Deer hunting just got a lot easier in Oklahoma. That's because a new hunting license structure has reduced the requirements for deer hunters during archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons. 

New this year, resident and nonresident adult hunters need only an annual hunting license and a single deer license for the season they plan to hunt. Youth under 18 years old need only a youth annual super hunting license.

Previously, annual hunting license buyers were required to possess a separate deer license for each deer hunted. With a combined season limit of six deer, separate bag limits for each season, and separate firearms licenses for does and bucks, it could get pretty confusing; not to mention expensive. And if you opted to carry paper licenses ... well ... good luck keeping track of it all.

Because of a new law that went into effect July 1,  resident and nonresident hunters who have an annual hunting license can just pick up their deer archery, deer muzzleloader, or deer gun license, and they are covered for all the bucks and does allowed during that particular season. The combined season limit still applies, which is six deer, of which no more than two may be antlered. 

That means, for example, that a resident bowhunter with an annual hunting license and a single deer archery license can harvest the full archery limit of up to six deer! And of course, licenses can be carried on your phone through the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app. 

The new deer licenses for each season are $36 for residents, only $16 more than previous years' licenses that were only valid for one deer each. 

Of course, deer managers with the Wildlife Department are hoping that hunters will seize the opportunity to harvest more does. The new license not only makes it simpler to do so, but more cost-efffective as well!

For nonresidents, a deer license for each season is $501. New for 2024, nonresident deer hunters participating in any Oklahoma deer season this fall will be required to have a nonresident annual hunting license in addition to a deer license for each method they hunt. This includes those hunters who had already purchased a nonresident deer license prior to July 1. The 5-day nonresident hunting license is not valid for big game, turkey or waterfowl. 

For youth, things get even simpler. With just a youth annual super hunting license, any hunter under 18 is ready for whatever hunting opportunity comes their way. Whether resident or nonresident, the super license is the best thing that's happened for youth hunting in decades. We've written all about that here.

These changes are part of a larger hunting and fishing license overhaul known as the Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act, a bill that condenses some 50 hunting and fishing licenses down to about 14. Before the bill went into effect July 1, there hadn’t been any notable changes to the state’s fishing and hunting licenses or fee structure in over 20 years.  

Deer archery season runs Oct. 1 - Jan. 15; deer muzzleloader, Oct. 26 - Nov. 3; and deer gun, Nov. 23 - Dec. 8. Holiday antlerless season runs Dec. 18-31. Each season has different rules and bag limits, and the combined season limit for all seasons is six deer of which no more than two may be antlered. For complete rules and details for hunting deer in Oklahoma, check out the Oklahoma Fishing & Hunting Regulations here or on the Go Outdoor Oklahoma mobile app. 

With deer seasons fast approaching, and with hunting opportunities already open now for certain migratory birds and other game like squirrels, now is the time to get your hunting license and be ready!