As most know, Catfish are hard-fighting and delicious to eat. To the east is the Atoka Public Hunting (PHA) area bordered to the south by Stringtown WMA and McGee Creek WMA. Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. Game Warden (County): James Collins WMA covers 21,353 acres of northern Pittsburg and Latimer Counties in southeast Oklahoma. Osage County has the most all-time P&Y entries for the state, with Rogers and Creek counties not far behind. For the first three days, the weather was reasonable and anglers pursued everything from sight fishing to fry guarders to a shad spawn to topwater patterns. It has a lot of deer, but there is a good amount of hunting pressure to deal with. 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 3,869-acre Arbuckle Springs WMA is in the extreme northeast corner of Johnston County on the southern Pontotoc and western Coal county lines. Nonresidents are required to purchase a nonresident license for an antelope, bear, deer, or elk hunting license. I probably would have to spend $1,000 to $2,000 to lease a small piece of private land to hunt deer. Only public lands in Oklahoma are subject to archery. From the eastern boundary, a hunter would have to walk more than 15 miles to reach the western boundary. The Oklahoma deer hunting season typically runs from October to December. Since Id made contact, my hunt was over. Three Rivers WMA is a wildlife management area near Broken Bow with over a quarter-million acres of potential archery range. http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/deerharvesttotals.htm, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Osage county holds the record for the most bucks harvested during the archery season with 681 bucks during the 2019-20 season. From mountains to prairies, Oklahoma is a venerable ecological cornucopia with enormous biodiversity. A one-time Arrow Rifle Permit must be purchased by hunters using an air-powered arrow rifle. If youre looking for a large, contiguous tract, the nearby Packsaddle WMA in Ellis County encompasses 19,659 acres of rolling upland habitat consisting of buffalo grass, sagebrush, sand plum, shinnery oak and occasional mesquite. You must have a $3 federal sandhill crane permit in order to hunt for cranes. Located just four and one half miles east of Newkirk, Oklahoma, Kaw WMA is a mixture of upland and bottomland forest, tallgrass prairie, old fields, and cropland. Furthermore, the hunt is free of any restrictions on the number of antlerless deer that can be harvested. There is great deer hunting all over Oklahoma, but some of the best areas are in southeastern Oklahoma near the Arkansas border. 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. There are many different types of game to hunt in Oklahoma, including deer, elk, turkey, quail, and waterfowl. The rut generally peaks in Oklahoma sometime in mid-November. Increased opportunities to archery hunt on WMAs and liberal bag limits means there has never been a better year to archery hunt white-tailed deer in Oklahoma. Hulah WMA is often overlooked as hunters focus on leasing private land in Osage county. Quality bucks typically range from 125 to 170 inches. Location: southeast Oklahoma A guided hunt usually takes between three and five days to complete, and it comes with all-inclusive equipment. Sooner Booners: Trophy-Class Whitetail Hunting in Oklahoma For incredible habitat and awesome bucks, it's tough to beat hunting in the Sooner State. The WMA lies on the north side of the Cimarron River between the towns of Cleo Springs and Waynoka. Want some room to roam? Rolling red hills drop into creeks and river bottoms where clients hunt from ladder stands, pop-up ground blinds and box blinds. Its also worth noting that theres a good deal of public land in the Ouachita Mountain range. Out west, hunters on the Black Kettle WMA killed 441 deer last season, the second highest total for public land in the state. Modern accommodations are available in Tahlequah and Muskogee. Its 14,877 acres surround the majority of Canton Lake known for excellent walleye fishing. We have a lot of quail in NW Oklahoma, but theres also plenty of deer hunting. Located just east of Hwy. Suddenly, there he stood, quartering toward me at just 30 paces. The lodge is a full-service operation, offering both preserve (high fence) and native (free range) whitetail hunts. Vehicle access is minimal to limit impact on wildlife and improve hunting. It will still feel like 70F to 80F in Oklahoma in October. These areas offer a variety of terrain and plenty of deer to hunt. Gordon Whittington is hunting Eastern Wyoming with his crossbow where he encounters a fast moving situation. Waurika WMA offers bowhunters the chance to hunt without the noise and pressure from gun hunters. This hunting property covers a total of 6,440 acres and is located in Atoka County, Oklahoma. The Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area is a portion of the Black Kettle National Grassland. These operations are ready, willing and able to provide an unforgettable whitetail adventure. | Native forages include ragweed and sunflower; additionally, the state cultivates small food plots on these areas. That can make for some warm archeryhunting, so make sure your broadheads are sharp and functional. (Photo by Darron McDougal) December 07, 2021 By Darron McDougal With temperatures reaching 93 degrees, conditions inside the ground blind were sauna-like. The parks recreational opportunities and opportunities for enjoyment benefit both conservation and recreation. Yes, as you get into this largely treeless part of the state the wind typically starts to blow. In addition to the big game opportunities, you could also potentially combine your adventure with an antelope or fall turkey hunt for more value. He was the strangest-looking deer Id ever seen. Holiday antlerless deer gun hunters can harvest up to two more deer. (Bream, crappies and other pan-fish can be substituted in this delicious recipe). The top public hunting area was the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area with a total of 513. The equipment needed to catch catfish is inexpensive and everything you need for traditional pole fishing or any of the DIY methods listed below can be easily found at your local Walmart! Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch is a Whitetail Deer Hunting and Elk Hunting sanctuary in the Ozark Mountains of eastern Oklahoma. The Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including quail, deer, turkey, rabbits, doves, and many more. 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. Additionally below are some resources to find additional places to go outdoors. In Oklahoma, there are numerous public lands to be discovered, and visitors and residents alike benefit from them. WMA Legend. You must also have an annual hunting license at a cost of $25. 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. The National Forest Service and the Wildlife Management Areas are two other options. The area sees 40-plus inches of rainfall annually, rendering it far more fertile than the ecoregions found in the western part of the state. It may be pricey, but hiring a hunting guide could help put you on the buck of a lifetime. There are many great deer hunting outfitters in Oklahoma. Just east of the Panhandle is a large area that stretches more than 100 miles wide (east to west) and from the northcentral border with Kansas to the southwest border with Texas. Not that it's necessarily a negative swaying vegetation and wind noise can help hide an archer who's making his move on a buck but it's something to be aware of. Sandhills WMA consists of 5,212 acres in southeastern Woods County. This areas south counties, Hughes and Pittsburg, are also among the best in the state. Muskogee is a town in northeastern Oklahoma with a population of 72248 people and 72249 acres of land dedicated to hunting, fishing, and exotic wildlife. You won't be dealing with weather conditions that are too extreme for this whitetail hunt. Upland Update: Researchers Log Wild Turkey Nest Depredations in April, Selman Bat Watches on Hold for 2023 Season, Young Wildlife Rescues Not Recommended, Biologists Say, Upland Update: Research Teams Trap Over 40 Turkeys in March. ZIP: 74647. The author did his research and hunted a WMA to bag a long-tined tallgrass trophy. The county with the most deer checked in 2016-17, Osage, has been the states leader for four years in a row, with 4,327 deer checked. The Kansas border is one of the best places in the country to hunt for big deer, despite the fact that big deer can be found anywhere. The state is home to two different types of deer: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. There is 900 acres of open pasture and forest on the property. The Crosstimbers region cuts a narrow swath through the tallgrass prairie region up north, then widens out around Tulsa and runs south clear to the Red River on the Texas border. You want to have short recoveries when the temperatures are high to avoid meat spoilage. What it means is that big deer can be shot anywhere. Have a back-up plan if you're planning to hunt one of these areas from out of state. The 30,710-acre Black Kettle National Grasslands in Roger Mills County offers ample opportunities to stretch your legs and find your own slice of whitetail heaven. Needless to say, I was sick. Check out additional hunting opportunities through controlled hunts! Oklahoma is generally considered one of the top whitetail deer hunting states in the country. The Wagoner County Wildlife Management Area is located in northeastern Oklahoma, and it covers nearly 8,000 acres of land. Nonresidents under the age of fourteen are not required to purchase a hunting license, a hunting helmet, or a duck stamp. Hunting, fishing, trapping, running dogs for sport and associated activities. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. In Oklahoma, the vast majority of land is privately owned. The areas below are public lands open to deer gun season. This type of duck is an excellent hunting target for duck hunters, and the mallards are plentiful. If youre hunting in the early season, you should ice the deer, cut it up, and eat it right away. This means that you cannot use bait to attract deer, for example. Nonresidents must purchase an $85 access permit, which reciprocates for access to the nearby 91,721-acre Honobia Creek WMA, too. It generally only gets around 30 degrees at the coldest in the heart of winter from December through January, so super-heavy hunting clothing isn't really a necessity. It is time to finally see this legendary deer population that keeps hunters returning year after year. Ft. Supply WMA and Cooper WMA are just 8 miles from Woodward and surprisingly dont receive a lot of attention from bowhunters. 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. Stay awhile and set up camp in a designated . 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. Five years ago that number was almost three times higher at 516. In fact, Three Rivers WMA had the second-highest harvest totals for the 2019-20 deer gun season, and the highest deer harvest totals overall (archery, muzzleloader and gun). This WMA is vast, covering more than 16,000 acres in Osage County. In short, it's still a bit of a "sleeper," and those are becoming harder to find all the time. In the United States, the Southwest is the most popular region. For a state of only 70,000 square miles, Oklahoma has a tremendous amount and variety of public hunting land. Riparian areas along the creeks and drainages nurture stands of oak, a good starting point when patterning deer. 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. Game Warden (County): (580) 430-5158 (Woods) Area Acres. We'll go over purchasing your hunting licenses, good hunting areas and more. Beaver River WMA covers a sprawling 17,700 acres in western Beaver County. Public land has produced a tremendous number of deer for me over the years and some really-nice bucks. Hunts are often either guided or semi-guided, and run anywhere from $2,000-5,000. This deer represents the caliber of deer that certain parts of Oklahoma have. Less than 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City is Canton WMA. ), and other fruits and vegetables. April is prime time to catch not only big fish, but lots of big fish. 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. Riparian areas. This tract contains 72,249 acres, the majority of which is in hardwood swamp habitat, bayous, and cypress-tupelo swamps. Holiday antlerless deer gun hunters can harvest up to two more deer. To put an incredible end cap to a historic turkey season here at Mossy Oak, weve profiled the legendary Bill Zearing of Cody Calls. Give a Gift In fact, it's perhaps the biggest constant of all. A annadon is a deer with antler. Oklahomas diverse public hunting lands, which include a variety of game and hunting seasons, allow hunters of all skill levels to enjoy exciting hunting expeditions. Sandy Sanders WMA is a unique area consisting of rolling to rugged terrain extending north from the Elm Fork of the Red River. The zone-free antlerless deer hunt is for those who want to hunt deer without restrictions. As a result, you will be unable to hunt on smaller parcels of land, and you will need to travel further to find a suitable hunting property. Vastly different from the areas weve covered so far, expect heavily timbered habitat with oaks and hickory amidst rolling to rocky, steep terrain. In the 1970s and 80s, billfish stocks were in bad shape just about everywhere in the world. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. This area is surrounded by marsh lands and large cliffs with no road access, even on the back side of the region. This area is surrounded by marsh lands and large cliffs with no road access, even on the back side of the region. Our hunting is all done on free-range and fair chase. Upland Update: Researchers Log Wild Turkey Nest Depredations in April, Selman Bat Watches on Hold for 2023 Season, Young Wildlife Rescues Not Recommended, Biologists Say, Upland Update: Research Teams Trap Over 40 Turkeys in March. We should also briefly mention bag limits. Talihina Chamber of Commerce and Ouachita National Forest Interpretive Association 900 Second St, Suite 12, Dept 03, Covering 232,000 acres of remote and rugged forest land of the Ouachita mountain foothills, this will not be an easy hunt but it will be rewarding. By the time you reach the Panhandle, you're in classic "high plains" habitat. #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. The area is located south of Highway 31, about 20 miles northeast of McAlester and 8 miles west of Quinton. The state of Oklahoma provides hunters with a wide range of opportunities, from trophy bucks to plentiful fowl. Pond, stream, or lake habitats are ideal for duck hunting. (Photo by Darron McDougal), This article was featured in the November issue of Game & Fish Magazine (South edition). Maybe this year you'll be the next lucky hunter to down an Oklahoma monster! A spring turkey hunt in Minnesota with Thomas Allen and his brother-in-law Ben Molstre led to the tagging of this hefty gobbler. James Collins WMA has a reputation for producing trophy bucks, meaning it can get crowded. ZIP: 74561, Age, nutrition and genetics are the three things that drive antler growth, and deer at James Collins enjoy all three. With this years hunt, there will be no deer zone in Oklahoma for the first time in more than 30 years. Three days in, I arrowed my then-best whitetail, a 150-inch-plus beauty. Take some time to scout the area, and be ready to hunt the week prior to opening deer gun season. Just. Note that because it is a federally-owned area, you do have to apply for a draw to hunt there. Non-wildlife-related activities, when such activities do not conflict with the wildlife management objective (picnicking, hiking, backpacking, short-term camping, horseback riding). A WMA of approximately 566 acres is located in Cherokee County, about 5 miles east of Tahlequah, and is located on Highway 10. The area is located 26 miles northwest of Mangum and 26 miles southwest of Sayre. In my day pack, Ill have protein bars, light snacks, several bottles of water, fruit and a knife. Osage is one of the most popular counties to hunt in the state and it often leads the way in number of harvests. Deep Fork is southwest of where I live. Thomas Allen and longtime hunting friends Jeremy King and Derek Spitzer score gobblers in this classic roost hunting in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes.". 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