Oregon Fall 2012 Big Game Tag Proposals Online, Controlled Hunt Deadline is May 15
OutdoorHub 05.03.12
Proposed Fall 2012 tag numbers for controlled deer, elk, Rocky Mtn goat, bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope hunts are online at ODFW’s website under Hunting Resources
The proposed tag numbers are based on field surveys of big game populations completed earlier. Most big game herds fared well due to the mild winter experienced in Oregon, though low fawn and calf ratios heading into winter means deer and elk tags are down very slightly this year (1 percent or less overall). Pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep tags are up slightly while Rocky Mtn goat tags are unchanged, bringing the overall controlled tag changes to less than -1 percent from last year.
- 2012 District May Meeting (pdf)
- Bighorn Sheep draft (pdf)
- Deer Buck draft (pdf)
- Deer Doe draft (pdf)
- Elk draft (pdf)
- Pronghorn draft (pdf)
- Rocky Mt. Goat draft (pdf)
- Spring Bear draft (pdf)
Final 2012 fall big game tag numbers will be adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission at their June 7-8 meeting in Salem. But any hunter that has yet to apply for a fall controlled hunt should look at the proposed tags online and apply as soon as possible to avoid the long lines typical before application deadline day on May 15.
Hunters can apply for a controlled hunt online, at a license sales agent, at ODFW offices that sell licenses, or by mail or fax order using the application found here or on page 17 of the 2012 Oregon Big Game Regulations. The cost is $8 and applicants also need a hunting license.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. PT May 15 but many license sales agents close before that hour. Hunters planning to fax applications should try to do so well before the deadline to avoid a busy signal and having to fax in multiple applications—which can lead to repeated credit card charges that take time to correct. Illegible handwriting on handwritten applications can also be a problem so hunters should write neatly.
As of April 30, 2012, 111,030 controlled hunt applications have been processed. Last year, a total of 380,639 applications were processed.
2013 hunting regulations
ODFW kicked off a series of statewide meetings about hunting regulations yesterday. Besides fall 2012 tag numbers, ODFW is presenting concepts under consideration for next year’s big game hunting regulations at these meetings. This information is also online and people that cannot attend meetings are welcome to send comments about the changes by email to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us, mail to ODFW Wildlife Division, 3406 Cherry Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303 or fax (503) 947-6330. Public comments on bird hunting and trapping regulations are also welcomed.
Final 2013 big game hunting regulations won’t be set by the Fish and Wildlife Commission until October 2012, and public comment is welcome through that time. See the packet for changes to individual hunts. Some major concepts under consideration for 2013 are:
- Reduce antlerless elk hunting on national forestland on the west slope of the Cascades for all hunters by going to a “one bull elk” bag limit on national forestland. Changes are meant to reverse the decline in elk numbers and calf ratios seen in many areas of the west Cascades, particularly on national forestland.
- Reduce antlerless harvest on the Ochoco unit by creating two different archery tags; only one would allow antlerless harvest. The overall number of tags available would not change.
- Prohibit ATV use and allow camping only in designated areas of the White River Wildlife Area. Off-road vehicle use and new campsites have increased to the point of harming wildlife and fish habitat on the wildlife area. White River has been informing area users of this possible change since fall 2011.
- Charge a penalty fee of up to $25 to hunters that fail to report the results of their deer and elk tags by the deadline (Jan. 31, 2013 for most tags). The fee would be charged when hunters purchased their 2014 hunting license (2014 licenses go on sale Dec. 1, 2013). Reporting the results of all big game and turkey hunts has been mandatory for four years but compliance rates are still too low to provide reliable information. Deer and elk general seasons have some of the lowest compliance rates.
- Several concepts are being considered to reduce problems related to general season spike-only hunters taking branch-antlered elk in Mt Emily, Walla Walla, and Wenaha units, where a hard-to-draw controlled tag is required for branch-antlered elk.
