Hunting in Oklahoma

    Oklahoma offers hunters many opportunities to enjoy their favorite outdoor pastime. Whether the sportsman’s interests lean toward stalking the wily whitetail, following a stylish pointer in search of a covey of bobwhites or crouching in a makeshift blind while a brace of mallards pinwheel toward a spread of decoys, Oklahoma has it. In fact, no matter what type of hunting you prefer, chances are Oklahoma can provide it. Here’s a brief summary of what you can look forward to.

Big Game

    White-tailed deer are our most abundant big game animal and are legal game in all 77 counties. The best hunting opportunity on public land occurs in southeast Oklahoma where deer are abundant. The north-central counties boast the greatest harvest but are mostly comprised of private land. Some of the best trophies come from the northwest quarter of the state.
    Mule deer occur in the panhandle and extreme northwestern counties and are most common in Cimarron County. They are usually taken by hunters pursuing the more abundant whitetail. Mulies are generally larger than whitetails — 250 pounders are not uncommon. However, mule deer hunting is not a major activity in Oklahoma because of their limited range and relatively low numbers.
    Elk are confined mainly to management areas areas in the east and a refuge in the southwest. A special elk hunting permit is required and issued by the drawing. A small herd can be found on private lands around the refuge and hunter must obtain written permissin from the landowner before purchasing an elk license.
    Pronghorn (antelope) are found in the panhandle, mainly in Texas and Cimarron counties. Special permits for antelope hunting in Cimarron County are issued by drawing.

Upland Game

    Bobwhite quail are the number one game bird in Oklahoma. The best hunting is usually in central and western prairie areas along field edges and shelter belts. Young clearcuts in southeastern forest lands can also produce good quail hunting. A small number of blue quail (scaled quail) are found in southwestern counties and the panhandle. The best hunting is in the rugged uplands of Texas and usually Cimarron Counties.

    Mourning doves are present in good numbers throughout the state. The heaviest concentrations usually occur in western, grain-producing counties. The best shooting is generally near harvested sorghum and wheat fields where birds congregate to feed.
    Pheasants occur in the panhandle and northwest. The best hunting is in Texas and Beaver counties around irrigated cropland. Grant and Garfield counties can also hold good numbers of birds.
    Turkey -  Rio Grande turkeys abound throughout the western two-thirds of the state. Eastern turkeys inhabit the remainder of the state. Turkeys are legal game in all 77 counties.
    Squirrels are present throughout the state but are most abundant in the eastern half. The smaller, more active gray squirrel prefers bottomland hardwood areas while the larger fox squirrel frequents the more open oak woodlands.
    Good rabbit hunting is available throughout the state. Cottontails can be found statewide, jackrabbits in the west and swamp rabbits in eastern bottomlands.

Waterfowl

    Thousands of ducks winter in Oklahoma. The major reservoirs and Arkansas River Navigation System provide excellent hunting in the east; lakes, ponds and rivers are the best bets in the west. Mallards are the most abundant species while pintails, gadwalls, wigeon, teal and certain divers are also plentiful. Hunting conditions generally depend on water levels. Several wetland/waterfowl units financed by state duck stamp monies offer excellent hunting on public land.
    Canada geese are abundant statewide; snows and blues are found mainly in the east. The best hunting is generally in wheat fields near Great Salt Plains and Washita National Wildlife Refuges in the northwest, and Tishomingo NWR on Lake Texoma. There are good hunting opportunities on public lands throughout the state.
    Sandhill cranes are present in the western half of the state. The best hunting is in Jackson and Tillman counties along the Red River and near the Washita in Custer County.

Others

    Coyotes are abundant statewide. Predator calls are more effective in western Oklahoma. Night hunting with shotguns only is allowed by permit.
    Good crow hunting is available throughout Oklahoma during fall and winter months. Southwest Oklahoma has the bigger concentrations.

Public Hunting Areas

    The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation owns or manages approximately 1.5 million acres. These areas are intensively managed to produce quality habitat and high production of a variety of species. Many of these areas are open to all types of hunting, and most are open to at least limited hunting. Maps are available online at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wmas2.htm

    In addition, the Ouachita National Forest and Weyerhaeuser Company timber lands in southeastern Oklahoma are open to the public. For a map Honbia and Three Rivers email your request to info@odwc.state.ok.us, be sure to include your mailing address. For maps and information on the national forest write the Forest Supervisor, Ouachita National Forest, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Maps of the timber company lands may be obtained by writing Weyerhaeuser Company, Box 269, Wright City, OK 74666. Topographic maps are available from the Oklahoma Geological Survey, Geology Building on the University of Oklahoma campus, Norman 73019, or from Triangle A&E outlets in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Control Hunt

    Permit drawings are held each year for various special hunts. These generally include antelope, elk and waterfowl, turkey and deer on restricted areas. To obtain information or to apply for the fall drawings contact the check out the Wildlife Departments Webs site. http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm

Licenses

    Hunting license fees and requirements are subject to change. Contact the Department for current license fees and regulations when planning a hunting trip to Oklahoma.