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The Guide to the Oklahoma Hunting Seasons 2025

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From antelope to bear, deer, elk, turkey, and smaller game like ducks, geese, and quail, hunting in Oklahoma offers something for every hunter to tag out. There’s also plenty of public hunting land to help make it one of the top destinations for hunting in the southern plains part of the U.S.

If you’re ready to grab your gear and hunt near your home in Oklahoma or travel to the state for an antelope hunting adventure, make sure you have the information you need on open season dates, hunting licenses, and bag limits. 

The good news is that we’ve compiled information about the Oklahoma hunting seasons for 2024 in this guide! Plus, with the HuntWise app, you can find and mark the best spots to hunt throughout the state. So, keep reading for the HuntWise guide to hunting in Oklahoma.  

Updated February 26, 2025

A map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma, represents Oklahoma hunting seasons.

Why Do Hunters Hunt in Oklahoma?

You may not realize how beautiful Oklahoma is unless you’ve been there before or live in the state. Hunting grounds are some of the prettiest locations in the state, so your hunting experience is not only fun (and eventually delicious, after your harvest) but also an eye-pleasing adventure surrounded by Oklahoma’s beauty. 

As we mentioned, it’s also one of the best centrally-located spots in the U.S. to hunt large and small game. 

Where Should I Hunt?

Oklahoma has plenty of private and public land for hunting. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) manages public areas, which include WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas). 

Within these areas, you’ll find forested areas contrasted by dry plains. Depending on what species you hunt, you’ll also work your way through small mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, prairies, and mesas. 

As you plan your hunt, HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas. So, when it’s time for deer, antelope, or turkey season, you already know where to go for a successful day in the field. 

 

Close-up of a white-tail buck next to a tree, Oklahoma deer season 2025 concept.

When Can I Hunt?

Hunting season dates are fairly simple to follow compared to hunting in some other states. Still, it is crucial to pay close attention to the open season dates for the species you plan to hunt and follow them based on how you hunt (bow, gun, or muzzleloader) and Oklahoma’s hunting regulations. 

Here’s an overview of Oklahoma's hunting season dates! Note that we've made updates for 2025 and will continue updating future seasons as the information becomes available.

 

Oklahoma Dear Season 2025

In addition to the general dates noted below, Oklahoma offers hunting in Antlerless Deer Zones with specific open dates. 

  • Archery: October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  • Youth Gun: October 17 – 19, 2025
  • Muzzleloader: October 25 – November 2, 2025
  • Gun: November 22 – December 7, 2025
  • Holiday Antlerless Gun: December 18 – 31, 2025

 

Turkey

  • Spring Season:
    • Youth Hunt: April 12 – 13, 2025
    • General: April 16 – May 16, 2025
  • Fall Season:
    • Archery: October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
    • Gun: November 1 – 21, 2025
       

Elk

Elk hunting dates coincide with Deer hunting dates this year. 

  • Archery: October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  • Youth Gun: October 17 – 19, 2025
  • Muzzleloader: October 25 – November 3, 2025
  • Gun: November 22 – December 7, 2025
  • Holiday Antlerless Gun: December 18 – 31, 2025

Bear

  • Archery: October 1 – 20
  • Muzzleloader: October 26 – November 3

Antelope

  • Gun (Either sex, Draw Only, Landowner/Controlled Hunt Permits): September 4 – 7, 2025
  • Gun (Doe only, Draw only, Controlled Hunt Permit Only): September 8 – 17, 2025
  • Archery: October 1 – 14, 2025
  • Gun (Doe only, Draw only, Landowner Permit Only): November 29, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Waterfowl

  • September Teal: September 7 – 22 
  • Special Resident Canada Goose: September 7 – 16 
  • Waterfowl Zones 1 & 2: November 9 – 24 and November 30 – January 26, 2025 
  • Waterfowl Zones (Panhandle): October 5 – January 1, 2025 
  • White-Fronted Geese: November 2 – 24 and November 30 – February 2, 2025 
  • Sandhill Cranes: October 19 – January 19, 2025 
  • Dark Geese: November 2 – 24 and November 30 – February 9, 2025 
  • Light Geese: November 2 – 24 and November 30 – February 9, 2025 
  • Conservation Order Light Goose Season: February 13 – March 30, 2025

Youth, Vet, Military:

  • Panhandle: September 28 and February 1, 2025
  • Zones 1 & 2: November 2 and February 1, 2025 

Migratory Game Birds

  • Dove: September 1 – October 31, 2025 and December 1 – 29, 2025 
  • Crow: October 10 – November 16, 2025 and December 9 – March 4, 2026
  • Woodcock: October 26 – December 9 
  • Rail: September 1 – November 9 
  • Snipe: September 28 – January 12, 2025 
  • Gallinule: September 1 – November 9

Small Game

  • Quail: November 8, 2025 – February 15, 2026 
  • Rabbit: October 1 – March 15, 2025 
  • Pheasant: December 1 – January 31, 2025 
  • Squirrel: May 15 – February 28, 2025

Hog

  • Private Land: Year-round
  • Public Land: During any legal hunting season on department-managed lands

Coyote

Year-round 

Bear

  • Archery: October 1 – 19, 2025
  • Muzzleloader: October 25 – November 2, 2025
 

 

For additional information about hunting seasons and regulations, visit the ODWC website. You can also check with eRegulations for Oklahoma hunting information.

 

Several wild hods grazing on dried brush, Oklahoma hunting seasons concept.

What Do I Need to Know About Oklahoma Hunting Regulations and Licenses?

Anyone who hunts in Oklahoma needs a hunting license. The license you need to hunt legally is based on resident vs. nonresident status, age, and the game you plan to hunt. 

You can also choose annual, five-year, lifetime, and combination fishing and hunting licenses. 

What Are the Bag Limits for the Oklahoma Hunting Seasons?

How many antelope, deer, or coyotes can you bring home this season? To comply with hunting regulations in Oklahoma, make sure you know the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt. 

 

Deer6, no more than 2 antleredRail25 per day (50 in possession after first day, 75 in possession after second day)
Elk2 either sex (combined season)Gallinule15 per day (30 in possession after first day, 45 in possession after second day)
Antelope2, no more than 1 buckWoodcock3 per day (6 in possession)
Bear1 either sex (combined season)Snipe8 per day (16 in possession first day, 24 in possession after second day)
Turkey1 tom (spring or fall)CrowNo limit
Quail10 per day (20 in possession)Ducks and Mergansers6 per day (2x daily in possession after first day, 3x daily in possession after the second day)
Pheasants2 cocks per day (4 in possession)Coots15 per day (2x daily in possession after first day, 3x daily in possession after the second day)
Dove15 per day (30 in possession)September Teal6 per day (12 in possession after first day, 18 in possession after second day)
Squirrel (Fox & Gray)25 per day (50 in possession after the first day)Canada Goose8 per day (16 in possession after first day, 24 in possession after second day)
Rabbit10 per day, 20 in possession (Cottontail)
3 per day, 6 in possession (Swamp and Jackrabbit)
White-Fronted Geese2 per day (3x daily in possession)
Sandhill Crane3 per day (3x daily in possession)Dark Geese8 per day (3x daily in possession)
CoyoteNo limitLight Geese50 per day (no possession limit)
  Conservation Order Light Gooseno limit

 

For additional information and details about bag limits for these and other species, visit the Oklahoma DWC website. 

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

To purchase a hunting license in Oklahoma, you must pass a hunter safety course. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you are age 30 or younger, you can apply for an apprentice-designated license before taking a hunter safety course. 

You’ll also need the right gear! Depending on what and where you hunt in the state, you’ll need to bring the right essentials, including clothing, optics, odor control, spotting scopes, binoculars, and more. 

As a HuntWise user, you can save hundreds on gear from our app partners. 

 

Close-up of a hand holding a phone while another hand points to HuntWise on screen, Oklahoma hunting seasons info concept.

Use HuntWise to Tag Out for the Oklahoma Hunting Seasons This Year

Ready to get out in the field? We hope the information in this guide helps you plan hunting dates to get out as often as you can this year. 

As you plan and gather your gear, make sure you’ve downloaded the HuntWise app. With this ultimate tool, you’ll have up-to-date information on hunting in Oklahoma, including state regulations and season and license information. 

You’ll also be able to plan your hunt more strategically to gain an advantage over other hunters this year and increase your chances of tagging out. With multiple map layers (including WMA Hunting Areas, WMA Food Plots, and Wetland Development Units for Oklahoma), you can thoroughly e-scout your hunt areas on a map before opening day. 

Download the app today and start your free trial! Enjoy free access to every feature for a week. You’ll be ready to hunt for opening day.

 

Content and season dates reviewed and updated February 26, 2025.

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