Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

2026 Hunting Season Dates

Plan for 2026 with this guide on next year's hunting season dates.

Photo:USFWS - Ally Hochstetler

Discover birding fundamentals, from identification to gear and where to go, while enjoying window views of local birds.

The entry period is now open for Outdoor Oklahoma magazine's Readers' Photography Showcase competition! Submit your best images by April 15.

Photo:Stephen Ofsthun (2025 RPS Winner)

Shooting Range Closures:

The Canton and Lexington WMA shooting ranges are temporarily closed for major improvements and expansion. Projects at both locations include upgrades to rifle ranges, new or improved archery and shotgun ranges, and enhanced facilities such as ADA access, parking, sidewalks, target frames, and covered shooting areas. Work at each range is expected to take about six months, with a targeted reopening in Spring 2026. We understand that closing shooting ranges during hunting seasons isn’t ideal and appreciate your patience.

See Shooting Ranges

Outdoor Journal

An example sprig of side oats gamma grass.

The Benefits of CRP, Native Vegetation

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary incentive-based program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) that was started in 1985, initially to deal with soil erosion and stabilize commodity prices. This was quickly expanded to include enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Jan 15, 2026

A collage of two photos over a brown wood graphic. The photos show McCurtain County farmer John Sanders has been selected as the 2025 Landowner Conservationist of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Sanders Selected Landowner Conservationist of the Year

McCurtain County farmer John Sanders has been selected as the 2025 Landowner Conservationist of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Jan 2, 2026

Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting

Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.

Dec 4, 2025