Is baiting deer and elk legal in Oregon
Andrew White
Published Mar 31, 2026
Washington and Oregon are the only two Western states that do not prohibit use of bait for hunting deer and elk. … Elk hunters had even stronger feelings with 68 percent of those polled either opposed or strongly opposed baiting for elk. Only 14 percent of elk hunters supported using bait to hunt elk.
Is it against the law to feed deer in Oregon?
Oregon law makes it illegal to feed bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves, and for good reason. They can be dangerous. While it doesn’t bar feeding deer, doing so is a bad practice. … Finally, feeding deer can actually cause their malnutrition.
Is a deer feeder considered baiting?
Legal to feed deer anything anywhere including Lucky Buck Mineral up to 30 days before hunting season. Thirty days prior to hunting season and during it is considered baiting and is not legal. All residue of mineral or bait must be removed prior to hunting season.
Can you feed elk in Oregon?
ODFW does feed deer and elk at several wildlife areas during the winter, to keep them off adjacent agricultural lands where they damage crops. These feeding programs are long-term commitments that require significant financial and staffing resources.Are salt licks illegal in Oregon?
Yes, it is legal to use salt licks for deer and elk. You may place them and hunt over them.
Can I feed deer on my property?
When you attract deer to your property, you may also be attracting mountain lions. More than half of California is considered deer habitat. … Never intentionally feed deer. It’s illegal to feed deer in California!
What is considered baiting deer?
Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near hunting blinds or clearings in hopes of luring a deer (or bears) into close range. … They do not hunt those animals or allow others to use their pile as bait. Deer baiting, however, is not without controversy.
Is it illegal to feed wildlife in Oregon?
People are still allowed to feed songbirds as long as they use a secure container that prevents access from other animals. People can also feed wild animals if they have a valid permit issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.Can you bait elk in Oregon 2020?
Washington and Oregon are the only two Western states that do not prohibit use of bait for hunting deer and elk. … Only 14 percent of elk hunters supported using bait to hunt elk.
Is Bear baiting legal in Oregon?Using bait to lure a black bear is illegal in Oregon. … Troopers asked the public to notify the Oregon State Police of any bear baiting sites by calling the tip hotline at 800-452-7888.
Article first time published onWhat states can you not bait deer?
Deer baiting is illegal in seven of the 13 states—Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota—and partially banned in the other six.
Are salt licks bad for deer?
Salt Or Supplement? All hooved mammals love salt, so licks made only of salt do a fine job of attracting deer. Licks with added flavors, minerals and nutrients can be even better, especially if you find one the deer in your area really love.
Should you feed deer corn year round?
If deer are already used to eating corn throughout the winter in your area, you can start feeding corn to deer slowly and see how they take it, but you will likely have no problem feeding deer corn year round in these areas. … Many people will buy high protein deer feed for their supplemental deer feeding program.
What can you hunt in Oregon?
There are a variety of game species to hunt in the state of Oregon. Some of the state’s game species include: Big game including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, cougar, and turkey. Small game including pheasant, pigeon, grouse, partridge, and quail.
How do you bait a Blacktail Deer?
I use mineral blocks and Deercane liquid mineral in spring and summer. Then when fall hits I start using wet COB (corn, oats, and barley mix with molasses) from our grange and alfalfa. Mistletoe will also bring them in like wildcats. I try to get the does in everyday and the bucks are sure to follow come November.
Why is deer baiting good?
When baiting evolves to supplemental feeding, it leads to an increase in deer densities and body condition. For the hunter, healthier deer and more of them seem like good things.
Is a mineral blocks considered bait?
Scents and minerals, including salt, are not considered bait, however, mineral blocks with food additives are prohibited. … It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
Can deer smell corn?
Deer will smell grain corn as soon as you pour it out and conditions are right to dispense the odor–which you probably will not smell.
Will deer eat straw bales?
From what I remember: feeding deer hay or straw during the winter can starve deer because they guorge themselves on it. This food source holds little nutritional value in comparison to natural browse. Therefore there is peer reveiwed sources stating deer have been found dead with a full stomach of hay/straw.
Is deer corn bad for deer?
Many articles, presentations, and campfire conversations about deer nutrition state emphatically that corn is not good for deer. In a general sense, this is true because corn is low in protein (9%), has a poor mineral profile, and can cause digestive upset and metabolic problems.
Are elk decoys legal in Oregon?
For big game hunting, except for purposes of law enforcement or wildlife management, the use of decoys with any moving parts is prohibited for all big game species. …
Is a spike buck legal in Oregon?
Western Oregon general season buck deer hunters will be able to take a spike in the 2020 season as the new bag limit is “any buck with visible antler.” There are sufficient bucks in the population to support increased harvest and the change may also help the buck deer population by allowing hunters to remove deer in …
Are spikes legal to shoot in Oregon?
GOLD BEACH — General season black-tailed deer hunters will be allowed to shoot single-point spike bucks in Western Oregon beginning in 2020 under new hunting rules adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. … Under the previous rule, hunters could shoot only forked-horn deer.
Can you feed elk?
Although feeding elk may enhance wildlife viewing, supplemental feeding increases disease risk, long-term habitat destruction, risk of elk-vehicle collisions, and habituation to humans.
Is it illegal to feed the seagulls in Oregon?
Feeding seagulls is simply a bad idea, and it’s now becoming greatly discouraged along the Oregon coast by state and local officials from a variety of levels. … Feeding seagulls is not illegal, but it is highly discouraged – and it may become illegal down the road.
Is it illegal to feed ducks in Oregon?
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a fine, feathered plea on Thursday: Please don’t feed ducks and geese. Tossing bread, popcorn, French fries and other human food to waterfowl can lead to an overconcentration of birds, and in its wake, they can grow ill, deformed or even starve to death.
Can I hunt bear during elk season in Oregon?
Open Season – Statewide: Aug. 1 – Dec. 31. Bag Limit: One black bear per tag, except that it is unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs less than one year old.
Is it legal to hunt cougars in Oregon?
ATTENTION LANDOWNERS: Oregon law allows landowners to kill a cougar that is damaging livestock or property. If you experience cougar damage, call your local ODFW office.
Can you trap cougars in Oregon?
WHITE CITY – State wildlife biologists have built new welded iron traps to help them catch and kill cougars that have attacked pets or livestock. Lured by bait, the cougar will walk into the trap door, then go to the back of the screened-in cage.
Is it illegal to bait deer with peanut butter?
Yes, it is illegal to bait deer with peanut butter!
Can you bait deer with corn?
By far the most popular and widely used bait for attracting whitetails is corn. Not only is deer corn highly consumed and well received by whitetails in almost every habitat across the continent, but it’s also one of the cheapest options for hunters.