ODFW To Host Meetings On 2026 Mule Deer Hunting Changes, Big Game Tag Proposals

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

ODFW will host a series of online public meetings in July with district wildlife biologists presenting proposed changes to next year’s big game regulations and getting feedback.

Each meeting will include a presentation on 2026 proposed regulations, a Q&A and opportunity for public comment. Proposed 2026 tag numbers and regulation changes are available here:

2026 Antlerless DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Bighorn Sheep DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Buck Deer DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Elk DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Premium DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Pronghorn DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Rocky Mtn Goat DRAFT (pdf)

2026 Spring Bear DRAFT (pdf)

2025 July District Meeting Info (pdf)

The main topic of the meetings will be potential changes coming for deer hunts in Eastern Oregon in 2026, an outcome of the new Mule Deer Management Plan adopted in 2024. Deer hunts in the region will be structured based on Deer Herd Ranges, not WMUs, to reflect mule deer biology and allow for more accurate monitoring and management. This change will align hunting effort and associated harvest with Oregon’s mule deer populations and management goals, improve monitoring of population trends, and allow for quicker management responses/accurate evaluation of management actions.

To learn more, visit the Eastern Oregon Deer Hunts page.

ODFW encourages people to use this form to submit questions and comments in advance of or after the meeting. Questions can also be asked during the Teams meeting by using the chat feature.

Final 2026 Big Game Hunting Regulations are scheduled to be adopted at the Sept. 12 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Ontario.

The meeting schedule follows:

• Northwest Region (Newport/Tillamook/Sauvie Island/Clackamas/Springfield/Corvallis)- July 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join the meeting
• Southwest Region (Roseburg/Charleston/Central Point/Gold Beach)- July 10, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join the meeting
• Northeast Region (Pendleton/La Grande/John Day/Baker/Enterprise/Heppner) – July 10, 6 p.m. – 730 p.m. Join the meeting
• Southeast Region (The Dalles/Prineville/Bend/Klamath Falls/Lakeview/Ontario/Hines) – July 16, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Join the meeting