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
Cimarron Bluff WMA covers 3,590 acres in northeastern Harper County. Located north of the city of Woodward. It is four miles south of the junction of Highways 34 and US 64 and then one and a half miles east on County Road 15 (it may not be labeled) to one of the parking areas. Cimarron Bluff WMA is primarily rolling hills with high bluffs overlooking the west side of the Cimarron River. The area is dominated by mixed-grass prairie vegetation with isolated pockets of sand sagebrush, sand plum, and sumac occurring on red clay and gypsum soils. Cottonwood, hackberry, and western soapberry trees exist along the creeks flowing through the property. A limited amount of Cimarron River flood plain exists along the east boundary of the WMA, dominated by salt flats, interspersed with salt cedar.
All hunting activities will be by walk-in only. Consult regulations before entering the area.
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.
North entrance – From Buffalo: 16 miles east on U.S. Hwy 64, 1 mile south on N2060 (which is 1 mile east of State Hwy 34).
South entrance – From Buffalo: 15 miles east on U.S. Hwy 64, 4 miles south on State Hwy 34, 1½ miles east on Harper County Rd 15 (E0150).
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in moderate numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in limited numbers, mule deer are rarely seen.
- Turkey: Rio Grande turkeys are present in very low numbers.
- Pheasant: Pheasants are extremely rare.
- Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers.
- Rabbit: Rabbits are present in fair numbers.
- Waterfowl: Duck and goose opportunities exist on area ponds and along the river.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are present.
- Lesser Prairie Chicken, Bell’s Vireo, Eastern Collard Lizard, Texas Horned Lizard, Western Diamondback and Prairie Rattlesnakes, long-billed curlew, loggerhead shrike, western big-eared bat, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cassin Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red Headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellowlegs, Osprey, Snowy Plover, Interior Least Tern, Arkansas River Shiner, and Arkansas Darter.
All activities will be by walk-in only, and will be restricted during hunting seasons and by on-going management practices. Consult regulations before entering the area.
Cimarron Bluff has two major ponds and several smaller ponds along with a spring fed creek that will be managed for wildlife water sources. Management practices will include prescribed grazing by livestock, strip mowing, pasture aeration, prescribed burning, and selective removal of upland trees. These techniques will produce native wildlife foods that will include ragweed, croton, and sunflowers.
The WMA has one primitive camping area located on the south side. Other accommodations can be found in Woodward, 26 miles south on Highway 34 or in Buffalo, 15 miles to the west on US Highway 64.
Fishing is accessible by walk-in only. The largest pond on the area, known as Turkey Foot Pond (named for its shape) is approximately 13 acres in size and offers largemouth and bluegill fishing. All fishing is catch-and-release only.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Dove, Rail, Gallinule
Closed during deer muzzleloader season.
- Pheasant
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily.
- Squirrel, Rabbit, Crow, Snipe, Woodcock, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling, Duck, Merganser and Coot
Same as statewide season dates, except closed the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Fall Gun
Same as statewide season dates. One-bird limit, 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 first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours close at 4:30 p.m. daily. Closed to non-resident hunting Feb 1-15.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
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.