When is youth rifle season in Oklahoma? What to know about Oklahoma deer season and more

Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman
Updated ·2 min read
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Deer archery season begins in Oklahoma on Sunday.
Deer archery season begins in Oklahoma on Sunday.

The beginning of this month kicked off archery season for hunters in Oklahoma.

Friday marks the start of youth rifle season, while muzzleloader and adult rifle season dates are incoming.

Here's what to know about 2023 hunting in Oklahoma.

When does muzzleloader season start in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma deer muzzleloader season for deer, elk and bear runs from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5.

When is youth rifle season in Oklahoma?

Youth 17 and under can hunt deer and elk using a gun from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22.

What are the 2023 Oklahoma deer season dates?

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

How many deer can I harvest in Oklahoma?

The limit for deer hunting in Oklahoma is six per person throughout the 2023 season, and no more than two of those can be antlered.

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.

What are the 2023 Oklahoma elk season dates?

  • 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

What are the 2023 Oklahoma antelope season dates?

  • 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

What are the 2023 Oklahoma bear season dates?

  • Bear archery: Oct. 1 - Oct. 15

  • Bear muzzleloader: Oct 28 - Nov. 5

What are the 2023 Oklahoma turkey season dates?

  • 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.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma deer season muzzleloader, rifle dates start soon. What to know