How feasible is it to deer hunt Oklahoma with an ATV?

[swampratt]

There are sectioned places for ambulatory travel on WMA hunting grounds I have seen the signs while hunting.
There are also rules in place that are no vehicles beyond certain points and no vehicles are supposed to be on core lands unless there is a designated road.

I see law breakers often and roads cut on core land by ATV travel.
Then people think it is ok to travel these made trails when it is illegal to do so.

The people I see most on those trails riding an ATV are not hunters and leave litter and I actually had a group of them pour their beers on my car and left a 1/2 drank one on the hood as a calling card or something.

They were within seeing distance and shouting profanity because we were in the woods hunting on core land.



I have a very bad taste in my mouth for ATV riding beer drinking land littering A holes.



There are plenty of places to hunt with a valid Hunting license in this state where you do not need an ATV and places that allow it.

 

[AlongCameJones]

Some of us are physical wimps and would love the helping hand of a vehicle of some sort if the rules would allow it. I wrote an email to the game agency and asked them this:

For the purpose of hunting on Oklahoma public-accessible lands, including WMA's, are any or all of the following considered "motor vehicles"?

-walk-behind gasoline-powered or electric-powered motorized game/deer carts or motorized wheelbarrows?
-electric-powered ATV's?
-electric-powered bicycles?

If I was allowed to use even a powered walk-behind cart to haul out my deer I would be happy. Otherwise, I had better stick to dove.



Please stay tuned for an answer.

I agree. The bad ATV'ers probably ruined it for others so that laws clamped down on them over the years. They came out in the 1980's and rules might not have been so strict then. I guess in OK, ATV'ing is largely in the domain of private property if landowners will put up with them even.

 

[huntemup]

Ebikes like quietkat are ok to use but I think what I was told was that they need to be under 1000w. On some public lands they can be a game changer even if they just cut your walking distance by a fraction. In other areas they’re pretty much useless.

 

[swampratt]

I was told NO E bikes or any bike.
Read here on rules and what this topic is concerned about starts where Horses & Mules for Hunting begins.

Department-Managed Area Rules - Oklahoma Hunting

Public use of Department-managed lands is permitted according to the following priorities: Hunting, fishing, trapping, running dogs for sport and…

www.eregulations.com

If you do not like clicking the link read here.
You will find the Horses and Mules are not legal either.





Oklahoma › Hunting › Department-Managed Area Rules

• General Info
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  • OLAP Regulations
• Seasons & Limits
  • Deer Hunting Seasons
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  • Migratory Game Bird Season Dates & Limits
  • Bear Hunting Seasons
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• Public Hunting
  • Department-Managed Area Rules
  • Special Area Regulations: A-D
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  • Special Area Regulations: M-R
  • Special Area Regulations: S-Z
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  • 

Department-Managed Area Rules​

The primary objective on all lands owned or managed by the Department is the sound management and use of fish and wildlife resources resident thereon. Public use of Department-managed lands is permitted according to the following priorities:

1. Hunting, fishing, trapping, running dogs for sport and associated activities.

2. Other wildlife-oriented activities (nature observation or photography,
and conservation education).

3. Non-wildlife related activities, when such activities do not conflict with the wildlife management objective (picnicking, hiking, backpacking, short-term camping, horseback riding).

4. Large group activities (military training, organized trail rides).

Terms Defined​

Wildlife Management Area (WMA)​

All lands owned, licensed, leased, or under the management of the Wildlife Division (except for the McCurtain County Wilderness Area) are designated WMAs to accurately reflect the overall objectives for these lands and the results of management activities conducted thereon. Depending on the specific management objectives, all or part of any particular WMA may also be designated as a public hunting area, game management area, migratory bird refuge, waterfowl refuge portion or wetland development unit.

Public Hunting Area (PHA)​

Areas where most forms of wildlife harvest are permitted under statewide hunting, fishing, and furbearer regulations, unless specific regulations for the area indicate otherwise.

Game Management Area (GMA)​

Areas where hunting and public use are more closely regulated than on PHAs.

Migratory Bird Refuge or Waterfowl Refuge Portion (WRP)​

Areas closed to all public use and access from Oct. 15 - Jan. 31, except for controlled hunt permittees on days of their hunt, and unless specifically noted otherwise. In addition, all shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead shot is prohibited.

Conservation Education Area (CEA)​

Areas which primary purpose is conservation education. All activities are regulated by the Department.

Wetland Development Unit (WDU)​

Wetland units where all shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead shot is prohibited. In addition, shooting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily.

Wildlife Management Unit (WMU)​

Lands owned or managed by the Department. Open for limited hunting (see Tishomingo WMU and Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area, Watts Unit).

Army Ammunition Plant (AAP) & Joint Maneuver Training Center (JMTC)​

Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Department of the Army. Open for limited hunting (see McAlester AAP and Camp Gruber JMTC).

National Recreation Area (NRA)​

Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Open for limited hunting (see Chickasaw NRA).

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)​

Lands owned and operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior. May be open for limited hunting and/or controlled hunts.

Area Regulations​

Policies governing situations not covered under these regulations are determined by the Director or his designated representatives, and their decision is binding until such time as the Wildlife Commission can formulate permanent policy on the issue.

Public lands not specifically listed as open are closed.

It is the responsibility of the area users to become knowledgeable of, and comply with, any regulations applicable to specific areas.

Alcoholic Beverages​

No person shall possess, consume or use beer or alcoholic beverages (as defined in O.S. Title 37), except in camping and parking areas, on any lands or waterways subject to the control of the Department, except U.S. Forest Service regulations shall apply to the Black Kettle, Ouachita and Rita Blanca WMAs.

Baiting​

It shall be unlawful to place and/or hunt over bait on lands owned or managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, including Corps lands, see U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lands below. “Bait” shall mean the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain or other feed. Examples of prohibited bait can be found below.

Buildings & Private Developments​

No permanent or temporary structure (buildings, earthworks, corrals, boat docks, marinas, boat landings, launch ramps, etc.) may be constructed on Department-managed lands.

Camping​

Camping is limited to a maximum of 14 days, except on areas open only to hunter camping for special seasons. Camping on these areas is limited to two days longer than the period the camper (hunter) is authorized to hunt.

Quiet hours are enforced from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

All dogs or other pets must be kept on a leash or otherwise confined while in camping areas.

See specific WMA regulations for camping restrictions within WMAs.

Concessions & Businesses​

It shall be unlawful to operate any private (including guide services) or non-Departmental business or concession, including soliciting and/or advertising for any such venture, on any Department-managed lands without prior written approval from the Department.

Controlled Hunts​

Unless otherwise provided, no person is allowed in a controlled hunt area during specified dates and times without a controlled hunt permit.

Deer Stands​

No permanent type stands may be constructed in or on a tree nor shall cleats be driven into a tree to gain access to a portion of any tree nor shall any person hunt from such a stand. Only portable type stands, that do not require the use of any fastening device that has the potential of damaging a tree, are permitted. Stands shall be removed from the tree immediately following the closure of the hunt for which they were used with a limit of no more than 14 days. Stands remaining after this time become the property of the Department to be disposed of in the best practical manner.

Department Lakes​

Hunting seasons on the following Department lake areas are the same as statewide seasons, except open only from Sept. 1 through spring turkey season each year: American Horse, Burtschi, Evans Chambers, Hall, Jap Beaver, Nanih Waiya, Ozzie Cobb, Schooler and Vanderwork. All of these areas are closed to antlerless deer gun hunting, deer hunting is restricted to shotgun or archery only, and all other hunting is restricted to shotgun with pellets or archery.

For hunting regulations pertaining to Dahlgren, Doc Hollis and Vincent, see special area regulations for Lexington WMA (Dahlgren), Sandy Sanders WMA (Doc Hollis) and Ellis County WMA (Vincent).

The following lake areas are closed to hunting or taking of wildlife by any means: Elmer, Etling, Raymond Gary, Watonga and Wayne Wallace.

See specific WMA regulations for other restrictions that may apply to lakes within WMAs. Trapping is prohibited.

Dog Training​

All training of bird dogs on Department-managed lands is closed from June 1 - Aug. 31, annually.

No person who owns or operates a commercial bird dog training business or is an employee in such a business whereby bird dogs are sold and/or trained for a price or a fee may use Department-managed lands for such training purposes.

No person may train or have in possession more than three bird dogs on any Department-managed lands outside the regular harvest season.

Individuals who work no more than three personal hunting dogs outside the regular harvest season and not in a business as described above are exempt and may use Department-managed lands to train such dogs, except as otherwise provided.

Fires​

Fires shall be confined to those areas designated for camping, and shall be contained in fireplaces, fire rings, grills, or other facilities designed for this purpose. Fires shall not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished prior to departure. The burning of materials that produce toxic fumes, including but not limited to, tires and treated wood products is prohibited.

Firearms, Fireworks & Explosives Restrictions​

Fully automatic firearms are prohibited for use on any Department-managed lands, except as otherwise provided for military training.

No person shall use or possess any explosive devices, including fireworks, firecrackers or exploding targets, on Department-managed lands.

The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, explosives or explosive devices of any kind including fireworks is prohibited on all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project lands except as permitted for hunting purposes during authorized hunting seasons or being used at an authorized shooting range.

Firearms & Crossbow Transport​

While on Wildlife Management Areas, loaded firearms in motorized vehicles must be transported in compliance with current state law.

Muzzleloaders may be transported in a motor vehicle with a loaded powder charge and bullet as long as the gun is uncapped or battery is disconnected.

No crossbow may be transported in a motor vehicle unless uncocked or disassembled. No bow that is at full or partial draw may be transported in a motor vehicle.

Horses & Mules for Hunting​

Hunting on, from or with the aid of horses or mules on WMAs (except U.S. Forest Service lands, Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs) is prohibited during daylight hours during the period of Oct. 1 - Jan. 1 and during spring turkey season. Persons holding non-ambulatory permits or motor vehicle permits are exempt.

See specific WMA regulations in the Public Hunting Lands: Special Area Regulations for other restrictions that may apply.

Horses & Mules for Nonhunting Activities​

No person shall ride, drive, lead or keep a horse or other livestock on Department-managed lands (except on Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs) during the period of Oct. 1 - Jan. 1 and spring turkey seasons without prior written approval from the Department. Individuals or parties of less than 25 may ride on areas with prior written approval of the local biologist during the closed period if no hunting conflict is determined by the biologist.

During deer muzzleloader and deer gun seasons, riders must wear both a head covering and outer garment above the waistline consisting of hunter orange color totalling not less than 400 square inches.

U.S. Forest Service regulations shall apply to those lands owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

See specific WMA regulations in the Public Hunting Lands: Special Area Regulations for other restrictions that may apply.

Hunting Equipment on Wildlife Management Areas​

It shall be unlawful to place any equipment, including but not limited to tree stands, ground blinds, or game cameras on Department-managed lands, without permanently affixing the owner’s Department issued customer identification number or lifetime license number to the equipment in a conspicuous manner. All equipment not properly identified will become the property of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and be disposed of in the best practical manner.

Language or Disorderly Assemblage​

No person shall use threatening, abusive, or indecent language, participate in a disorderly assemblage, nor publicly appear nude or intoxicated on any Department-managed lands.

License Requirements​

All persons carrying a firearm or archery equipment on Department-managed lands must possess a hunting license (see License Exemptions).

Littering​

Disposal of garbage, trash, refuse, litter, sewage, debris or any other form of solid waste is prohibited, except in designated trash containers.

Livestock​

It is unlawful for any person to willfully or neglectfully allow unauthorized livestock to encroach upon any Department-managed lands. Authorized livestock for grazing purposes may be present on Department-managed lands during open hunting seasons.

Non-Ambulatory & Motor Vehicle Permittees​

Off-road use of a vehicle on public lands is prohibited except for non-ambulatory permittees on designated areas open to non-ambulatory permittees and area roads designated as open to non-ambulatory permittees and motor vehicle hunt permittees. These permits are for transportation only (no shooting from vehicles or roadways).

Non-ambulatory permittees may ride an Off-Road Vehicle/All-Terrain Vehicle from parking area or campsite to designated non-ambulatory areas. Firearms must be unloaded and/or cased while on roads. Use on county or state roads must comply with Title 47 requirements.

Non-ambulatory permittees may carry firearms with ammunition in the magazine only while upland game hunting from an ATV and while on designated non-ambulatory areas.

Off-road travel by non-ambulatory permittees with ORV/ATV is permitted in designated areas only. ORV/ATV vehicles will be restricted to utility type vehicles weighing less than 1,250 pounds.

Safety Zones​

Any areas displaying signs with the words, “Safety Zone” have restricted access and use as designated by signs posted. The act of hunting within the boundaries of any area so marked is prohibited. Retrieval of hunting dogs or downed wildlife is allowed, without any means of take.

Shed Antler Collection​

It is legal to collect and remove shed antlers from Department-managed areas. Antlers must be naturally detached from the skull plate.

Shooting Ranges​

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is in the initial stages of refurbishing a number of the shooting ranges on wildlife management areas across the state. Detailed rules will be posted at each range or for more information contact the wildlife biologist at that area.

On all wildlife management areas the discharge of firearms for purposes other than hunting is restricted to specific target or shooting ranges provided for public use. Target shooting is not allowed on areas where shooting ranges are not provided. Exemptions may only be granted by the Director of the Department upon prior submission of a written application setting forth the location, date, nature, and purpose of such activity.

All persons using shooting ranges must possess a valid Oklahoma hunting or combination license, unless otherwise exempt.

Spotlighting​

No person may take, catch, capture, kill or pursue wildlife or otherwise attempt to use for any purpose a vehicle-mounted spotlight or other powerful light at night for any purpose on Department-managed lands, except as otherwise provided for hunting of furbearers and predators, taking of frogs, or for navigational purposes while in a water conveyance.

Theft or Vandalism of State Property​

It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot at, deface, damage, destroy, remove or steal all or any part of any buildings, granaries, residence, privies or other physical structures, any equipment or machinery, fences or fencing materials, cattleguards, gates, signs, or any other state property on Department-managed lands.

It shall be unlawful to cut, dig, damage or remove any crops, trees, shrubs, timber (including dead standing trees), water, gravel, sand, earth, rocks, minerals or other natural resources other than legally harvested fish and wildlife from Department-managed lands without prior written approval from the Department. Removal of such resources from National Forest lands is subject to the regulations of the U.S. Forest Service.

It shall be unlawful to cut any living trees, shrubs, or other woody vegetation for use as camouflage, blinds, stands or firewood. Fallen dead trees may be so used, but shall not be removed for use off the Department-managed lands.

It shall be unlawful to remove any historical, cultural or archaeological artifacts (including arrowheads) from Department-managed lands.

Trapping​

All traps on Department-managed lands, regardless of species being sought, must have the owner’s name attached. Posting of traps is required; see Furbearer Regulations.

Under 16 Years of Age​

Any person under 14 years of age must be immediately supervised by an adult while afield. Minors 14-16 years old must be immediately supervised by an adult, unless they possess hunter safety certification.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lands​

Corps lands open to hunting but not licensed to the Department are open during the same dates and under the same regulations as Department-managed lands at the respective projects, unless otherwise provided. Other Corps lands not normally open to hunting may be open with certain restrictions. Contact the respective Corps lake office or the Tulsa District Office at (918) 669-7370 for information.

Vehicles​

Only those vehicles registered as legal to operate on Oklahoma public roadways may be used or parked on Department-managed lands, except on specified areas designated for off-road use, unless otherwise provided for non-ambulatory persons holding valid permits. All vehicles used by non-ambulatory permittees must conspicuously display a sticker designating the vehicle is being used by a non-ambulatory permittee and motor vehicle hunt permittees must conspicuously display a sticker designating the vehicle is being used by a motor vehicle hunt permittee. These permits may be obtained from the License Section of the Department.

Except as otherwise provided, use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV), Off Road Vehicles (ORV), Utility Vehicles (UTV), and off-road motorcycles, is prohibited on all roads on lands owned or managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife except those roads maintained by county commissioners. Travel on roads which are gated and locked, closed by earthen mound or designated as closed is prohibited, unless otherwise specified in annual regulations for non-ambulatory persons holding valid permits.

For definition purposes on both the Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs, a “maintained road” open for vehicle and ATV use is any permanent road not gated and locked or closed with an earthen mound. Additionally, a “maintained road” will be constructed with man-made ditches on one or both sides of the road to control rainwater runoff, and will not have vegetation present on the road that would impede easy travel by a two-wheel drive automobile.

Maximum speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

It is unlawful for any person to hunt, chase, capture, shoot, attempt to shoot, wound or kill any wildlife from a motor-driven vehicle on Department-managed areas, except as provided for persons holding a non-ambulatory or motor vehicle permit.


Shooting Range Rules

2. Open year-round, unless specified otherwise in the public hunting lands special regulations (controlled hunt closures) or signs at the range.
4. Shooting hours are official sunrise to official sunset, daily.
6. Any person using the shooting range under the age of 16 must be immediately supervised by an adult (18 years old or older).
8. All firearms shooting single projectiles or any pellets larger than conventional BB (.180” dia.) must be shot at approved berms and target areas only. Air-borne clay targets may be shot using pellets no larger than conventional BB (.180” dia.).
10. All rifle, pistol, shotgun, and muzzleloader targets will consist of paper or clay targets only.
12. All paper targets must be removed before leaving the shooting area.
14. Centerfire rifles and pistols .50 caliber and larger are prohibited.
16. Fully automatic firearms are prohibited.
18. Fireworks, explosive devices, exploding targets, tracer and incendiary rounds are prohibited.
20. Eye and ear protection shall be worn while shooting.
22. Shooters, and accompanying adult, must possess a valid Oklahoma hunting license or Oklahoma combination hunting/fishing license unless exempt.
24. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are prohibited on shooting range and in shooting range parking lot.

Baiting on ODWC Owned and/or Managed Lands
(Including U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Lands):

What you need to know

The use of or hunting over bait, or “baiting,” is prohibited on lands owned or managed by the Wildlife Department.

Definition:

Baiting is defined as the placing, depositing, exposing, distributing or scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain or feed.

Legal Examples

• Salt or mineral blocks
• Sardines or other lures when used for the trapping of furbearers
• Commercial scents such as doe in estrus (heat)

Illegal Examples

• Salt or mineral blocks containing corn, oats or other grain or feed
• Feed products such as cattle cubes or sweet feed
• Fruits or vegetables such as apples or potatoes
• Gathering naturally occurring food sources (such as acorns) into a pile

 

[Parks 788]

States like OK and many others with minimal public land hunting opportunities don't allow for easy/good access to use an ATV for hunting. Western states with millions of acres of public/BLM/Forest Service land to hunt on have a little more lax rules for using an ATV. That being said they still usually have rules about ATVs staying on maintained roads, etc.

THere are just too many knuckleheads out there that would use and abuse the use of an ATV and ruin hunting for other if ATVs were allowed on public land hunting. That is why much of the Western states allow horses or mules to hunt with.

 

[Parks 788]

Ohhh. On the cheap ATVs. I say steer clear of them. Biggest reason is getting service or repairs done on them. My Father In Lawhas a 17 year old Polaris Sportsman 700 and about a three year old Polaris 850. The cost of taking to a dealer for service is expensive and timeframes are long to get work done. He has found a mobile ATV service guy that will come to you, does great work and has a fair price to repair. He's super happy with this guy. If anyone in the Tulsa/ Eastern OK area wants his info I can get it and pass it on.

 

[swampratt]

In my mind the Best ATV for hunting is the Honda 70 3 wheeler.
It will go anywhere and easy to unstuck if you get stuck as it weighs 170 lbs.

One we used had high and low gear and would carry 3 full size adults all through the woods and hills without crying.
Quiet and easy on gas and narrow.
OH and it is a Honda.

You do not need a truck just a luggage carrier or toss it up on the trunk of the car.
But if you could put it on the trunk you probably are not handicapped and did not need it anyway.
Unless you are a fake handicapped person. I see a lot of those.

 

[cowadle]

i heard of rifle season and bow season. do we need an atv season?

 

[swampratt]

do we need an atv season?

It will be implemented when we have illegals season.
I think somewhere around 2050 according to Mad Max guesstimated timeline.

I will be 83 when all the fun starts

 

[VarmintHunter59]

People here ride their side by sides or 4 wheelers all day and actually think they are deer hunting. You don't find deer close to the road anymore either. But 100 yards off the road? Yeah.