Attention Non-Residents
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
Beaver River WMA covers 18,623.51 acres of western Beaver County in the Oklahoma panhandle. Located just east of Hwy. 83 (southeast of the town of Turpin), Beaver River WMA is a mixture of upland, flood plain, and river bottom. Sagebrush and buffalo grass are predominate on upland sites, which are interspersed with sand plum thickets and rolling sandhills. Bottomlands consist of sand plum thickets, salt cedar, and mixed grassland. The Beaver River, which runs intermittently, offers a classic western Oklahoma floodplain comprised of cottonwood, hackberry, and American elm. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 19 inches. Approximately 20 windmills and 10 guzzlers have been installed to provide water for wildlife. Management practices include grazing of cattle, strip disking, strip mowing, and prescribed burns.
The Beaver River WMA has an additional 5,110 acres which are part of the Beaver River WMA - McFarland Unit.
Management efforts focus on producing native wildlife foods such as ragweed and sunflower, although some small agricultural food plots are planted annually throughout the WMA. An additional 400 acres of agricultural plots are planted in an agriculture lease program.
Going Quail Hunting?
During quail hunting season, wing collection boxes are placed at several wildlife management areas: Beaver River, Optima, Packsaddle, Cooper, Kaw, Drummond Flats, Canton, Fort Supply, Cross Timbers, and Pushmataha. Hunters are asked to donate a wing from each quail they harvest for research purposes. Ultimately, the wings can help determine the status of the quail populations at the WMAs and can offer clues about how next year’s season might pan out.
From Beaver take US-270 W/Crescent Douglas north for 3.4 miles. Turn west onto Beaver Rd. Travel for 8 miles to N1310 Rd. Travel south onto N1310 Rd. After 0.8 miles you will reach a “T” intersection, turn right. The rifle range will be on your right.
Five designated primitive camping areas are offered on the area. The Beaver Dunes Park offers campsites with facilities and RV hookups. The State Park can be reached at (580) 625-3373. The towns of Beaver and Forgan have lodging and restaurants. The Beaver Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (580) 625-4726. In Forgan contact the city clerk at (580) 487-3393.
A rifle range can be found on the north side of the area. It offers both 50 and 100 yard ranges and has a covered shooting bench.
Features: 100-yard rifle range with 4 covered shooting benches, a trap range, and ADA access and parking.
Coordinates: 36°51'6.42"N 100°39'27.76"W
Driving Directions: From Beaver take US-270 W/Crescent Douglas north for 3.4 miles. Turn west onto Beaver Rd. Travel for 8 miles to N1310 Rd. Travel south onto N1310 Rd. After 0.8 miles you will reach a “T” intersection, turn right. The rifle range will be on your right.
Be sure to review Department-Managed Area Rules on shooting ranges before use.
Fishing opportunities exist at Beaver Dunes Park, about 10 miles east of the area and at Lake Evans Chambers (known locally as Clear Lake) located about 45 miles east of the area. There are no ponds or permanent pools on the WMA to sustain a reliable fishery.
Area closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts:
Nov. 22-23, 2025
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Deer Muzzleloader
Closed to mule deer hunting.
- Duck, Merganser and Coot, Sandhill Cranes, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during deer gun season.
- Pheasant
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Shotgun only.
- Trapping
Open to water sets, live box traps and enclosed trigger traps only through Jan 31. Open same as statewide Feb 1 through end of February.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined. Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily.
- Quail
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily. Closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
Closed to all nonhunting activities, except hunter camping, from Oct. 1 - Feb. 15.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas. Prairie dog hunting is closed.
Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting
Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.
Exploring the New Herron Family WMA
The new Herron Family WMA is more than 17,000 acres of hunting land, it is also adventure, access, conservation, and tradition. Thanks to a unique partnership, Oklahoma residents now have a new place to chase deer, call turkeys, hear quail, and pass on the outdoors to the next generation.