Oklahoma deer hunting season 2023 kicks off at sunrise Sunday

Sunday is Opening Day for many hunters in Oklahoma.

Archery seasons for deer, elk, antelope, turkey and bear begin at sunrise on Sunday.

Deer hunters in Oklahoma are coming off a record season in 2022 when more than 134,000 deer (antlered and antlerless) were harvested. The previous record was 126,290 in 2020.

When is deer season in Oklahoma?

Here is a look at when the various deer hunting seasons run in Oklahoma:

• Deer archery: Oct. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024
• Youth deer gun: Oct. 20 – Oct. 22
• Deer muzzleloader: OCt. 28- Nov. 5
• Deer gun: Nov. 18 – Dec. 3
• Holiday antlerless deer gun: Dec. 18 – Dec. 31

When is elk season in Oklahoma?

• Elk archery: Oct. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024
• Youth elk gun: Oct. 20 – Oct. 22
• Elk muzzleloader: Oct. 28 – Nov. 5
• Elk gun: Nov. 18 – Dec. 3
• Holiday antlerless elk gun: Dec 18 – Dec 31

When is antelope season in Oklahoma?

• Antelope archery: Oct. 1 – Oct. 14
• Antelope gun (either sex, draw only, landowner/controlled hunt permits): Aug. 31 – Sept. 3
• Antelope gun (doe only, draw only, controlled hunt permit only): Sept. 4 – Sept. 13
• Antelope gun (doe only, draw only, landowner permit only): Nov. 25 – Jan. 14, 2024

When is bear season in Oklahoma?

• Bear archery: Oct. 1 – Oct. 15
• Bear muzzleloader: Oct 28 – Nov. 5

When is the fall turkey season in Oklahoma?

• Turkey fall archery: Oct. 1 – Jan. 15, 2024
• Turkey fall gun: Nov. 4 – Nov. 17

How do I get a hunting license in Oklahoma?

State-issued hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Be sure to read up on the rules and regulations for hunting in Oklahoma. Various hunting seasons require different licenses.

Various Oklahoma tribes also offer hunting and fishing licenses, though they can only be used within that tribe’s reservation. In 2021, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt decided not to renew hunting and fishing compacts with the Cherokee and Choctaw nations.