Operation Game Thief Marks 40 Years
Oklahoma Game Wardens have been nabbing poachers with your anonymous tips to the Operation Game Thief (OGT) phone line since 1979.
Gobblers on a Limb: Taking Care of Your Turkey Roosts
We share management tips for maintaining roosting wild turkey habitat.
Landowners Making a Difference for Young Hunters
Oklahoma's private lands youth antlerless deer hunt program is all about creating memories between landowners, young hunters, and their family member or friend.
2018-2019 Big Game Report
Hunters in Oklahoma are continuing to enjoy some of the most diverse deer hunting opportunities that the country has to offer. Harvest increased slightly from 2017- 18, with a total of 109,260 deer taken in 2018-19.
“Best Practices” Turning today’s Kids into tomorrow’s Deer Hunters
How should parents introduce new activities to kids who might be hesitant to try such activities? What do child psychologists, teachers, and other child behavior professionals say in terms of how children both learn and then permanently adopt new hobbies? What are some of the obstacles and pitfalls that parents often make when trying to get their children to “love” the same kinds of hobbies and pastimes that they themselves are passionate about?
2017-2018 Big Game Report
With the 2017-18 deer season in the books, Oklahoma again proved why it is a great destination for deer hunters from across the country. The total harvest of 107,914 deer is up from last year’s harvest total of 99,023. Figure 1 shows overall deer harvest numbers since 2004. Not only was overall harvest up, but many trophy animals were harvested as well. Antlerless harvest totaled 40 percent, which is on the low side of the Wildlife Department’s management goal of 40 percent to 45 percent. And in western Oklahoma, 196 mule deer were harvested from 13 counties.
Let’s Talk Turkey: Know These Basics to Help You Take a Springtime Tom
Although turkey hunting is complex, persistence and patience will pay off. And while the ins-and-outs of turkey hunting can get complicated, the best place to start is with the basics. Here's an overview of spring turkey hunting essentials.
2016-2017 Big Game Report
Oklahoma continues to enjoy some of the best deer hunting in North America as our habitat and herds continue to recover from the severe drought a few years ago. The overall harvest increased by nearly 12 percent from 2015-16, with a total of 99,023 deer taken in 2016-17. Figure 1 depicts deer harvest from 1972 through this past season. A breakdown of the past 10 years by bucks (including button bucks) and does appears in Figure 2. Does account for 37 percent of the total deer harvest, below the 40 percent to 45 percent target rate but acceptable for a herd recovering from the lower reproduction encountered during the drought. A total of 189 mule deer were checked from the westernmost areas of the state.
Using Camera Surveys to Understand Your Deer Herd
Done correctly, trail camera surveys can estimate the number of deer per acre, the buck-to-doe ratio and recruitment.
2015-2016 Big Game Report
The 2015-16 deer seasons are in the books, and many Oklahoma hunters are already directing their thoughts toward the upcoming seasons. While harvest was more than 8,000 fewer deer than the previous year, the good news is that Oklahoma’s deer herd is in great shape. Many portions of the state have received much-needed rainfall and are on the way to a full recovery from the drought. Hopefully, the rains will continue, your treestands are hung, and you are ready for opening day!