2024 Pre-Application Strategy: Oregon

2024 Pre-Application Strategy: Oregon

By Jaden Bales

OVERVIEW

Hunters in the Beaver State are finally expecting stability in hunting regulations for the 2024 hunting season, especially in regards to mule deer and elk hunting. For the past three seasons, hunters have contended with the elimination of the over-the-counter mule deer archery hunting, a vast reduction in archery over-the-counter elk hunting, and a swath of new dates. Looking to 2024, hunters in Oregon may look at previous years’ regulations while expecting fewer changes year-to-year with a few notable exceptions.

DEER

Parts of central and eastern Oregon got in on the precipitation from the last few winters and springs, but largely escaped winterkill. As a result, some of the desert units in Oregon are showing better habitat and strong buck ratios with minor increases in licenses as a result. Additionally, no major snow events materialized during the new October season dates in 2023, and the only favorable conditions came the last few days of season, greatly stifling hunter harvest in the hardest time of year to kill mule deer. 2024 is shaping up to be better than any of the past handful of years, albeit while grading on a curve for Oregon’s lower mule deer numbers compared to other states. 

For blacktail in western Oregon, the quality of bucks taken in 2023 was very good. The later season dates, and a few years of consistently strong buck ratios in ODFWs surveys. Expect good deer hunting, especially for an over-the-counter nonresident tag, on the west side again in 2024.

ELK

The mighty wapiti of Oregon are largely holding steady. The changes to archery hunting seasons to increase bull ratios is still in progress, but hunters should anticipate climbing bull numbers in the coming year, as well as the possibility of fewer licenses in some units. Lastly, reports around the state suggest the extended season dates in 2023 helped with daytime rutting action for hunters at the end of the archery season. In 2024, those season dates are August 31 until September 29, which looks closer to the old season dates Oregonians have come to know. Unless you know your unit well and have scouted elk, the end of the Oregon archery season remains the better option for hunters. 

PRONGHORN

Pronghorn populations essentially remain status quo in Oregon – not high numbers, but a few studs are taken every year. With only 5% of the license allocation coming to nonresidents, expect to have a pile of preference points to draw any license, because there are very few (almost zero) random tags for the nonresident. 

BIGHORN SHEEP

Strong populations in Oregon’s iconic John Day and Deschutes River herds have resulted in increased tags for the 2024 season. While drawing odds are long for either of Oregon’s Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep or California Bighorn Sheep, they are quality hunts if you happen to be a lucky tagholder. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT

There are a couple of changes to the Rocky Mountain Goat Regulations, removing a couple of hunts and reducing overall tags from 23 to 21 in 2024. While not a robust opportunity for either nonresidents non-residents, big billies are killed in Oregon every year. Pay attention to hunt code changes if you’d like a stab at one of them. 

Join Mike Eastman and Amigo Fred on an unforgettable journey as he recounts the origin story of Eastmans’ Hunting Journals. Through sheer hard work and determination, he brought his vision to life and created a legacy that has continued to thrive to this day. With his unique storytelling style, Mike takes you on a journey steeped in Eastman family history that you won’t want to miss. Tune in now to celebrate our 200th issue of the Eastmans’ Hunting Journal