The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers, and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check-ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Area Details
Sparrowhawk WMA consists of approximately 566 acres in Cherokee county and is located on Hwy.10 approximately 5 miles east of Tahlequah.
Dense stands of oak-hickory timber interspersed with some short leaf pine on rolling, rocky, and relatively steep hills predominates the area. The average annual precipitation is about 41 inches.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Quail
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
No camping allowed.
From Tahlequah: 1 mile east on U.S. Hwy 62, 3 miles north on State Hwy 10, 0.3 miles east on E0730 (black top road).
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in fair numbers.
- Turkey: Turkeys are present in low numbers.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in low numbers.
- Rabbit: Cottontail rabbits are available.
- Squirrel: Both fox and gray squirrels are present in good numbers.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat, Gray fox, raccoon, skunk, mink and opossum can be found on the area.
- Dove: Dove may be present in very low numbers.
- Bald Eagle: Eagles occasionally winter along the Illinois river which borders the area to the west.
The area is a land grant, in which the donors requested the area be kept in pristine condition. Therefore, it is maintained as a primitive area with little development and consists almost exclusively of mature hard wood closed canopy timber. The only available water is the Illinois River. Management for wildlife is limited to population control through annual seasons and bag limits.
Camping is not permitted on the area. Accommodations can be found in Tahlequah. (www.tourtahlequah.com).
The Illinois River provides excellent year around fishing smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass, channel catfish and a variety of sunfish species. For more information about floating and/or fishing the Illinois River contact the GRDA Scenic Rivers Operations (918) 456-3251.
GreenCountryOK
1-800-922-2118
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Upper McClellan-Kerr Waterway Association
PO Box 2361
Muskogee, OK 74402
918-684-6363
1-888-687-6137
Muskogee Convention and Tourism
412 Boston, Muskogee OK 74402
918-684-6363
1-888-687-6137
www.visitmuskogee.com
