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Hunters have harvested some remarkable deer already this season, including this 24-point buck taken by Joe Williams in Pontotoc County. Deer herd health looks very good as opening day of modern firearms season arrives this Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017.
The 2017 deer gun
hunting season will open a half-hour before official sunrise this Saturday,
Nov. 18. Based on field reports from each region of the state, the deer
population is in good shape and the rutting period has started in many areas.
Dallas Barber, big-game
biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said deer gun
hunters have plenty to look forward to beginning this weekend.
“I have been getting
lots of reports of chasing and even breeding in some areas,” he said. “It’s looking
to be mild weather, which could obviously change between now and opening day.
But regardless, it is a great time to be out in the woods.”
Barber said deer
hunters in Oklahoma are off to a great start after several weeks of archery and
muzzleloader hunting. “As of Nov. 9, we have harvested just under 35,000 deer.
Not only have we been seeing great harvest numbers, but the quality has been up as well,
with multiple large bucks being harvested.”
And that’s saying
something after last year’s deer hunting success stories that saw several
notable big bucks added in the upper reaches of Oklahoma’s Cy Curtis Award
lists.
“Movement should be
starting to kick up to an ‘all day’ situation. It’s definitey time to start
packing a lunch and sitting all day,” he said.
To help hunters plan
their opening-day outing in the deer woods, here are up-to-date regional rut
reports from Wildlife Department field personnel.
Southeast Region
Reported by Jeff Ford,
wildlife biologist
Current Buck Rutting
Activity: Bucks are chasing does. Scrapes are being worked. Bucks have been
seen breeding does at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.
Habitat Conditions: In
excellent condition. Beneficial rainfall occurred the last two weeks of October,
ending about a monthlong dry spell. There is another bumper crop of acorns this
year, and deer are primarily staying in the timber and not having to travel to
find food.
Hunter and Landowner Reports:
Hunters are reporting good deer movement in the morning about an hour after
daylight, with young bucks cruising and mature bucks chasing does. They are
still seeing some does with fawns, which indicates all does aren't ready to
breed.
Public Land Best Bets: Ouachita,
Three Rivers and Wister WMAs
Advice for Deer
Hunters: Look for scrapes close to thickets. Be in your hunting spot before
daylight. Hunt all day.
Biggest Mistakes to
Avoid: Moving around too much. Stay put if you see fresh sign. The deer will
move when the woods quiet down.
Opening Morning
Expectations: It should be a great year. The mast crop is the best I've ever
seen, and I expect some records to be broken. The deer have not been in this
good of shape in more than a decade. Public lands that are open for deer gun
season always draw crowds, but if you hike off the road a few hundred yards,
you can usually find places with little or no pressure.
Central Region
Reported by Rex Umber, senior wildlife biologist
Current Buck Rutting
Activity: The changes in photoperiod have triggered deer hormones and they are
reacting. Bucks have been actively scraping for a while, and more buck activity
has been observed during daylight hours, especially in the last week or so.
Habitat Conditions: Habitat
conditions are good. Acorn production is spotty at best regionwide, so hunters
should check out areas with alternative vegetative food sources.
Hunter and Landowner
Reports: Hunters are reporting good deer movement. The slightly earlier
calendar dates of this year's gun season should increase the chance that hunters will encounter bucks chasing does. Bucks have already been seen tending does.
Public Land Best Bets: In
south central Oklahoma, hunters can try their luck at Hickory Creek, Love Valley,
Washita Arm, Tishomingo and Fobb Bottom WMAs. In addition, portions of the
Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Murray County are open to gun hunting (check
with the National Park Service at (580) 622-7234 for specific area
regulations). Hunters in north-central Oklahoma can choose from Kaw WMA, which
is consistently one of the top producers in the state, or Keystone, Heyburn,
Skiatook and John Dahl WMAs. The PHA portion of Okmulgee WMA also is open for
gun hunters. Check the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide
for specific regulations, as some WMAs are only open for nine days and some
have restrictions on antlerless harvest.
Advice for Deer
Hunters: Keys to success on public lands are similar to deer hunting
everywhere: Hunters who scout before the season and spend the most hours being
patient on stands are the ones with the best success. One other tip is to stay
put on opening morning, even if you see activity from other hunters. Often the
activity from other hunters will push deer to those who remain on their stands.
Other tips include 1.) Spend time in the woods scouting before season to locate
food sources, scrapes, funnels and travel patterns. 2.) Stay on stand! Especially
if air temperatures are at or below normal. Late morning and even midday
produces well for those who stick it out. 3.) Resist the temptation to move
around. This is especially important for those with limited hunting areas. Get
to your stand and commit to stay there for the hunt.
Biggest Mistakes to
Avoid: 1.) Underestimating a deer's nose. Always consider wind direction and
make efforts to reduce human and human-related scent while hunting. 2.) Going
to the woods without scouting. 3.) Getting up and moving around versus taking a
stand location. Moving around spreads human scent through the woods. Unless you
have a great deal of acreage to hunt on, have several stand locations selected
before season then pick one for that morning or evening hunt.
Opening Morning
Expectations: Hunter activity will be heavy on opening weekend. If the cool weather
holds, bucks should be very active. Hunters should stay in the stands most of
the day if possible. Let other hunters' midday activity to and from stand
locations work to your advantage. Be sure to select stand sites based on wind
direction.
Northeast Region
Reported by Scott A.
Cox, wildlife biologist
Current Buck Rutting
Activity: It is now the early-peak phase of rutting activity. Bucks are
starting to chase. Bucks have been scraping and chasing hard the last 10-14
days. Deer movement is on the rise, and they are moving late evening,
mid-morning and dusk. Since muzzleloader season and the colder weather, there
has been movement throughout the day.
Habitat Conditions: Acorns
are in great shape and started falling several weeks ago. The persimmons were
hit and miss, with most of them already used up. Also, late rains increased
browse, forbs and succulent production. Agricultural fields are in fair
condition in most of the region, and other foods are in good abundance with the
spectacular growing season that the region observed.
Hunter and Landowner Reports:
Deer seem to be in good shape with good body fat content. Deer herd health looks
to be good. Fawn numbers are good. Water has been somewhat limiting, but with
the abundance of foods, most are in outstanding body condition. Ponds are full but
it is somewhat dry across the countryside. Rutting activity doesn’t seem to be
affected at this time. Hunters and landowners are reporting the same things as
our area biologist in the region and are observing rutting activity, great
conditions of the deer, great habitat conditions where it applies, and hunting
has improved with the colder weather.
Public Land Best Bets: Always
check the regulations for each of the WMAs across the northeast for the best
opportunities during rifle season. If you plan to hunt these areas, be sure to
be conscientious and respectful of other hunters, read the regulations, and be aware
of boundaries (GMA portions versus PHA portions, private land, etc.) and
regulations on the areas to be hunted.
Advice for Deer
Hunters: Hunters should be patient. Look for rubs, scrapes, trails and heavily
used areas, especially where water is available. Always have a checklist of
items needed in the field (grunt call, rattling antlers, bleat call, rope,
knife, orange, compass, clothing, binoculars, etc.) and use the wind to your
advantage. Watch the weather for fronts, for moisture, changes in wind
direction, and dress appropriately. Chased does will act differently,
especially looking backward on several occasions. If you see this, a rutting
buck is likely chasing her.
Biggest Mistakes to
Avoid: 1.) Not dressing appropriately, 2.) Leaving an area too soon. 3.) Not
scouting ahead of time. 4.) Not using the wind to your advantage or not
watching the weather.
Opening Morning
Expectations: Opening weekend is always crowded and hectic. Be patient, watch
for other hunters in your area, look for good signs (scraping, rubbing, trails,
recent activity, etc.), know what the weather is going to do, hunt throughout
the day, look for good acorn sources and water in secluded areas, always
observe does for rutting activities, and make sure that you have a good line of
sight before taking the shot. If it looks like a bad shot, it's better to pass it up and wait for a better, safer shot. Weekdays are usually less crowded, so hunt them if
possible. Also, the second week will almost certainly be less crowded, and deer
should have a few days to settle down. If able, hunt “deeper.” Scout, scout,
scout. Have a backup plan if you can. Scout and go prepared to stay out as long
as possible. Good hunting and be safe!
Southwest Region
Reported by Ron Smith, senior wildlife biologist
Current Buck Rutting
Activity: Very little rut activity had been observed by Department staff or
hunters as November opened. A few young bucks were seen trailing does, but in general the bucks were grouped up or within the general area of others, and does were going about
their normal daily patterns of movement and foraging. Into the month's second week, hunters noted mature deer
trailing does, and rutting ctivity was beginning to steadily increase.
Habitat Conditions:
Good throughout the region. Good late-summer moisture finished off the growing
season for native vegetation. Winter wheat is progressing very well, though
conditions are becoming dry again. Good cover and forage may keep deer spread
evenly throughout favorable habitat early in the season.
Hunter and Landowner Reports:
Hunters have been very encouraged by increasing deer numbers following the
drought. Deer taken through archery and primitive seasons have been in very
good body condition. Many have noted an absence of 4- and 5-year-old deer due
to low recruitment through the drought years of 2011-12. Enough mature deer are
still being found to keep interest high for what the rut may bring out. Landowners
are noting deer numbers not seen since 2010 and very healthy individual deer.
Favorable native habitat and mild weather have yet to concentrate deer on
cropland. Cooler weather will quickly change that.
Public Land Best Bets: Black
Kettle, Packsaddle and Ellis County WMAs are all good producers.
Advice for Deer
Hunters: Hunters should be willing to put as much time as possible into scouting.
Be willing to spend all day in the field. During peak periods of rut activity,
deer can move any time of the day. Always try to use wind to your advantage
when moving to and from hunt areas and while set up. Keep your eyes in the
field and off your phone.
Biggest Mistakes to
Avoid: Leaving the field too early may take away the one critical opportunity
to put a hunter in position. Stay aware of changing weather to take advantage
of deer movement patterns without letting wind take you out of the game.
Opening Morning
Expectations: Increasing deer numbers and rut activity should produce great
opportunity for deer hunters. Many hunters will be in the field, so keep safety
first on your priority list. Traditional hunt areas may have changed.
Neighboring properties may have completely new hunting scenarios, so stay aware
of your immediate area as well as what may be just beyond the fence.
Northwest Region
Reported by Eddie
Wilson, senior wildlife biologist
Current Buck Rutting
Activity: Temperatures are actually feeling like it is November this year. As a
result, deer activity seems to be ahead of schedule. Signs of pre-rut activity
started showing up last week. Bucks are no longer in bachelor groups, buck
necks are starting to swell, and young bucks have started chasing does.
Habitat Conditions: June
and July were hot and dry for the most part throughout the Northwest and the
Panhandle. August provided good amounts of moisture and unseasonably cool
temperatures, which led to better-than-average cover regarding habitat this
year. The rains stopped in mid-September, so it is starting to get dry
throughout the region. Some low temperatures have dropped to the teens and 20s,
so native food sources are dormant, and deer are using wheat and other
agriculture crops on a regular basis.
Hunter and Landowner Reports:
Hunters are reporting seeing young bucks sparring and chasing does, but not
many mature bucks. Hunters are also reporting an overall increase in deer
numbers, and a good fawn crop for the year. Landowners are noticing an increase
in deer feeding on their wheat fields.
Public Land Best Bets: Hunters
need to be sure and consult the regulations for the rules specific to the
wildlife management area they choose to hunt. Some WMAs are closed the first
weekend for controlled hunts, and some are closed to deer gun hunting entirely!
All Northwest Region WMAs are closed to antlerless harvest except during some
controlled hunts. If you have questions regarding regulations on a specific
WMA, you can also contact the biologist or county game warden responsible for
the area.
Advice for Deer
Hunters: Scout the area and hunt all day if possible. If you are hunting public
land, go a good distance into the area to get away from roads and campsites.
Look for food sources and heavily traveled trails the deer are using.
Biggest Mistakes to
Avoid: Being prepared for the hunt is crucial to having a good experience. If
you are hunting public land, get a cart to assist in retrieving your deer. Make
sure your rifle is sighted in prior to the hunt. Research the regulations for
the area in which you want to hunt.
Opening Morning
Expectations: Deer numbers in the Northwest and Panhandle have still not
recovered to the density we had prior to 2011, however we are finally getting
close. Rut will likely hit a little early this year, and will likely peak before
opening day of gun season. But rut activity should carry on well into opening
weekend. A new moon opening weekend should also increase deer activity during
daylight hours. Deer gun hunter numbers will be high on Northwest Region WMAs
that are open to deer gun hunting.
See much more information about deer hunting in Oklahoma on the Wildlife Department’s Deer Hunting Home Page at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/species/deer.
For complete regulations, refer to the Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide, available at www.wildlifedepartment.com, in the "OK Fishing and Hunting Guide" mobile app for Apple and Android, or free in print at license dealers statewide.
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