Are you ready for Oklahoma's deer rifle season 2022? Here's what to know to be prepared

Daisy Creager, Oklahoman
·2 min read
18

With the opening of deer season on Nov. 19 and of Oklahoma's winter trout areas on throughout the month, here's a roundup of important information to gear up.

Season start dates and regulation changes

In addition to the 16-day dear season, upcoming openings include dove and furbearer season on Dec. 1, the second half of duck season in portions of the state on Dec. 3 and Oklahoma City trout fishing season on Dec. 1.

Several more are coming to a close, including fall gun turkey season on Nov. 18 and the first half of duck season on Nov. 27.

Additionally, there have been some rule changes since 2021. Air-powered arrow rifles can now be used for big game during rifle season.

Here you can find a full list of dates and the newest state regulations.

More:Oklahoma hunting seasons get in full swing Oct. 1 with opening of big game archery

New hunting and fishing licenses will be good for one year

Due to a law that took effect Nov. 1, new annual hunting and fishing licenses will expire one year from their purchase date, rather than at the end of the calendar or fiscal year.

The law will impact only new licenses, with those already held by hunters and anglers remaining good until their stated expiration date

Here you'll find more information about the licenses, including the cost.

Oklahoma is well-positioned for rifle season

Through Nov. 9, deer checked in from archery, muzzleloader and youth deer rifle seasons has totaled 35,511 — slightly behind 2021's 36,200 from the same period. Of those 51% have been does or antlerless, higher than the 40%-45% biologists hope for to preserve the population.

"That's a lot better spot than we've been over the last handful of years," Barber said. "Going into rifle (season), that far ahead of our goal, is good to see," Dallas Barber, a big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, previously told The Oklahoman.

In 2021, Oklahoma hunters recorded the third-highest deer harvest in history, with Pittsburg, Osage and McCurtain topping the list for total numbers bagged.

More:New Oklahoma hunting, fishing licenses will be good for one year from purchase

For the second year, OKC's Dolese Park pond will not be a trout spot

Despite being Oklahoma City's trout fishing location for more than 20 years, it was switched in 2021 to Edwards Park and Route 66 Park. That change will continue this year, with the latter two receiving the City's rainbow trout stock.

Oklahoma City Fisheries Biologist John Rayfield previously told The Oklahoman the change was made in part because in Dolese Park, the trout congregated in one area. In Edwards and Route 66 parks, they are more spread out, giving anglers more shoreline to spread out.

For more info about fishing in Oklahoma City and elsewhere in the state, check out this article.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's deer rifle season 2022 starts soon. Here's what to know.