I live in rural Oregon, the sort of place where you take a walk in the woods behind your house and you take your rifle along just because.

Then I discover that if there's a "season" open you'd better have a "tag" or not be carrying a rifle. Since hunting is lawful with a shotgun, you'd better leave the shotgun at home too, same with the handgun, since that's legal for hunting.

Next season coming up is Elk. But the "first season" is open only Nov. 11 to 14. Hardly justifies getting a tag.

Moreover, it's too late now to put in for a "drawing" for tags.

Besides which, the "district" I live in is not having an open season this year.

So, my question is -- since this district is not "open" can I walk around in the woods behind my house with a rifle, or am I considered "hunting" in the view of the law?

This is a rhetorical question. I'm not really looking for an answer, just pointing out the complications.

There's a "range" 25 miles away. One bench -- this time of year there are a half-dozen people waiting to sit at the bench and sight in a rifle.

Lots and lots of "logging roads" out in the woods, plenty of places to set up targets and a bench, and shoot. But if there's a "season" open, you'd best not be shooting in the woods.

Locally, (Astoria, OR) we're working to get a "range" set-up. I'm signed up for that, donated to the "fund." It's coming along.

-- But there's 300 yds on an abandon logging road just around the corner from my house, in the woods, where it's open season on deer.

That sucks, sounds like Illinois.

Come on over to SW Idaho and far Eastern Oregon. There are two 1,000 yard ranges within thirty minutes, and several more 300 yard to 600 yarders as well. Guns don't rust either.

LD

PS This issue is a major reason I moved out this way 13 years ago..

Good luck.

Things must be different in your part of Oregon than mine. If you are observed either shooting at elk, or with one in your possession, without a tag, of course you may be arrested or cited. You may be cited if you are observed glassing, then stalking elk or deer for which you do not have a tag, while carrying a large game type rifle.

But, if you are hunting 'yotes, or ground squirrels, or rock chucks, or grouse, or anything else that it is legal to shoot during the time of year you are out there, and are appropriately armed, then I don't believe you have a problem....and as far as I know the three just mentioned which have 4 legs are legal 365 days a year.

Of course, if challenged by an ODFW officer or OSP officer or Sheriff's Deputy, you do need to be polite and explain what you are doing. If he checks you, he is just doing his job so there is no need to get defensive about it. But, I have hunted for many years here during all kinds of seasons for which I did not have tags, with no problems.

In fact, it is my common practice if a friend has a 'lope tag, to take my .257, .270 or .280, or some such and go along to shoot coyotes while he hunts the desert goats. Negative perspiration so far.

It's kind of like Caeser's wife...she not only must be virtuous, but she must appear virtuous. As long as you don't actually hunt elk or deer without a tag, my experience is that you have very little to worry about. If you were to carry a .22-250 or .220 Swift, or such, when hunting varmints during elk season, I doubt you'd ever have even a whisper or hint of trouble

quote:

Originally posted by 45/70 Govt.:
... But if there's a "season" open, you'd best not be shooting in the woods...

Hey 45/70, I agree with the Varmint Hunting situation that AC mentioned. Not sure caliber or bullet choice would make a "legal" difference, but I'm not a Lawyer.

Everywhere I've been the Rules & Regs say when you are Hunting, you do need a License. And if you are simply Target shooting, I'd think that having "Targets" with you would tilt the discussion with the Game Wardens in your favor that was your intent.

But if you are roaming through the woods, with a rifle, during Hunting Season, and no Targets, then you have what they refer to as "Prima Facie" evidence that you indeed are Hunting whether you think you are or not.

Fortunately ALL THE MONEY spent on Hunting and Fishing Licenses go directly to the organizations that help our Wildlife the most. So, buying one is not wasting money.
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quote:

Originally posted by JCN:
... Come on over to SW Idaho and far Eastern Oregon. .... Guns don't rust either...

I had no idea there was a "desert" in that area.

quote:

I had no idea there was a "desert" in that area.

Complete with dunes in some areas! Nate

8-12 inches of rain most years.

Irrigation was turned off last week.

Dry as Hilary's coochie.

LD

Well...., I have learned something today. Thank you both for mentioning it.

This is likely more "local policy" than law. Hard to sort out the "redneck poachers" from the legitimate varmint/yote hunters.

Rifle of choice -- here's the rub -- would be a Weatherby Vang. 30-06, Leupold 3 - 9x 40mm scope. Hard to argue it's "not a deer/elk gun." It's a deer/elk gun.

The other choices would be a Ruger No. 1 in 45/70 Govt. or a 8mm Mauser, AK-47 *S*. Handgun would be a 44 mag, 10.5" bbl. Deer caliber, elk in a pinch.

I had a 223 Ackley, but sold it. 30-06 covers all the bases, and is more fun.


Even with a partner who has a tag, and "I'm just scouting." -- still viewed as a "violation" insofar as there's one tag and two "hunters."

But I'm talking here about setting up a bench out of the back of the truck, having a "field cleaning station" in a tool box the size of a large cooler, spotting scope, paper targets down the range, even a chrono set up.

Game Warden is going to get fussy. Too much opportunity to take a shot at something walking out of the trees.

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For you "foreigners" --

Coastal Oregon, we get 80 to 100 inches of rain, sometimes more. Conifer forest, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Blue spruce, Western Red Hemlock, Cedar, and wet. Typical weather winter and summer is "55 F and overcast." Never snows.

Willamette Valley is similar only slightly less rain, like 60 to 80 inches. Gets into the 30's, winter, and hits 100 now and then in the summer.

Eastern Oregon -- East of the Cascades, "rain shadow of the Cascades. All the rain off the ocean dumps as it goes over the mountains. Arid, desert, rim rock. volcanic, sage, juniper, Ponderosa and Lodge Pole pine. Hot in the summer, cold in winter with snow.

I love Eastern OR, Idaho! Cowboy country, and wide open sky! But too hot in the summer and nasty cold in the winter -- Besides which, it's "live in town" such as it is, or own a ranch. Irrigation and water rights are issues.

As mentioned above by 45/70....

2/3s of OREGON, is exactly the same topography as Nevada to its south, and Arizona to the south of that...and the same topography extends well up into Washington state to the north...

east coast stereotypcial concept of Oregon and Washington is what is to the west side of the Cascades... 2/3s of the geography of both states are east of the Cascades... and in big parts there are not many people there, especially in Oregon...much like eastern and Central Nevada....