Oregon Law
Law as of Jan 1, 2026
Chapter contents
496.002Short title 496.004Definitions 496.005[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.006[Formerly 497.505; 1961 c.343 §1; 1967 c.594 §1; 1971 c.658 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.007“Game bird” defined 496.008[1957 c.268 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.009“Game fish” defined 496.010[Amended by 1953 c.379 §2; 1957 c.250 §1; 1959 c.364 §1; 1963 c.30 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.012Wildlife policy 496.015[Amended by 1959 c.578 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.016Applicability of wildlife laws to commercial fishing laws 496.018Person with disability under wildlife laws 496.020[Amended by 1957 c.55 §1; 1957 c.471 §1; 1967 c.431 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.025[Amended by 1965 c.149 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.030[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.032[1971 c.658 §31; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.035[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.040[1953 c.184 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.045[1953 c.184 §2; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.080State Department of Fish and Wildlife 496.085Fish Screening Task Force; qualifications of members; duties 496.090State Fish and Wildlife Commission; members; terms; qualifications; compensation and expenses 496.100[1973 c.723 §8; 1973 c.792 §20a; repealed by 1975 c.253 §40] 496.105[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.108Commission officers; quorum; meetings 496.110[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.112State Fish and Wildlife Director; term; compensation and expenses; delegation of commission powers to director 496.115[Repealed by 1975 c.253 §40] 496.116Delegation of rulemaking authority to director; requirements 496.118Duties and powers of director 496.120[Amended by 1967 c.290 §3; 1969 c.314 §59; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.121Authority of department to require fingerprints 496.122[1973 c.723 §10; repealed by 1975 c.253 §40] 496.124Fish Division; Wildlife Division; authority 496.125[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.128Reports by commission 496.130[Amended by 1959 c.371 §1; 1963 c.154 §1; 1965 c.74 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.132[1985 c.60 §5; repealed by 1993 c.659 §9] 496.135[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.138Commission policies and programs; rules; public hearings; agency request budgets 496.140[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.141Fish screening program report 496.145[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.146Additional powers of commission; rules; fees; penalties 496.147Landowner preference tags 496.148Payment by credit card; fee; rules 496.150[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.151Allocation of nonresident tags for outfitters and guides 496.154Limitation on authority to condemn certain farm use property 496.155[Amended by 1967 c.454 §86; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.156Expenditure priority for anadromous fish management 496.158Oregon Landowner Damage Program; fee 496.160[Amended by 1971 c.658 §2; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.162Establishing seasons, amounts and manner of taking wildlife; rules 496.164Cooperation with public and private agencies for fish and wildlife management; technical information and policy recommendations; use of recommendations by state agencies 496.165[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.166[1993 c.659 §13; renumbered 496.169 in 2015] 496.167Department recompensable assistance to agencies; tracking and statements 496.168Estimated expenses for recompensable assistance; invoices 496.169Citizen involvement for wildlife management on private lands 496.170[Amended by 1971 c.658 §3; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.171Definitions for ORS 496.171 to 496.182; applicability date 496.172Commission management authority for threatened or endangered species; rules 496.175[Amended by 1971 c.658 §4; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.176Listing species; procedure; matters to be considered; periodic review 496.180[Amended by 1971 c.658 §5; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.182Protection and conservation programs; mitigation of adverse impact on local economies; compliance by state agencies; rules 496.185[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.190[Amended by 1963 c.154 §2; 1965 c.74 §2; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.192Effect of law on commercial forestland or other private land; effect on other laws 496.195[Amended by 1959 c.371 §2; 1961 c.343 §2; 1965 c.74 §3; 1967 c.594 §3; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.200[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.201Department to furnish salmon for ceremonies; amount; source 496.205[Amended by 1961 c.343 §3; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.206Written request for salmon; contents; time for providing salmon 496.210[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.211Limitation on amount and use 496.215[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.216Disposition of salmon remaining after ceremony 496.220[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.221ORS 496.201 to 496.221 not intended to extend Indian legal or political rights 496.225[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.228Access and Habitat Board; qualification of members; expenses; term; meetings 496.230[1957 c.119 §2; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.232Board to make program recommendations; commission approval; report; fund expenditure qualifications; gifts and grants 496.235[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.236Advisory councils to board; duties; no compensation or expenses for members 496.240[Amended by 1959 c.371 §3; 1963 c.154 §3; 1965 c.74 §4; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.242Access and habitat program funds 496.245[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.246Use of public lands for hunting; requirements regarding closure of access to public lands; exceptions 496.250[Repealed by 1971 c.418 §23] 496.252Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund 496.254Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee 496.257Private Forest Accord Grant Program; rules 496.259Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee 496.260[1981 c.720 §22; repealed by 2011 c.83 §24] 496.264Findings 496.265[1981 c.720 §23; 1989 c.924 §8; repealed by 2011 c.83 §24] 496.266Environmental restoration weirs; rules 496.268Fish and Wildlife Natural Climate Solutions Fund 496.270Immunity from liability for damages resulting from habitat or water quality improvement project; exceptions 496.272Wildlife Corridor Action Plan 496.273Agency assistance and advice regarding plan 496.274Wildlife mobility and habitat connectivity 496.275Salmon resource protection and restoration; review of public and private production facilities; approval of production facilities by department 496.280Findings 496.283Use of certain moneys; limitations on expenditures 496.286Restoration and Enhancement Board 496.289Duties of board; report to legislature; recommendations for programs 496.291Advisory councils; recommendations to board; consultation with councils 496.300State Wildlife Fund; sources; uses 496.303Fish and Wildlife Account; sources; subaccounts; uses 496.305[Amended by 1959 c.692 §6; 1971 c.446 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.306Compensation for damage done by bear and cougar not to be paid from State Wildlife Fund 496.310[Amended by 1959 c.692 §7; repealed by 1967 c.451 §32] 496.311Limitation on size of revolving fund 496.315[Amended by 1959 c.692 §8; 1967 c.451 §23; 1971 c.446 §2; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.320[Amended by 1959 c.692 §9; 1971 c.446 §3; 1971 c.658 §6; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.325[Amended by 1971 c.446 §4; 1971 c.658 §6a; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.330[Amended by 1971 c.658 §7; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.335[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.340Payments to counties in lieu of taxes 496.345[1959 c.692 §5; 1963 c.481 §1; part renumbered 506.345; repealed by 1971 c.446 §11] 496.350Willamette River Basin Bonneville Power Administration Stewardship Fund; sources; uses 496.375“Nongame wildlife” defined 496.380[1979 c.566 §2; 1981 c.411 §5; 1989 c.987 §21; 2007 c.822 §20; repealed by 2021 c.8 §14] 496.385Nongame Wildlife Fund 496.390Control over fund by department; use of moneys 496.405[Amended by 1971 c.658 §7a; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.410[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.415[Amended by 1971 c.658 §8; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.420[1959 c.146 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.430Definitions for ORS 496.430 and 496.435 to 496.455 496.435Policy to recover and sustain native stocks 496.440Enhancement program to be conducted by commission; objective 496.445Duties of commission 496.450Application for project; subjects for projects; conditions for approval 496.455Use of native stocks for projects; conditions 496.458Remote hatchbox program; rules 496.460Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program Advisory Committee; members; duties and powers; travel and expenses 496.465Interference with project prohibited 496.470Natural production of anadromous fish; rules; priorities 496.475Adoption of basin plans 496.480Reports on basin plans 496.490Fishing tackle program 496.505[Formerly 497.505; 1961 c.343 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.510Assent to federal wildlife-restoration statute; duty of commission with regard thereto 496.515[Amended by 1971 c.658 §9; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.520[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.525Federal fish restoration and management aid; powers of commission with regard thereto 496.550Migratory waterfowl stamps; design selection; production of stamps and art works 496.555Contract on migratory waterfowl stamp matters 496.558“Upland bird” defined 496.562Policy 496.566Contest for stamp design; sale of art works; contracts for stamp matters 496.570[1989 c.406 §7; 1999 c.667 §1; repealed by 2001 c.822 §11] 496.571Habitat conservation stamp; fees; design selection; production of stamps and art works 496.605Enforcement of wildlife laws by State Fish and Wildlife Director, deputies and peace officers 496.610State police to enforce wildlife laws; payment of expenses from wildlife fund; appointment of federal agents 496.615Commission employees to supplement state police 496.620Nonliability of law enforcement officers 496.625[Amended by 1971 c.658 §12; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.630District attorneys to prosecute criminal cases; jurisdiction of courts 496.635[Amended by 1971 c.658 §13; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.640Service of process by law enforcement personnel 496.645Arrest without warrant of violators; trial 496.650Issuance of citation to violator 496.655[Repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.660[Amended by 1971 c.658 §16; 1973 c.723 §26; repealed by 1991 c.267 §1] 496.665Issuance of search warrants; places searched; use and disposition of seized property 496.670Arrests made on Sunday 496.675Seizure without warrant by law enforcement personnel 496.680Seizure of unlawful devices and unlawfully taken wildlife; forfeiture; disposition; repayment of administrative costs 496.685[Repealed by 1971 c.743 §432] 496.690Possession of wildlife as evidence of illegal taking 496.695Counseling, aiding or sharing in violation 496.700Investigating violations; summoning witnesses 496.705Damage suits for unlawful killing of wildlife; exception; jurisdiction of courts 496.710Compelling testimony in enforcement proceedings 496.715[Amended by 1959 c.530 §8; 1961 c.391 §1; 1971 c.186 §5; 1973 c.723 §34; 1981 s.s. c.3 §115; 1983 c.763 §50; 1987 c.905 §25; 1995 c.658 §107; repealed by 2011 c.597 §67] 496.716Wildlife inspection stations 496.730Legislative intent 496.731Written notification requiring removal of attractant for potentially habituated wildlife; exceptions 496.750Wildlife Law Violator Compact 496.815Definitions for ORS 496.815 to 496.825 496.820Permit or license fee 496.825Application fee; exception 496.830Penalty fee 496.835Oregon Fish and Wildlife Hydroelectric Fund 496.850Community outreach and education regarding recreational harvesting of shellfish 496.860Authorization to remove nonindigenous aquatic species 496.905[1967 c.604 §1; 1969 c.59 §1; 1971 c.388 §3; 1973 c.723 §35; 1979 c.477 §11; renumbered 153.710] 496.910[1967 c.604 §2; 1973 c.723 §36; 1979 c.477 §12; renumbered 153.705] 496.915[1967 c.604 §3; 1973 c.723 §37; renumbered 153.715] 496.920[1967 c.604 §4; 1973 c.723 §38; 1979 c.477 §13; renumbered 153.720] 496.925[1967 c.604 §5; renumbered 153.725] 496.927[1977 c.350 §2; 1979 c.477 §14; renumbered 153.730] 496.930[1967 c.604 §6; renumbered 153.745] 496.935[1967 c.604 §7; renumbered 153.750] 496.940[1967 c.604 §8; renumbered 153.755] 496.945[1967 c.604 §9; renumbered 153.760] 496.950[1967 c.604 §10; renumbered 153.765] 496.951[1995 c.545 §4; 1997 c.19 §1; 1999 c.1051 §105; 2010 c.107 §§21,23; repealed by 2011 c.597 §67] 496.990[Amended by 1967 c.523 §1; repealed by 1973 c.723 §130] 496.992Penalties; revocation; forfeiture 496.994Obstructing the taking of wildlife prohibited 496.996Attempts to take wildlife decoy as unlawful wildlife taking

Chapter 496 — Application, Administration and Enforcement of Wildlife Laws

ORS 496.002 Short title

ORS chapters 496, 497, 498 and 501 may be cited as the wildlife laws.

Official sources · 2Tap to view provenance and version history

Online copy of the published ORS edition

Provenance

Version history

Earlier statutory text is available in an ingested published ORS edition.