8-27 SS Controlled Hunt

  Defining controlled hunts in Oregon. 

 Every state is a little different in terms of their controlled hunts so I thought I would check in with Michelle Dennehy of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife service to find out the story in Oregon.  “A controlled hunt is limited entry so hunters need to apply for the hunt and draw the tag. Each year the deadline for fall big game hunts is May 15 for applications. Basically all our pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain goats, and big horn sheep hunts are limited entry so you have to apply. Additionally, almost all of our deer and elk rifle hunting east of the Cascades is also limited entry so you need to apply and those deer and elk hunts account for thousands of hunters. Frankly tens of thousands of hunters so the controlled hunt deadline each year is a big deal for hunters and then obviously finding out if they actually drew the tag is a big deal for hunters as well. In Oregon you can apply online, by fax, by mail or you can apply at a licensed sales agent like Fred Meyer. Well for the coming season, if you want to hunt you have passed the deadline so you are out of luck right? Yes you are out of luck. However, in Oregon we have a lot of general season hunting and general season means that anyone can buy a tag and you need to buy the tag the day before the season begins.