Central Region
Report submitted by Jeff Pennington, central region wildlife supervisor
Current rutting activity: The rut typically peaks between November 10-20 in the central region, and it appears to be holding true for 2013. Buck activity has picked up significantly since the first of November. Bucks have been seen out in open areas during the middle of the day. There has also been a large increase in the number of road-killed bucks in the region. All of these items are signs of the rut picking up in the region.
Habitat Conditions: Welcome rainfall returned to the drought stricken central region in 2013. Most of the region received high amounts of rain during July and August, the two months that are typically the most stressful for Oklahoma deer. This high amount of summer rainfall produced a tremendous growth of summer deer foods. Most central region deer went into the fall period in good condition. Production is spotty, but most areas have good to excellent quantities of acorns and other mast producing crops such as persimmons and buck brush. Deer will prefer the acorns over food plots or deer feeders, which were successful tactics the past two years because of drought stressed deer and the low quantity of mast crops. Wheat has done well this year, and will be a locally important food source, particularly in the north-central portions of the region.
Reports from hunters: The amount of buck activity seen by bowhunters across the region increased significantly the first week of November. Most seasoned bowhunters think that the rut will be just past peak on opening day of gun season. Some breeding has been observed by hunters.
Notes on open Wildlife Management Areas in the region and tips for hunting public land: Check the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide" for specific regulations, as some WMAs are only open for nine days and some have restrictions on antlerless harvest. The central region has many locations to choose from for public deer hunting opportunities during the deer gun season. In south central Oklahoma, hunters can try their luck at Hickory Creek, Love Valley, Washita Arm, Tishomingo, and Fobb Bottom WMAs, all located on the upper ends of Lake Texoma. In addition, portions of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Murray County are open to gun hunting (check the with the National Park Service at (580) 622-3161 if you are not familiar with which areas are open for firearms hunting). Hunters in the north-central region can choose from Kaw WMA, which is consistently one of the top producers in the state, or Keystone, Heyburn, Skiatook, and John Dahl WMAs. The PHA portion of Okmulgee WMA also is open for gun hunters. Keys to success on public lands are similar to deer hunting everywhere: hunters that scout before the season and spend the most hours being patient on stand are the ones with the best success. One other tip is to stay put on opening morning, even if you see activity from other hunters. Often this activity from other hunters will push deer to those that remain on stand.
Three best tips for deer hunting in the region:
1. Spend time in the woods scouting before season to locate food sources, scrapes, funnels and travel patterns.
2. Stay on stand! Spend as much time as possible on stand, especially if air temperatures are at or below normal. Late morning and even mid-day produces well for those that stick it out.
3. Resist the temptation to move around. This is especially important for those with limited hunting areas. Get to your stand and make a commitment to staying there for the hunt.
Three biggest mistakes made by deer hunters in region:
1. Underestimating a deer's nose: always consider wind direction and make efforts to reduce human and human related scent while hunting.
2. Going to the woods without scouting.
3. Getting up and moving around versus taking a stand location: moving around spreads human scent throughout the woods. Unless you have a great deal of acreage to hunt on, have several stand locations selected before season, and pick one for that morning or evening hunt.
Opening morning expectations: Hunter activity will be heavy on opening weekend. If the cool weather holds through the weekend, bucks should be very active. Hunters should stay in the stands most of the day if possible. Let other hunters' mid-day activity to and from stand locations work to your advantage. Be sure to select stand sites based on wind direction: do not underestimate a deer's nose.
***
Northwest Region
Report submitted by Eddie Wilson, northwest region wildlife biologist stationed at Cooper and Fort Supply WMAs.
Current rutting activity: Deer activity to date has been slow in the northwest. Hunters are reporting very few scrapes, and are still seeing bucks traveling in groups. With the cooler temperatures we are experiencing this week, things are sure to change. Rut activity will likely start picking up in the next few days and should be in full swing by opening weekend of rifle season.
Habitat Conditions: Summer rains and moderate temperatures provided for good forage and water availability throughout the northwest this year, thus leading to good fawn recruitment. Native food sources have been abundant this fall, and most likely have contributed to the lack of deer movement. Overall deer numbers, however, are lower than normal due to severe drought conditions during the previous three years.
Reports from hunters: Bowhunters are just now starting to see some buck activity. Overall deer movement has increased in the past few days, with reports of young bucks trailing does are on the increase. The rut typically kicks off between Nov. 15 and 20 in the northwest. Things seem to be on schedule, so rut activity should peak somewhere close to opening weekend.
Notes on open Wildlife Management Areas in the region and tips for hunting public land: Area Biologists all agree that deer numbers are down on northwest WMAs, with the 2 1/2 year old age class of deer being the most severely affected. A recent killing freeze should decrease the native food sources available, and deer will be moving to winter food plots on the WMAs. Winter food plots are in fair to good condition throughout the northwest, and will provide hunters a good area to focus their efforts. Food plots will be attracting does, and the bucks shouldn't be far behind. Prior to hunting northwest WMAs, hunters need to be sure and check season dates and antlerless restrictions specific to the WMA they intend to hunt. For full details regarding hunting on both public and private land, consult this years "Oklahoma Hunting Guide", or check online at wildlifedepartment.com before heading afield.
Three best tips for deer hunting in the region:
1. Do your pre-scouting and locate food sources. Once you know where the deer are traveling to eat, locate the best trails and scrapes. Know where you want to be opening morning.
2. Get to know deer movements and patterns. Spend some time in the woods prior to season. If you like to bow hunt, now is the time to be in a stand. Come opening morning of gun season, you will know what to expect regarding deer activity.
3. Hunt as long as possible, all day if you can. If temperatures remain cool, bucks will be active throughout the entire day.
Three biggest mistakes made by deer hunters in region:
1. Not doing your pre-scouting. Walking into a new area not knowing what to expect on opening morning rarely leads to success.
2. Leaving your hunt area too soon. Pick a spot and stay there as long as possible. Other hunters may choose to leave early and move deer to you. Be patient.
3. Not being prepared for weather conditions. Be ready for cold temperatures. While daytime temperatures may be comfortable, many hunters are not prepared for morning low temperatures. This leads to getting cold, and leaving the stand too early.
Opening morning Expectation: Expect hunter activity to be heavy opening weekend. Be sure to know the regulations pertaining to northwest region WMAs. Some WMAs have controlled hunts, and some are closed during the entire deer gun season. Hunters should get into the field early and be prepared to stay late. Rut activity should be good opening weekend. If temperatures remain cool, bucks will most likely move throughout the day. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Make sure to keep your orange hat and vest visible at all times, as hunters often cover them up with hoods or backpacks. Hunt Safe!
***
Report submitted by Jeff Pennington, central region wildlife supervisor
Current rutting activity: The rut typically peaks between November 10-20 in the central region, and it appears to be holding true for 2013. Buck activity has picked up significantly since the first of November. Bucks have been seen out in open areas during the middle of the day. There has also been a large increase in the number of road-killed bucks in the region. All of these items are signs of the rut picking up in the region.
Habitat Conditions: Welcome rainfall returned to the drought stricken central region in 2013. Most of the region received high amounts of rain during July and August, the two months that are typically the most stressful for Oklahoma deer. This high amount of summer rainfall produced a tremendous growth of summer deer foods. Most central region deer went into the fall period in good condition. Production is spotty, but most areas have good to excellent quantities of acorns and other mast producing crops such as persimmons and buck brush. Deer will prefer the acorns over food plots or deer feeders, which were successful tactics the past two years because of drought stressed deer and the low quantity of mast crops. Wheat has done well this year, and will be a locally important food source, particularly in the north-central portions of the region.
Reports from hunters: The amount of buck activity seen by bowhunters across the region increased significantly the first week of November. Most seasoned bowhunters think that the rut will be just past peak on opening day of gun season. Some breeding has been observed by hunters.
Notes on open Wildlife Management Areas in the region and tips for hunting public land: Check the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide" for specific regulations, as some WMAs are only open for nine days and some have restrictions on antlerless harvest. The central region has many locations to choose from for public deer hunting opportunities during the deer gun season. In south central Oklahoma, hunters can try their luck at Hickory Creek, Love Valley, Washita Arm, Tishomingo, and Fobb Bottom WMAs, all located on the upper ends of Lake Texoma. In addition, portions of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Murray County are open to gun hunting (check the with the National Park Service at (580) 622-3161 if you are not familiar with which areas are open for firearms hunting). Hunters in the north-central region can choose from Kaw WMA, which is consistently one of the top producers in the state, or Keystone, Heyburn, Skiatook, and John Dahl WMAs. The PHA portion of Okmulgee WMA also is open for gun hunters. Keys to success on public lands are similar to deer hunting everywhere: hunters that scout before the season and spend the most hours being patient on stand are the ones with the best success. One other tip is to stay put on opening morning, even if you see activity from other hunters. Often this activity from other hunters will push deer to those that remain on stand.
Three best tips for deer hunting in the region:
1. Spend time in the woods scouting before season to locate food sources, scrapes, funnels and travel patterns.
2. Stay on stand! Spend as much time as possible on stand, especially if air temperatures are at or below normal. Late morning and even mid-day produces well for those that stick it out.
3. Resist the temptation to move around. This is especially important for those with limited hunting areas. Get to your stand and make a commitment to staying there for the hunt.
Three biggest mistakes made by deer hunters in region:
1. Underestimating a deer's nose: always consider wind direction and make efforts to reduce human and human related scent while hunting.
2. Going to the woods without scouting.
3. Getting up and moving around versus taking a stand location: moving around spreads human scent throughout the woods. Unless you have a great deal of acreage to hunt on, have several stand locations selected before season, and pick one for that morning or evening hunt.
Opening morning expectations: Hunter activity will be heavy on opening weekend. If the cool weather holds through the weekend, bucks should be very active. Hunters should stay in the stands most of the day if possible. Let other hunters' mid-day activity to and from stand locations work to your advantage. Be sure to select stand sites based on wind direction: do not underestimate a deer's nose.
***
Northwest Region
Report submitted by Eddie Wilson, northwest region wildlife biologist stationed at Cooper and Fort Supply WMAs.
Current rutting activity: Deer activity to date has been slow in the northwest. Hunters are reporting very few scrapes, and are still seeing bucks traveling in groups. With the cooler temperatures we are experiencing this week, things are sure to change. Rut activity will likely start picking up in the next few days and should be in full swing by opening weekend of rifle season.
Habitat Conditions: Summer rains and moderate temperatures provided for good forage and water availability throughout the northwest this year, thus leading to good fawn recruitment. Native food sources have been abundant this fall, and most likely have contributed to the lack of deer movement. Overall deer numbers, however, are lower than normal due to severe drought conditions during the previous three years.
Reports from hunters: Bowhunters are just now starting to see some buck activity. Overall deer movement has increased in the past few days, with reports of young bucks trailing does are on the increase. The rut typically kicks off between Nov. 15 and 20 in the northwest. Things seem to be on schedule, so rut activity should peak somewhere close to opening weekend.
Notes on open Wildlife Management Areas in the region and tips for hunting public land: Area Biologists all agree that deer numbers are down on northwest WMAs, with the 2 1/2 year old age class of deer being the most severely affected. A recent killing freeze should decrease the native food sources available, and deer will be moving to winter food plots on the WMAs. Winter food plots are in fair to good condition throughout the northwest, and will provide hunters a good area to focus their efforts. Food plots will be attracting does, and the bucks shouldn't be far behind. Prior to hunting northwest WMAs, hunters need to be sure and check season dates and antlerless restrictions specific to the WMA they intend to hunt. For full details regarding hunting on both public and private land, consult this years "Oklahoma Hunting Guide", or check online at wildlifedepartment.com before heading afield.
Three best tips for deer hunting in the region:
1. Do your pre-scouting and locate food sources. Once you know where the deer are traveling to eat, locate the best trails and scrapes. Know where you want to be opening morning.
2. Get to know deer movements and patterns. Spend some time in the woods prior to season. If you like to bow hunt, now is the time to be in a stand. Come opening morning of gun season, you will know what to expect regarding deer activity.
3. Hunt as long as possible, all day if you can. If temperatures remain cool, bucks will be active throughout the entire day.
Three biggest mistakes made by deer hunters in region:
1. Not doing your pre-scouting. Walking into a new area not knowing what to expect on opening morning rarely leads to success.
2. Leaving your hunt area too soon. Pick a spot and stay there as long as possible. Other hunters may choose to leave early and move deer to you. Be patient.
3. Not being prepared for weather conditions. Be ready for cold temperatures. While daytime temperatures may be comfortable, many hunters are not prepared for morning low temperatures. This leads to getting cold, and leaving the stand too early.
Opening morning Expectation: Expect hunter activity to be heavy opening weekend. Be sure to know the regulations pertaining to northwest region WMAs. Some WMAs have controlled hunts, and some are closed during the entire deer gun season. Hunters should get into the field early and be prepared to stay late. Rut activity should be good opening weekend. If temperatures remain cool, bucks will most likely move throughout the day. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Make sure to keep your orange hat and vest visible at all times, as hunters often cover them up with hoods or backpacks. Hunt Safe!
***
