- Public Area Check-In: Non-residents must check in and out when accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas. There is no additional cost or limit on the number of check-ins.
- Deer Licenses: A 2 day waiting period applies to nonresident deer licenses purchased after the deer season has started. Licenses must be purchased at least 48 hours before hunting.
Contact the Refuge for general hunting or special use permits. All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.
Area closed to all activities for controlled deer and turkey hunts:
Oct. 23-25, 2026
Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2026
Nov. 6-8, 2026
April 16-18, 2027
April 23-25, 2027
Closed Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Archery
Closed the Friday before deer muzzleloader season through the Sunday after the last controlled deer hunt.
- Rabbit, Squirrel
Closed the Friday before deer muzzleloader season through the Sunday after the last controlled deer hunt and closes Jan. 31.
- Turkey Fall Archery
Closed the Friday before deer muzzleloader season through the Sunday after the last controlled hunt.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed the Friday before deer muzzleloader season through the first nine days of deer gun season. Raccoon season same as statewide season dates. Contact the Refuge for permits.
- Duck, Merganser and Coot, Trapping
Contact the Refuge for special restrictions.
Get BearWise: Camp Lessons from OKC Zoo Bears
In September, Woody and Maynard, two American black bears at the Oklahoma City Zoo, demonstrated how quickly they could find food in an imitation campsite and offered a valuable lesson for coexisting with wildlife. When visiting or living in bear country, anything that might tempt a bear — from pet food or this week’s trash to a full-blown picnic — should be properly stored at campsites and other outdoor spaces.