McCurtain County Wilderness Area

By: John Skeen, Senior Biologist at Broken Bow and Ouachita (McCurtain Unit) WMA’s and McCurtain County Wilderness Area. Phone: (580) 241-7875.

Area Description:
The McCurtain County Wilderness Area (MCWA) covers approximately 14,000 acres in northern McCurtain County.  Located adjacent to the Broken Bow Reservoir and the Ouachita National Forest (north and east of the town of Broken Bow), the MCWA is the oldest Oklahoma Wildlife Department area and is the  largest virgin, shortleaf pine/hardwood forest remaining in the nation.  Some  riparian forest, consisting of hardwoods, such as sweet and black gums, red maple and elms occur along stream courses.  The rugged terrain of the MCWA with its virgin forests and the adjacent reservoir offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.   The average annual precipitation for the area is about 45 inches.

WMA Driving Directions: From Broken Bow: 21 miles north on U.S. Hwy 259, 7 miles east on gravel road at the highway sign (which is 3 miles south of the junction of U.S. Hwy 259 and Bethel Rd), follow the signs to headquarters.

Game Species of Interest: This area is open only to controlled deer and turkey hunts.

Deer: White-tailed deer are present in fair numbers.  

Turkey: Eastern wild turkeys are present in fair numbers.

Rabbit: Both cottontail and swamp rabbits are found in low numbers.

Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat, raccoon are present. 

Waterfowl: Migrating waterfowl and resident wood ducks occur infrequently on the reservoir.

Nongame Species of Interest:

Red-cockaded Woodpecker: A small population of RCW’s ( the last known in Oklahoma) are found on the area. 

Bald eagle: Eagles routinely winter on the Broken Bow Reservoir and Mountain Fork River. 
  

Description of Fish and Wildlife Management Practices:
Management efforts on the area are focused on restoring the pine/bluestem ecosystem and recovering the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.  Habitat improvements for the species consist of hardwood thinning and controlled burning on a three year rotation.  The resulting open pine/hardwood forest  also provides  excellent habitat for game animals such as deer, turkey, and quail and a variety of nongame birds.

Camping and Facilities:
No developed facilities are on the area.  Hiking and backpacking permits for the area east of the reservoir may be secured by contacting the area’s biologist at least  two weeks before the arrival date.  The hiking trail and boat ramp on the west side are open to the public with no permit requirement.

Fishing Opportunities:
Fishing opportunities are excellent on the Reservoir and in the Mountain Fork River.  No fishing is allowed on the streams within the wilderness. 

Maps:

McCurtain Wilderness Area Map - best general purpose map, pdf format (8.5x11)

McCurtain Wilderness Area Map  - interactive map with aerial photography available

Regulations: Seasons on public lands section of hunting regulations

For additional information and area attractions:

McCurtain County Wilderness Area brochure


Kiamichi Country Tourism  
1-800-722-8180

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com

Talihina Chamber of Commerce and Ouachita National Forest Interpretive Association
900 Second St, Suite 12, Dept 03,
Talihina, OK 74571
(918) 567-3434
www.talihinacc.com
vera@talihinacc.com