Oregon › Species › Protected Squirrels and Chipmunks
Protected or no season
Protected Squirrels and Chipmunks in Oregon and Why They Are Not Hunted
Why protected squirrels and chipmunks stay closed in Oregon, which open season shares their country and how to report a case.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Protected Squirrels and Chipmunks closure explained
No booklet opens protected squirrels and chipmunks, and the reasons are spelled out in the ODFW species notes and the statutes.
| Item | ODFW or statute text |
|---|---|
| Status | Northern flying squirrel, chickaree, golden-mantled, Washington and white-tailed antelope ground squirrels and chipmunks are protected. |
| Rule | Protected mammals and birds include fisher, ringtail, listed bats (fringed myotis, Townsend’s big-eared, pallid, silver-haired, western small-footed, long-eared, long-legged and Yuma myotis), pika, pygmy rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed antelope squirrel, Washington ground squirrel, northern flying squirrel, chickaree, golden-mantled ground squirrel, chipmunks, white-footed vole and all marine mammals; may not be hunted. |
From ODFW regulations and ORS chapter 496 (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Hunting western gray squirrels in protected squirrel country
If you are out for western gray squirrels, you may be in protected squirrel country, so be certain of the target.
| Season | Area | Kind | Dates | Bag | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western gray squirrel – remainder of state | Statewide | License | Sep 1–Nov 15, 2026 | 5 daily, 15 in possession | |
| Western gray squirrel – North-Central Oregon | License | Sep 15–Oct 31, 2026 | 3 daily, 6 in possession |
From 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
Protected Squirrels and Chipmunks: fines and revocation
The consequences for unlawful take of protected squirrels and chipmunks stack: an offense class, civil damages and revocation.
| 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.
The poaching line and protected squirrels and chipmunks
ODFW and the Oregon State Police ask for tips on protected squirrels and chipmunks. 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.
The legal groups around protected squirrels and chipmunks
The legal groups below decide which species have seasons; protected squirrels and chipmunks are outside the hunted ones.
| 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: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0)
Protected Squirrels and Chipmunks, answered
At what age is hunter education required?
Under 18: course and card required. Adults: no requirement in the regulations.
What are the Oregon game mammals?
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.
How long can a license be revoked?
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.
Are endangered species penalties higher?
Unlawful taking of a threatened or endangered species is a Class C felony; damages $2,500 per specimen.
What law covers taking protected squirrels and chipmunks?
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).
Can I hunt protected squirrels and chipmunks in Oregon?
Northern flying squirrel, chickaree, golden-mantled, Washington and white-tailed antelope ground squirrels and chipmunks are protected. Protected mammals and birds include fisher, ringtail, listed bats (fringed myotis, Townsend’s big-eared, pallid, silver-haired, western small-footed, long-eared, long-legged and Yuma myotis), pika, pygmy rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed antelope squirrel, Washington ground squirrel, northern flying squirrel, chickaree, golden-mantled ground squirrel, chipmunks, white-footed vole and all marine mammals; may not be hunted.
Where do I report protected squirrel violations?
Report poaching at *OSP (*677) or 1-800-452-7888; rewards up to $5,000 or preference points; anonymous tips accepted.
What can I hunt instead of protected squirrels and chipmunks?
Western Gray Squirrel: 2 rows, September 1, 2026 to November 15, 2026. Check every animal: protected squirrels and chipmunks and western gray squirrels can share ground.
Other photos on this page: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0); USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (CC BY 2.0).