Contacts
The Deep Fork Wildlife Management covers 11,682.28 acres in southern Creek and northern Okfuskee Counties. The area is a series of tracts of various sizes located along the Deep Fork of the Canadian River. While a large percentage of the area is forested bottom lands, it also has numerous old fields, native prairies, and post oak-blackjack timber. Annual rainfall averages 35 inches.
From Bristow: 10 miles south on State Hwy 48. Numerous tracts and access points along the Deep Fork River.
From U.S. Interstate 40: Exit 217, 15 miles north on State Hwy 48.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers but are highly sought after.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Turkey: Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in good numbers but highly sought after.
- Rabbit: Both cottontails and swamp rabbits are present in good numbers.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are abundant.
- Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers. This area is not in a major flyway.
- Waterfowl: Waterfowl are abundant when water conditions are favorable.
- Squirrel: Both fox and gray squirrel are common.
- Bald Eagle: Commonly seen when waterfowl are abundant.
- River Otter: Present, but rarely seen.
Although small wetland areas are manipulated for waterfowl habitat, most of this area is not intensively managed. Wildlife plots are planted annually.
Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to county roads and access points, but there are no designated campgrounds.
The Deep Fork of the Canadian River has abundant channel and flathead catfish.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on the WDU portions.
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Gun
Open during the first nine days only.
- Quail, Squirrel, Rabbit, Snipe, Woodcock, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Tom only, shotgun only.
- Waterfowl
Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portion. The Harold Stuart Marsh (Refuge Unit) is closed to all waterfowl hunting.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed within 50 yards of open roads.
Q: Can I hunt hogs on Deep Fork WMA
A: Yes, hogs may be taken on Deep Fork WMA during any established hunting season with methods authorized by the Department for that hunting season, except that during any open deer and/ or turkey season, only appropriate methods, hunting hours, and legal equipment for that deer and/or turkey season are authorized for taking or pursuing feral hogs. No feral hogs may be removed alive from a WMA.
Pursuit of hogs with hounds is prohibited during the deer and turkey seasons on department-managed lands. Pursuit of hogs at night is prohibited from Oct. 1 - Jan. 15 and during any spring turkey season. Pursuit of hogs at night during any other time of the year has the following restrictions: Use of a firearm is prohibited. In addition, persons pursuing hogs must comply with all other WMA regulations.
Resident & Nonresident License Requirements: All persons pursuing hogs must possess a hunting license, unless otherwise exempt. In addition, persons pursuing hogs on WMAs open during youth deer gun, bear muzzleloader (in open counties), deer muzzleloader, deer gun, Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun (in open zones), elk gun (in open counties) and antelope gun (in open areas) seasons with a shotgun and rifled slug, or any rifle or handgun larger than .22 caliber rimfire, must possess either a filled or unfilled license appropriate for the current season, unless otherwise exempt.
Q: Is camping allowed on Deep Fork WMA?
A: Yes, hunter and angler camping is allowed within 50 yards of open roads. Most of the parking lots are maintained to serve as camping locations as well.
Q: What is the difference between the Deep Fork WMA and the Deep Fork NWR?
A: The Deep Fork WMA (Wildlife Management Area), located in Creek and Okfuskee counties, is owned and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Deep Fork NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), located in Okmulgee County, is part of the federal refuge system. Its use and regulations are determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wintering Birds
When autumn finally releases its hold on winter, Oklahomans have to say goodbye to such things as fall colors and warm weather bird species, including purple martins, scissor-tailed flycatchers, and other avian summer residents. But winter is a time for greetings, and with the brisk north winds comes wintering birds.
