# ORS § 496.012: 496.012 Wildlife policy

> Oregon · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.012

## Section

- **Citation:** ORS § 496.012
- **Heading:** 496.012 Wildlife policy
- **Jurisdiction:** Oregon
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** OR Code / Title 41 / Chapter 496 / Section 496.012

## Text

It is the policy of the State of Oregon that wildlife shall be managed to prevent serious depletion of any indigenous species and to provide the optimum recreational and aesthetic benefits for present and future generations of the citizens of this state. In furtherance of this policy, the State Fish and Wildlife Commission shall represent the public interest of the State of Oregon and implement the following coequal goals of wildlife management:

(1) To maintain all species of wildlife at optimum levels.

(2) To develop and manage the lands and waters of this state in a manner that will enhance the production and public enjoyment of wildlife.

(3) To permit an orderly and equitable utilization of available wildlife.

(4) To develop and maintain public access to the lands and waters of the state and the wildlife resources thereon.

(5) To regulate wildlife populations and the public enjoyment of wildlife in a manner that is compatible with primary uses of the lands and waters of the state.

(6) To provide optimum recreational benefits.

(7) To make decisions that affect wildlife resources of the state for the benefit of the wildlife resources and to make decisions that allow for the best social, economic and recreational utilization of wildlife resources by all user groups. [1973 c.723 §6; 1993 c.659 §2; 2001 c.762 §6]

Source: Section 496.012 — Wildlife policy , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors496.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

## Nearby sections

- [ORS § 496.002 496.002 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.002.md)
- [ORS § 496.004 496.004 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.004.md)
- [ORS § 496.007 496.007 “Game bird” defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.007.md)
- [ORS § 496.009 496.009 “Game fish” defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.009.md)
- [ORS § 496.012 496.012 Wildlife policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.012.md)
- [ORS § 496.016 496.016 Applicability of wildlife laws to commercial fishing laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.016.md)
- [ORS § 496.018 496.018 Person with disability under wildlife laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.018.md)
- [ORS § 496.080 496.080 State Department of Fish and Wildlife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.080.md)
- [ORS § 496.085 496.085 Fish Screening Task Force](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.085.md)
- [ORS § 496.090 496.090 State Fish and Wildlife Commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.090.md)
- [ORS § 496.108 496.108 Commission officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.108.md)
- [ORS § 496.112 496.112 State Fish and Wildlife Director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.112.md)
- [ORS § 496.116 496.116 Delegation of rulemaking authority to director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.116.md)
- [ORS § 496.118 496.118 Duties and powers of director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.118.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C496_S496.012. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.