The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a free signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure).
2. We prohibit taking of goose during the duck hunt.
3. Species and bag limits are in accordance with State regulations.
4. We allow duck hunting on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise until 1 p.m. Refer to the refuge hunting brochure for opening and closing dates.
5. You may only use portable blinds. You must remove blinds, decoys, and all personal equipment (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) daily.
6. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter).
7. We prohibit horse and mule riding while hunting on the refuge.
8. We provide access for hunters with disabilities. Please contact the refuge office for additional information.
9. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on the refuge must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in part 32).
10. An adult at least age 18 must directly supervise youth age 14 or younger while hunting.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, turkey, and raccoon in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) for squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon. We require no fee.
2. We allow shotguns, .22- and .17-caliber rimfire rifles, and pistols for rabbit and squirrel hunting.
3. Raccoon hunting only: Hunt hours are legal sunset to legal sunrise only. State firearm restrictions apply.
4. We publish opening and closing dates in the Refuge Hunt Brochure.
5. We allow dogs for hunting squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon, but you must remove the dogs from the refuge at the end of the hunt (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. We offer refuge-controlled turkey hunts. We require hunters to possess a permit and pay a fee for these hunts. You may call the refuge office or the State for information concerning these hunts.
7. Turkey hunters must check-in and out at a refuge check station. Refuge staff provide a hunter briefing as part of the check-in.
8. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds during turkey hunts.
9. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter).
10. Conditions A7, A8, and A9 apply.
11. An adult at least age 18 must directly supervise youth hunters age 14 or younger while hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383) for the archery deer hunt only. Hunters must turn in a Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359) by December 31 annually. Failure to submit the report will render the hunter ineligible for the next year's limited season archery deer hunt.
2. We will offer a limited season archery deer hunt following the controlled deer hunt.
3. You may hunt feral hog during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits (either a signed refuge brochure, Special Use Permit, or a State-issued controlled hunt permit) and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
4. We prohibit scouting when we are conducting controlled deer hunts.
5. We offer refuge-controlled deer hunts (primitive weapon, disabled primitive, youth primitive). We require hunters to possess a permit (a State-issued controlled hunt permit) and pay a fee for these hunts. For information concerning the hunts, contact the refuge office or the State.
6. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter).
7. Conditions A7, A8, and A9 apply.
8. Hunters may place no more than one stand on the refuge. Stands may not be in place until the day the hunt begins. Hunters must remove stands the day the hunt ends.
9. We allow take of feral hog only during daylight hours, and they must be dead prior to removal from the refuge.
10. An adult at least age 18 must directly supervise youth age 14 or younger while hunting.
11. During the refuge archery deer season/hunt, we follow the archery legal means of taking found in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's annual official Hunting Guide. No person may use any firearm in conjunction with this hunt.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. A fishing brochure with a map is available from the refuge office. We identify parking areas and open and closed areas on the map.
2. No person may use any firearm in conjunction with fishing.
3. We allow year-round fishing on the Deep Fork River and at the Montezuma Creek Fishing Area. We allow fishing on all other sloughs, farm ponds, and impoundments not connected to the River from March 1 through October 31.
4. Game fish species and creel/possession limits are in accordance with State regulations.
5. We allow bowfishing on the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset from March 1 to September 30 except during the Youth and Adult Controlled Turkey Hunts. Please contact the refuge for more information.
6. We prohibit snagging and netting.
7. We only allow trotlines, juglines, limblines, and yo-yos in the Deep Fork River and prohibit them in any other areas on the refuge. Anglers must mark lines and attend and remove them (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) in accordance with State regulations.
8. We allow noodling in accordance with State fishing regulations.
9. We prohibit the taking of turtle and mussel (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
10. We provide access for anglers with disabilities. Please contact the refuge office for additional information.
11. Conditions A7 and A9 apply.
Little River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit building and use of permanent blinds. You may only use portable blinds. You must remove blinds, decoys, and all personal equipment from the refuge daily (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. You may hunt from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
4. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit while hunting.
5. You may only hunt duck during designated refuge seasons.
6. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, turkey, beaver, and raccoon on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Turkey hunters using firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter) must pay fees and obtain a controlled hunt permit through the State.
2. Conditions A1 and A4 apply.
3. You may only hunt upland game during designated refuge seasons.
4. Shotgun hunters may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. You may hunt beaver during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Deer hunters using firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter) must pay fees and obtain a controlled hunt permit through the State.
2. Condition A1 applies.
3. You may hunt feral hog during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
4. Deer archery hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit while hunting.
5. You may only hunt big game during designated refuge seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A1 applies.
Optima National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of mourning doves is permitted on designated areas of the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt pheasants, bobwhite and scaled quail, cottontail rabbit and jackrabbit on the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Only shotguns are permitted.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer and turkey on the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Archery and shotguns are permitted during spring turkey season.
2. Only archery hunting is permitted during fall seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, sandhill crane, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
2. We require hunters to check-in and out of the refuge.
3. Hunting begins \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise and ends at 12 p.m. (noon).
4. We prohibit hunting during the regular State rifle deer season on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and pheasant on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of white-tailed deer is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Permits and payment of a fee are required.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We close designated areas of the Great Salt Plains Reservoir.
2. We allow fishing from April 1 through October 15.
3. We prohibit trotlines within 500 feet (150 m) of the shoreline of the Jet Recreation Area.
4. Posts used to secure or anchor trotlines must reach a minimum of 2 feet (30 cm) above the water surface, and you must mark them to make them clearly visible to boaters.
5. We prohibit the taking of any type of bait from refuge lands or waters.
6. We only allow fishing on Bonham Pond:
i. By youths age 14 and under;
ii. By any person with a disability;
iii. Only from legal sunrise to legal sunset;
iv. With a limit of one pole per person; and
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, dove, coot, snipe, and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge brochure (which serves as your Waterfowl/Migratory Game Bird/Upland Game Hunting Permit). The permit/brochure is available free of charge at the refuge headquarters, at various entry points to the refuge, and on our Web site.
2. We open the refuge to hunting only on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. We prohibit hunters from entering the land portion of the Sandtown Bottom Unit or any portion of Sally Jones Lake before 5 a.m. Hunters must leave the area by 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 50 feet (15 m) of designated roads or parking areas. All hunters must park in designated parking areas.
3. We designate the east portion of Sandtown Bottom Unit and the portion of Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, from Tuff boat ramp to the confluence of Vian Creek, as a Wildlife Use Area, and we close it to all entry, except for the designated hiking trail, from September 1 through March 31. We mark the closed area with signs and buoys.
4. Season lengths and bag limits will be in accordance with State regulations with the exception that all hunting, except for the conservation light goose season, will close on January 31 of each year. If a conservation light goose season is in effect, it will follow State regulations with the exception of special regulations and hunting days.
5. Hunters must use only legal shotguns and possess only approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)). Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge regulations in part 32).
6. We prohibit construction of pit blinds or permanent blinds. You must reduce blinds to a natural appearance or remove them (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of the day. You must remove all empty shells, litter, decoys, boats, or other personal property (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) at the end of the day.
7. We allow boats, and you must operate them under applicable State laws and comply with all licensing and marking regulations from their State of origin.
8. We prohibit guiding or outfitting for commercial purposes.
9. We prohibit hunters from using refuge boat ramps to access hunting areas outside the refuge boundary on days when we close the refuge for hunting certain species or for any species not hunted on the refuge.
10. We restrict the use of airboats within the refuge boundary to the navigation channel and the designated hunting areas from September 1 to March 31.
11. We prohibit hunters entering the Sandtown Bottom Unit prior to 5 a.m. during the hunting season. Until 7 a.m., the entrance is through the headquarters gate only, at which time hunters may enter the Sandtown Bottom Unit through any other access point on the refuge. Hunters must leave the Sandtown Bottom Unit by 1 hour after legal sunset.
12. We prohibit alcoholic beverages on all refuge lands.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A3, A5, A8, A9, A10, and A12 apply.
2. We only open the refuge to hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. We generally designate open areas as: Area A--Sandtown Bottom, Area B--Webber Bottom, and Area C--Girty Bottom. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 50 feet (15 meters) of designated roads or parking areas. All hunters must park in designated parking areas.
3. Season lengths and bag limits will be in accordance with State regulations with the exception that all upland game hunting will close on January 31 of each year.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters must possess and carry a refuge-controlled hunt permit, and comply with the designated refuge season, hunting methods, and location guidelines for that year.
2. Hunters must apply to the State-controlled deer hunt drawing administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for selection. We require those hunters to attend a prehunt briefing, and they must follow all applicable State regulations.
3. We require payment of State and Federal special deer hunting fees.
4. Condition A9 applies.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and frogging on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Fishing and frogging will follow State seasons, limits, and regulations with the exception that from September 1 to March 31 we prohibit fishing or frogging in the closed zone south of refuge headquarters, as designated by buoys and signs. We close the Horton Slough area south of the refuge headquarters to fishing and entry east to the confluence of Little Vian Creek.
2. We prohibit boating on the closed portion of Sally Jones Lake from September 1 to March 31.
3. You must remove trotlines (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) from the closed zone before September 1.
4. Conditions A7, A8, and A9 apply.
5. We prohibit the possession of any firearms or bows with arrows while frogging.
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Refuge bonus deer gun hunts are by special permit (issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Wildlife Conservation) only; we prohibit prehunt scouting or use of camera-monitoring devices.
2. We prohibit baiting (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
3. We allow camping in compliance with conditions set out by the refuge.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions
1. Anglers may bank and wade fish with pole and line or rod and reel year-round in areas open for public fishing access.
2. Anglers may use boats from March 1 through September 30 in designated waters (see refuge map).
3. Anglers may ``no-wake'' boat fish during the boating season with line and pole or rod and reel, except in areas designated as Sanctuary Zones.
4. Anglers may use trotlines and other set tackle only in the Cumberland Pool (designated areas), Rock Creek, and between the natural banks of the Washita River. Anglers may only use set tackle with anchored floats.
5. We prohibit use of limblines, throwlines, juglines, and yo-yos.
6. We prohibit use of any containers (jugs, bottles) as floats.
7. Anglers may night fish from a boat (during boating season) in the Cumberland Pool, except in the Sanctuary Zones. Anglers may night fish at the Headquarters area, Sandy Creek Bridge, Murray 23, and Nida Point.
9. Anglers may take bait only for personal use while fishing on the refuge in accordance with State law. We prohibit bait removal from the refuge for commercial sales. We also prohibit release of bait back into the water.
9. We prohibit bow fishing.
10. We prohibit take of fish by use of hands (noodling).
11. We prohibit take of frog, turtle, or mussel.
12. We prohibit swimming, water sports, personal watercraft, and airboats.
13. Condition C3 applies.
Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove and waterfowl on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with State regulations.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail, squirrel, turkey, and rabbit on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with State regulations.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with State regulations.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with State regulations.
Washita National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and sandhill crane on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require permits and payment of a fee to hunt goose and sandhill crane.
2. Goose and sandhill crane hunters must hunt from designated pit blinds.
3. We allow youth hunters, ages 12 to 16, to hunt duck in a controlled youth hunt in conjunction with a waterfowl seminar.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt quail and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting during the special refuge season in accordance with the refuge hunt information sheet.
2. You must obtain a refuge hunt permit and pay a fee (fee waived for Youth Hunt participants).
3. You must check in and out of hunt areas daily at the refuge office or check station.
4. You must take bagged deer and/or hog to the refuge check station.
5. We will determine bag limits on deer annually.
6. We prohibit the use of bait.
7. A nonhunting mentor of 21 years of age or older must accompany, and be in the immediate presence of, participants in the Youth Hunt, who must be between the ages of 12 and 18. Hunters and mentors must BOTH wear hunter orange clothing meeting or exceeding the minimum State requirements.
8. We prohibit handguns.
D. Sport Fishing. Anglers may fish in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State fishing regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Anglers may fish from March 15 through October 14 in the Washita River and Foss Reservoir. Anglers may bank fish year round in the Washita River and Foss Reservoir from open areas.
2. Anglers may access fishing areas only from designated parking areas and by boat from Foss Reservoir.
3. We do not allow boats and other flotation devices on refuge waters from October 15 through March 14.
Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of elk and white-tailed deer is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Permits and payment of a fee are required.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Fish may be taken only with pole and line or rod and reel.
2. Taking any type of bait from refuge lands or waters is not permitted.
3. Taking of frogs and turtles is not permitted.
4. Hand-powered boats are permitted only on Jed Johnson, Rush, Quanah Parker, and French Lakes.
5. Anglers may use electric trolling motors on boats 14[foot] or less in length only on Jed Johnson, Rush, Quanah Parker and French Lakes.
6. Anglers may use motorized boats on Elmer Thomas Lake; however, we enforce a no-wake rule on the lake. [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 6695, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55187, Nov. 3, 1994; 60 FR 61213, Nov. 29, 1995; 60 FR 62046, Dec. 4, 1995; 61 FR 46398, Sept. 3, 1996; 62 FR 47380, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46920, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30789, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56407, Sept. 18, 2000; 66 FR 46361, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58949, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54445, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54188, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33195, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45695, Sept. 3, 2009; 76 FR 3988, Jan. 21, 2011; 76 FR 56083, Sept. 9, 2011; 77 FR 56054, Sept. 11, 2012; 80 FR 51927, Aug. 26, 2015]