Oregon Gun Law Regarding Shooting Deer From Side of the Road

In Oregon you may hunt deer, but not from a public road.

If you drive on an Oregon road with forest or open country on either side, you have probably seen deer crossing the road or waiting to cross. During deer hunting season, seeing a deer by the road might seem like a golden opportunity to harvest your own trophy buck. You should be aware, however, that Oregon law prohibits shooting a deer (or even discharging a firearm) from or across almost any public road.

Hunting from Roads

Oregon hunting regulations prohibit shooting from or across a public or private road or a railroad right-of-way. The only exceptions to this rule are for roads that authorities have closed to motor vehicle traffic, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Hunting from Vehicles

In case you are considering pulling your car or truck well off the road and then shooting a deer, note that Oregon hunting regulations also prohibit hunting or harassing animals from a motor vehicle.

Hunting with Lights

Oregon hunting regulations prohibit casting "an artificial light" from your car or truck while you are in possession of a weapon. It is unlikely that this provision will be enforced if you are driving your car with an unloaded, cased rifle in the trunk, but you may have some explaining to do if you are stopped with a loaded rifle on the passenger seat. The regulations also prohibits shining an artificial light within 500 feet of a motor vehicle (this includes ATVs and snowmobiles) while in possession of a weapon.

Exceptions

Qualified disabled hunters (who must obtain a special permit) may hunt from a vehicle, except "when the vehicle is in motion or on any public road or highway." Landowners may also use artificial lights and hunt predators from a vehicle on their own land. Deer are not predators, however, so landowners must follow the same rules as everyone else in this case.

Penalties

If you violate any of Oregon's hunting regulations or laws, you have committed a Class A misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for this is a $6,250 fine and one year in the county jail. If you did not actually "take" a deer while breaking the law, the judge may let you off with a $75 fine. However, this will only occur if the judge agrees that you had no "culpable mental state" and if the local prosecutor agrees not to file charges.

References

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Big Game Hunting Regulations (see pp. 27 and 29)

Resources

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Oregon Hunter Resources