In addition to general hunting regulations, statewide species regulations and Department-managed area rules, this section addresses special regulations that apply to public hunting lands. If a species or season is not listed, refer to statewide seasons and regulations.
- Areas are closed to all activities during controlled hunts and other listed closure dates.
- Areas with controlled hunts are subject to change annually. Visit controlled hunts for information on applying for elk, antelope, deer, youth deer, deer hunts for Motor Vehicle or Non-Ambulatory Permittees, spring turkey and youth spring turkey controlled hunts.
- The application period for controlled hunts generally opens early April.
CONSERVATION PASSPORT AREA: People who use Department-owned areas for nonhunting or nonfishing activities, such as bird-watching or photography, are required to have either a Wildlife Conservation Passport or any current hunting or fishing license issued by the Wildlife Department.
= Conservation Passport Area
Osage WMA – Rock Creek Unit
OsageClosed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Gun
Open the first nine days only. Closed to antlerless hunting.
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during deer gun season.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Tom only.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Closed to all nonhunting activities, except hunter camping, from Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 and during spring turkey season.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
Osage WMA – Western Wall Unit
OsageArea closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts:
Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2024.
Unless otherwise provided, firearms are restricted to shotguns with pellets and rimfire only.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Dove, Rail, Gallinule, Crow, Waterfowl, Predator/Furbearer Calling, Trapping
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through deer gun season.
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Closed to all nonhunting activities from Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 and during spring turkey season.
No camping allowed.
Ouachita WMA – Le Flore Unit
Le FloreClosed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Predator/Furbearer Calling, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Waterfowl
Closed during deer gun season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Cedar Lake, Billy Creek and Winding Stair recreation area campgrounds in the Ouachita WMA are closed to hunting.
Special U.S. Forest Service regulations apply to this area, including rules on baiting, OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle)/ATV use and treestands. Go to www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/ or a Forest Service visitor center for more information.
Camping is allowed in accordance with U.S. Forest Service regulations, except on the Homer L. Johnston portion, where camping is allowed only in designated areas during deer and turkey seasons.
Ouachita WMA – McCurtain & Tiak Units
McCurtainClosed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Waterfowl
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Special U.S. Forest Service regulations apply to this area, including rules on baiting, OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle)/ATV use and treestands. Go online to www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/ or a Forest Service visitor center for more information.
Camping is allowed in accordance with U.S. Forest Service regulations.
Ozark Plateau NWR – Sally Bull Hollow Unit
AdairAll shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.
Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt tearsheet. This serves as a valid permit for refuge hunts while in the field. The permit is available free of charge at the refuge headquarters, at Sally Bull Hollow Unit parking area or at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark-plateau
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Incidental take of feral hogs by the public during established hunting seasons for other species (e.g., big game and upland game) with legal weapons and permits for the permitted hunt season.
Ozark Plateau WMA
AdairSame As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
No camping allowed.
Ozzie Cobb
PushmatahaOpen only from Sept. 1 through the end of spring turkey season each year. Deer hunting restricted to shotgun or archery only.
Closed Seasons
Packsaddle WMA
EllisAll shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on designated WDU portions.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Muzzleloader
Closed to antlerless mule deer hunting.
- Deer Gun
Open the first nine days only. Antlerless hunting permitted last two days of area season.
- Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Tom only. Shotgun only.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
- Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portion.
- Trapping
Open to water sets, live box traps and enclosed trigger traps only through Jan 31. Open same as statewide Feb 1 through end of February.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined. Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily.
- Quail
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas during open hunting seasons.
Pine Creek WMA
McCurtainArea closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts Nov. 8-10, 2024.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Gun
Open the first nine days only.
- Crow, Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Dogs not permitted on WMA from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset during deer gun, deer muzzleloader and youth deer gun seasons.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed within 50 yards of open roads.
Pushmataha WMA
PushmatahaArea closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts Oct. 25-27, Nov. 8-10, and Nov. 22-24 2024.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Quail
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Rail, Gallinule, Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Waterfowl, Rabbit, Squirrel
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Closed to all nonhunting activities, except hunter camping, from Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 and during spring turkey season.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.