HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Oklahoma to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Oklahoma include:   

Resident Licenses

Resident licenses are available to anyone who has had an established residence in Oklahoma for 60 consecutive days or more. There are a variety of resident license types available including senior and 5-year licenses. The types of resident licenses available may vary depending on how long the hunter has been a resident of the state.

Non-resident Licenses

Non-resident license types are available to hunters who reside in another state, or those who have lived in Oklahoma for less than 60 consecutive days. There are a wide variety of non-resident license types available including deer licenses and youth licenses, in addition to licenses for elk, antelope, turkey and trapping.

Life-time and 5-Year License Types 

For avid hunters a lifetime license or 5-year license type may be ideal. Hunters must be residents of the state of Oklahoma to purchase these license types. Additionally, the residency period for these license types is slightly longer and is available only to residents who have lived within the state for 6 months or more.

GAME SPECIES

Oklahoma offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. The state’s geographical location – nestled between the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau results in varied landscapes, from expansive fields and plains to lush woodlands, and mountains. The resulting habitats are diverse and full of wildlife, including game species.    

Game species in Oklahoma are categorized as follows:

• Big game including deer, elk, bear, pronghorn antelope and turkey
• Small game including rabbit, squirrel, woodcock, and rails. 
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and dove.
• Furbearers including beaver, nutria, raccoon, skunk, bobcat, fox, and mink, among others.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species within Oklahoma make up a significant portion of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance, or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Oklahoma DWC Threatened and Endangered Species page.  

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State of Oklahoma, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in the rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Oklahoma include Asian Carp, emerald ash border, gypsy moth, wood wasp, and feral hog.

In order to protect Oklahoma’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Oklahoma visit https://www.okinvasives.org/

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Oklahoma is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times.

OKLAHOMA LAND ACCESS PROGRAM

The Oklahoma Land Access Program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The goal of the program is to provide more access to hunting lands within the state by providing financial incentives to private landowners who open their properties for public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities.  

For more information on how to participate in the program as a landowners, or to find land access program maps, visit the Oklahoma DWC Land Access Program page. 

PUBLIC LAND

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands to explore and enjoy in the state of Oklahoma. Many of these state-managed lands are open to hunting and contain a wide variety of habitats and game species. Public hunting lands are spaces that are designated for wildlife management and to ensure hunting and trapping opportunities within the state, including state forests, wildlife management areas (WMAs), and certain designated state parks. 

State-managed lands may have specific rules and regulations in place that must be followed by all land users. State lands may also be used for other recreational purposes including horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, and birdwatching among others.

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational users of state lands, visit the Oklahoma DCW website and view the most recent seasons regulations booklet.

Hunting in Oklahoma’s Wildlife Management Areas

There are more than 80 Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state of Oklahoma encompassing hundreds of thousands of acres of lands open for public hunting use. Wildlife Management Areas are dedicated lands that are managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for the purpose of conservation, land management, and habitat management. These spaces are also open for a variety of outdoor recreational activities including bird and wildlife watching, hiking and of course, hunting. 

WMA Regulations 

Specific regulations may apply to those using WMAs for recreational purposes, including: 

• Camping restrictions
• Baiting restrictions
• Controlled hunt restriction
• Prohibition of installing a permanent deer stand or structure
• Dog training regulations for the purpose of hunting
• Restrictions on the use of fireworks