Game Bird Regulations - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

UPLAND
GAME BIRDS,
MIGRATORY
GAME BIRDS
AND CROWS
12
FiElD DrESSiNg OF gamE birDS - WHaT'S lEgal?
Hunters understand the importance to care for meat while in the field to protect it from spoiling . However, what is not understood
by many is the legal requirements necessary to transport dressed birds from the field . Some hunters commonly practice “breasting”
birds out and discarding the rest of the carcass while still in the field . This is not legal and hunters need to note the following:
■ For upland game birds the feathered head must be left attached to all birds while in the field or traveling home.
■ For waterfowl, snipe, doves and pigeons a feathered head or wing must be left attached to all birds while in the field or
traveling home. Further restrictions apply to the NW Oregon Permit Goose Zone, see page 19.
So why is this necessary? There are many restrictions on sex and species of birds that can be included in your daily bag . Leaving
a head or wing attached allows law enforcement personnel to identify the birds taken by a hunter . You can be cited if it is not
possible to determine the types of birds taken .
Also, it is important to note that the hunter must retain all edible portions of the carcass . The practice of taking only portions of
the meat of a game bird (such as breasting birds out) is illegal . Pages 10-11 of this booklet outlines the important regulations for
hunting game birds in Oregon . Please familiarize yourself with all these regulations .
FIREARMS ARCHERY FALCONRY
Rifle or Handgun 1 Shotgun 2
Be safe, be responsible and be legal.
lEgal HUNTiNg mETHODS
(see definition below)
Muzzleloading
(Rifle or pistol)
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Recurve, Long and Crossbow Hawk or Falcon
Compound Bow3,4 (see page 21)
NO YES NO YES NO YES
1 Rimfire firearms are allowed for the hunting of forest grouse only .
2 Shotgun: A smooth bore firearm, including muzzleloaders, designed for firing birdshot and intended to be fired from the shoulder,
with a barrel length of 18 inches or more, with an overall length of 26 inches or more .
■ No one may hunt game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge .
■ No one may hunt game birds with a shotgun which can hold more than three shells .
■ It is unlawful to hunt wild turkeys with shotguns larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20 gauge or with shot size larger than No . 2
or smaller than No . 6 .
3 There are no restrictions on the type of arrows or broadheads which may be used to hunt game birds .
4 Hunters may not use any electronic device(s) attached to bow or arrow .
SHOT RESTRICTIONS:
■ Any shot larger than BB may not be used to hunt game birds except for steel shot size no larger than F . See above for exceptions
for wild turkey . Tracer shells may not be used to hunt game birds . For a list of current federally-approved nontoxic shot, please visit
www .fws .gov/migratorybirds/currentbirdissues/nontoxic .htm or call USFWS law enforcement at 503-521-5300 .
■ Toxic shot restrictions are listed where appropriate under federal refuges, state refuges, state WAs and regulated hunt areas . In addition,
the possession and use of shot other than federally-approved nontoxic shot is always prohibited while hunting waterfowl, snipe
and coots . Coatings of copper, nickel, tin, zinc, zinc chloride and zinc chrome on approved nontoxic shot types are approved .
OREGON EXPERIENCES
PERIODIC DRY CONDITIONS THAT
CAN LEAD TO
WILDFIRES
Using a little information and a few precautions,
you can enjoy Oregon’s wildlife
lands without causing undue damage .
For useful tips, log onto ODFW's Web
site at www .dfw .state .or .us/resources/
hunting/index .asp#closures
WilDliFE viOlaTOrS COmpaCT
Hunters: Be aware that under
the Interstate Wildlife Violators
Compact (Compact), you can have
your Oregon hunting licenses and
tags revoked or suspended if you
violate the wildlife laws of other
states . This means if your license
or tag privileges which come
under the scope of the Compact
are suspended or revoked in one
member state, they are subject
to suspension or revocation in
all member states . For more
MEMBER STATES
information, please visit our Web site
In Process (2)
at: www .dfw .state .or .us/resources/
hunting/WildlifeViolatorCompact/
NO (7)
wildlife_violator_compact .asp .
Yes (38)
As of August 2012
Passed Legislation (3)