Bow season begins Sunday
Even though the temperatures this week are about eight to 10 degrees above normal, hunters will not be deterred from the start of bow season which begins Sunday.
Even though the temperatures this week are about eight to 10 degrees above normal, hunters will not be deterred from the start of bow season which begins Sunday.
With Oklahoma’s deer season upon us, a number of hunters will be going afield for the first time.
We, as hunters, take on a huge responsibility from the time we hit the woods until, if fortunate enough, the quarry has been found.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) reports that again archery hunters set another harvest record during the 2022-23 season. Harvest totaled 41,487 deer, making up almost 31 percent of the total harvest.
More impressive was the fact that of the total harvest, 48 percent were antlerless deer.
The annual Game Harvest Survey (GHS), a scientific survey conducted by ODWC, has been tasked with tracking hunter participation metrics for decades. The GHS estimated that 102,116 hunters went afield with archery gear in hand. This is lower than in some years past, but this year’s estimate does not include the tribal compact licenses issued in previous years. That is now the case for each method’s estimate of hunter numbers.
Whether you go afield with a long bow, recurve, compound or crossbow, Oklahoma has one of the more liberal season bag limits nationwide for archery deer hunters.
All deer taken during archery season count toward a hunter’s combined season bag limit, and hunters must always field tag and report their harvest using the online e-check system.
Since turkey archery season also starts Sunday, it is common for many deer hunters to buy and carry a turkey tag into the woods in case they get the chance to harvest a bird.
Archers pursuing elk on private lands need to be aware of the seven elkhunting zones in Oklahoma and the regulations for each of them according to ODWC. Hunters need to be aware elk hunting is not permitted on any department-managed land except through the Controlled Hunts Program. Last season, archers took 83 elk from private lands in 18 counties.
For interested antelope hunters, the pronghorn antelope archery season also opens Sunday. Scouting and visiting with landowners are keys to pronghorn hunting success. Of note: Pronghorns are not true antelopes. It is the only example of its species left on earth, and is more closely related to giraffes and camels Black bear archery season opens Sunday. Last season, 57 bears were taken with archery equipment on public and private lands.
One change in recent years in biggame regulations is the ability to use leashed tracking dogs to help find downed game. Trackers must notify a game warden beforehand, and no trackers may possess any means of take while tracking.
The habitat conditions are looking up across much of the state. Areas that were plagued with historical droughts have received much-needed rainfall, and at a perfect time for nursing fawns and growing antlers.
In the early season, I always try to notice where the oak trees are loaded up with acorns. Not all oak trees are created equal. From what I have noticed in scouting, there seems to be an abundance of white oak acorns this year.
To take it a step further, even with a bumper crop of acorns there always seems to be one or two trees that the deer prefer. Don’t ask me why because I am certainly not a biologist.
As always, make sure you tell somebody the location you are hunting. If you are using a treestand, wear a properly-fitting safety harness. You owe it to your family and friends.
• • • John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by e-mailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.
