I dont charge when I guide on public lands. Because it is just-opened, not much habitat management work has been done. Many hunters will venture north-central and north-eastern Oklahoma, but you can also hunt in any county. While a large percentage of the area is forested bottom lands, it also has numerous old fields, native prairies, and post oak-blackjack timber. AN OUTSIDER'S LOOK AT MICHIGAN DEER HUNTING, Missouri Deer Hunting: All to Know About This Buck Buck Paradise, Why Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Ranks Among the Country's Best, Why Deer Hunting in Illinois Is on So Many Bucket Lists, Hunt Deer in January and February in These 12 States. It will still feel like 70F to 80F in Oklahoma in October. A bonus is the proximity of these areas to Woodward, which offers hunters who arent into roughing it the chance to grab a hot meal and sleep in a warm bed. James Collins WMA has a reputation for producing trophy bucks, meaning it can get crowded. 5,212 ac. While that may not sound like a lot, in addition to sprawling national forests and grasslands, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages more than 80 WMAs across the state. Landowners who kill bobcats, raccoons, gray/red foxes, or river otters in order to protect livestock or poultry are not required to do so. On the way home I called a friend of mine whos a game warden and described the deers condition. The National Forest Service and the Wildlife Management Areas are two other options. The Toro 60V MAX 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw, a versatile and reliable tool for tackling outdoor chores in every season. It may be pricey, but hiring a hunting guide could help put you on the buck of a lifetime. He sold his first story to Field & Stream a few years later and has been contributing to the brand ever since. Worthwhile public hunting parcels are the Cherokee and Cookson WMAs. Oklahoma has some of the best duck hunting in the country, so its easy to get excited about duck hunting there. A look at the pros and cons, similarities and differences of two types of down-facing sonar with Crash Course host Shane Beliue. Here's the five best places to fish for them. For more outdoor content fromTravis Smola, be sure to follow him onTwitterand check out hisGeocachingandOutdoors with Travis YouTube channels. All Rights Reserved. Limited camping options are available in the two WMAs and on surrounding U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. During a bumper acorn crop, focus on hunting the timber, as deer will move less since food is available in or near bedding areas. Primitive camping is available on the Kaw WMA at dedicated areas, while camping near the Fort Gibson WMA can be found on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. Canton WMA has a lot to offer Oklahoma bowhunters. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Ouachita National Forest is a great spot for deer hunting, as well as parts of the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The grand harvest total was 112,863. Those who do not live in the state are required to have a nonresident hunting license and a fall turkey license (unless exempt). If hunting at James Collins WMA, camp at the WMA entrance or lodge at McAlester. Wheeler shot a 206 4/8-inch 25 pointer in a pecan grove one week, and then shot a 202 1/8-inch 34-pointer the following week in the same place! Package whitetail hunts include lodging, kitchen facilities and meals (as requested). Actually, early. The gigantic 216,503-acre Three Rivers WMA in McCurtain and Pushmataha counties delivers. To view a complete listing for all counties from last season and deer harvest results from previous years go to http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/deerharvesttotals.htm. (580-740-0040; choctawhuntinglodge.com). In Oklahoma, firearms are not permitted to discharge in any church, schoolhouse, or other public place where people congregate by four hundred and forty (440) yards. Just $1 per month . Canton WMA has a lot to offer Oklahoma bowhunters. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. At the Love Valley WMA in southcentral Oklahoma, youll find good deer numbers on 7,746 acres of mixed upland habitat, with post oak-blackjack timber and riparian habitat featuring hardwoods along the Red River. Good nutrition helps make up for that: Kaw has some of the most extensive food plots of any Oklahoma public hunting area, and thousands of acres of farm lands border the WMA. The area provides a wide variety of upland habitats, starting with pine covered ridges in the east and changing . We commend the Oklahoma Department of Conservation for their efforts in ensuring that all elk hunters in the state have access to the public lands that they must successfully hunt. Sep 7, 2019 #2 Colberjs Member Joined Sep 3, 2013 Messages 798 Location Eastern, OK From my understanding, the panhandle is your best opportunity. Located just east of Hwy. Residents can obtain a three-day, $10 special use land access permit if they want to do things other than hunt and fish. Three Rivers, another public area that I hunt, also has some very-difficult places to reach. He is a tremendous trophy, especially since I took him the first time I hunted that particular WMA. Hulah WMA is often overlooked as hunters focus on leasing private land in Osage county. #1 bowjunky39 FNG Joined Nov 25, 2018 Messages 34 Looking for information on hunting western Oklahoma WMA's. I have scouted Sandy Sanders for two days and did not see a lot of sign and not see a deer. When the crappie are biting, fry them up for a fresh and flavorful taco night. After Ive done my aerial reconnaissance, I go to the spots I plan to hunt before the season and scout. Primitive camping is available at designated areas along most access roads on the area. We should also briefly mention bag limits. Nonresidents have the right to hunt antelope, bear, deer, and elk, but they must purchase a nonresident license in order to do so. The guide provides information on hunter education, license requirements, and exemptions. Aug 16, 2021 #2 L LostArra WKR Joined May 9, 2013 Has anybody on here ever hunted mule deer in western Oklahoma? A deer with an antlerless muzzle may not be harvested during a firearm season, and a deer with an antler can not be harvested in antlerless zones. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. If there is one thing we can say about deerhunting season in Oklahoma, it's that they keep their seasons and license systems very straightforward and simple. Oklahomas first zone-free antlerless deer hunt in more than 30 years will take place this weekend. 83 (southeast of the town of Turpin), Beaver River WMA is a mixture of upland, flood plain and river bottom. He combines his experience with, When I got the buck up on the bank, I inspected him more closely. The one I chose was some 200 miles from where my October hunt had unfolded. Turkey cannot be harvested within 100 yards of any bait. Although big deer can be found anywhere, one of the better P&Y buck areas is along the Kansas border. The bad news is, finding a place to hunt a trophy whitetail can be a real challenge. So, as sweat beads trickled down my back and forehead, I monitored the wide-open food plot in front of me, hoping one of the surrounding draws would manufacture a mature buck. Vehicle access is minimal to limit impact on wildlife and improve hunting. Go to the most-difficult places to reach on any public land you hunt. You can also check out some of the Department Lakes managed by the ODWC. Ft. Supply WMA and Cooper WMA are just 8 miles from Woodward and surprisingly dont receive a lot of attention from bowhunters. Anyone who has lived in Oklahoma for at least six months and is a resident for at least five years may purchase a five-year combination hunting/fishing license. Take a Doe! If I take a deer, I hike back to get my cart and use it to haul out the deer and my equipment. Note: See the "Public Hunting Lands Special Area Regulations" section of the Oklahoma Hunting Guide for more information. You can also hunt in the Osage Wildlife Management Area on public land. Many other hunters will hunt field edges, especially those planted in soybeans. In second place is firearm hunting, which kills over 50,000 deer per year. There are 50 acres of wildlife habitat plots that are maintained annually. There's so many reasons to thank the dads in your life, so here's a few suggestions on gifts that'll make them feel appreciated. Certain ODWC lands require a 3-Day/Annual Wildlife Conservation Passport. According to QDMAs 2020 Annual Report, 66 percent of bucks harvested in Oklahoma in 2017 and 2018 were 3 1/2 years old or older. Hunting Gifts for Dad Hunter Safety System Mossy Oak Pro Harness $169.99 Keep Dad safe in the woods this fall with. The North American Whitetail team is going back to the beginning to revisit a few of our very first whitetail hunts. Hunting through the assistance of a professional guide can earn you a trophy buck. Trolling is a great way to cover a lot of water throughout the day. We visit with biologists near Oklahoma Mesonet stations receiving the lowest and highest rainfall amounts in 2022 to learn how the Wildlife Department meets its habitat management goals and adapts to wildly different conditions. If all else fails and you can't find an area of public land you like, you might have to "pay to play," so to speak. Hunting in Oklahoma is a great way to experience the states natural beauty and wildlife. A trophy-class whitetail buck is an ideal target for everyone to hunt at White Horse Creek Guided Hunts. What it means is that big deer can be shot anywhere. The lodge is a full-service operation, offering both preserve (high fence) and native (free range) whitetail hunts. The east has produced monsters like Micalah Millard's 179 7/8-inch McIntosh County buck. | It is critical to maintain this distance between yourself and potential witnesses in order to remain safe while hunting. Once you have that, you can purchase a deer archery, deer muzzleloader or deer gun tags for $280. Gordon Whittington is hunting Eastern Wyoming with his crossbow where he encounters a fast moving situation. This area is surrounded by marsh lands and large cliffs with no road access, even on the back side of the region. Oklahomas most productive counties are typically found in the states midsection and are classified according to their trophy production. The rut generally peaks in Oklahoma sometime in mid-November. Most hunters arent willing to walk an hour or two before they start hunting, because they fear success. Three Rivers WMA is a wildlife management area near Broken Bow with over a quarter-million acres of potential archery range. If you're hunting in the early season, remember to get your deer on ice, cut up or to a processor as quickly as you can to avoid spoilage. The author did his research and hunted a WMA to bag a long-tined tallgrass trophy. In my day pack, Ill have protein bars, light snacks, several bottles of water, fruit and a knife. McGee Creek Reservoir is surrounded by dense forests, so there are nearly 9,000 acres of hunting land. These areas are typically less crowded than general hunting areas, so its a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They offer a variety of services, from guiding hunts to providing lodging and transportation. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. It's approximately 9,500 acres of public hunting opportunity for deer hunters. April is prime time to catch not only big fish, but lots of big fish. The WMA lies on the north side of the Cimarron River between the towns of Cleo Springs and Waynoka. It is one of Oklahoma's most popular public hunting areas. The primary objective on all lands owned or managed by the Department is the sound management and use of fish and wildlife resources resident thereon. Editors Note: Mark Davis of Sperry, Oklahoma, a fire fighter for the Oklahoma City fire department, has been a member of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff for 7 years. That can make for some warm archeryhunting, so make sure your broadheads are sharp and functional. Deer archery is the same as statewide season on a number of Wildlife Management Areas. Turkey harvesting opportunities for children participating in the youth deer hunting season are available. Whether you're after whitetail deer or muleys with archery gear or a rifle, we're here to help. Located in a fairly hilly part of Oklahoma, this WMA sits atop richer soil than Pushmataha, yet still offers enough steep terrain to give bucks plenty of places to hide from hunters. Every county in the United States is home to some form of white-tail deer, which are estimated to number approximately 325,000. A pretty good handful of James Collins deer have ended up in the Cy Curtis book, too., Kaw Wildlife Management Area Archery season is the only one where you can harvest more than one antlered deer. . With the right flies, leaders, and tools, like the Toro Revolution Electric Backpack Leaf Blower, you can ensure a successful fishing trip and a well-maintained lawn. Muzzleloaders must be .40 caliber or larger for a rifle or pistol and 20-gauge or larger for a muzzleloading shotgun. The area is a series of tracts of various sizes located along the Deep Fork of the Canadian River. A WMA of approximately 566 acres is located in Cherokee County, about 5 miles east of Tahlequah, and is located on Highway 10. In October, the Morrison teen and Oklahoma State University student went viral when he shot a nearly 8-inch buck on family land in Pawnee County. The area is ideal for hunters, as it . Planning deer hunting trip to the Sooner State this fall? Im often asked what the real secret is to taking deer on public lands. Despite the heat, my guide assured me that itd be a great evening. With so many public areas sharing borders, it is like a public land supergroup. They worry, If I take a big buck an hour or two hours walk from my vehicle, Ill never be able to get him out. The other reason is fear of getting lost and not being able to find their way out of the woods after dark. This hunting property covers a total of 6,440 acres and is located in Atoka County, Oklahoma. Jeremy Moore talks with Randy Birdsong about what is needed to get involved in the trapping world. Modern accommodations are available in Tahlequah and Muskogee. Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters. Tournament bass fishing from a kayak is much different than chunkin and windin from a 5,000 pound sparkly-hulled bass boat powered by a 200 HP outboard. 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Big pine forests intermixed with oaks in varied terrain ranging from gentle to rugged provide ample places for big bucks to hide and mature. By the time you reach the Panhandle, you're in classic "high plains" habitat. There is no shortage of Oklahoma outfitters scattered across the state that will guide you and give you access to great private land, complete with food plots, for a fee of course. Bow hunting is not permitted on city property, according to the TULSA District Hunting Information. This WMA is located in south-central Atoka County and covers 4,000 acres. What should a suitable shrub thicket look like for quail and how many should be there? The majority of the 250,000-acre Three Rivers WMA covers the northwest portion of McCurtain County, north of Highway 3/7 and west of Highway 259. Sandy Sanders WMA in southwest Oklahoma is quiet, rugged, and remote. If you want to hunt an impressive white-tail deer, you must visit Oklahoma. The period of residency for a lifetime, senior, or 5-year license is six months or more. We visit with biologists near Oklahoma Mesonet stations receiving the lowest and highest rainfall amounts in 2022 to learn how the Wildlife Department meets its habitat management goals and adapts to wildly different conditions. Hunting, fishing, and other activities can all be done on this land. Osages total of 5,118 deer easily outdistanced second place Pittsburg Countys total of 3,765. If youre a treestand hunter, most of the scouting is already donejust find some trees in the wide-open habitat and park your backside there daily. But in order for it to work for you, you first need to know how to use it. The ODWC manages and operates numerous areas across the state for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation purposes. Anyone over the age of 65 is not required to purchase an Oklahoma waterfowl license. The Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area iscontained in the Black Kettle National Grassland. 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