Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area 

By: Bruce Burton, Biologist at Deep Fork, Okmulgee, and Heyburn WMA’s.  Phone:  (918) 759-1816.  
Area Wildlife Technician Steve Bray (918) 759-0101.

Area Description:

Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area covers 10,900 acres of west-central Okmulgee County.  Located 5 miles west of the city of Okmulgee, the area is heavily wooded in post oak-blackjack timber and bisected by seven miles of the Deep Fork of the Canadian River. The Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area contains one of the largest known tracts of old growth Post oak/Blackjack oak "Crosstimbers" found anywhere. Many of the area's post oaks are likely over 350 years old, making them some of the oldest trees found East of the Rocky Mountains in North America. Crosstimber, although not highly productive, is unique in that it provides habitat for both classic "Western" species like the Greater Roadrunners and Easter species like the Indigo Bunting and is rich in biological diversity.

The area is approximately 95% wooded, with elevations ranging from about 600 ft. near the river to over 950 ft. on wooded ridges. Post oaks, blackjack oaks, and hickories dominate the poor, rocky upland soils, with burr oaks, pin oaks, red oaks and sycamores dominating the riparian bottomland. The average annual rainfall is 42 inches. 

WMA Driving Direction:

• Entrance #1- At Hwy 75 in Okmulgee turn West on 6th Street(Hwy 56) and travel  6.9 miles to Entrance #1 on Right.

• Shooting Range- At Hwy 75 in Okmulgee turn West on 6th Street(Hwy 56) and travel 7.9 miles to Entrance on Right

• Entrance #2- Travel 5 miles North of Okmulgee on Hwy 75 to Celia Berryhill Road. Travel West 3.0 miles to Entrance #2 on left.

• Entrance #3- From Entrance 2 continue an additional 3 miles West on Celia Berryhill Road(always keep left).

• Entrance #4- At the junction of Hwy 75 & Hwy 16 travel 3.5 miles West to Beggs and ALT 75 Hwy. Turn left (South) on Alt. 75 and travel 1.4 miles to Webster Road. Turn right  on Webster Road and travel 4.2 miles South to Entrance #4 on Right.

• Hodgen Continue on 3 mi south of Hodgen on US Hwy 59 Exit left on Fish Hatchery Rd. go1/10 mi., headquarters first building on right.

• Driving from Broken Bow, OK. Take US Hwy 259 north 66.4 miles to US-270/US-59 intersection Turn left, go 7.6 miles  Exit right at Fish Hatchery Rd. go 1/10 mi., headquarters first building on right.

• Driving from Talihina Take US Hwy 271 north 10.7 miles to Holson Valley Rd.

• Turn right (east) go 18 miles to US Hwy 259 Turn left go 2.8 miles Exit right on Fish Hatchery Rd. go 1/10 mi., headquarters first building on right.

Game Species of Interest: 

            Quail: Bobwhite quail present in fair numbers. 

Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after. 

            Turkey: Turkeys are present in fair numbers but are highly sought after. 

Rabbit: Cottontails and swamp rabbits are present in good numbers but are highly sought after. 

            Furbearers: Bobcat, coyote and raccoon are abundant. 

            Doves: Present in low numbers. 

Waterfowl: Waterfowl are abundant when conditions are favorable, primarily mallard, wood duck, and teal.  This area rarely holds geese. 

            Squirrel: Both gray and fox squirrel are abundant. 

Nongame Species of Interest: 

            Bald Eagles: Infrequently seen in both summer and winter months. 

Warblers: The mature bottomland hardwoods are frequented by several species of warblers uncommon elsewhere. 

 Description of Fish and Wildlife Management Practices:
Approximately fifteen hundred acres are targeted for prescribed burning annually.  Wildlife plots are planted to cool season annuals and permanent clover pastures. Old fields are mowed as needed to control succession in small clearings. Waterfowl units are manipulated with water level controls and annual discing as necessary.

Camping and Facilities: 
A primitive camping area is located just inside Entrance #4 on the Public Hunting Area and Okmulgee State Park is located just one half mile east of the main entrance to the Game Management Area on highway 56. 

Both a 100 and 200 yard shooting range is located on highway 56, one mile west of the Game Management Area entrance #1.

Fishing Opportunities: 
Fishing opportunities exist at several area ponds, but the area is most famous for its huge flathead catfish that occasionally are wrestled from the Deep Fork River, accesses are open seasonally. Also nearby Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs Lake offer good fishing for largemouth bass and other species (i.e. crappie, channel catfish, and sunfish).

Maps:

Okmulgee GMA and PHA Map pdf format (8.5x11)

Okmulgee WMA Map

For a detailed map contact:

Ouachita National Forest
100 Reserve Street
P.O. Box 1270
Federal Building
Hot Springs, AR 71902
(501) 321-5202

Okmulgee (East) Wetlands Development Area

Okmulgee (West) Wetlands Development Area

Directions
A) Public Hunting Area: Take 75 Highway North from Okmulgee(McCoys Building Supply) two miles to Hole in The Wall Bar. Proceed 3.5 miles west to Entrance#2 on south side of road.
Entrance #4 can be reached by taking 75 highway south from Tulsa to highway 16. Travel west to Beggs. At Alt 56 turn south for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Webster Road. Entrance number 4 is 4.5 miles on the right.
B) Game Management Area Portion: Take highway 56 westbound 8 miles from Okmulgee. Entrance#1 is just west of the rock spillway of Okmulgee Lake.

Regulations: Consult the Wildlife Management Area General Regulations And Public Lands Restrictions in the Hunting Regulations

For additional information and area attractions:

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Okmulgee State Park
(918) 7546-5971

Okmulgee Main Street/Tourism
208 W 6^th, Okmulgee OK 74447
918-758-1015
www.tourokmulgee.com