Oregon to Restructure Deer Hunts in 2026: From WMUs to Deer Herd Ranges

Beginning in 2026, Oregon will overhaul the way mule deer hunts are organized. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a transition from Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) to newly defined Deer Herd Ranges, a move designed to improve monitoring, management, and long‑term sustainability of the state’s mule deer populations. 📜 Background: From WMUs to Herd Ranges Since the 1950s, Oregon has relied on Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) to regulate hunter distribution and manage big game harvest. While effective for decades, WMUs were primarily designed around geography and hunter access rather than the biological needs of mule deer. Recent research, including data from 1,400 GPS‑collared mule deer, revealed that WMUs no longer accurately reflect herd movements, migration corridors, or seasonal ranges. This prompted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to redefine management areas based on actual deer biology. 🦌 What Will Change in 2026 Starting with the 2026 hunting season, all mule deer hunts in eastern Oregon—covering bucks, does, and all weapon types—will be organized by 22 distinct Deer Herd Ranges. These ranges incorporate: - Summer ranges - Winter ranges - Migration corridors connecting the two ODFW officials explain that this shift will “better align hunting effort and harvest with Oregon’s mule deer populations and management goals.” 📊 Key Details for Hunters - The change does not affect the 2025 season. - The preference point system remains unchanged. - Proposed hunts and tag numbers for 2026 will be released in July 2025. - New hunt areas will generally be larger than traditional WMUs, meaning fewer individual hunts but broader management zones. 🌲 Why the Change Matters Mule deer populations across the western United States have faced challenges in recent decades due to: - Habitat loss and fragmentation from development and wildfires - Predation pressure from cougars and coyotes - Harsh winters and drought cycles affecting forage availability - Disease outbreaks, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) in some regions - By shifting to herd‑based management, Oregon aims to: - Improve monitoring of population trends - Respond more quickly to declines or surges in herd numbers - Evaluate management actions with greater accuracy 🏹 Broader Context: Deer Management in the U.S. Oregon’s decision reflects a broader trend in wildlife management across the American West. States like Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah have also begun incorporating GPS collar data and migration corridor mapping into their hunting regulations. This science‑based approach allows agencies to balance hunter opportunity with long‑term conservation, ensuring that mule deer remain a sustainable resource for future generations. 🤝 Collaboration with Hunters and Communities ODFW emphasizes that hunters remain critical partners in wildlife management. Through license fees, tag purchases, and excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, hunters contribute millions of dollars annually to conservation programs. Community engagement—especially with rural residents, ranchers, and tribal nations—will also play a key role in implementing the new herd‑based system. 🔎 Conclusion The 2026 restructuring of Oregon’s deer hunts marks a historic shift in wildlife management. By moving from WMUs to Deer Herd Ranges, the state is aligning hunting regulations with the biological realities of mule deer populations. For hunters, the change means adapting to larger hunt areas and fewer individual units, but also participating in a system designed to ensure healthier herds and more sustainable hunting opportunities in the decades ahead.