Page 80 - 2021 2022 Oklahoma Fishing & Hunting Regulations

D E P AR TM E N T - M A N A G E D AR E A R U L E S
DEPARTMENT-MANAGED AREA RULES

Buildings & Private Developments
No permanent or temporary structure
The primary objective on all lands owned or managed by the Department (buildings, earthworks, corrals, boat docks,
is the sound management and use of fish and wildlife resources resident marinas, boat landings, launch ramps, etc.) may
thereon. Public use of Department-managed lands is permitted according be constructed on Department-managed lands.
to the following priorities: Camping
1. Hunting, fishing, trapping, running dogs for sport and associated activities. Camping is limited to a maximum of 14 days,
except on areas open only to hunter camping
2. Other wildlife-oriented activities (nature observation or photography,
and conservation education). for special seasons. Camping on these areas is
limited to two days longer than the period the
3. Non-wildlife related activities, when such activities do not conflict with the wildlife camper (hunter) is authorized to hunt.
management objective (picnicking, hiking, backpacking, short-term camping, Quiet hours are enforced from 11 p.m. to
horseback riding). 7 a.m.
All dogs or other pets must be kept on a leash
4. Large group activities (military training, organized trail rides).
or otherwise confined while in camping areas.
See specific WMA regulations (pages 81-97)
for camping restrictions within WMAs.
Concessions & Businesses
Terms Defined Army Ammunition Plant (AAP) (including guide services) or non-Departmental
It shall be unlawful to operate any private
& Joint Maneuver Training Center
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (JMTC) business or concession, including soliciting
All lands owned, licensed, leased, or under Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De- and/or advertising for any such venture, on
the management of the Wildlife Division (except partment of the Army. Open for limited hunting any Department-managed lands without prior
for the McCurtain County Wilderness Area) are (see McAlester AAP and Camp Gruber JMTC). written approval from the Department.
designated WMAs to accurately reflect the over- National Recreation Area (NRA) Controlled Hunts
all objectives for these lands and the results of
management activities conducted thereon. De- Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De- Unless otherwise provided, no person
pending on the specific management objectives, partment of the Interior. Open for limited hunt- is allowed in a controlled hunt area during
all or part of any particular WMA may also be ing (see Chickasaw NRA). specified dates and times without a controlled
designated as a public hunting area, game man- National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) hunt permit.
agement area, migratory bird refuge, waterfowl Deer Stands
refuge portion or wetland development unit. Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De-
partment of the Interior. May be open for lim- No permanent type stands may be construct-
Public Hunting Area (PHA) ited hunting and/or controlled hunts. ed in or on a tree nor shall cleats be driven into
a tree to gain access to a portion of any tree nor
Areas where most forms of wildlife harvest
are permitted under statewide hunting, fish- Area Regulations shall any person hunt from such a stand. Only
ing, and furbearer regulations, unless specific Policies governing situations not covered portable type stands, that do not require the use
regulations for the area indicate otherwise. under these regulations are determined by the of any fastening device that has the potential of
Director or his designated representatives, and damaging a tree, are permitted. Stands shall be
Game Management Area (GMA) their decision is binding until such time as the removed from the tree immediately following
Areas where hunting and public use are Wildlife Commission can formulate permanent the closure of the hunt for which they were used
more closely regulated than on PHAs. policy on the issue. with a limit of no more than 14 days. Stands
Public lands not specifically listed as open remaining after this time become the property
Migratory Bird Refuge or Waterfowl are closed. of the Department to be disposed of in the best
Refuge Portion (WRP) It is the responsibility of the area users to practical manner.
Areas closed to all public use and access become knowledgeable of, and comply with, Department Lakes
from Oct. 15 - Jan. 31, except for controlled hunt any regulations applicable to specific areas.
permittees on days of their hunt, and unless Hunting seasons on the following Depart-
specifically noted otherwise. In addition, all Alcoholic Beverages ment lake areas are the same as statewide sea-
shotgun hunting is restricted to federally ap- No person shall possess, consume or use sons, except open only from Sept. 1 through
proved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead beer or alcoholic beverages (as defined in O.S. spring turkey season each year: American
shot is prohibited. Title 37), except in camping and parking areas, Horse, Burtschi, Evans Chambers, Hall, Jap
on any lands or waterways subject to the control Beaver, Nanih Waiya, Ozzie Cobb, Schooler
Conservation Education Area (CEA) of the Department, except U.S. Forest Service and Vanderwork. All of these areas are closed
Areas which primary purpose is conserva- regulations shall apply to the Black Kettle, to antlerless deer gun hunting, deer hunting
tion education. All activities are regulated by Ouachita and Rita Blanca WMAs. is restricted to shotgun or archery only, and
the Department. all other hunting is restricted to shotgun with
pellets or archery.
Wetland Development Unit (WDU) Baiting For hunting regulations pertaining to Dahl-
Wetland units where all shotgun hunting is It shall be unlawful to place and/or hunt gren, Doc Hollis and Vincent, see special area
restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot over bait on lands owned or managed by the regulations for Lexington WMA (Dahlgren),
and the possession of lead shot is prohibited. Department of Wildlife Conservation, includ- Sandy Sanders WMA (Doc Hollis) and Ellis
In addition, shooting hours for waterfowl close ing Corps lands, see U.S. Army Corps of Engi- County WMA (Vincent).
at 1 p.m. daily. neers Lands on page 79. “Bait” shall mean the The following lake areas are closed to
placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or hunting or taking of wildlife by any means:
Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked Elmer, Etling, Raymond Gary, Watonga and
Lands owned or managed by the Depart- corn, wheat or other grain or other feed. Exam- Wayne Wallace.
ment. Open for limited hunting (see Tisho- ples of prohibited bait can be found on page 79. See specific WMA regulations for other re-
mingo WMU and Lower Illinois River Public strictions that may apply to lakes within WMAs
Fishing and Hunting Area, Watts Unit). (see pages 81-97). Trapping is prohibited.

78 2021-2022 OKLAHOMA FISHING & HUNTING REGULATIONS