Skip to main content

Black Kettle WMA

Black Kettle WMA, photo by Darrin Hill

Contacts

Game Warden (County):
(580) 497-6897(Roger Mills)

Area Acres
30,710 ac.

Black Kettle WMA covers 30,710 acres near the town of Cheyenne in Roger Mills County. Located in the mixed grass prairie, it is a mixture of rolling sand hills, red shale hills, and wooded bottoms. 

Upland sites are vegetated with mixed grass species including big bluestem, indian grass, little bluestem, side-oats grama, and buffalo grass and brush species like shinnery oak, sagebrush, and sand plum. The red shale hills are dominated by shortgrass, sagebrush, and occasional mesquite trees. The wooded bottoms are dominated by cottonwood, elm, and hackberry trees. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 24 inches. 

Black Kettle National Grassland is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. For non-hunting information contact Black Kettle National Grassland, (580) 497-2143.

Near Cheyenne: There are approximately 100 units scattered throughout the area, consult map for specific unit locations. The U.S. Forest Service Administrative Office is west of town on State Hwy 47: (580)-497-2143.

  • Quail: Bobwhite quail are usually present in good numbers, but are highly sought after.
  • Deer: White-tailed deer are present in fair numbers. 
  • Turkey: Rio Grande wild turkeys are usually present in good numbers, but are highly sought after.   
  • Rabbit: Mostly cottontails, but an occasional jackrabbit may be found.
  • Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available.
  • Dove: Dove are usually present in good numbers during peak migrations.
  • Waterfowl: Present in low numbers and limited to upper part of recreation lakes, two wetland development areas, and ponds.

Management efforts focus on producing native wildlife foods such as ragweed and sunflower, although some small agricultural food plots are planted annually. Wildlife water is made available on most units.

Primitive camping is allowed on entire WMA in accordance with US Forest Service, Black Kettle National Grassland regulations. Three developed camping areas are also available including Skipout, Spring Creek, and Black Kettle; no RV hookups available. Lodging and restaurants are available in Cheyenne. 

No shooting range available.

Fishing opportunities exist at Spring Creek Lake (60 acres), Skipout Lake (60 acres), Black Kettle Lake (80 acres), and several small ponds.

Same As Statewide Seasons
Deer Archery, Youth Deer Gun, Deer Muzzleloader, Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun, Dove, Turkey Fall Archery
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
  • Deer Gun

Open the first nine days only.

  • Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, Rail, Gallinule, Rabbit, Squirrel, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling

Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.

  • Turkey Fall Gun

Shotgun only.

  • 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

Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily. One-tom limit, seasons combined.

  • Quail

Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.  Closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.

Additional Restrictions:

Skipout, Spring Creek and Black Kettle recreation areas are closed to hunting.

OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) use is regulated by the U.S. Forest Service.

Camping is allowed in accordance with U.S. Forest Service regulations.

Daily/Size Limits:

Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.

Methods:

Prohibited methods: trotlines, throwlines, limblines, yo-yos, juglines.

Track Surveys Shed Light on Swift Fox

Biologists keep tabs on Oklahoma’s smallest fox, the swift fox, with annual track surveys across the High Plains.

Wild Double Take: Purple and House Finches

Tips for identifying two Oklahoma look-alike finches, the purple and house finches.

Tips for Making Your Winter Eagle Watching Trips Successful

Oklahoma's bald eagle numbers peak between November and February, making winter the prime season for eagle watching.