STEP 4: What Do I Need To Know Before Applying?

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Be aware of the following requirements which may affect your application.

1.     Prior to applying for the controlled hunts, all applicants (residents and nonresidents) must possess a valid Oklahoma hunting license for the current calendar year of the drawing (unless exempt).       

2.     Each person may submit only ONE application in each category. This means you may apply only once in Category 1 – Elk, once in Category 2 – Antelope, once in Category 3 – Deer, etc. Within the category you apply for, multiple hunt selections may be allowed. Consult the list below for the maximum number of hunt choices allowed.  

        Category 1 (Elk hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 2 (Antelope hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 3 (Deer hunts): Apply for up to five choices for all deer hunts combined.
        Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 5 (Youth deer hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 6 (Pursuit with hounds): Hunters may apply for both hunts
        Category 7 (Spring turkey hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 8 (Youth spring turkey hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.
        Category 9 (Quail hunts): Up to three hunt choices may be selected.

3.     Group applications are allowed ONLY in Categories 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9. Remember, since elk and antelope hunts are once in a lifetime, successful applicants for elk and antelope hunts will not be eligible to reapply for those categories.

        Category 1 (Elk hunts): One applicant only, NO GROUP APPLICATIONS.
        Category 2 (Antelope hunts): One applicant only, NO GROUP APPLICATIONS.
        Category 3 (Deer hunts): Up to four hunters may apply together.
        Category 4 (Deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees): Up to four hunters may apply together.
        Category 5 (Youth deer hunts): One applicant only, NO GROUP APPLICATIONS.
        Category 6 (Pursuit with hounds): Up to four hunters may apply together.
        Category 7 (Spring turkey hunts): Up to two hunters may apply together, except McAlester AAP hunters must                          apply in pairs.
        Category 8 (Youth spring turkey hunts): One applicant only, NO GROUP APPLICATIONS.
        Category 9 (Quail hunts): Up to four hunters may apply together.

4.     Each hunt choice may be selected only one time. For example, if you are applying for Category 5, you can select deer hunt #501 only one time. The other hunt choices must be different numbers. 

5.     When applying as a group, all hunters must be entered together on the same application prior to submitting the application. Be sure to review and print your confirmation page to ensure all individuals in your group are entered on the same application.

6.     PERMITS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANYONE, INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS.  IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE HUNT AREA.

7.     Minimum age requirement for participation in controlled hunts is 14 years by the hunt date (except Category 5 and 8 youth hunts). Applicants for Categories 5 and 8 must be 15 years of age or younger on the first day of the hunt. Youth hunts at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, and USDA Research Lab have a minimum age requirement of 12 years of age. Hunts on the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge have a minimum age requirement of 18 years. Persons under the minimum age may apply provided they turn the required age by the first day of the hunt.

8.     Accommodations will be made for all hunters with disabilities, as necessary, for applicable controlled hunts. If drawn, contact the area manager if special accommodations are needed.

9.     Applicants who allow hunting partners to apply for them are responsible for verifying that the information on the application is complete and correct. The Department will not make exceptions for the applicant who is disqualified because his or her hunting partner omitted information necessary for the applicant to be eligible.

10.   NO-SHOWS WILL NOT BE FILLED IN ANY CATEGORY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

11.   NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.

12.   Hunter education certification is required of all hunters under 36 years of age. Those hunters ages 16 to 35 who are not yet hunter education certified may purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and apply for controlled hunts when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or hunting license requirements. Click here for complete information on the apprentice designation.

A. Applicants for categories 1 and 2 (elk and antelope hunts) must be hunter education certified prior to participating in those controlled hunts.

B. Applicants for categories 3 (deer hunts), 4 (deer hunts for motor vehicle or non-ambulatory permittees), 6 (Pursuit With Hounds), 7 (Spring Turkey Hunts), and 9 (Quail Hunts) may apply using an apprentice-designated license. However, they must be hunter education certified prior to participating in the turkey hunt OR they must apply in a group with an accompanying, licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or hunting license requirements.

C. Applicants for category 5 (youth deer hunts) must be hunter education certified prior to participating in a controlled hunt. For information about where you can take a free hunter education course, go to the Hunter Education Web page at wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm.

D. Applicants for category 8 (youth turkey hunts) who are not yet hunter education certified may purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license and apply for controlled hunts when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education or is exempt from either hunter education requirements or hunting license requirements.

13.   If applying for Category 4, Deer Hunts for Motor Vehicle or Non-ambulatory Permittees, the appropriate permit code and permit number must be selected.

14.   Since elk and antelope hunts are once in a lifetime hunts, successful applicants are never again eligible to apply for those categories.