OVERVIEW OF DEER GUN SEASON

Oklahoma’s 16-day deer gun season continues to be a highlight of the hunting calendar. Last year, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 8, hunters were allowed to take up to four deer, with a restriction of one antlered deer, consistent with previous regulations.

The combined gun seasons saw hunters harvest 79,008 deer, with antlerless deer making up 40% of the total. In addition, the youth deer gun season resulted in 4,736 deer harvested, while the holiday antlerless deer gun season added another 10,057 deer to the overall harvest. 

Detailed daily harvest data and long-term trends are illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9, and Figure 10 tracks the harvest history of the holiday antlerless season since 2015.

ASSESSING DEER AGE STRUCTURE

To effectively monitor the age composition of Oklahoma’s deer herds, ODWC relies on a variety of data sources that provide insight into the biological structure of the harvested population. These sources include voluntary participants in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), a cooperative program designed to assist landowners and managers in achieving habitat and deer management goals. Additional age data are collected through local meat processors, taxidermists, ODWC-controlled hunts, and public submissions through the department’s “Age My Deer” online tool — an accessible platform that allows hunters to submit photos and information to help determine the age of their harvested deer.

This multi-source approach provides a broad and representative sampling of deer from across the state, allowing wildlife biologists to evaluate the age distribution and overall condition of antlered and antlerless segments of the herd. Understanding the age structure is critical for assessing herd health, identifying management needs, and ensuring the sustainability of the deer population over time.

The information gathered is analyzed to track trends in herd maturity and to evaluate the effectiveness of current harvest strategies, particularly in promoting a balanced age structure with sufficient numbers of older, mature deer. These insights help guide future policy decisions and harvest recommendations.

Figure 12 and Figure 13 illustrate the age breakdown of antlerless and antlered deer, respectively, harvested during the 2024-25 season. These figures provide a visual summary of the distribution across different age classes and offer valuable context for understanding the demographic makeup of Oklahoma’s deer herd.

PRONGHORN SEASON SUMMARY

Oklahoma’s remarkable ecological diversity not only supports abundant deer and elk populations but also sustains a marginal population of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), a species typically associated with the expansive grasslands of the western United States. In Oklahoma, pronghorn are primarily found in the wide-open rangelands of the Panhandle, which is the easternmost edge of their native range. Their presence here reflects the resilience of the species and the importance of maintaining open prairie ecosystems. 

Due to the limited size and ecological sensitivity of Oklahoma’s pronghorn population, harvest opportunities are highly regulated to ensure the species remains sustainable within the state. Hunting is permitted through a three-pronged management system: over-the-counter archery permits for those seeking a challenging, low-impact method of take; controlled hunt drawings administered by ODWC, which allocate a small number of tags to applicants selected at random; and landowner-issued permits, which allow private landowners within designated pronghorn zones to participate directly in managing localized populations.

During the 2024-25 season, hunters harvested 89 pronghorns in the northwestern areas of the state. While modest in number, this harvest aligns with long-term management goals and reflects the careful balancing act between providing hunting opportunity and preserving a stable, regionally unique population of this iconic plains species.

Table 5 offers a detailed breakdown of pronghorn harvest data, categorized by county, hunting method, and sex, providing insight into the spatial and demographic dynamics of pronghorn hunting in Oklahoma.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) UPDATE

The 2024-25 big game hunting season marked the second consecutive year in which hunters in Oklahoma navigated new challenges following the detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) within the state’s native wild deer populations. Initially identified in Texas County, and shortly thereafter confirmed in Woodward County, these developments prompted immediate concern among wildlife managers and the hunting community alike, given the serious implications CWD poses for deer health and population sustainability.

In response to this threat, ODWC implemented a series of additional regulations focused primarily on the northwestern region of the state, where CWD detections were concentrated. These regulations centered on restricting the movement of deer carcasses — a critical pathway for the potential spread of the prion disease — to reduce the risk of transmission to unaffected areas. Hunters in the affected counties were required to strictly adhere to specific
carcass transportation guidelines, including prohibitions on transporting certain parts of harvested deer outside designated zones, thereby helping to contain and slow the spread of infectious material.

To further support ongoing disease monitoring and early detection efforts, ODWC established a network of voluntary CWD testing sites, with five freezer drop-off locations strategically placed within Selective Surveillance Areas (SSAs). These sites provided convenient options for hunters to submit samples for CWD testing. During the 2024-25 season, several hunters took advantage of this opportunity, submitting samples that were all ultimately confirmed not detected for CWD, offering cautious optimism about the disease’s current prevalence in these areas.

Looking ahead, the carcass movement restrictions and testing programs are set to continue in SSAs for the 2025-26 season, reflecting a proactive and adaptive approach aimed at safeguarding the health and sustainability of Oklahoma’s deer herds. These efforts, combined with hunter cooperation and ongoing scientific monitoring, are essential components in managing this serious wildlife health issue.

CONCLUSIONS

As I reflect on this report, one message remains consistent: Oklahoma’s deer hunting community is thriving. Hunters are increasingly embracing their role as active managers of the deer population, particularly through sustained efforts to harvest appropriate numbers of antlerless deer. For the fifth consecutive year, the state met its management objective for antlerless harvest, supporting healthy and balanced deer populations.

Additionally, the average age of harvested bucks continues to indicate that hunters are adopting management strategies such as the “Hunters in the Know … Let Young Bucks Grow” philosophy. The quality of Oklahoma’s deer herds has improved markedly, with bucks now regularly featured in prominent hunting publications — a remarkable shift from times when simply encountering deer tracks was noteworthy. These achievements are largely the result of education and voluntary stewardship rather than increased regulation.

Looking ahead, challenges such as urban expansion, disease, overpopulation, and a declining hunting population will require ongoing attention. However, Oklahoma hunters have historically demonstrated resilience and a commitment to responsible wildlife management.

To those preparing for the 2025-26 season, consider mentoring new hunters and sharing knowledge. Remember, every decision made in the field impacts the health and sustainability of the local deer population. 

Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable hunting season.

HUNTERS TAKE 77 BLACK BEARS DURING 2024 SEASONS

Black bear hunters had a great hunting season in 2024, taking a total of 77 (49 male and 28 female) bears, nine fewer than the year before. 

Archery hunters took 74 black bears, while muzzleloader hunters bagged three bears in the bear hunting zone that includes all or portions of 12 counties in southeastern Oklahoma. 

Choctaw Nation wildlife authorities conducted bear check-in for tribal members, accounting for seven (all archery) of the total 77 bears harvested.

The 2024 season was the first year that lifetime license holders were exempt from the purchase of a bear license. Of the 77 bears harvested, 44 were checked in by lifetime license holders. According to the cementum age analysis on premolars collected at check in, the average age of bears harvested in 2024 was observed to be about 3.5 years old.

In a testament to Oklahoma being a popular bear hunting destination, hunters from six other states took a black bear last year: 14 from Texas, one from South Dakota, one from California, four from Louisianan, one from Mississippi, and one from Kansas. Oklahoma hunters took 55 bears.

Bear hunters can expect this fall’s season to be similar to last year’s. Hunters who hunt over bait may find themselves competing with a good mast crop during the upcoming fall season. However, if predictions of extremely hot and dry late-summer weather are correct, a shortage of natural soft-mast food sources could lead to an increase in preseason bait site activity and consequently drive up harvest numbers in 2025.

Wildlife biologists offer these tips for increasing your chances of taking a black bear:

• Locate an area with fresh bear sign and stay there; you might have to sit all day or hunt multiple days.
• Start hunting as early in the season as possible.
• Stay weather-aware. Cold and wet conditions make bears less active.
• If the weather is hot, consider hunting near a water source.
• Bears will return to whatever food source is helping them gain the most weight. Acorns, especially from white oaks, are preferred by bears in non-bait areas.
• Start scouting for hunting spots in September.

All hunters wanting to pursue a black bear must buy either an archery or muzzleloader bear license before the opening dates of each season unless exempt. Archery bear season dates are defined in statute, as running from Oct. 1 until the third Sunday in October. In 2025, archery bear season will close at last legal shooting light on Oct. 19. Archery bear season has no harvest quota.

Muzzleloader bear season will open Oct. 25 and run through Nov. 2 or until the quota of 20 bears is reached. Before hunting, muzzleloader hunters must call for the latest bear quota information at 1-(888) 901-3256.

For more on black bear hunting, consult the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations online, in the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app for Apple and Android, or in print free at license dealers statewide.