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Oklahoma Corps of Engineers lake

Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers) hunting guide

Where, when and how to hunt this Corps of Engineers lake, acreage not published, in McCurtain County.

Nearby stand-in. The photo is from Ouachita WMA McCurtain & Tiak Units, not Broken Bow Lake (Corps): Rapids and boulders on a river in the Ouachita Wildlife Management Area, McCurtain County.

Photo: Thomas & Dianne Jones (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Parking, trailheads and gates near Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

  • Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

Broken Bow Lake (Corps): the record behind the page

The record gives Broken Bow Lake (Corps) no land acreage. It is run by US Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, ODWC Southeast Region. McCurtain County holds 361,388 acres of public land on the GIS layers.

13,493Lake surface acres

From the agency record (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District); checked November 3, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Ouachita National Forest Tiak Ranger District

Public land · 3 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions
Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Public land · 3 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions
Hunting Near Hochatown, Oklahoma

Town · 6 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions
McCurtain County Wilderness Area

Public land · 6 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions
McCurtain County

County · 8 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions
Hunting Near Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Town · 13 mi from Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Directions

Broken Bow Lake (Corps): the county rules that apply

RuleMcCurtain County
Antlerless zone10
Elk zoneSoutheast
Bear areaYes
PronghornNo season
Fall gun turkeyClosed
PheasantNo season
Duck datesZones 1 and 2
Crane, jackrabbitNo season
CWD surveillanceSSA county
ODWC regionSoutheast
Warden districtNo. 3

Antlerless limits around Broken Bow Lake (Corps): Zone 10 (Muzzleloader 1, gun 1). ODWC draws the lines on roads and publishes them only as a map (ODWC antlerless zone map). All zones share the same dates and the six-deer combined limit, with no more than two bucks. McCurtain County counts toward the Southeast Zone (quota 5); check the quota online before an elk hunt. Bear: archery Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026; muzzleloader Oct 24, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026 in the southeast area, which includes McCurtain County in whole or part. Turkey hunters in McCurtain County use archery in fall; the gun season is closed.

ODWC antlerless deer zones, elk zones, bear area, fall turkey counties, CWD rules; checked November 3, 2026.

Broken Bow Lake (Corps) access and rules

At Broken Bow Lake (Corps), the Corps opens its hunting areas to all legal game and weapons, keeping parks and dam areas closed. No baiting on Corps lands, and project land outside the WMA follows the WMA calendar and rules. We could not read the district hunting maps for Broken Bow Lake (Corps); acreage and closed zones are not confirmed on this page. USACE maps 13,493 acres of lake surface in the state; that is not a land figure.

How we know Broken Bow Lake (Corps) is open

  • Listed on the Tulsa District hunting information page
  • ODWC WMA on project land (Department-Managed Area Rules: Corps lands open to hunting but not licensed to the Department follow the WMA dates and rules)

Related ODWC areas: Broken Bow WMA, Ouachita WMA McCurtain & Tiak Units.

Sources: Tulsa District hunting information (summary), ODWC Department-Managed Area Rules, Corps Lakes Gateway. Checked November 3, 2026.

Harvest figures for Broken Bow Lake (Corps)

3,172 deer came out of McCurtain County in 2025-26 (WMA harvest excluded), placing it 3rd statewide. Split: gun 1,772, bow 849, muzzleloader 551. McCurtain County also reported 6 black bear in 2025-26.

McCurtain County reported deer harvest by season (WMA harvest excluded).01,0002,0003,0004,0002016: 2,330 deer on the county row2,33020162017: 2,482 deer on the county row2,48220172018: 2,550 deer on the county row2,55020182019: 2,952 deer on the county row2,95220192020: 3,445 deer on the county row3,44520202021: 2,842 deer on the county row2,84220212022: 3,353 deer on the county row3,35320222023: 2,765 deer on the county row2,76520232024: 3,010 deer on the county row3,01020242025: 3,172 deer on the county row3,1722025

ODWC 2025-26 Big Game Harvest Report and earlier ODWC harvest reports (harvest.json); checked November 3, 2026.

Dated seasons covering Broken Bow Lake (Corps)

Ducks run on Panhandle dates or Zone 1 and 2 dates, and cranes and jackrabbits only west of I-35, which is why the area column matters for Broken Bow Lake (Corps).

QuarrySegmentZone or areaBeginsEndsOpen now?
White-tailed deerArcheryZone 10Oct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth gunZone 10Oct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderZone 10Oct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGunZone 10Nov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
White-tailed deerHoliday antlerlessZone 10Dec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Mule deerAll deer seasonsStatewideOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkArcherySoutheast elk zoneOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkYouth elk gunSoutheast elk zoneOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
ElkMuzzleloaderSoutheast elk zoneOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
ElkGunSoutheast elk zoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
ElkHoliday antlerless elkSoutheast elk zoneDec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Black bearArcheryBear areaOct 1, 2026Oct 18, 2026
Black bearMuzzleloaderBear areaOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
Wild turkeyFall ArcheryStatewideOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
Wild turkeyYouth SpringStatewideApr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027
Wild turkeySpringStatewideApr 16, 2027May 16, 2027
Feral hogsPrivate landPrivate landJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
QuailSeasonStatewideNov 14, 2026Feb 15, 2027
RabbitsSeasonStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
SquirrelsSeasonStatewideMay 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
DovesSegment 1StatewideSep 1, 2026Oct 31, 2026
DovesSegment 2StatewideDec 1, 2026Dec 29, 2026
TealSeptember TealStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026
DucksYouth and veteran dayZones 1 and 2Nov 7, 2026Nov 7, 2026
DucksRegular segment 1Zones 1 and 2Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
DucksRegular segment 2Zones 1 and 2Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksYouth and veteran dayZones 1 and 2Feb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027
Canada geeseSeptember Canada gooseStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 21, 2026
Dark geeseSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Dark geeseSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 14, 2027
SpecklebelliesSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
SpecklebelliesSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Light geeseSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Light geeseSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 14, 2027
Light geeseConservation orderStatewideFeb 15, 2027Mar 30, 2027
WoodcockSeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 21, 2026
CoyoteYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BobcatFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Gray foxFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Red foxFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
RaccoonYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Prairie dogYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BeaverYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
NutriaYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Striped skunkYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BullfrogsYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
RailsSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026
GallinulesSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026
SnipeSeasonStatewideSep 26, 2026Jan 10, 2027
CrowsSegment 1StatewideOct 10, 2026Nov 16, 2026
River otterFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
BadgerFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MinkFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MuskratFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
OpossumFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
WeaselFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
CrowsSegment 2StatewideDec 9, 2026Mar 4, 2027
RattlesnakesSeasonStatewideMar 1, 2027Jun 30, 2027

Waterfowl on Wetland Development Units ends at 1 p.m.

From the ODWC hunting regulations and the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), checked November 3, 2026.

Broken Bow Lake (Corps) on the map with its neighbors

The table starts with Ouachita National Forest (2.6 mi, northwest). OLAP access is 47 mi away at Choctaw OLAP tract H001.

Public landTypeAcresCountyDistanceDirection
Ouachita National ForestNational forest353,429Le Flore, McCurtain2.6 minorthwest
Tiak Ranger DistrictRanger district132,268McCurtain2.6 minorthwest
Ouachita WMA McCurtain & Tiak UnitsWMA unit133,000McCurtain3.5 minorthwest
McCurtain County Wilderness AreaWilderness area14,000McCurtain6.4 minortheast
Broken Bow WMAWMA5,420McCurtain8.9 minorth
Little River NWRWildlife refuge14,502McCurtain18 misouth

Points: USACE Reservoirs layer (lake surface in Oklahoma) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.

Broken Bow Lake (Corps): nearest towns, offices and shops

Broken Bow Lake (Corps) lies 6.0 mi from Hochatown. Broken Bow is the largest of these towns, with 4,227 people in 2024. Todd Tobey captains warden District 3, which includes McCurtain County: (580) 513-2305.

Nearest townsCountyPopulationMilesHeading
HochatownMcCurtain2686.0 misouthwest
Broken BowMcCurtain4,22713 misouth
EagletownMcCurtain–13 misoutheast
GoldenMcCurtain–18 misouthwest
SmithvilleMcCurtain–18 minorth
Caddo Office & Durant State Fish Hatchery

ODWC office · Caddo, Bryan County · about 94 mi away

White's Deer Processing

deer processing · Smithville, McCurtain County · about 19 mi away

Stewart Rifles LLC

sporting goods · Smithville, McCurtain County · about 19 mi away

Outdoors, Southeast gun

sporting goods · Idabel, McCurtain County · about 23 mi away

Towns from places.json and census_places.json (Census 2024); offices and businesses from services.json; warden numbers from the ODWC area page or warden directory; straight-line miles. Checked November 3, 2026.

Benches and clubs around Broken Bow Lake (U.S.⁠ Army Corps of Engineers)

Kiamichi Shooting Range lies 41 miles from Broken Bow Lake (U.S.⁠ Army Corps of Engineers), nearer than any WMA range.

Kiamichi Shooting Range
outdoor range

Talihina, Le Flore County · 41 mi

On site: rifle, handgun, rimfire

Access not stated · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 2, 2026

Kelly Branch Shooting Range
outdoor range

Heavener, Le Flore County · 42 mi

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 2, 2026

James Collins WMA Rifle
Range
ODWC WMA range

Adamson, Pittsburg County · 73 mi

On site: 100 yd rifle, 30 yd pistol

Public, license needed · wildlifedepartment.com, checked Nov 2, 2026

From ODWC’s WMA shooting range list and WMA pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 3, 2026.

When legal light begins in Broken Bow Lake (Corps)

The Panhandle sees the sun up to half an hour later than the Arkansas line, so use the times worked out for Broken Bow Lake (Corps).

DateSeason pointSunriseSunsetBig gameWaterfowlQuail
Oct 1, 2026Archery deer opens7:12 a.m.7:05 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 7:35 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 7:05 p.m.7:12 a.m. to 7:05 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Muzzleloader opens7:31 a.m.6:36 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 7:06 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 6:36 p.m.7:31 a.m. to 6:36 p.m.
Nov 21, 2026Gun deer opens6:57 a.m.5:13 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.6:57 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.
Dec 6, 2026Gun deer closes7:11 a.m.5:10 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.7:11 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:21 a.m.5:13 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.7:21 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.
Jan 15, 2027Archery closes7:24 a.m.5:31 p.m.6:54 a.m. to 6:01 p.m.6:54 a.m. to 5:31 p.m.7:24 a.m. to 5:31 p.m.
Apr 16, 2027Spring turkey6:48 a.m.7:50 p.m.6:18 a.m. to 8:20 p.m.6:18 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.6:48 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.

Waterfowl on Wetland Development Units ends at 1 p.m.

Hours rules from the ODWC big game regulations and the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Central Time); checked November 3, 2026. Legal hours for every county.

Oklahoma views around Broken Bow Lake (Corps)

Windmill and ripe grass under mammatus clouds at sunset after a storm on the southern plains
Windmill and ripe grass under mammatus clouds at sunset after a storm on the southern plains
Combine harvesting a ripe sorghum field in Oklahoma
Combine harvesting a ripe sorghum field in Oklahoma
Green wheat field stretching to the horizon on the southern Great Plains of Oklahoma
Green wheat field stretching to the horizon on the southern Great Plains of Oklahoma

Hunts, dinners and trials by Broken Bow Lake (Corps of Engineers)

Near this property on November 3, 2026: 2 upcoming listings. Count 2 draw-only controlled hunts among them.

Still on the calendar

DaysWhatDistancePlaceGoFrom
Nov 6–8, 2026McCurtain Co. WA deer controlled hunt6Event details
next Nov 6–8
16 permits
gun
age 14+
Source, checked 11/2/2026
Apr 9–11, 2027McCurtain Co. WA spring turkey controlled hunt6Event details
next Apr 9–11
16 permits
shotgun
age 14+
Source, checked 11/2/2026

An Oklahoma date missing around here? Tell us

Broken Bow Lake (Corps) answers from the sources

What are the elk rules around Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

Elk zones (Southeast Zone here) cover private land; public elk come only through the draw.

When is the gun opener near Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

Archery Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027; gun Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026. Check the area table.

Which ODWC region does Broken Bow Lake (Corps) fall under?

The record puts it in McCurtain County, ODWC Southeast Region. Hochatown lies roughly 6.0 mi from it.

How much ground does Broken Bow Lake (Corps) take in?

Unknown for land. The water covers 13,493 acres.

Is a Land Access Permit or other pass needed for Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

A license and the ODWC area rules; check the project office.

Which antlerless zone line runs near Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

Zone 10 (Muzzleloader 1, gun 1). Six deer a season, two antlered at most, still applies.

May I hunt over corn or feed at Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

No. ODWC rules bar baiting on Corps lands.

Which species are open on Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

There is no species list on file; the district treats Corps land as open to legal game in season.

Who owns and runs Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

It falls under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District. Nearest ODWC desk: Caddo.

Where is a backup spot near Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

Ouachita National Forest (2.6 mi away).

Is an orange cap enough on Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

During big game firearm seasons, 400 square inches for gun hunters and an orange head covering or upper garment for most others.

At what hour does hunting end on Broken Bow Lake (Corps)?

Thirty minutes either side of sunrise and sunset; November 21, 2026: 6:27 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.

Broken Bow Lake (Corps): last-minute checks

Report a violation on Broken Bow Lake (Corps) to the game warden numbers on this page.

Sources: source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations. Checked November 3, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Lane Pearman (CC BY 2.0); Thesagemarmot (CC BY-SA 3.0); Billy Hathorn (CC BY-SA 3.0).