Oregon › Species › White-tailed Jackrabbit
Protected or no season
White-tailed Jackrabbit in Oregon, Status and Law
Oregon gives white-tailed jackrabbits no hunting season in 2026-27; the ODFW rule, the penalties and the nearest open season are below.
Photo: Brandon Olafsson (CC BY 2.0)
The Oregon status of white-tailed jackrabbits
Here is how the ODFW booklets treat white-tailed jackrabbits: no bag, no method and a rule that keeps them off every season list.
| Item | ODFW or statute text |
|---|---|
| Status | Protected mammal. |
| 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.
The open season closest to white-tailed jackrabbits
Oregon opens black-tailed jackrabbits, not white-tailed jackrabbits. The rows show exactly what the jackrabbit season allows.
| Season | Area | Kind | Dates | Bag | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No closed season | Statewide | License | Year-round | No limit | Year-round |
From 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), checked November 8, 2026.
White-tailed Jackrabbit violations and penalties
What a court can do after unlawful take of white-tailed jackrabbits, from the Oregon Revised Statutes.
| 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.
Who to call about white-tailed jackrabbits
For white-tailed jackrabbits, use the poaching line. 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.
Game, furbearer, unprotected and white-tailed jackrabbits
Which groups ODFW opens and which it protects, for readers checking on white-tailed jackrabbits.
| 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: Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Photo: USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
White-tailed Jackrabbit FAQ
Which penalties apply to white-tailed jackrabbits?
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).
What lawful quarry is closest to white-tailed jackrabbits?
Black-tailed Jackrabbit: open all year with no bag limit. White-tailed jackrabbits are never legal, whatever the season.
How do I report someone taking white-tailed jackrabbits?
Report poaching at *OSP (*677) or 1-800-452-7888; rewards up to $5,000 or preference points; anonymous tips accepted.
Which Oregon legal species groups exist?
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.
Can a 12-year-old hunt in Oregon?
Youth 17 and under need a hunter safety course, so a young hunter out where white-tailed jackrabbits live must carry the card.
How are listed species protected?
Unlawful taking of a threatened or endangered species is a Class C felony; damages $2,500 per specimen.
Can Oregon revoke my hunting license?
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.
Why are white-tailed jackrabbits closed to hunting?
Protected mammal. 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.
Other photos on this page: Bonnie Moreland (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).