Contacts
Hugo WMA covers 18,196 acres with two additional areas ( Sawyer Unit and Hamden Unit) of 551 and 480 acres respectively. Total WMA is 19,227 acres. The Hugo WMA is located along the Kiamichi River with the majority in Choctaw County. The northern portion is in southern Pushmataha County. The Waterfowl Refuge Portion is located adjacent to the Kiamichi River and consists of 3,820 acres.
Habitat consists of mature stands of hardwoods in the bottom land areas to hardwood/pine tree mixes in some areas. Much of the area is old farm field habitat that is maintained through intensive management practices as prescribed burning, discing, and mowing operations. The variety of trees include six species of oak as well as ash, hickory, pine, river birch, willow, as well as sand plum, holly, sumac, and a great variety of grasses and legumes.
From Hugo: East on U.S. Hwy 70, 6 miles north on State Hwy 93.
Hugo WMA – Sawyer Unit
From Hugo: 7 miles east on U.S. Hwy 70, 3 miles south on N4300, 2½ miles east on E2105.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in very low numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Turkey: Eastern wild turkey are present in low numbers but are highly sought after.
- Rabbit: Both cottontails and swamp rabbits are present in fair numbers, with cottontails being more common.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat, beaver, mink, and raccoon are available.
- Dove: Usually fair dove numbers can be found during the migration.
- River Otters: Present, but only in very low numbers. Same as statewide.
- Waterfowl: Goose number are usually low but ducks are usually present in good numbers throughout the season
- Bear: Hunting allowed on the Pushmataha County portion only.
- Bald Eagle: Eagles winter at Hugo Lake and travel the Kiamichi River Basin.
- American Burying Beetle, Indiana Bat, Interior Least Tern, Piping Plover, Harlequin Darner
Birds: Northern Parula, Prothonotary Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat
Mammals: Nine-banded Armadillo, Evening Bat
Reptiles: Broad-headed Skink, Ouachita Map Turtle, Red-bellied Snake
Amphibians: Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, Marbled Salamander
Approximately 200 acres of food plots are planted yearly. Management practices such as burning, plowing, and mowing are used to provide quality native plant food resources and to maintain habitat diversity. Hugo WMA has plenty of water sources for all game and non-game species.
Primitive camping areas are offered on the area, while both lodging and restaurants are available in Hugo. Also the Corps of Engineers offer camping at areas on the South and east shore of Hugo Lake. The C.O.E. phone number is : 580-326-3345
A rifle range can be found on the east side of Hugo Dam. It offers both 25, 50, and 100 yard target ranges and has a covered shooting bench.
Fishing opportunities exist at Hugo Lake both on the main water and below the dam. ODWC has two boat ramps with primitive camping sites at the north end of the lake near the town of Messer. Hugo Lake is best known for it’s quality crappie fishing in the spring.
Area closed to all activities for controlled deer hunts Oct. 11-13, 2024.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on both Hugo/Kiamichi River and Sawyer WDU portions.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Gun
Open during the first nine days only.
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Crow, Rabbit, Squirrel, Predator/Furbearer Calling, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Waterfowl
Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portions.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
Kiamichi Country Tourism
1-800-722-8180
Clayton
PO Box 279, Dept KC03
Clayton 74536
(918) 569-4135
Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce
200 South Broadway
Hugo OK 74743
(580) 326-7511
hugochamber@lstarnet.com
http://www.hugochamber.com
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Pushmataha County Chamber of Commerce
212 North High Antlers OK 74523
(580) 298-2488
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.
