Oklahoma’s 2018 deer muzzleloader hunting season opens Oct. 27 and runs nine days through Nov. 4.
Muzzleloader hunting seasons for elk on private lands and for black bears in southeastern Oklahoma will also be open from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4. Various zone quotas are in effect for elk, and a harvest quota of 20 is in effect for bears.
An estimated 79,200 hunters participated in deer muzzleloader season last year. Although the number of muzzleloader hunters had been on a downward trend since 2004, last year’s participation bucked that trend, with a 5 percent increase in hunters from the 2016 season.
The regular archery deer hunting season has been underway since Oct. 1. The deer gun season will open Nov. 17 and run through Dec. 2.
All hunters who will be out beginning Oct. 27, are reminded that requirements for wearing hunter orange clothing will be in effect.
With more muzzleloader hunters in the woods in 2017, the number of harvested deer reported was also up. The total take of 16,564 deer was the highest muzzleloader harvest since 2012. This accounts for about 15 percent of the state’s total deer harvest for the 2017-18 seasons.
Deer are plentiful in every part of Oklahoma. Some wildlife management areas are open to hunting, for at least part of the muzzleloader season, some through controlled hunt drawings that give sportsmen a unique opportunity to change up their usual hunting routine.
Muzzleloader hunters in most of the state may also harvest a turkey the final two days of deer muzzleloader season, which will be opening weekend of the regular fall turkey gun season. A fall turkey license is required, unless exempt.
The map of open areas and other turkey season details are available in the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide.
To learn more about deer hunting on WMAs, consult the Special Area Regulations in the current Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide or visit the department website.