Contacts
Cimarron Bluff WMA covers 3,590 acres in northeastern Harper County. Located north of the city of Woodward. It is four miles south of the junction of Highways 34 and US 64 and then one and a half miles east on County Road 15 (it may not be labeled) to one of the parking areas. Cimarron Bluff WMA is primarily rolling hills with high bluffs overlooking the west side of the Cimarron River. The area is dominated by mixed-grass prairie vegetation with isolated pockets of sand sagebrush, sand plum, and sumac occurring on red clay and gypsum soils. Cottonwood, hackberry, and western soapberry trees exist along the creeks flowing through the property. A limited amount of Cimarron River flood plain exists along the east boundary of the WMA, dominated by salt flats, interspersed with salt cedar.
All hunting activities will be by walk-in only. Consult regulations before entering the area.
Going Quail Hunting?
During quail hunting season, wing collection boxes are placed at several wildlife management areas: Beaver River, Optima, Packsaddle, Cooper, Kaw, Drummond Flats, Canton, Fort Supply, Cross Timbers, and Pushmataha. Hunters are asked to donate a wing from each quail they harvest for research purposes. Ultimately, the wings can help determine the status of the quail populations at the WMAs and can offer clues about how next year’s season might pan out.
North entrance – From Buffalo: 16 miles east on U.S. Hwy 64, 1 mile south on N2060 (which is 1 mile east of State Hwy 34).
South entrance – From Buffalo: 15 miles east on U.S. Hwy 64, 4 miles south on State Hwy 34, 1½ miles east on Harper County Rd 15 (E0150).
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in moderate numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in limited numbers, mule deer are rarely seen.
- Turkey: Rio Grande turkeys are present in very low numbers.
- Pheasant: Pheasants are extremely rare.
- Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers.
- Rabbit: Rabbits are present in fair numbers.
- Waterfowl: Duck and goose opportunities exist on area ponds and along the river.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are present.
- Lesser Prairie Chicken, Bell’s Vireo, Eastern Collard Lizard, Texas Horned Lizard, Western Diamondback and Prairie Rattlesnakes, long-billed curlew, loggerhead shrike, western big-eared bat, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cassin Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red Headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellowlegs, Osprey, Snowy Plover, Interior Least Tern, Arkansas River Shiner, and Arkansas Darter.
All activities will be by walk-in only, and will be restricted during hunting seasons and by on-going management practices. Consult regulations before entering the area.
Cimarron Bluff has two major ponds and several smaller ponds along with a spring fed creek that will be managed for wildlife water sources. Management practices will include prescribed grazing by livestock, strip mowing, pasture aeration, prescribed burning, and selective removal of upland trees. These techniques will produce native wildlife foods that will include ragweed, croton, and sunflowers.
The WMA has one primitive camping area located on the south side. Other accommodations can be found in Woodward, 26 miles south on Highway 34 or in Buffalo, 15 miles to the west on US Highway 64.
Fishing is accessible by walk-in only. The largest pond on the area, known as Turkey Foot Pond (named for its shape) is approximately 13 acres in size and offers largemouth and bluegill fishing. All fishing is catch-and-release only.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Dove, Rail, Gallinule
Closed during deer muzzleloader season.
- Pheasant
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily.
- Squirrel, Rabbit, Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling, Waterfowl
Same as statewide season dates, except closed the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Same as statewide season dates. One-bird limit, shotgun only.
- Trapping
Open to water sets, live box traps and enclosed trigger traps only through Jan 31. Open same as statewide Feb 1 through end of February.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined. Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily.
- Quail
Closed during first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily. Closed to non-resident hunting Feb 1-15.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
Venison: It's What's For Dinner!
There are numerous reasons to go deer hunting: the adventure, the tradition, the opportunity to connect with nature, and the nutritious meat it provides. With grocery prices on the rise, I'm especially eager to fill my freezer with deer meat this year. As a family of four, having nutritious, self-harvested meat gives me peace of mind knowing we're eating healthy and saving money. This led me to explore the health benefits of deer meat. Below is what I discovered. I hope it encourages you to enjoy the outdoors, harvest venison, and prepare it this season!
