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Bowhunters who submit observations they make during the time in the field help biologists with information about furbearers and deer
populations across the state.
FURBEARER NUMBERS STEADY bobcat, striped skunk, gray fox, red fox, river otter and badger.
Other species reported, listed with most commonly seen first,
IN BOWHUNTER SURVEY are fox squirrel, gray squirrel, turkey, quail, feral swine, domes-
tic dog, elk, black bear and housecat.
Archery hunting seasons will open Oct. 1 for deer, elk on pri- The state’s overall deer population is healthy and growing.
vate lands, turkey, bear and antelope. Thousands of sportsmen Bowhunters reported seeing 904 deer for every 1,000 hours of
and sportswomen will take to the woods and prairies in pursuit field observation, compared with 869 and 744 for the previous
of game with bow and arrow or crossbow. two seasons.
The Wildlife Department is hoping that some of those The Bowhunter Observation Survey is now recruiting volunteer
archery hunters will volunteer to share their experiences to scientists for this coming archery season. The Wildlife Depart-
help wildlife biologists collect data about furbearers in addition ment is using social media outlets and email messages to ask
to deer across the state. interested bowhunters to sign up. Any bowhunters who would like
The Department’s fourth annual Bowhunter Observation to help biologists by reporting what they see in the woods can sign
Survey will begin Oct. 1 and run through Nov. 30. This survey up at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/research/bos.
was implemented to calculate population indices for furbearer
species and deer at state and regional levels. Bowhunters spend
a large amount of time in stands within the natural environment mICHAEL BERGIN/ODWC
of many wildlife species while hunting deer and are in prime
spots to observe these species.
During the 2018 deer archery season, more than 100,000
hunters took part. But only 350 archery hunters signed up for the
observation survey, and they submitted 1,940 reports accounting
for 7,606 hours of observation time. Most reports came during
the first half of the survey period, and at least one report came
from every county in Oklahoma except Harper County.
Based on standardized results, the state’s overall furbearer
population has remained fairly steady the past three years.
Bowhunters reported seeing 125 furbearers for every 1,000
hours of field observation, compared with 122 and 137 for the
previous two seasons.
The species included in the furbearer category, listed with It's not too late for bowhunters to sign up to help in the Department's
most commonly seen first, are raccoon, coyote, opossum, annual Bowhunter Observation Survey.

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