Attention Non-Residents
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Area Details
Sandhills WMA consists of 5,212 acres in southeastern Woods County. The WMA lies on the north side of the Cimarron River between the towns of Cleo Springs and Waynoka. The area is primarily rolling sandhills with around 1,500 acres of river bottom.
The sandhills are dominated by mixed grass prairie interspersed with sagebrush, eastern red cedar, sand plums, hackberry, chittamwood, and soapberry. The river bottom is primarily native rangeland with scattered cottonwoods, sand plum, eastern red cedar and other patches of woody species.
Going Quail Hunting?
During quail hunting season, wing collection boxes are placed at several wildlife management areas: Beaver River, Optima, Packsaddle, Cooper, Kaw, Drummond Flats, Canton, Fort Supply, Cross Timbers, and Pushmataha. Hunters are asked to donate a wing from each quail they harvest for research purposes. Ultimately, the wings can help determine the status of the quail populations at the WMAs and can offer clues about how next year’s season might pan out.
From Waynoka - Turn off Hwy 281 east onto Ash Street (CR 300) and stay on blacktop for 18 miles to road N450, turn south 4.8 miles.
From Aline - 11 miles west on Aline blacktop to road N450, turn south 4.8 miles
- Quail – Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers
- Pheasant – Present but in low numbers
- Deer – Whitetailed deer are present in fair to good numbers
- Turkey – Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in fair numbers
- Rabbit – Cottontails are present in fair numbers, jackrabbits low numbers
- Furbearers – Coyote, bobcat, raccoon are available
- Dove – Mourning dove are present in fair numbers
- Waterfowl – Duck and goose hunting is limited to the Cimarron River
Management activities focus on prescribed burning, grazing, and mechanical control of eastern red cedar. There are also 9 solar water wells for wildlife water. There are no agricultural fields or food plots on the area.
A designated primitive camping area is available on the main road approximately 0.25 miles from the entrance to the WMA. Developed campgrounds with RV hookups are available at Little Sahara State Park south of Waynoka.
Fishing opportunities are limited to the Cimarron River. There are no permanent ponds on the WMA capable of sustaining a reliable fishery.
Area closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts:
Nov. 22-23, 2025
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Pheasant
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily.
- Squirrel, Rabbit, Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Duck, Merganser and Coot
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during deer gun season.
- 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.
- Deer Muzzleloader
Closed to antlerless hunting.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Shotgun only.
- 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. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily. Closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
Little Sahara State Park
580-652-6552
https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/4581
Waynoka Chamber of Commerce
580-824-4741
Alva Chamber of Commerce
580-327-1647
Fairview Chamber of Commerce
580-227-2527
Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting
Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.
Exploring the New Herron Family WMA
The new Herron Family WMA is more than 17,000 acres of hunting land, it is also adventure, access, conservation, and tradition. Thanks to a unique partnership, Oklahoma residents now have a new place to chase deer, call turkeys, hear quail, and pass on the outdoors to the next generation.