Oklahoma Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 [Updated]

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Oklahoma’s hunting seasons are strictly controlled to assure that the state’s wildlife populations are maintained responsibly. We’ve written a straightforward guide to help you understand the laws, bag limits, and licensing and permit requirements whether you’re an experienced hunter or new to the sport.

Hunting opportunities in Oklahoma’s forests include a wide variety of animals, from large game like antelope and deer to small game and even bear. To make it simple for hunters to register their deer, elk, and turkey captures, the state has established an easy online check-in system. Hunting permits may be purchased via licensing representatives or the natural resources website by both citizens and non-residents. Hunting in Oklahoma promises to be a rewarding experience for everybody thanks to the state’s effective conservation policy.

Oklahoma Hunting Seasons
Oklahoma Hunting Seasons

Oklahoma Hunting Seasons

An outstanding hunting season may be in store for sportsmen of all skill levels in Oklahoma that year. The state’s varying landscapes make it home to a wide variety of wildlife, from big game like deer and elk to small game like turkey and quail.

Bobcat Season

Oklahoma Bobcat SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Bobcat1-Dec28-FebA Bag Limit of 20 per license.

Rabbit Season

Oklahoma Rabbit SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Rabbit1-Oct15-Mar(Cottontail 10, Swamp 3, and Jackrabbit 3.)

Antelope Seasons

Oklahoma Antelope SeasonHunting Start DateNote
Antelope (Gun)Aug 31, 2023 - Sep 3, 2023 Either Sex (Special drawing)
Antelope (Gun-Doe only)Sep 4, 2023 - Sep 13, 2023 Special drawing
Antelope (Archery)Oct 1, 2023 - Oct 14, 2023
Antelope (Landowne-Doe only) 2Nov 25, 2023 - Jan 15, 2024 Special drawing

ELK Hunting Seasons

Oklahoma Elk SeasonHunting Start DateNote
Elk (Southwest Archery-1)Oct. 7-11, 2023 and Dec. 2-6, 2023.Southwest Zone. By special permit only.
Elk (Archery)
Oct 1, 2023 - Jan 15, 2024
Elk (Southwest Gun-1)Oct. 5-8, 2023Southwest Zone. By special permit only.
Elk (Southwest Youth Gun)Oct. 13-15, 2023Southwest Zone. By special permit only
Elk (Youth Gun)

Oct 13, 2023 - Oct 15, 2023
Elk (Muzzleloading)
Oct 28, 2023 - Nov 5, 2023
Elk (Southwest Antlerless-1)Nov. 18 - Dec. 3, 2023Southwest Zone. By special permit only.
Elk (Gun)Nov 18, 2023 - Dec 3, 2023
Elk (Southwest Archery-2)Saturday, December 03, 2022Southwest Zone. By special permit only.
Elk (Southwest Gun-2)Dec. 7-10, 2023Southwest Zone. By special permit only.
Elk (Holiday Antlerless)
Dec 18, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023
Elk (Southwest Antlerless-2) Jan. 1-31, 2024Southwest Zone. By special permit only.

Oklahoma Deer Seasons

Oklahoma Deer SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Deer (Archery)1-Oct15-Jan
Deer (Youth Gun)20-Oct22-Oct
Deer (Muzzleloader)28-Oct5-Nov
Deer (Gun)18-Nov3-Dec
Deer (Holiday Antlerless)18-Dec31-Dec

Note: For a comprehensive deer season guide, you may read Oklahoma Deer Season Update

Bear Season

Oklahoma Bear SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Bear (Archery)1-Oct15-Oct
Bear (Muzzleloading)28-Oct5-Nov

Coyote Season

Oklahoma Coyote SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Coyote1-Jan31-DecThere is no limit.and no closed season.

Fox Season

Oklahoma Fox SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Fox(Gray and Red)1-Dec29-Feb

Hogs Season

Oklahoma Hogs SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Feral Hogs1-Jan31-DecPrivate lands do not have a closed season. Any normal hunting season is available for hunting on public lands.

Dove Season

Oklahoma Dove SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Dove (Early)1-Sep31-OctA Bag limit of 15 per day.
Dove (Late)1-Dec29-DecA Bag limit of 15 per day.

Duck Season

Oklahoma Duck SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Duck (September Teal)10-Sep25-SepSee regulations for more details.
Duck (Youth Waterfowl-1)1-Oct1-OctApplicants must be 12 to 15 years of age. Panhandle counties.
Duck (Panhandle Counties)8-Oct4-JanSee regulations for more details.
Duck (Youth Waterfowl-2)5-Nov5-NovApplicants must be 12 to 15 years of age. Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Duck (Zone 1 and 2 -Early)12-Nov27-NovSee regulations for more details.
Duck (Zone 1 and 2-Late)3-Dec29-JanSee regulations for more details.
Duck (Youth Waterfowl-3)4-Feb4-FebApplicants must be 12 to 15 years of age. Panhandle counties, Zone 1 and Zone 2.

Goose Season

Oklahoma Goose SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Goose (Canada Goose-Resident only)10-Sep19-SepA Bag limit of 8 per day.
Goose (White-fronted Geese)5-Nov27-NovA Bag limit of 2 per day.
Goose (Light Geese)5-Nov27-NovA Bag limit of 50 per day.
Goose (Dark Geese)5-Nov27-NovA Bag limit of 8 per day.
Goose (Light Geese-Late)3-Dec12-FebA Bag limit of 50 per day.
Goose (Dark Geese-Late)3-Dec12-FebA Bag limit of 8 per day.
Goose (White-fronted Geese-Late)3-Dec5-FebA Bag limit of 2 per day.
Goose (Conservation Order Light Goose)13-Feb30-MarThere is no A Bag limit

Pheasant Season

Oklahoma Pheasant SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Pheasant1-Dec31-JanA Bag limit of 2 per day.

Quail Season

Oklahoma Quail SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Quail (Bobwhite & Scaled)11-Nov15-FebA Bag limit of 10 per day.

Sandhill Crane Season

Oklahoma Sandhill Crane SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Sandhill Crane22-Oct22-JanWest of I-35 only. A Bag limit of 3 per day.

Turkey Seasons

Oklahoma Turkey SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Turkey (Fall Archery)1-Oct15-Jan
Turkey (Fall Gun)28-Oct17-Nov
Turkey (Youth Spring)13-Apr14-Apr1 Tom Turkey, statewide.
Turkey (Spring)16-Apr16-May1 Tom Turkey, statewide.

Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Oklahoma Migratory Game Bird Season Dates & LimitsHunting Start DateHunting End DateBag Limit
Dove (Mourning, White-Winged & Eurasian Collared)1-Sep31-Oct15
Dove (Mourning, White-Winged & Eurasian Collared)1-Dec29-Dec15
Crow10-Oct16-NovN/A
Crow9-Dec4-MarN/A
Woodcock30-Oct13-Dec3
Rail (Sora & Virginia)1-Sep9-Nov25
Wilson’s (Common) Snipe1-Oct15-Jan8
Gallinule (Purple Gallinule & Common Gallinule)1-Sep9-Nov15

Waterfowl Seasons

Oklahoma Waterfowl SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
September Teal10-Sep25-Sep
Special Resident Canada Goose10-Sep19-Sep
(Waterfowl Youth, Vet and Military -Panhandle)1-Oct1-Oct
4-Feb4-Feb
Waterfowl Youth, Vet and Military - Zones 1 & 2)5-Nov5-Nov
4-Feb4-Feb
(Waterfowl-Zones 1 & 2)12-Nov27-Nov
3-Dec29-Jan
(Waterfowl -Panhandle)8-Oct4-Jan
White-Fronted Geese5-Nov27-Nov
3-Dec5-Feb
Sandhill Cranes22-Oct22-Jan
Dark Geese5-Nov27-Nov
3-Dec12-Feb
Light Geese5-Nov27-Nov
3-Dec12-Feb
(Conservation Order Light Goose Season -COLGS)13-Feb30-Mar

Small Game Birds & Furbearer Season.

Small Game Birds & Furbearer SeasonHunting Dates
SquirrelMay 15, 2023 - Feb 28, 2024
RabbitOct 1, 2023 - Mar 15, 2024
QuailNov 11, 2023 - Feb 15, 2024
PheasantDec 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024
BobcatDec 1, 2023 - Feb 28
BadgerDec 1, 2023 - Feb 28
Gray FoxDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
Red FoxDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
MinkDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
MuskratDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
OpossumDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
River Otter & WeaselDec 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024

Note:

  • For Dove, Eurasian collared doves: There is no bag limit provided that the head or one fully feathered wing remains naturally attached to the carcass of all such birds while being transported to their final destination.
  • For Crow: Federally approved nontoxic shot must be used when taking crows under depredation order. See 50 CFR, Part 21.43 for complete copy of the Depredation Order.
  • For all species, hunting is allowed in statewide areas.

Hunting Regulations

  • It is illegal to hunt any animal or bird using computer software or services that enable remote control of a rifle or weapon.
  • Outside of hunting season, dogs may be used for training or recreation, but they cannot hunt bear, deer, elk, antelope, or turkey.
  • Pheasant, turkey, bear, deer, elk, antelope, and other game must be consumed in the hunter’s residence or another permitted area.
  • Harvests of deer, elk, antelope, bear, and turkey must be reported to the Department within 24 hours after the hunter’s departure from the hunting region, and the animal must have a carcass tag or an online confirmation number until processed or stored.
  • Spotlights and headlights cannot be used to hunt or capture animals, with the exception of fish and frogs. A hunter with a fur license and a.22 rimfire rifle or handgun may hunt furbearers with hounds during the lawful open season. Landowners and agricultural lessees with agricultural exemption licenses may prevent nuisance coyotes and feral pigs at night by using headlights or other light enhancement equipment.
  • Landowners or agricultural lessees with a valid agricultural exemption permit may take legal action at any time of day or night to safeguard agricultural products, animals, or commodities from nuisance coyotes or feral pigs. Convictions for hunting within the last three years exclude midnight coyote or wild pig management.
  • It is illegal to hunt or disturb animals from a public highway using artificial light, thermal imaging, or night vision.
  • Unless specifically exempted, hunters using shotguns with rifled slugs or any rifle or pistol bigger than a.22 caliber long rifle during big game seasons must get a license for the species being hunted.
  • Motorized vehicle hunting is prohibited unless you have a non-ambulatory or motor vehicle permit. With the consent of the landowner, motorized vehicles may trail hunting dogs on public highways and rivers.
  • Hunting on “no trespassing,” inhabited, agricultural, ranching, or forestry land need permission from the landowner.
  • Anyone may carry a weapon on state-owned or -operated property for any legal cause, including hunting, fishing, scouting, and tracking, unless prohibited by municipal, county, or state legislation. Federal land may be subject to stricter regulations.
  • A written statement detailing the taker’s name, address, customer ID number, date taken, and quantity and types of wildlife taken must accompany every game bird, animal, or other wildlife taken by another person.
  • Every migrating bird, endangered, and threatened species is protected by federal and state legislation. Animals, birds, fish, insects, and plants in Oklahoma are endangered or threatened.
  • It is unlawful to sell or trade protected fish or animals, including bird nests and eggs.
  • Firearms are not permitted to be discharged on public roads, highways, or railroad rights-of-way.
  • Only ducks and cranes are permitted to use shotguns loaded with pellets bigger than #4 buckshot.
  • Suppressors (mufflers): On both private and public territory, hunters may use suppressors to hunt game and nongame birds.
  • Hunting, pursuing, capturing, shooting, injuring, or attempting to kill any antelope, moose, whitetail or mule deer, bear, elk, mountain lion, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, wild turkey, or any subspecies thereof, using any trap, net, snare, cage, pitfall, baited hook, or similar device, drug, poison, narcotic, explosive, or similar substance, swivel, or pun
  • Loaded firearms are not permitted to be carried in motor vehicles. Crossbows and bows. Driving with a bow drawn is dangerous. The powder charge and bullet may be transported with the muzzleloader uncapped or the battery unplugged. A cocked or unassembled crossbow cannot be transported in a motor vehicle.
  • It is prohibited to hunt or trap wild animals using natural or man-made fire or smoke.
  • It is forbidden to dispose of the corpse after removing the skull, claws, fangs, skin, antlers, horns, or other elements of a protected species. It is also prohibited to kill a protected species and then leave the body. Any deceased animal must be buried properly to avoid erosion or overflow, and it cannot be dumped in a well, spring, pond, or stream, or left within 1/4 mile of any inhabited residence or public road. Illegally disposing of animals raises fines and penalties.

Oklahoma Hunting Licenses

A hunting license is often necessary to hunt specific animal species lawfully. To satisfy this need, the state provides a range of hunting license alternatives, including resident and nonresident options as well as yearly, 5-day, and lifetime permits. In addition, specialized permits are offered for certain species, including deer, elk, and turkey. Make sure to educate yourself with the licensing requirements for the species you want to hunt before setting out on a hunting expedition and get the necessary license.

Resident Hunting License Price

Type of License (Resident)Valid ForPriceNote
Resident Annual Hunting1 Year$32 N/A
Resident Combination Hunting/Fishing1 Year$53 N/A
Resident Youth Hunting1 Year$7 16-17 yrs
Resident Youth Combination Hunting/Fishing1 Year$19 16-17
Resident Disability HuntingThese licenses have a five (5) year expiration from the date of purchase.$10 See Special Licenses & Permits for details: https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/special-licenses-permits
Resident Deer Archery1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Deer Muzzleloader (antlered)1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Deer Muzzleloader (antlerless)1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Deer Gun (antlered)1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Deer Gun (antlerless)1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun1 Year$20 N/A
Resident Youth Deer Archery1 Year$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Youth Muzzleloader (antlered)$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Youth Muzzleloader (antlerless)$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Youth Deer Gun (antlered)$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Youth Deer Gun (antlerless)$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Youth Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun$10 Under 18 yrs
Resident Elk$51 N/A
Resident Antelope$51 N/A
Resident Bear$101 There are time limits on purchasing bear permits. Please go to Bear Hunting Seasons for more details: https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/bear-hunting-seasons
Turkey (spring or fall)$10 N/A
Fur License (Bobcat - Raccoon - River Otter - Gray/Red Fox)$10 N/A
Resident TrappingExpires annually Feb. 28$10 N/A
Oklahoma Waterfowl (waterfowl stamp)These licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$10 N/A
Federal Duck StampThese licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$25 $2 mailing fee
Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP Permit)These licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$3
Federal Sandhill Crane PermitThese licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$3 Free online
Resident 5-Year HuntingThese licenses have a five (5) year expiration from the date of purchase.$88 N/A
Resident 5-Year Combination Hunting/FishingThese licenses have a five (5) year expiration from the date of purchase.$148 N/A
Lifetime Hunting$625 N/A
Lifetime Combination Hunting/Fishing$775 N/A
Lifetime Senior Citizen HuntingThose who are 65 or older, or who will become 65 sometime this year, are eligible to buy.$15 N/A
Lifetime Senior Citizen Combination Hunting/FishingThose who are 65 or older, or who will become 65 sometime this year, are eligible to buy.$25 N/A
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting/Fishing (under 60 percent disability)Lifetime$200 N/A
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting/Fishing (60 percent or more disability)Lifetime$25 N/A
Annual Wildlife Conservation PassportAnnual$26 Permit does not provide hunting or fishing privileges
3-Day Wildlife Conservation Passport3-Day$15 Permit does not provide hunting or fishing privileges
Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek WMA & Three Rivers WMA)N/A$40 N/A
3-Day Resident Special Use Land Access Permit3-Day$10 For nonhunting/nonfishing users at Honobia & Three Rivers WMA
5-Day Rattlesnake Permit5-Day$5 See Special Licenses & Permits for details
Arrow Rifle PermitN/A$20 See Big Game Regulations for details

Nonresident Hunting License Price

Type of License (Nonresident)Valid ForCostNote
Nonresident Annual Huntingnot valid for antelope, bear, deer or elk$176
Nonresident 5-Day Huntingnot valid for antelope, bear, deer, elk, turkey or quail$75
Nonresident Deer Archeryvalid from Oct. 1 - Jan. 15$300
Nonresident Deer Muzzleloader$300
Nonresident Deer Gunvalid for Deer Gun and Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun seasons$300
Nonresident Youth Deer Archery Either Sexvalid from Oct. 1 - Jan. 15$100
Nonresident Youth Deer Archery Antlerlessvalid from Oct. 1 - Jan. 15$31
Nonresident Youth Deer Muzzleloader Either Sex$100
Nonresident Youth Deer Muzzleloader Antlerless$31
Nonresident Youth Deer Gun Either Sex$100
Nonresident Youth Deer Gun Antlerless$31
Nonresident Elk$306
Nonresident Antelope$306
Nonresident Bear$506 There are time limits on purchasing bear permits. Please go to Bear Hunting Seasons for more details: https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/bear-hunting-seasons
Turkey (spring or fall)$10
Fur License (Bobcat - Raccoon - River Otter - Gray/Red Fox)$51
Trappingexpires annually Feb. 28$345 available only through ODWC headquarters
Oklahoma Waterfowl (waterfowl stamp)These licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$10
Federal Duck StampThese licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$25 includes $2 mailing fee
Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP Permit)These licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$3 Free online
Federal Sandhill Crane PermitThese licenses and permits have a one-year validity period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.$3 Free online
Land Access PermitHonobia Creek WMA & Three Rivers WMA$85
Annual Wildlife Conservation Passport$26 permit does not provide hunting or fishing privileges
3-Day Wildlife Conservation Passport$15 permit does not provide hunting or fishing privileges
5-Day Rattlesnake Permit$5 see Reptile & Amphibian Regulations for details

Note: “With a $3 handling charge, all hunting and fishing licenses may now be simply acquired online. Please take notice that from November 1, 2022, fiscal year licenses won’t be offered, and all annual licenses will have a 365-day expiration date. As of November 1, 2022, the prices stated below have been adjusted. For the most up-to-date price details if you want to acquire a license prior to this time, please visit the Go Outdoors Oklahoma app or website www.gooutdoorsoklahoma.com.”

FAQ’s on Oklahoma Hunting Seasons

Can you go hunting in Oklahoma off-season on your property?

The majority of the land in Oklahoma is owned privately. On their private property, hunters can often take game animals at will. They can also ask a landowner for permission to hunt on private property.

Can I go hunting in Oklahoma without a license on my property?

The hunting license is not required for resident landowners or tenants who hunt exclusively on their own or their agriculturally leased property (excluding hunting leases).

Can it be possible to recover a deer on someone else's land in Oklahoma?

You are required by law to make an effort to rescue an injured deer that wanders into someone else’s property. The landowner does not need to permit you to do this. However, when attempting to rescue the deer, you are not permitted to bring weapons into the land.

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