Apply Now for Controlled Hunts; Important Changes to Know!
Enhancements Provide More Hunt Choices; Better Elk, Pronghorn Odds for 20+ Points
The Controlled Hunts application period is open now through May 22. Hunters can enter drawings for a host of quality, ODWC-sanctioned hunts for species like deer, elk, antelope and turkey!
Two important changes to the program are being implemented this year, including the option to purchase additional hunt choice selections and better odds for certain elk and antelope hunt applicants:
Extra Hunt Choices for Everyone
After applicants have reached the maximum number of hunt choices allowed in a category (up to 14 hunt choices across four categories for $5 application fee), applicants will then be allowed to buy additional hunt choices at $3 per choice. There is no limit to how many extra hunt choices can be purchased, but applicants can only select a specific hunt once. Also, applicants will be able to add PointGuard insurance to each category, a safeguard against losing preference points in case the hunter cannot attend any of the hunts he wins.
Elk/Pronghorn Allocated Draws
For these once-in-a-lifetime hunt categories, an initial drawing for half of all hunt permits will be taken from the pool of only those applicants having 20 or more preference points. The remaining half of all hunt permits will be drawn from the pool of everyone who applied (excluding hunt winners from the initial drawing).
Apply Now
To apply, log into your Go Outdoors Oklahoma profile and select the "Controlled Hunts" tile.
More Info on Changes
Controlled hunts are held on Wildlife Department or other government-owned or managed lands where unrestricted hunting would pose safety concerns or where overharvest might occur otherwise. For more details about this year's programs, including a video detailing more about what's new for Controlled Hunts this year, go here.
Note: Applicants can apply for certain hunts in groups by creating a party application. To create a party, they need to have the Customer ID and last name of their members in order to search for them. Anyone needing assistance when applying should call the Help Desk at (833) 457-7285 or email HelpDesk@GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com.
Oklahoma Adventures Tickets Available Now!
Tickets for the newest slate of Outdoor Oklahoma Adventures raffles from the Wildlife Department are available now. This year participants have the chance to win opportunities such as a youth deer gun hunt, a paddlefish angling trip at Keystone Lake, a combination lifetime hunting and fishing license, and more. Outdoor Oklahoma Adventures tickets are $10 each or a bundle of five tickets for $30. Anyone can purchase tickets and win, whether or not you have a hunting or fishing license, and there is no limit to the number of tickets that you can buy. All proceeds go directly to the Wildlife Department to fund conservation and public hunting and fishing opportunities for everyone. Click below by May 22, or go to GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com.
Note: Don't forget to check out the newest opportunity presented through the Outdoor Oklahoma Adventure program - a special hunt for women and their families.
Youth Hunters Get Chance at Gobblers Before Regular Spring Season Opener April 16
While spring turkey season runs April 16 through May 16, this weekend marks the state's two-day turkey hunting season for youth hunters 17 and younger. This youth opportunity — April 8-9, 2023 — allows youngsters to get into the turkey woods before the regular turkey season opens, giving them a better chance of harvesting a gobbler.
All youth hunters must possess a turkey license or proof of exemption, and must be accompanied in the field by an adult 18 or older. The adult may not hunt or possess any archery equipment or firearms. Youth hunters may harvest a turkey with archery gear or a shotgun, but rifles and handguns are not permitted. Any harvested turkey must be tagged in the field and checked in using the online E-Check system.
The bag limit for wild turkey is one tom turkey, which is defined as any bearded turkey. Every hunter’s combined limit for all spring turkey seasons is one tom turkey, which means any youth hunter who bags a bird this weekend is done hunting for this spring.
If a youth doesn’t fill the turkey license during youth season, it will be valid during regular turkey hunting season from April 16 to May 16 statewide. For many years, turkey season dates were different in the southeastern counties, but this is no longer the case.
Here are some reminders pertaining to turkey season:
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While bearded hens are technically legal to take, hunters are encouraged to ensure they harvest only a tom or a jake.
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Be sure to E-check and field tag your harvest.
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Don’t trespass onto private land to hunt or retrieve a bird. Read all regulations on hunting and areas you will hunt, and obey all posted rules on public areas.
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Make safety your priority. Potential dangers include bad decoy placement; wearing any red, blue or white; using turkey fans, etc.
For complete details on the youth spring turkey hunting season, consult the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations online at www.wildlifedepartment.com, in the free Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app for Apple or Android, or in print at license dealers statewide.
NEXT WEEK: Watch for the annual Gobbler Report with the latest regional observations from the field, to be released a few days before spring turkey season’s opening day.
OKLAHOMA HUNTERS - 20% Off onX Hunt App
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation wants you to have your best season yet, so we've partnered with onX Hunt to get you 20% off the Hunt App.
When you buy using this link, a portion of proceeds will come back to the Wildlife Department for conservation efforts in Oklahoma!
With onX, you get:
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Tree, Crop & Cover layers: Visual layers showing specific habitat such as acorn producing oaks, coniferous and deciduous distribution to locate habitat diversity and what crops are planted where.
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Weather & Optimal Wind: Always choose the best location for your hunt with accurate real-time wind and weather information for every stand, blind, and honey-hole you hunt.
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Property Sharing: Mark up your property and share it with the tap of your finger to get everyone at deer camp on the same page. Custom markups for trails, stand locations, scrapes, bedding areas and more will have your group dialed-in.
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Saved Maps: No service? No problem. Save offline maps and maintain full-functionality of the app while you hunt.
- Plus many more!
Want to see onX in action? Click Here to view an example property.
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