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
Shorb WMA covers 160 acres in southeastern Texas County in the Oklahoma panhandle. Located south of hwy. 412 (southeast of the town of Hardesty), the area is a mixture of upland and floodplain habitats.
Side oats and buffalo grass predominate on the upland sites. Bottomlands consist of salt cedar and cottonwood. The Palo Duro creek travels through the WMA. The average precipitation for the area is approximately 17 inches.
From Hardesty, OK travel east on 412 highway for 5 miles, turn right on county road 52 and travel 5 miles south to county road FF, turn left on FF and travel 1 mile east to county road 53. turn right on 53 and travel 2 miles on the curved road to the parking area along the county road.
- Pheasant: Present in very low numbers.
- Quail: Blue quail are present in very low numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in very low numbers.
- Rabbit: Both cottontails and jackrabbits are present with cottontails being more common.
- Furbearers: Coyote present.
- Dove: Dove may be present in low numbers.
- Bald Eagle: Eagles winter around WMA.
Management efforts focus on producing native wildlife foods such as ragweed and sunflower.
No designated camping areas are offered on the WMA.
The town of Hardesty offers fuel and food. Both lodging and restaurants are available in Guymon. The Guymon Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (580) 338-2809.
Limited fishing can be available on Palo Duro creek when water levels are high enough. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish have the potential to frequent the large pool of water located near the center of the WMA on the creek.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Deer Muzzleloader
Closed to antlerless hunting.
- Deer Gun
Open the first nine days only. Closed to antlerless hunting.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during deer gun season.
- Pheasant
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m daily.
- 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
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.
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.