Page 54 - 2023_2024_Regulations

DEPARTMENT-MANAGED AREA RULES

DEPARTMENT-MANAGED AREA RULES

CAMPING
The primary objective on all lands owned or managed by the Department is the Camping is limited to a maximum of 16 days,
sound management and use of fish and wildlife resources resident thereon. Public and for no more than 21 days in any period on
use of Department-managed lands is permitted according to the following priorities: the same WMA except on areas open only to
hunter camping for special seasons. Camping
1. Hunting, fishing, trapping, running dogs for sport and associated activities.
on these areas is limited to two days longer
2. Other wildlife-oriented activities (nature observation or photography, and than the period the camper (hunter) is author-
conservation education). ized to hunt. Leaving a campsite unattended
for a period longer than 48 hours is prohibited.
3. Non-wildlife related activities, when such activities do not conflict with the wildlife
management objective (picnicking, hiking, backpacking, short-term camping, Unattended camp items may be removed.
horseback riding). Quiet hours are enforced from 11 p.m. to 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 55-71)
for camping restrictions within WMAs.
TERMS DEFINED WMU and Lower Illinois River Public Fishing CONCESSIONS & BUSINESSES
and Hunting Area, Watts Unit).
It shall be unlawful to operate any private
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA) ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT (AAP) (including guide services) or non-Departmen-
All lands owned, licensed, leased, or under the & JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING tal business or concession, including soliciting
management of the Wildlife Division (except CENTER (JMTC) and/or advertising for any such venture, on
for the McCurtain County Wilderness Area) Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Depart- any Department-managed lands without prior
are designated WMAs to accurately reflect ment of the Army. Open for limited hunting written approval from the Department.
the overall objectives for these lands and the (see McAlester AAP and Camp Gruber JMTC).
results of management activities conducted CONTROLLED HUNTS
thereon. Depending on the specific manage- NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (NRA) Unless otherwise provided, no person is allowed
ment objectives, all or part of any particular Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Depart- in a controlled hunt area during specified dates
WMA may also be designated as a public hunt- ment of the Interior. Open for limited hunting and times without a controlled hunt permit.
ing area, game management area, migratory (see Chickasaw NRA).
bird refuge, waterfowl refuge portion or wet- DEER STANDS
land development unit. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (NWR) No permanent type stands may be constructed
PUBLIC HUNTING AREA (PHA) Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Depart- 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 ment of the Interior. May be open for limited shall any person hunt from such a stand. Only
hunting and/or controlled hunts.
are permitted under statewide hunting, fish- portable type stands, that do not require the
ing, and furbearer regulations, unless specific use of any fastening device that has the poten-
regulations for the area indicate otherwise. AREA REGULATIONS tial of damaging a tree, are permitted. Stands
Policies governing situations not covered shall be removed from the tree immediately
GAME MANAGEMENT AREA (GMA) under these regulations are determined by the following the closure of the hunt for which they
Areas where hunting and public use are more Director or his designated representatives, and
closely regulated than on PHAs. their decision is binding until such time as the BAITING
Wildlife Commission can formulate permanent
MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE OR policy on the issue. It shall be unlawful to place and/or hunt over
WATERFOWL REFUGE PORTION (WRP) Public lands not specifically listed as open bait on lands owned or managed by the
Areas closed to all public use and access from are closed. Department of Wildlife Conservation, includ-
ing Corps lands, see U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
Oct. 15 - Jan. 31, except for controlled hunt It is the responsibility of the area users to neers Lands on page 53. “Bait” shall mean the
permittees on days of their hunt, and unless become knowledgeable of, and comply with, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or
specifically noted otherwise. In addition, all any regulations applicable to specific areas. scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked
shotgun hunting is restricted to federally
approved nontoxic shot and the possession ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES corn, wheat or other grain or other feed.
of lead shot is prohibited. No person shall possess, consume or use any Legal Examples
intoxicating beverage or low-point beer, as
CONSERVATION EDUCATION AREA (CEA) defined in Title 37, except in camping and • Salt or mineral blocks
Areas which primary purpose is conservation parking areas, not including shooting range • Sardines or other lures when used for the
trapping of furbearers
education. All activities are regulated by the parking areas, on any lands or waterways sub- • Commercial scents such as doe in estrus
Department. ject to the control of the Oklahoma Depart- (heat)
ment of Wildlife Conservation except U.S.
WETLAND DEVELOPMENT UNIT (WDU) Forest Service regulations shall apply to the
Wetland units where all shotgun hunting is Black Kettle, Ouachita, Rita Blanca and Tiak Illegal Examples
• Salt or mineral blocks containing corn,
restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot Wildlife Management Areas. oats or other grain or feed
and the possession of lead shot is prohibited.
In addition, shooting hours for waterfowl close BUILDINGS & PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS • Feed products such as cattle cubes or
sweet feed
at 1 p.m. daily. No permanent or temporary structure (build- • Fruits or vegetables such as apples or
ings, earthworks, corrals, boat docks, mari-
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT (WMU) nas, boat landings, launch ramps, etc.) may be potatoes
Lands owned or managed by the Department. constructed on Department-managed lands. • Gathering naturally occurring food sourc-
es (such as acorns) into a pile
Open for limited hunting (see Tishomingo
52 2023-2024 OKLAHOMA FISHING & HUNTING REGULATIONS