Deer gun season opens Nov. 18

            The long wait is nearly over for tens of thousands of Oklahoma deer hunters. November 18 is the opening day of deer gun season across the state.

            Hunters can again look forward to excellent opportunities to harvest a deer during the deer gun season which runs Nov. 18-Dec. 3, according to Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

            “From speaking with a few hunters it seems like the opening weekend of muzzleloader season was a little slow, but we should know much more after we complete our preliminary harvest survey reports,” Shaw said. “That just means there are going to be that plenty of deer out there in the coming weeks. All in all it is shaping up to be a good deer gun season.”

            Shaw added that he had not observed or heard about significant rut activity so far this season.

            “I haven’t heard of many bucks out chasing does yet, but that could be a good sign for the rest of archery season and the gun season. If we would get some good cool weather it could be a great deer gun opening weekend for hunters,” Shaw said.

            Hunters who spend some time scouting deer feeding areas are likely to increase their odds of taking a deer this year.

            “Although it has been very dry across most of the state, there are still some trees here and there with a decent acorn crop. It looks like some localized areas got just enough rain at the right time of year to produce acorns. However, overall it is certainly not going to be a great year for the acorn crop,” Shaw said.

            More than 158,000 gun hunters took to the woods last fall, harvesting 61,740 deer for a 39-percent success rate.

            During the last weekend of deer gun season (Dec. 1-3) hunters have the opportunity to harvest a bobcat while they are out deer hunting

            “A bobcat license is just $10 and that could be worth every penny if a big bobcat walks past your deer stand during that last weekend of deer gun season,” said Michelle Imel, license supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

            Pick up a copy of the “2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide” for complete bobcat regulations and tagging requirements.

            Deer hunters in Oklahoma must have an annual hunting or combination license, lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license, disabled veteran’s lifetime, senior citizen hunting or senior citizen combination license or proof of exemption. In addition, hunters must possess a deer gun (antlered or antlerless) license for each deer hunted, or proof of exemption. Resident hunters under 18 years of age may purchase the youth deer gun license.

            Unless exempt, hunters must possess a fishing and hunting legacy permit.

            All nonresident deer hunters must possess a nonresident deer gun (antlered, antlerless or combo) license for each deer hunted or proof of exemption. Holders of nonresident lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses are not exempt from purchasing deer licenses. Nonresident deer hunters are exempt from purchasing an annual nonresident hunting license. Nonresident hunters must also possess a fishing and hunting legacy permit unless exempt.

            Hunters may take a total of two deer, which may include no more than one antlered deer and one antlerless deer. Antlerless deer may only be harvested on specified days in certain zones. Harvest of antlerless mule deer is prohibited during deer gun season. For antlerless deer hunt zones and dates open to antlerless hunting, pick up a copy of the “2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”

            Upon successfully harvesting a deer, all license holders, including lifetime license holders, must immediately attach their name and license number to the carcass. What the hunter attaches can be anything, as long as it contains the hunter's name and hunting license number and remains securely attached to the animal until it is checked at a hunter check station or with an authorized Wildlife Department employee.

            Annual license holders, upon harvesting a deer, must complete the Record of Game section of the universal license. The information must be recorded on the license form prior to moving or field dressing the animal. To do this they must print in ink the time, date, type of game and method of harvest in the appropriate columns. Lifetime license holders are not required to complete the Record of Game section on the universal license.

            All successful hunters must check their deer at the nearest hunter check station. A county-by-county listing of hunter check stations is provided in this year's hunting guide and the most up-to-date check station listing is available at wildlifedepartment.com.

            Deer gun hunters should always remember to keep safety the first priority. All deer gun hunters must conspicuously wear both a head covering and an outer garment above the waistline, consisting of daylight fluorescent orange color totaling at least 400 square inches. Camo-fluorescent orange is legal, if the total orange meets or exceeds the required 400 square inches.

            Hunting hours during deer gun season are one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset.

            For additional regulations, antlerless zones, check station locations, season dates and a wealth of other information be sure to pick up a copy of the “2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" available at all license dealer locations or log on to the Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.

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