Hunting News

Muzzleloader deer, elk, bear seasons open Oct. 22

Muzzleloader deer, elk, bear seasons open Oct. 22

By Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

Opening day for muzzleloader or primitive firearms deer hunting season on Oct. 22 will be the first chance for adult deer hunters to take a firearm into the field.

It is also opening day for muzzleloader elk season on private lands in open zones only, and opening day for muzzleloader bear season in open areas only until 20-bear quota is met.

In 2015, about 81,000 hunters participated in Oklahoma's muzzleloader deer season and checked 13,998 deer harvested during the nine-day season.

Muzzleloader season for deer closes Oct. 30.

Muzzleloader season for elk remains open until Oct. 30 only in those elk hunting zones where the seasonal harvest quotas have not yet been reached. Elk hunters must go online to check the quota status of the zone they intend to hunt before they go afield at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Muzzleloader season for bear in Pushmataha, McCurtain, Latimer and Le Flore counties runs through Oct. 30, or until the 20-bear season quota is reached. Bear hunters must buy their license before the season starts, and must check the status of the bear harvest quota before going afield by calling (888) 901-3256.

Muzzleloader hunters must wear hunter orange garments covering the upper body and the head. Each muzzleloader hunter may harvest one antlered and two antlerless deer during the season, provided that one of the antlerless deer is taken from zones 2, 7 or 8.

To hunt deer with a muzzleloader in Oklahoma, resident hunters must possess either an annual or lifetime hunting or combination license; a senior citizen hunting or combination license; or proof of exemption.

Hunters must also possess a deer primitive (antlered or antlerless) license for each deer harvested, or proof of exemption.  

Nonresidents must possess a nonresident deer primitive (antlered or antlerless) license. An annual hunting license is not required for nonresidents who are buying just a deer license. To order licenses online, click here.

All harvested deer, bear, elk or paddlefish must be registered online using the Wildlife Department's E-Check system within 24 hours.

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