2017-2018 Big Game Report
With the 2017-18 deer season in the books, Oklahoma again proved why it is a great destination for deer hunters from across the country. The total harvest of 107,914 deer is up from last year’s harvest total of 99,023. Figure 1 shows overall deer harvest numbers since 2004. Not only was overall harvest up, but many trophy animals were harvested as well. Antlerless harvest totaled 40 percent, which is on the low side of the Wildlife Department’s management goal of 40 percent to 45 percent. And in western Oklahoma, 196 mule deer were harvested from 13 counties.
2016-2017 Big Game Report
Oklahoma continues to enjoy some of the best deer hunting in North America as our habitat and herds continue to recover from the severe drought a few years ago. The overall harvest increased by nearly 12 percent from 2015-16, with a total of 99,023 deer taken in 2016-17. Figure 1 depicts deer harvest from 1972 through this past season. A breakdown of the past 10 years by bucks (including button bucks) and does appears in Figure 2. Does account for 37 percent of the total deer harvest, below the 40 percent to 45 percent target rate but acceptable for a herd recovering from the lower reproduction encountered during the drought. A total of 189 mule deer were checked from the westernmost areas of the state.
Using Camera Surveys to Understand Your Deer Herd
Done correctly, trail camera surveys can estimate the number of deer per acre, the buck-to-doe ratio and recruitment.
2015-2016 Big Game Report
The 2015-16 deer seasons are in the books, and many Oklahoma hunters are already directing their thoughts toward the upcoming seasons. While harvest was more than 8,000 fewer deer than the previous year, the good news is that Oklahoma’s deer herd is in great shape. Many portions of the state have received much-needed rainfall and are on the way to a full recovery from the drought. Hopefully, the rains will continue, your treestands are hung, and you are ready for opening day!
Tips for Sharing the Hunting Heritage with Kids
Conservation is funded by sportsmen when they buy hunting and fishing licenses and pay federal excise taxes on sporting goods, so an important part of ensuring a future for conservation includes ensuring a future for sportsmen. Share your heritage!