Now is No Time for Cabin Fever in Oklahoma
OutdoorHub 12.29.11
With several open hunting seasons and some good fishing to be had across the state, most outdoorsmen know this is no time to be suffering from cabin fever.
While several important fall hunting seasons have come and gone, there are still several hunting opportunities available right now in Oklahoma, including seasons such as deer and turkey archery, quail, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, furbearer and waterfowl. There also are hunting seasons for some species that are open year-round. Trout season is well-underway, and anglers can even pursue wintertime crappie, bass, striped bass and other sport fish on waters
“This is not the time to pack away all your gear until spring,” said Nels Rodefeld, chief of information and education for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Instead, it’s time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.”
Oklahomans don’t have to look far for a place to hunt or fish during the late season, either. The Wildlife Department maintains wildlife management areas in every part of the state that are open to public hunting, and lakes, ponds and rivers provide fishing access even during the coldest months. Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons, and hunters should consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” online at wildlifedepartment.com before going afield.
Open seasons at a glance
- Deer archery – either sex through Jan. 15
- Turkey fall archery – through Jan. 15
- Squirrel – through Jan. 31
- Furbearer – through Feb. 29
- Pheasant – through Jan. 31
- Quail – through Feb. 15
- Rabbit – through March 15
Waterfowl
- Ducks, mergansers and coots – Panhandle through Jan. 4; Zone 1 through Jan. 22; Zone 2 through Jan. 29
- Canada geese – through Feb. 12
- White-fronted geese – through Feb. 5
- Light geese (snow, blue and Ross’) – through Feb. 12
- (Conservation Order Light Goose Season – Feb. 13 – March 30, 2012)
- Sandhill crane – through Jan. 22 (west of I-35 only)
