Thanks to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, deer hunters now have all the information they need to fill in their fall hunting calendar. At their May 5 meeting the commissioners approved a slate of antlerless deer hunting opportunities, the last piece in Oklahoma’s deer hunting regulations for this year.

Hunters in southern and southwestern Oklahoma will have additional chances to harvest an antlerless deer during the statewide deer gun season and special antlerless deer seasons. Hunters across the state will be able to use their unfilled buck license to harvest an antlerless deer on December 7. The last day of the statewide deer gun season.

The commission, for the third year in a row, also approved the special antlerless deer season for the weekends before and after Christmas. Hunters in western and southwestern will have an additional three days to head to the woods during the special antlerless deer season.

Earlier, at its March meeting, the Commission approved a statewide deer gun season beginning on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and running for 16 consecutive days (Nov. 22-Dec. 7). On many of the Department’s wildlife management areas, however, the seasons will remain nine days.

A special three-day antlerless deer gun season for those under 18 years of age was also approved. The season will be held during the third weekend in October.

Deer archery season will run Oct. 1-Jan. 15 and deer muzzleloader will run Oct. 25-Nov. 2.

For complete season dates, zones and other details about the upcoming hunting seasons log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com or consult the “2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” which will be available this summer.

In other business, commissioners also approved regulations for private land elk hunts in Kiowa, Comanche and Caddo counties. These dates will coincide with last year's dates. Last year 200 hunters harvested 35 elk on private lands in Oklahoma. For a complete list of those dates go to the hunting link at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Oklahoma families will want to head to their favorite fishing hole on the first full weekend in June. The commission approved a resolution to designate June 7-8 as Free Fishing Days in Oklahoma. Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer free fishing days 23 years ago and have since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar free fishing days.

"Free fishing days are a great opportunity to introduce family and friends to fishing," said David Warren, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department.

State fishing licenses are not required on the free fishing days, although anglers should note that local or municipal permits may be required on those days.

Commission Chairman Lewis Stiles recognized State Representative Dale Smith of St. Louis, State Representative Joe Hutchison of Jay and State Senator Frank Shurden of Henryetta for their support of hunting, fishing and natural resources in Oklahoma.

Commissioners also voted to accept a contribution from the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust. The trust donated $3,000 as well as personnel time and other services to assist the Department with a short-grass prairie breeding bird survey.

Assistant Director Richard Hatcher gave commissioners an update on wildlife-related bills in the Oklahoma state legislature. A daily update of the progress of those bills is available on the Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/legislation.htm

The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The next scheduled Commission meeting is June 2 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.

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