Page 18 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

permits to applicants before deciding which hunts you think • You cannot submit more than one application form per cate-
will give you the best chance. gory. Since applications are completed and submitted online,
• By designating additional choices, you increase your overall you will receive confirmation that your application was com-
odds of being selected for at least one of the choices, so make pleted correctly. This system helps to minimize mistakes, so
as many selections as a category allows (five in the deer cat- make sure you receive confirmation of your application. If
egory, for example), rather than just three, two or one. you do have any issues, call the toll-free help line listed at
• You can increase your odds of being drawn when you apply the bottom of the webpage, (833) 457-7285, or send email to
for hunts that happen on key dates of the regular statewide HelpDesk@gooutdoorsoklahoma.com.
seasons, such as the opening weekend of muzzleloader or gun • Hunts that are considered by some to be less desirable, such
season. Many hunters may skip those dates because of already- as antlerless deer hunts, may be just the right choice for a
planned hunts. meat hunter looking to raise his chances of getting to hunt at
• For those locations that offer multiple hunts in the same a premier location.
category, the second or third hunts (the later hunts) are often (Compiled by the Outdoor Oklahoma Staff)
easier to draw than the earliest hunts offered at that location.

KELLY ADAMS/ODWC 2020 DEER HUNTS
• Total applicants (includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth
choice preferences): 73,972
• Total permits available: 4,046
• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 18.3
2020 DEER HUNTS FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES
• Total applicants (includes first, second and third choice
preferences): 283
• Total permits available: 115
• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 2.5

2020 YOUTH DEER HUNTS
• Total applicants (includes first, second and third choice pref-
erences): 3,748
• Total permits available: 881
• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 4.25

DEER HUNT APPLICATION TIPS
• Antlerless-only hunts traditionally see fewer applicants com-
pared to buck-only or either-sex hunts.
• Archery hunts are historically easier to draw on average than
muzzleloader or gun hunts.
• Areas in the northeast like Cherokee, Cookson Hills, Gruber and
Spavinaw WMAs typically have higher numbers of applicants.
Consider applying for hunts in other parts of the state.
• Controlled hunts held during the regular muzzleloader and
gun seasons, especially those held during the opening week-
ends, often offer better odds of getting drawn than those
held outside the regular statewide season dates, since many
would-be applicants already have their hunting plans in place
for those dates.
• Steer clear of the most popular hunts, such as the Wichita
Mountains buck gun hunt, the Sandy Sanders buck gun hunt
and Salt Plains NWR hunts that allow either sex hunting. If you
avoid these, your odds go up for getting drawn.
• Scouting is key to the success of a hunter in bringing home game.
• Finding sign such as tracks, rubs, scrapes or even heavily used
trails and feeding areas help hunters locate areas where they
may have the best chance of seeing game.
16 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA

12/17/20 9:57 AM
OutdoorOK-2021-January-February.indd 16
OutdoorOK-2021-January-February.indd 16 12/17/20 9:57 AM