Step 4: What Do I Need to Know Before Applying?

TAKE NOTE: HUNT NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED!

Be aware of the following requirements which may affect your application.

One of the biggest errors every year is when an individual enters him- or herself into a group hunt, and their hunting partner also enters them a second time into the same hunt. MAKE SURE ONLY ONE PERSON FILLS OUT THE GROUP APPLICATION! Being entered twice will disqualify you. It is the hunter’s responsibility to verify that their information is accurate and complete before submitting their application.
 

1. Prior to applying for the controlled hunts, all applicants (residents and nonresidents) must possess a valid Oklahoma hunting license for the current calendar year of the drawing (unless exempt).

2. Each person may submit only one application in each category. This means you may apply only once in Category 1 – Elk, once in Category 2 – Antelope, once in Category 3 – Deer, etc. Within the category you apply for, multiple hunt selections may be allowed. Consult the list below for the maximum number of hunt choices allowed.

Category 1 (Elk hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
Category 2 (Antelope hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
Category 3 (Deer hunts): Up to five hunt choices for all deer hunts combined may be selected.
Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
Category 5 (Youth deer hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
Category 6 (Spring turkey hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
Category 7 (Youth spring turkey hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.

3. Group applications are allowed only in Categories 3, 4, and 6. Remember, since elk and antelope hunts are once in a lifetime, successful applicants for elk and antelope hunts will not be eligible to reapply for those categories.

Category 1 (Elk hunts): One applicant only, No group applications.
Category 2 (Antelope hunts): One applicant only, No group applications.
Category 3 (Deer hunts): Up to four hunters may apply together.
Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to four hunters may apply together.
Category 5 (Youth deer hunts): One applicant only, No group applications.
Category 6 (Spring turkey hunts): Up to two hunters may apply together, except McAlester AAP hunters must apply in pairs and Deep Fork applicants must apply alone.
Category 7 (Youth spring turkey hunts): One applicant only, No group applications.

Note: Big game hunts are progressively drawn. Elk hunts are drawn first, followed by antelope, then deer. If a hunter is selected for an elk hunt, he or she will receive preference points in the other big game categories (antelope and deer) they have applied for, but will not be eligible to be selected in those categories. Similarly, if they are not selected for elk but draw an antelope permit, then they will receive a preference point in the elk and deer categories but will not be eligible to draw a deer hunt. All other hunts, categories 4-7, are independent and you can be drawn for any or all of those hunts, in addition to one of the big game hunts.

4. Each hunt choice may be selected only one time. For example, if you are applying for Category 5, you can select deer hunt #5010 only one time. The other hunt choices must be different numbers.

5. When applying as a group, all hunters must be entered together on the same application prior to submitting the application. Be sure to review and print your confirmation page to ensure all individuals in your group are entered on the same application.

6. Permits are not transferable to anyone, including family members. Identification will be required to enter the hunt area.

7. Minimum age requirement for participation in controlled hunts is 14 years by the hunt date (except Category 5 and 7 youth hunts). Applicants for Categories 5 and 7 must be 15 years of age or younger on the first day of the hunt. Hunts at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and USDA Research Lab have a minimum age requirement of 12 years of age. Hunts on the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge have a minimum age requirement of 18 years. Persons under the minimum age may apply provided they turn the required age by the first day of the hunt.

8. Accommodations will be made for all hunters with disabilities, as necessary, for applicable controlled hunts. If drawn, contact the area manager if special accommodations are needed.

9. Applicants who allow hunting partners to apply for them are responsible for verifying that the information on the application is complete and correct. The Department will not make exceptions for the applicant who is disqualified because his or her hunting partner omitted information necessary for the applicant to be eligible.

10. No-shows will not be filled in any category under any circumstances.

11. No refunds will be given.

12. Hunter education certification is required of all hunters 30 years of age and younger (persons exempt from hunter education certification are honorably discharged from US Armed Forces, currently on active duty in armed forces, or a member of National Guard.) However, those hunters ages 10 to 30 who are not yet hunter education certified may purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and apply for controlled hunts (see list below), provided that they are accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements. Click here for complete information on the apprentice designation.

A. Applicants for categories 1 and 2 (elk and antelope hunts) may apply with an apprentice license. However, they must be hunter education certified prior to participating in those controlled hunts, unless they are exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.
B. Applicants for categories 3 (deer hunts), 4 (deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees), 5 (youth deer hunts), 6 (spring turkey hunts), and 7 (youth turkey hunts) may apply using an apprentice-designated license.

• In category 3, 4, and 6, however, applicants must apply in a group with an accompanying, licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.
• In category 5 and 7, applicants must be accompanied by an adult non-hunting partner 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.

13. If applying for Category 4, Deer Hunts for Motor Vehicle or Non-ambulatory Permittees, the appropriate permit code and permit number must be selected.

14. Since elk and antelope hunts are once-in-a-lifetime hunts, successful applicants are never again eligible to apply for those categories.

15. Permits purchased for controlled hunts are for those designated hunts only. Open season licenses (such as deer, turkey, etc.) cannot be used for controlled hunts, and controlled hunt permits cannot be used for open seasons.