Deer Hunting

Questions about deer hunting practices, preferences, and proposed season changes and have appeared regularly on the Game Harvest Survey.  Click on each graph to see the data.

Deer Season Participation

Participation in individual deer seasons (2005-season deer hunters)

Rifle season was the most popular among 2005-season deer hunters, although many rifle hunters participated in another deer season as well.

Participation in grouped deer seasons (2005-season deer hunters)

2005 deer season hunters varied in their participation in the four major deer seasons offered in Oklahoma. 

Youth participation in other deer seasons (2005-season youth deer hunters)

All survey respondents who participated in the 2005 Youth Season also hunted deer during other seasons. 

Total deer harvest by hunter (2005-season deer hunters)

Although Oklahoma's 2005-season deer bag limit may have seemed liberal (7 deer, 3 of which may be antlered), few deer hunters were fortunate enough to harvest more than one deer. 

Impact of extending rifle season from 9 to 16 days (2003-season deer gun hunters)

The 2003 deer season offered expanded hunting for rifle hunters.  Many took advantage of the longer rifle season in 2003, reportedly hunting more days than in previous years.

Deer Season Preferences

Opinion on changing check station system (2005-season hunters)

Hunters were divided in their support of converting the current check station system on deer and turkey to an internet and/or telephone checking system.

Opinion on reducing the buck limit (2004-season deer hunters)

Even though each year less than 5% of deer hunters harvest the maximum number of bucks allowed, deer hunters were divided in their willingness to give up a chance to harvest three bucks.

Opinion on reducing the buck limit (2000-season hunting license holders)

Several years earlier, hunting license holders were more supportive of the buck harvest reduction when they were told it would benefit the health and quality of the deer herd.

Opinion on reducing the buck limit (2000-season deer hunters)

This graph presents the same question, looking only at the responses of deer hunters.

Opinion on reducing the buck limit while increasing the doe limit (2000-season hunting license holders)

Respondents were then asked to consider the reduction in the buck limit if accompanied by an increase in the doe limit.

Opinion on reducing the buck limit while increasing the doe limit (2000-season deer hunters)

This graph presents the same question, looking only at the responses of deer hunters.

Opinion on extending muzzleloader season (2004-season deer hunters)

The majority of deer hunters were interested in a longer muzzleloader season.

Opinion on allowing crossbows (2004-season deer hunters)

Without additional justification, many deer hunters were not supportive of allowing everyone to use a crossbow during deer season.

Deer hunting experience preferences (2002-season deer hunters)

The majority of deer hunters would prefer a hunting trip that allowed them to see many deer of both sexes.

Opinion on extending rifle season (2002-season deer hunters)

Most deer hunters supported the extension of rifle season from 9 days to 16 days. 

Deer Hunting Behavior

Shooting bucks during muzzleloader season (2001-season muzzleloader hunters)

Most deer hunters do not shoot the first buck they see during muzzleloader season.

Shooting does during muzzleloader season (2001-season muzzleloader hunters)

Deer hunters are more inclined to shoot the first doe they see during muzzleloader season.

Shooting bucks during gun season (2001-season gun hunters)

Most deer hunters do not shoot the first buck they see during gun season.

Shooting does during gun season (2001-season gun hunters)

Deer hunters are more inclined to shoot the first doe they see during gun season.