Page 54 - 2022/2023 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 16 days,
and for no more than 21 days in any period on
2. Other wildlife-oriented activities (nature observation or photography,
and conservation education). the same WMA except on areas open only to
hunter camping for special seasons. Camping
3. Non-wildlife related activities, when such activities do not conflict with the wildlife on these areas is limited to two days longer than
management objective (picnicking, hiking, backpacking, short-term camping, the period the camper (hunter) is authorized
horseback riding). to hunt. Leaving a campsite unattended for
a period longer than 48 hours is prohibited.
4. Large group activities (military training, organized trail rides).
Unattended camp items will be removed.
Quiet hours are enforced from 11 p.m. to
7 a.m.
All dogs or other pets must be kept on a leash
or otherwise confined while in camping areas.
Terms Defined Army Ammunition Plant for camping restrictions within WMAs.
See specific WMA regulations (pages 55-71)
(AAP) & Joint Maneuver
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Training Center (JMTC) Concessions & Businesses
All lands owned, licensed, leased, or under Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De-
the management of the Wildlife Division (except partment of the Army. Open for limited hunting It shall be unlawful to operate any private
for the McCurtain County Wilderness Area) are (see McAlester AAP and Camp Gruber JMTC). (including guide services) or non-Departmental
designated WMAs to accurately reflect the over- National Recreation Area (NRA) business or concession, including soliciting
all objectives for these lands and the results of and/or advertising for any such venture, on
management activities conducted thereon. De- Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De- any Department-managed lands without prior
pending on the specific management objectives, partment of the Interior. Open for limited hunt- written approval from the Department.
all or part of any particular WMA may also be ing (see Chickasaw NRA). Controlled Hunts
designated as a public hunting area, game man- National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
agement area, migratory bird refuge, waterfowl Unless otherwise provided, no person
refuge portion or wetland development unit. Lands owned and operated by the U.S. De- is allowed in a controlled hunt area during
partment of the Interior. May be open for lim- specified dates and times without a controlled
Public Hunting Area (PHA) ited hunting and/or controlled hunts. hunt permit.
Areas where most forms of wildlife harvest
are permitted under statewide hunting, fish- Area Regulations Deer Stands
ing, and furbearer regulations, unless specific Policies governing situations not covered No permanent type stands may be construct-
regulations for the area indicate otherwise. under these regulations are determined by the ed in or on a tree nor shall cleats be driven into
Director or his designated representatives, and a tree to gain access to a portion of any tree nor
Game Management Area (GMA) their decision is binding until such time as the shall any person hunt from such a stand. Only
Areas where hunting and public use are Wildlife Commission can formulate permanent portable type stands, that do not require the use
more closely regulated than on PHAs. policy on the issue. of any fastening device that has the potential of
Public lands not specifically listed as open damaging a tree, are permitted. Stands shall be
Migratory Bird Refuge or are closed. removed from the tree immediately following
Waterfowl Refuge Portion (WRP) It is the responsibility of the area users to the closure of the hunt for which they were used
Areas closed to all public use and access become knowledgeable of, and comply with, with a limit of no more than 14 days. Stands
from Oct. 15 - Jan. 31, except for controlled hunt any regulations applicable to specific areas. remaining after this time become the property
permittees on days of their hunt, and unless of the Department to be disposed of in the best
specifically noted otherwise. In addition, all Alcoholic Beverages practical manner.
shotgun hunting is restricted to federally ap- No person shall possess, consume or use Department Lakes
proved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead beer or alcoholic beverages (as defined in O.S.
shot is prohibited. Title 37), except in camping and parking areas, Hunting seasons on the following Depart-
on any lands or waterways subject to the control ment lake areas are the same as statewide sea-
Conservation Education Area (CEA) of the Department, except U.S. Forest Service sons, except open only from Sept. 1 through
Areas which primary purpose is conserva- regulations shall apply to the Black Kettle, spring turkey season each year: American
tion education. All activities are regulated by Ouachita and Rita Blanca WMAs. Horse, Burtschi, Evans Chambers, Hall, Jap
the Department. Beaver, Nanih Waiya, Ozzie Cobb, Schooler
and Vanderwork. Deer hunting restricted to
Wetland Development Unit (WDU) Baiting shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery only.
Wetland units where all shotgun hunting is It shall be unlawful to place and/or hunt For hunting regulations pertaining to Dahl-
restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot over bait on lands owned or managed by the gren, Doc Hollis and Vincent, see special area
and the possession of lead shot is prohibited. Department of Wildlife Conservation, includ- regulations for Lexington WMA (Dahlgren),
In addition, shooting hours for waterfowl close ing Corps lands, see U.S. Army Corps of Engi- Sandy Sanders WMA (Doc Hollis) and Ellis
at 1 p.m. daily. neers Lands on page 53. “Bait” shall mean the County WMA (Vincent).
placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or The following lake areas are closed to hunt-
Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked ing or taking of wildlife by any means: Elmer,
Lands owned or managed by the Depart- corn, wheat or other grain or other feed. Exam- Etling, Raymond Gary, Watonga.
ment. Open for limited hunting (see Tisho- ples of prohibited bait can be found on page 79.
mingo WMU and Lower Illinois River Public
Fishing and Hunting Area, Watts Unit).

52 2022-2023 OKLAHOMA FISHING & HUNTING REGULATIONS