SALEM, Ore.—Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced hunters have until Oct. 1 to buy their buck deer, fall bear and general season cougar tags.

“We are concerned that enough hunters have waited until the last minute to purchase tags and there may be long lines and delays,” said Ron Anglin, ODFW Wildlife Division Administrator. “Because so many of our license agents have only recently gone online with the new point-of-sale system, we want to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.”

The original deadline to purchase tags was Friday, Sept. 28. Most rifle buck deer seasons begin Saturday, Sept. 29.

Although the tag sale deadline is being extended, hunters are still required to have a valid tag in their possession prior to hunting. Tags may be purchased at any ODFW office during normal business hours or at any of the more than 500 ODFW point-of-sale license agents in Oregon. Hunters who want to exchange their tag must do so prior to the seasons for which they are valid and only at an ODFW office.

The new tag sale deadline of Oct. 1 applies to both controlled buck deer centerfire hunts in eastern Oregon and general season centerfire buck deer hunts in western Oregon. For Oregon residents, deer tags are $19.50 and bear and cougar tags are $11.50 each.

Hunting tips can be found on the department’s website (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/) in the 2007 Fall Hunting Forecast and weekly Recreation Report. Click on the Hunting Resources link for additional information to prepare for your hunt.