The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) is offering special hunts for families on three of its Wildlife Management Areas this year. Applications are open until June 20 for hunts at Okmulgee, Arbuckle Springs and Cross Timbers Wildlife Management Areas.
The project—designed to provide more family hunting opportunities—was initiated originally in 2023 after a survey of female hunters identified the need. The application is free and an unusual opportunity to share the heritage with loved ones.
Deer taken during this special hunt do not count toward a hunter’s season’s bag limit. For purposes of the program, a family is defined as one to two adults 21 and older, plus one to three children aged 10 to 17. The hunts are held throughout November and December.
ODWC initiated this pilot project to assess the potential benefits of a family-focused controlled hunt. It was launched after a survey of female hunters highlighted the need for more family-centered hunting opportunities.
This hunt is not limited to women, although it is intended to better serve that constituency. ODWC will use this pilot study to assess if a family-focused controlled hunts support the agency's goal to recruit new female hunters and/or retain currently licensed female hunters. In Oklahoma, 38 percent of licensed female hunters don’t purchase a license the next year. The figure is higher than the national average.
Applications acceptance began June 3 and will be accepted until June 20. Visit GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com and select the 'Controlled Hunts' box and then sign in or create an account if you are a new user.
Each hunter has a bag limit of two deer, and only one of which may be antlered. If drawn, annual hunting license holders will be automatically charged for required licenses. These hunts are gun hunts only and are not guided hunts.
