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What Do I Need to Know Before Applying?

TAKE NOTE: HUNT NUMBERS MIGHT HAVE CHANGED!

Be aware of the following requirements that may affect your application.

 

More Hunt Choices = Better Odds

 

 

Before applying for controlled hunts, all applicants (residents and non-residents) must possess a valid Oklahoma hunting license for the current calendar year of the drawing (unless exempt). 

 

What's The Cost?

A $10 application fee allows multiple applications in controlled hunt categories (elk, pronghorn, deer, spring turkey) and includes the option to select Preference Point Only.

PointGuard insurance is available for an additional $10 for residents or $50 for nonresidents. Applicants may also add extra hunt choices beyond the standard limit for $3 each. 

After applicants have reached the maximum number of hunt choices allowed in a category (up to 14 hunt choices across four categories), applicants will then be allowed to buy additional hunt choices at $3 per choice. 

There is no limit to how many extra hunt choices can be purchased, but applicants can only select a specific hunt once. Also, applicants will be able to add PointGuard insurance to each category, a safeguard against losing preference points in case the hunter cannot attend any of the hunts he wins.

If drawn, additional license and user fees may apply.

Click For More Details

 

Individual Hunts

Category 1 (Elk): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.
Category 2 (Antelope): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.
Category 3 (Deer): Up to five (5) hunt choices for all deer hunts combined may be selected.
Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.
Category 5 (Youth deer): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.
Category 6 (Spring turkey): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.
Category 7 (Youth spring turkey): Up to three (3) hunt choices may be selected.

Additional hunt info will be available when they are selected within the GoOutdoorsOklahoma system.

Group Hunts

A common error is when an individual enters him- or herself into a group hunt, and a hunting partner also enters them a second time into the same hunt. 

MAKE SURE ONLY ONE PERSON COMPLETES THE GROUP APPLICATION! 

Being entered twice will disqualify you. 

When applying as a group, all hunters must be entered together on the same application before submitting their application. Group applications are allowed only in categories 3, 4, and 6. Remember, since elk and antelope hunts are once-in-a-lifetime hunts, successful applicants for elk and antelope hunts will not be eligible to reapply for those categories.

Category 1 (Elk hunts): One applicant only, but up to two (2) hunters may apply together for walk-in hunts.
Category 2 (Antelope hunts): One applicant only; no group applications.
Category 3 (Deer hunts): Up to four (4) hunters may apply together.
Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to four (4) hunters may apply together.
Category 5 (Youth deer hunts): One applicant only; no group applications.
Category 6 (Spring turkey hunts): Up to two (2) hunters may apply together, except McAlester AAP hunters must apply in pairs and Deep Fork applicants must apply alone.
Category 7 (Youth spring turkey hunts): One applicant only; no group applications.

 

  1. Each person may submit only one application in each category. This means you may apply only once in Category 1 – Elk, once in Category 2 – Antelope, once in Category 3 – Deer, etc. Within the category you apply for, multiple hunt selections are allowed. Consult the list below for the maximum number of hunt choices allowed.

    NOTE: Big-game hunts are progressively drawn. Elk hunts are drawn first, followed by antelope, then deer. If a hunter is selected for an elk hunt, he or she will receive preference points in the other big-game categories (antelope and deer) he or she has applied for, but will not be eligible to be selected in those categories. Similarly, if he or she is not selected for elk but draws an antelope permit, then he or she will receive a preference point in the elk and deer categories but will not be eligible to draw a deer hunt. All other hunts, categories 4-7, are independent, and an applicant can be drawn for any or all of those hunts, in addition to one of the big game hunts.
     
  2. Each hunt choice may be selected only one time. For example, if you are applying for Category 5, you can select deer hunt #5010 only one time. The other hunt choices must be different numbers.
     
  3. When applying as a group, all hunters must be entered together on the same application prior to submitting the application. Be sure to review and print your confirmation page to ensure all individuals in your group are entered on the same application.
     
  4. Permits are not transferable to anyone, including family members. Identification will be required to enter the hunt area. 
     
  5. The minimum age requirement for participation in controlled hunts is 14 years of age (except for category 5 and 7 youth hunts).
    1.  Applicants for Categories 5 and 7 must be 15 years of age or younger on the first day of the hunt. 
    2. Hunts at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, and USDA Grazinglands Research Lab have a minimum age requirement of 12 years of age. 
    3. Hunts on the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge have a minimum age requirement of 18 years. 
    4. Persons under the minimum age may apply provided they are the required age by the first day of the hunt.
       
  6. Accommodations will be made for all hunters with disabilities, as necessary, for applicable controlled hunts. If drawn, contact the area manager if special accommodations are needed.
     
  7. Applicants who allow hunting partners to apply for them are responsible for verifying that the information on the application is complete and correct. The Department will not make exceptions for the applicant who is disqualified because his or her hunting partner omitted information necessary for the applicant to be eligible.
     
  8. No-shows will not be filled in any category under any circumstances.
     
  9. No refunds will be given.
     
  10. Hunter education certification is required of all hunters 30 years of age and younger (Persons exempt from hunter education certification are honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, currently on active duty in the armed forces, or a member of the National Guard). However, those hunters younger than 30 who are not yet hunter education-certified may purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and apply for controlled hunts (see list below), provided that they are accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.
    • Applicants for categories 1 and 2 (elk and antelope hunts) may apply with an apprentice license. However, they must be hunter education-certified prior to participating in those controlled hunts, unless they are exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.
    • Applicants for categories 3 (deer hunts), 4 (deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees), 5 (youth deer hunts), 6 (spring turkey hunts), and 7 (youth turkey hunts) may apply using an apprentice-designated license.
      • In categories 3, 4, and 6, however, applicants must apply in a group with an accompanying, licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements.
      • In categories 5 and 7, applicants must be accompanied by an adult non-hunting partner 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or license requirements. 
         
  11. If applying for Category 4 (Deer Hunts for Motor Vehicle or Non-ambulatory Permittees) the appropriate permit code and permit number must be selected.
     
  12. Since elk and antelope hunts are once-in-a-lifetime hunts, successful applicants are never again eligible to apply for those categories.
     
  13. Permits purchased for controlled hunts are for those designated hunts only. Open season licenses (such as deer, turkey, etc.) cannot be used for controlled hunts, and controlled hunt permits cannot be used for open seasons.

How To Apply Who Can Apply? Apply Today!

 

 

 

Enhancements Provide More Hunt Choices and Better Odds

 

Watch Oklahoma Controlled Hunts Update 2023 on YouTube.

 

Extra Hunt Choices for Everyone

After applicants have reached the maximum number of hunt choices allowed in a category (up to 14 hunt choices across four categories for a $10 application fee), applicants will then be allowed to buy additional hunt choices at $3 per choice. There is no limit to how many extra hunt choices can be purchased, but applicants can only select a specific hunt once. Also, applicants will be able to add PointGuard insurance to each category, a safeguard against losing preference points in case the hunter cannot attend any of the hunts he wins.

 

Elk/Pronghorn Allocated Draws

For these once-in-a-lifetime hunt categories, an initial drawing for half of all hunt permits will be taken from the pool of only those applicants having 20 or more preference points. The remaining half of all hunt permits will be drawn from the pool of everyone who applied (excluding hunt winners from the initial drawing).

 

Private Lands Youth Deer Hunts

The youth deer category includes 7 additional youth hunts to be held on private land. To be eligible to apply for these private lands youth hunts, youth must have completed their hunter education requirements prior to applying and must be 12-17 years old at the time of their scheduled hunt. 

 

PointGuard

This option protects a winning hunter’s preference points and eligibility for Controlled Hunt drawings in future years in case the hunter cannot attend the hunt he or she wins. For example, a hunter submits applications for Controlled Hunts in the categories of Deer, Youth Deer, and Elk. The hunter pays $5 total to apply in all three categories. When applying, the hunter is offered the opportunity to buy PointGuard for an additional $5. 

The insurance will protect the hunter in the event he or she is drawn for a Controlled Hunt but ends up not attending the hunt. The insurance can be claimed anytime before midnight on the day before the winner’s scheduled hunt. It ensures the hunter's category preference points going forward that would have been forfeited because the hunter was selected and unable to attend. PointGuard also allows the hunter to remain eligible for future drawings for once-in-a-lifetime Controlled Hunts since the hunter wasn't able to attend the current year's hunt.

When hunters apply as a group, each hunter will be given the option to buy PointGuard individually; all group members are not required to choose the option. But those who do choose to buy PointGuard and end up missing the hunt will have their individual points protected for future drawings.

 

Preference Point Only (PPO)

This option is for hunters who do not want to put their name in a hunt drawing but still want to obtain an additional preference point for future drawings. This option will only be available during the online Controlled Hunt application period from April 1 to May 20. To choose the PPO option, the hunter will apply for Controlled Hunts as he or she normally would for the standard $5 fee, but this year the hunter will have an option to select Preference Point Only in each category.

Instead of the hunter’s name going into the drawings, the hunter will get one additional preference point in that hunt category, and all of their preference points will carry over to next year’s drawing. Hunters may purchase only one point per year per category. The PPO is designed for hunters who already know when they apply that they will not be able to attend hunts during certain times of the year if they are drawn for those hunts.

Controlled Hunt applications are submitted through a hunter’s personal account at GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com, the Wildlife Department’s online licensing and customer service site. During the application process, hunters will be asked whether they want to add either of these new options.

 

What's New For 2024?

The chance to get one additional preference point in the elk and pronghorn hunt categories at a cost of $10 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. This additional point in each category accumulates to the hunter's point total and does carry forward if the hunter is not drawn. If hunters do not purchase the additional point, hunters still earn one point per year through the process of applying and not being selected.

 

 

 

 

Who Can Apply?

Any resident or nonresident who possesses one of the following licenses or exemptions may apply for controlled hunts. Applicant must purchase the license prior to applying for controlled hunts. Applicants who are eligible for, and possess, apprentice-designated hunting licenses may also apply (although some hunts require hunter education certification by the date of the hunt). Read the following application codes to determine which best applies to you.

*NOTE: If you have an apprentice-designated license, you may still apply. However, some hunts require hunter education certification by the date of the hunt. Be sure to read all the information listed with each hunt selection.

Residents

  1. Resident Annual Hunting License / Resident Fiscal-Year Hunting License / Resident Annual Combination License / Resident Fiscal-Year Combination License / Resident 5-Year Hunting License / Resident 5-Year Combination License – Any one of these licenses qualifies an individual to apply for controlled hunts. Remember, all residents 18 and older must have one of these licenses valid for the current calendar year before applying.
     
  2. Resident Youth Annual Hunting License / Resident Youth Fiscal-Year License / Resident Youth Annual Combination License / Resident Youth Fiscal-Year Combination License – Any one of these licenses qualifies resident youths age 16 - 17 to apply for controlled hunts. Remember, these licenses must be valid for the current calendar year. Only residents under 16 years of age are exempt from the purchase of a hunting license (see #3 below). If the applicant has a lifetime license, see #4 below.
     
  3. Age Exempt – Only residents under 16 years of age or those born before Jan. 1, 1923, are exempt from the purchase of a hunting license.
     
  4. Resident Oklahoma Lifetime License – Any type of resident lifetime license holder; also includes former residents who hold a resident Oklahoma Lifetime License (they retain all privileges of that license even though they are currently living out of state). Includes the following specific licenses:
    ♦ Resident Oklahoma Lifetime Hunting License
    ♦ Resident Oklahoma Lifetime Combination License
    ♦ Resident Oklahoma Disabled Veteran Lifetime Combination License
     
  5. Senior Citizen Lifetime License – Includes the following specific licenses:
    ♦ Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License (for those 65 and older)
    ♦ Resident Senior Citizen Combination Lifetime License (for those 65 and older)
     
  6. Resident 100% Disabled Veteran – Must have a card from Veterans Affairs verifying exemption from a hunting license, or V.A. documentation stating the percent of disability.
     
  7. Resident 60% to 99% Disabled Veteran – Must have a card from Veterans Affairs verifying exemption from a hunting license, or V.A. documentation stating the percent of disability.
     
  8. ODWC Disability Hunting License – Residents receiving SSI, Social Security Disability, or disability benefit recipients under the Railroad Retirement Act or the Multiple Injury Trust Fund qualify for this license.
     
  9. Resident Nonambulatory – Must have a Nonambulatory Permit from the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
     

  10. Military – Active-duty military personnel who are permanently stationed in Oklahoma and their dependents are considered residents for annual license purchases. Before applying for controlled hunts, they are required to purchase a valid resident hunting license (see #1 above.)

     

Nonresidents

  1. You must possess one of the licenses listed below, or be exempt from one of these licenses, to apply for controlled hunts. You must purchase the license before applying for controlled hunts. You can buy a license at GoOutdoorsOK.com. Read the following descriptions to determine which best applies to you. 
    *Note: Nonresidents do not need to purchase a nonresident deer license to apply for a deer hunt.
     
  2. Nonresident Annual Hunting License / Nonresident Fiscal-Year Hunting License / Nonresident 5-Day Hunting License – Before applying for controlled hunts, all nonresidents must possess any valid Oklahoma hunting license during the current calendar year of the drawing. Any such license is nonrefundable if the applicant does not draw a hunt. This also applies to nonresident youth.

    Nonresidents possessing a (resident) Lifetime License - Former residents who hold a resident Oklahoma Lifetime License retain all privileges of that license even though they are currently living out of state. See #4 above.
     
  3. Nonresident Oklahoma Lifetime License – These licenses are no longer sold, but those who possess one may use it to apply for controlled hunts. Not valid to hunt turkey or big game. Includes the following license types:
    ♦ Nonresident Oklahoma Lifetime Hunting License
    ♦ Nonresident Oklahoma Lifetime Combination License