Oregon Canned Hunting Statutes and Regulations

Complete Ban

Statute

Oregon statutes require that anyone engaged in the business of propagating game birds or game mammals for sale must obtain a wildlife propagation license. O.R.S. §497.228(1).

A private hunting preserve license is required to anyone intending to engage in the business of "operating a private hunting preserve for the hunting of privately owned or propagated game birds." Id. at §497.248(1).

Additional standards must be met before the commission will issue such a license. Id. at §497.248(2)(a-f).

* In 1999, the Oregon Fish and Game Commission issued a regulation banning the practice of hunting within fenced enclosures. Despite the Supreme Court's decision upholding the commission's rule, a lone canned hunting facility continues to operate with animals not included in the regulation, such as Corsican Sheep, Russian Boars, Ibex goats and Hawaiian Black Sheep.

Regulation

In Oregon, "it is unlawful to hunt, kill, or attempt to hunt or kill, exotic mammals (as defined in O.A.R. 635, Division 56) or game mammals (as defined in O.A.R. 635, Division 45) held or obtained by private parties..." O.A.R. §635-064-0010.

The only exceptions to this prohibition is for: (1) any person may slaughter such an animal for meat, leather, or fur production; (2) any person may euthanize such an animal for scientific, health, safety or other valid husbandry concerns; and (3) the department's Wildlife Division Director may authorize any person to hunt or kill such an animal if the Division Director determines it would be in the best interest of sound wildlife management. Id.

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