All states have a distinct character to them, even if Hunting opportunities are often more or less similar. Being a southern state, Oklahoma enjoys a varied climate with equally varied ecosystems and fauna. Diversity is always a welcome sight when it comes to hunting, especially when it is paired with abundance. Oklahoma might not be the biggest state, but it definitely doesn’t lack hunting opportunities. Willing to learn more about Oklahoma hunting seasons for 2024? Then this guide is just what you need. All information is taken from the official Oklahoma Wildlife Department website.
Table of Contents
Deer Hunting in Oklahoma
Deer is often a hunter’s first choice and the reasons for this are pretty understandable. This is one of few game species that can be hunted wherever in the country you go. Some states, however, offer more plentiful opportunities to bring a trophy buck home. Oklahoma is such a state. The bag limits won’t leave anyone disappointed, at least if one has traveled across a few other states to be able to compare.
Deer Season Dates & Bag Limits
Deer Season | Season Dates | Bag Limit |
Deer Archery | October 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025 | 6 deer, no more than 2 antlered* |
Youth Deer Gun | October 18-20, 2024 | 2 deer, no more than 1 antlered* |
Deer Muzzleloader | October 26 – November 3, 2024 | 4 deer, no more than 1 antlered* |
Deer Gun | October 26 – November 3, 2024 | 4 deer, no more than 1 antlered* |
Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun | December 18 – December 31, 2024 | 2 antlerless deer. |
*Antlered Deer possess at least three inches of antler length above the natural hairline. Keep that in mind while deciding which one to take.
Deer Hunting Licenses
Youth Resident | Resident Youth Deer License |
Resident | Resident Hunting License Resident Deer License |
Nonresident Youth and Adult | Nonresident Deer License or Resident Lifetime Hunting or Combination License |
Deer Hunting Hours
30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset.
Prepare for Deer Hunting
Oklahoma Deer Hunting Regulations
- All hunters using firearms must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads and above the waist. This is also required for archery hunters during any firearms season.
- The use of telemetric radio tracking devices is permitted, whereas thermal tracking devices are prohibited.
- Licenses not filled during their specified season cannot be used in other seasons, except for youth and archery licenses under certain conditions.
- Deer taken during the holiday antlerless deer gun season do not count toward the hunter’s combined season limit of six deer.
- Deer taken during Jan. 1-15, 2025, count toward the 2024 combined season limit.
Encouragement to Harvest Antlerless Deer
Oklahoma encourages hunters to actively participate in antlerless deer hunting, which has been on the decline for the last few years. The goal is to maintain a balanced buck-to-doe ratio, which is crucial for the health of the deer population and the overall quality of hunting experiences. For these purposes, bag limits have been expanded and open days for antlerless harvest have been introduced.
Selective Surveillance Area
In areas identified for selective surveillance (Cimarron, Texas, Woodward, Major and Woods Counties), hunters are required to process harvested animals onsite to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This measure helps in managing and controlling the impact of CWD within deer populations.
Carcass Transportation and Removal Rules
To prevent disease spread and protect public health, Oklahoma has strict rules regarding the transportation and disposal of big game animal carcasses:
- Prohibition on Dumping: Hunters must not dump carcasses near dwellings, water sources or roadways and should instead bury them appropriately to avoid attracting predators or spreading diseases.
- Import Restrictions: Importing cervid (deer family) carcasses or parts from outside Oklahoma is restricted, with exceptions for items like treated hides, antlers, and teeth, to prevent the introduction of diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
These rules apply to all big game species, including elk, antelopes and bears.
Deer Tagging & Checking
Upon harvesting a deer, hunters must immediately attach a field tag to the deer. This tag must include the hunter’s name, license number and date and time of harvest. Furthermore, all harvested animals must be checked within 24 hours through the online E-Check system or directly with an authorized Department employee.
Elk Hunting in Oklahoma
Elk often ranks high on hunters’ wishlists, but not all states allow for those wishes to come true. Unlike those states, Oklahoma encourages hunters to hunt elk. Naturally, the numbers aren’t quite as large as with some of the more popular game (read less endangered) species but are pretty rewarding nonetheless. That is, if you are fast enough to get your hands on one or two before the zone quota is fulfilled.
Season Dates & Bag Limits
Elk Season | Season Dates |
Elk Archery | October 1 – January 15, 2025 |
Youth Elk Gun | October 18 – 20, 2024 |
Elk Muzzleloader | October 26 – November 3, 2024 |
Elk Gun | November 23 – December 8, 2024 |
Holiday Antlerless Elk Gun | December 18 – 31, 2024 |
Combined Season Limit: Two elk, either sex, including elk taken during January 1-31, 2025, which count toward the 2024 combined season limit. Elk taken during controlled hunts do not count toward this limit.
Hunting Licenses
Resident | Resident Hunting License Resident Elk License (for each elk hunted) |
Nonresident Youth and Adult | Nonresident Elk License (for each elk hunted) or Resident Lifetime Hunting or Combination license. |
Hunters using an air-powered arrow rifle must purchase this one-time permit.
Elk Hunting Hours
30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset.
Prepare for Elk Hunting
Elk Hunting Regulations
- Hunter Orange Requirement: All hunters using firearms must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads and above the waist. This is also required for archery hunters during any firearms season.
- Zone Harvest Quota: Hunters must check the Wildlife Department’s website to ensure the quota has not been met for their zone before hunting.
Public Lands: Elk hunting is closed on Department-owned or managed lands, except for controlled elk hunt permittees.
Elk Open Zones
Zone Name | Location | Bag Limit | Zone Quota |
Panhandle Zone | All private lands in Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas counties | 2 elk*, one of which must be antlerless** | 60 elk |
Special Northwest Zone | All private lands in Woodward, Dewey, and Ellis counties, and a portion of Roger Mills County north of State Highways 33 and 47 to the north county line and west to the state border and east to the county line | 1 elk, regardless of sex | 8 elk |
Northwest Zone | All private lands north of Interstate 40 and west of Interstate 35, excluding the counties in the Panhandle Zone and counties or parts thereof in the Special Northwest Zone | 1 elk, regardless of sex | 8 elk |
Northeast Zone | All private lands north of Interstate 40 and east of Interstate 35 | 1 elk, regardless of sex | 20 elk |
Southeast Zone | All private lands south of Interstate 40 and east of Interstate 35 | 1 elk, regardless of sex | 5 elk |
Southwest Zone | All private lands south of Interstate 40 and west of Interstate 35, excluding the counties in the Special Southwest Zone | 1 elk, regardless of sex | 30 elk |
Special Elk Southwest Zone | All private lands in Caddo, Comanche, and Kiowa counties | 2 elk, regardless of sex, one of which must be antlerless | No quota |
Legal Bull – Any antlered bull elk. In the Special Southwest Zone, a legal bull must have at least five points on one side.
Antlerless Elk – Any elk without visible antlers, regardless of sex.
Elk Tagging & Checking
Upon harvesting an elk, hunters must immediately attach a field tag with their name, license number, and harvest date. This tag must include the hunter’s name, license number and date and time of harvest. Furthermore, all harvested animals must be checked within 24 hours through the online E-Check system or directly with an authorized Department employee.
Antelope Hunting in Oklahoma
Some may say antelopes are just fancy deer, and it’s easy to see where that comparison comes from. We wouldn’t call them that, because deer are pretty fancy in their own right. At the same time, antelope hunts definitely have a unique flair. Mostly because these animals are more picky when it comes to choosing habitats. And the more rare something is, the more rewarding getting it feels.
Season Dates & Bag Limits
Antelope Season | Season Dates |
Antelope Archery | October 1-14, 2024 |
Antelope Gun Seasons (Draw Only) | |
Either Sex (Landowner/Controlled Hunt Permits) | August 29 – September 1, 2024 |
Doe Only (Controlled Hunt Permit) | September 2-9, 2024 |
Doe Only (Landowner Permit) | November 25, 2024, to January 15, 2025 |
The combined season limit for antelope hunting, including both archery and gun seasons, is two antelopes, with no more than one being a buck. Antelope taken from January 1-15, 2024, are counted toward the 2023 season limit.
Legal Antelope Definition
A legal buck is defined as any antelope, regardless of sex, that has a black cheek patch.
Hunting Licenses
Residents | Hunting License/ Proof of Exemption Antelope License (for each antelope hunted)/ Proof of Exemption. |
Nonresidents | Nonresident Antelope License (for each antelope hunted) unless exempt/ holding a Resident Lifetime Hunting or Combination Hunting/Fishing License |
For hunts from January 1-15, all hunters must possess an antelope license for the current calendar year and a current hunting license or proof of exemption. Hunters using an air-powered arrow rifle must purchase a one-time Arrow Rifle Permit.
Antelope Hunting Hours
30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset.
Hunting Regulations
- Antelope hunting is permitted in Cimarron County and the portion of Texas County west of State Highway 136.
- All antelope hunters must carry written permission from the landowner or lessee while hunting. This excludes landowners, operators, and their immediate families.
- Antelope gun hunting is available only through the Department’s controlled hunts program or the Landowner Permit Drawing.
- All hunters using firearms must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads and above the waist. This is also required for archery hunters during any firearms season.
Antelope Tagging & Checking
Upon harvesting an antelope, hunters must immediately attach a field tag with their name, license number, and harvest date. This tag must include the hunter’s name, license number and date and time of harvest. Furthermore, all harvested animals must be checked within 24 hours through the online E-Check system or directly with an authorized Department employee. Antelopes must have evidence of sex (head) attached to the carcass until the antelope is checked in.
