An important step-by-step guide for how to purchase preference points for Oregon for future-year hunts

In Oregon, you can purchase preference points from December 1 to May 15 in the big game main draw or from July 1 through November 30 during the points-only period. Note: You can only build one preference point per year. Purchasing these points will help you in the following year's draw.

Note: Hunters who didn’t put in for a controlled hunt this year or have not already purchased a point saver point for that species are eligible to buy a point during the point-only purchase period.

To purchase points in Oregon, you must have a valid hunting license, and if you don't, you will be required to purchase one when buying your points. Oregon points are labeled "Point Saver."

Also, it's important to mention that there are no points for sheep or mountain goat in Oregon.

This article outlines how to purchase points during the summer (July 1 through November 30) point-only purchase period.

Oregon Preference Point Codes

Oregon's Point Only Fees

Below are the fees for purchasing preference points.

Research Tools

Throughout GOHUNT Insider, we offer research tools to help you find the perfect hunt quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for your first Western hunt or want to see the best way to use your points, Insider is your ticket to unlocking the West.

Each research tool on GOHUNT will allow you to find a hunting opportunity. When you combine Draw Odds with Filtering, plus our Application Strategy articles and GOHUNT Maps, you have everything you need to gain an edge and become more successful.

Oregon Application Strategy Articles:

Application strategy articles are your go-to source of information before you apply. Every year we publish new application strategy articles for every state and species. These articles are packed with in-depth information with lots of data presented to showcase what's new in the state as well as how you can possibly best use your points to pick up a tag.

Not a Member of GOHUNT?

A GOHUNT membership makes it easy to find hunting opportunities by state, species, probability of draw odds success, and much more! Whether you have 0 points, max points, or any number of points, GOHUNT gives you the information you need to plan a successful hunt. In addition to our research tools, all Insiders have access to our GOHUNT mobile app where you can plan a hunt on GOHUNT Maps, as well as research tools on the app to help you find hunting opportunities. GOHUNT Maps is also available on the web. GOHUNT Insider is the only complete and total package set of tools to help you find the hunt you want this upcoming year or to help plan for hunts in the future.

If you're unfamiliar with GOHUNT, you can learn more below.

How to Purchase Preference Points in Oregon

The steps for purchasing points in Oregon are fairly simple. You can easily follow along on how to purchase preference points by checking out the text and screenshots of the process below.

Step 1 - Head to the ODFW's website

Navigate to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's website. Then click on "Buy license" button.

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Step 2 - Log in or create an account

Now it will take you to the ODFW Licensing System page. You will need to log in to your account. If you haven't applied to Oregon before, you will need to create an account. If you can't remember your account information, then click on "Verify/Look Up Account."

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Next, enter your login Username and Password and click "Login."

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Step 3 - Purchase an Oregon hunting license

Once you've logged in, you will go to your account page, where you will need to click "Purchase from the Catalog."

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Now, you must add an "Annual Hunting License" ($193.00 for a nonresident) to your cart. So click "Add."

If you already have one from the draw earlier this year, you are set.

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Note: If you try to skip ahead without buying an Annual Hunting License, you will see the following screen. An Annual Hunting License is required to purchase Oregon preference points.

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Step 4 - Select what Point Saver points you want to purchase

Once you have your Annual Hunting License added to your cart, select the "Category" dropdown in the upper-left corner of the screen and choose "Controlled Hunts."

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Now, you can select all the species of controlled hunt species you want to purchase Point Saver for. Once you click "Add," they will be added to your cart.

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Step 5 - Proceed to checkout

Once you've selected the species for which you want to purchase points, click "Proceed to Checkout."

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Step 6 - Initial review of information

You can now review your selection and add a donation to the Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund or Predatory Animal Control Fund if you wish. Click the checkbox acknowledgment section, then click "Pay Now."

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Step 7 - Reviewing your information

Once again, you will be able to review your information.

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If everything looks good, scroll down, enter or double-check your customer information, then click "Next."

Step 8 - Enter your credit card information

Now, you'll be able to enter your credit card information. Then click "Next."

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Step 9 - Submit your preference point purchase

Finally, click the box that says you're not a robot, then click "Submit Payment," and you have successfully purchased Oregon preference points that will help you when applying for future controlled hunts!

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After submitting your payment, you'll get to the confirmation page.

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Update your point totals on GOHUNT's Point Tracker

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One last step I like to take is to jump into GOHUNT’s Point Tracker Tool and update my preference point totals for Oregon. This way, I know everything is in sync between the state's website and my Insider account. Point Tracker will then seamlessly transfer your point totals into Filtering and Draw Odds when researching hunts on both the web and our mobile app.

This article was originally published on November 23, 2019, and has been updated to show the most current screenshot examples.