13 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | 6:45 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:30 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: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Common questions on striped skunks
Are striped skunks open all year in Oregon?
ODFW gives striped skunks no closed season and no daily limit.
Can I shoot striped skunks from a road in Oregon?
Oregon bars shooting striped skunks from public roads and in cities, parks, cemeteries and closed refuges.
What is legal gear for striped skunk hunting?
Trap with a Furtaker’s License; hunt with a Hunting License for Furbearers or a general hunting license.
Which permits apply to striped skunk hunting in Oregon?
A hunting license ($39.00 resident, $193.00 nonresident); no tag or validation is listed for striped skunks.
How late can I shoot striped skunks in Oregon?
Legal light for striped skunks opens thirty minutes before sunrise and closes thirty minutes after sunset (NOAA solar formula times above).
Which parts of Oregon allow striped skunk hunting?
Striped skunks are not tied to Wildlife Management Units; check the zone column and stay off tribal and national park land.
Is trapping striped skunks allowed in Oregon?
Furtaker's License, furbearer rules and trap checks apply to striped skunks.
Is permission needed to hunt striped skunks on a farm?
Only with landowner permission. Posted reservation boundaries count as enclosed land too.
Are there day-of-week limits for striped skunks?
Sundays are open for striped skunks; only some wildlife areas restrict the days.
Other photos on this page: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0); Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0).