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Waterfowl refuge portion · 2026-27
Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion, Oklahoma hunting
Rules, permits and dates for this waterfowl refuge portion, 700 acres, in Blaine County and 1 neighboring county.
Photo: Mike Goad (CC0 1.0)
Getting to Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion
Parking, trailheads and gates near Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 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.
Canton WRP: area rules and closures
Treat Canton WRP like any Department-managed ground: label stands and cameras with your customer ID, take stands down within 14 days, never bait. ODWC names Canton WRP on its nonresident check-in list (listed as "Canton"). Between October 15 and January 31, Canton WRP is open only to drawn controlled hunters.
Canton WRP heading notes
- All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.
Canton WRP has 14 restricted seasons, 10 closed ones and 0 left at statewide dates in the special regulations.
| Season | Status | Printed rule |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Gun | Closed | – |
| Deer Muzzleloader | Closed | – |
| Youth Deer Gun | Closed | – |
| Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun | Closed | – |
| Turkey Fall Gun | Closed | – |
| Quail | Closed | – |
| Pheasant | Closed | – |
| Snipe | Closed | – |
| Woodcock | Closed | – |
| Trapping | Closed | – |
| Deer Archery | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Dove | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Rail | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Gallinule | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Crow | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Duck, Merganser and Coot | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Sandhill Cranes | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Rabbit | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Squirrel | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Turkey Fall Archery | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Predator/Furbearer Calling | Restricted | Closed Oct. 15 – Jan. 31. |
| Turkey Spring | Restricted | One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined. |
| Youth Turkey Spring | Restricted | One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined. |
Other limits at Canton WRP
- Closed to all nonhunting activities from Oct. 1 – Feb. 15.
- No camping allowed.
| What | How |
|---|---|
| Bait | Not allowed |
| Stands | Portable only |
| Stand removal | Within 14 days |
| Marking | ODWC customer ID |
| Target shooting | Designated ranges |
| Vehicles | Open roads only |
| Camping limit | 16 days in a row |
Sources: source, source, source, source (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation). Checked November 3, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion
The Canton WRP file
By the ODWC area page, Canton WRP measures 700 acres. Blaine County has 5 records with acreage here; Canton WRP is number 2. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages it, inside the ODWC Northwest Region.
Blaine County holds 4,461 acres of public land on the GIS layers.
In ODWC words: Canton WRP covers 640 acres on the northeast portion of Canton Lake. Approximately 1/3 of the WRP is water. The area consists of 120 acres of ag fields and food plots. Black locust, cottonwoods, and post oak blackjack are the dominant species surrounding the ag fields. Phragmites dominates the area near the lake.
Directions: From Longdale: 2miles north, 3 miles west on CR E 590 (immediately west of golf course)
ODWC species notes for Canton WRP
| Species | What ODWC says |
|---|---|
| Quail | Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers. |
| Deer | White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after. |
| Turkey | Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in good numbers but are highly sought after. |
| Rabbit | Cottontail rabbits are relatively common on Canton. Jackrabbits are occasionally present, but are not common. |
| Furbearers | Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available. |
| Dove | Dove are present in fair numbers early in dove season. |
Open for Deer, Doves, Rails, Gallinules, Crows, Waterfowl, Sandhill crane, Rabbits, Squirrels, Turkey, Furbearers on Canton WRP.
- White-tailed deer
- Doves
- Rails
- Gallinules
- Crows
- Ducks
- Canada geese
- Sandhill crane
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Wild turkey
- Coyote
From the agency record (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation); checked November 3, 2026.
Canton WRP zones and limits
| Item | Blaine County | Dewey County |
|---|---|---|
| Antlerless zone | 2 (57%), 7 (32%), 6 (11%) | 7 (80%), 2 (20%) |
| Elk zone | Northwest | Special Northwest |
| Bear area | No | No |
| Pronghorn | No season | No season |
| Fall gun turkey | Open | Open |
| Pheasant | North of SH 51 | North of SH 51 |
| Duck dates | Zones 1 and 2 | Zones 1 and 2 |
| Crane, jackrabbit | West of I-35 | West of I-35 |
| CWD surveillance | Outside | Outside |
| ODWC region | Northwest | Northwest |
| Warden district | No. 6 | No. 7 |
For does, Canton WRP falls in Zone 2 (Muzzleloader 4, gun 4). Check the ODWC antlerless zone map if you hunt near a zone road. Zone limits sit inside the statewide six-deer total; only two may carry antlers of 3 inches or more. Blaine County lies in the Northwest Zone (quota 8) for elk. Zone elk hunting is private land only, with written landowner permission; public ground elk come only by controlled hunt. Fall gun turkey: open in Blaine County. Roosters may be hunted in the part north of SH 51 of Blaine County. Crane and jackrabbit hunters: Blaine County is on the west of I-35 list.
ODWC antlerless deer zones, elk zones, bear area, fall turkey counties, CWD rules; checked November 3, 2026.
Canton WRP: controlled hunt record
Drawn hunts held on Canton WRP last year: youth deer. ODWC took 2026 applications Apr 1, 2026 to May 20, 2026; preference points act as extra entries.
| Type | Area | Permits issued | Hunters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth deer | Canton WRP | 4 (2) Only 1 Antlered | 4 |
ODWC 2025 controlled hunt results, ODWC controlled hunts; checked November 3, 2026.
Canton WRP on the map with its neighbors
Canton Lake (Corps) sits 1.8 mi to the south, the nearest public area outside the OLAP program. The closest OLAP walk-in tract is Blaine OLAP tract H002, 2.6 mi away.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Lake (Corps) | Corps lake | – | Blaine, Dewey | 1.8 mi | south |
| Sandhills WMA | WMA | 5,212 | Woods | 19 mi | north |
| Major County WMA | WMA | 210 | Major | 24 mi | northwest |
| Dewey County WMA | WMA | 212 | Dewey | 25 mi | southwest |
| Drummond Flats WMA | WMA | 5,122 | Garfield | 32 mi | east |
| American Horse Lake | Department lake | 405 | Blaine | 36 mi | south |
Points: ODWC Special Use Areas layer (Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion polygon) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Canton WRP: reported deer
On the area itself, the latest report counts 8 deer. Statewide rank 61 of 77: Blaine County logged 972 deer in 2025-26, 622 antlered. Methods: 719 gun, 65 muzzleloader, 188 archery.
| Season | Listed | Bow | ML | Gun | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Canton WRP | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | Canton WRP | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
ODWC 2025-26 Big Game Harvest Report and earlier ODWC harvest reports (harvest.json); checked November 3, 2026.
Canton WRP: nearest towns, offices and shops
Canton sits 6.8 mi from Canton WRP in a straight line. Fairview counted 2,653 people in 2024, the most of the five. Smaller Census places closer in: Longdale (3.5 mi, 182 people) and Homestead (12 mi). Game wardens for Canton WRP: (580) 623-0206 (Blaine).
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | Blaine | 455 | 6.8 mi | south |
| Fairview | Major | 2,653 | 11 mi | northeast |
| Cleo Springs | Major | 277 | 20 mi | northeast |
| Taloga | Dewey | 276 | 21 mi | west |
| Watonga | Blaine | 2,617 | 24 mi | southeast |
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.
When each season opens near Canton WRP
Oklahoma runs one set of deer dates statewide; Canton WRP sits in antlerless Zone 2, Zone 7 and Zone 6, which only changes how many does a hunter may take. The 66 rows below are from the ODWC regulation pages.
| Game | Method | Covers | Opening day | Closing day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Zone 2, 7, 8 | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Zone 2, 7, 8 | Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Zone 2, 7, 8 | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Zone 2, 7, 8 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Holiday antlerless | Zone 2, 7, 8 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Holiday antlerless | Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Mule deer | All deer seasons | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Elk | Archery | Northwest elk zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Elk | Youth elk gun | Northwest elk zone | Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | Northwest elk zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Elk | Gun | Northwest elk zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Elk | Holiday antlerless elk | Northwest elk zone | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth fall turkey | Open counties | Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Gun | Open counties | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Archery | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring | Statewide | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | Statewide | Apr 16, 2027 | May 16, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Private land | Private land | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Quail | Season | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Season | Pheasant counties | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Season | West of I-35 | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Season | Statewide | May 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Doves | Segment 1 | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | |
| Teal | September Teal | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Zones 1 and 2 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular segment 1 | Zones 1 and 2 | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular segment 2 | Zones 1 and 2 | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Zones 1 and 2 | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Canada geese | September Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Segment 1 | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Specklebellies | Segment 1 | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Specklebellies | Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Segment 1 | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | Feb 15, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | |
| Sandhill crane | Season | West of I-35 | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Prairie dog | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Beaver | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Nutria | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Striped skunk | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Bullfrogs | Year-round | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Rails | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinules | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Season | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Crows | Segment 1 | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| River otter | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Badger | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Mink | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Furbearer season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crows | Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Mar 4, 2027 | |
| Rattlesnakes | Season | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Jun 30, 2027 |
From the ODWC hunting regulations and the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), checked November 3, 2026.
Calendar dates at and around Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion
Rows marked for this land use it as the venue; the others lie within about 10 miles. In all, 2 upcoming listings. The 2 controlled hunts here were filled by the ODWC random drawing that closed in May.
Scheduled dates
| Dates | Event | Miles off | Where | Button | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7–Dec 20, 2026 | Canton WRP youth deer hunt | This area | Event details | Source | |
| Nov 21–22, 2026 | Canton WMA deer controlled hunt | 3 | Event details | Source |
First and last shooting light, Canton WRP
Squirrel, rabbit and prairie dog hours run from half an hour before sunrise to sunset in Canton WRP.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and elk | Migratory | Quail, pheasant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:27 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 7:47 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 7:47 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opens | 7:16 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. |
| Dec 6, 2026 | Gun deer closes | 7:30 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:40 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery closes | 7:43 a.m. | 5:42 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 6:12 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. |
| Apr 16, 2027 | Spring turkey | 7:01 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 8:07 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.
Canton WRP photo row
Zeroing a rifle on the way to Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion
The closest ODWC bench to Canton Waterfowl Refuge Portion is Canton WMA Shooting Range, roughly 3 miles off as the crow flies.
From ODWC’s WMA shooting range list and WMA pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 3, 2026.
Canton WRP: short answers
What public land neighbors Canton WRP?
Canton Lake (Corps) (1.8 mi away).
Does the 400-square-inch orange rule apply on Canton WRP?
For firearm big game, 400 square inches total; other hunters wear an orange cap or vest during those dates.
What time does legal hunting start and stop on Canton WRP?
Deer and other big game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; on November 21, 2026 that works out to 6:46 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. for Blaine County.
Are deer taken on Canton WRP each year?
ODWC counted 8 deer for "Canton WRP" in 2025-26, 3 of them antlered.
Can I enter a draw for Canton WRP?
Yes, by random draw (Apr 1, 2026 to May 20, 2026).
What are the camping rules for Canton WRP?
No camping is allowed in the WRP but 15 primitive camping areas are available on the Canton WMA . Additional developed campgrounds with RV hookups are available around Canton lake. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more information on the developed campground sites (580/886-2989). Lodging and restaurants are available around Canton WMA at Canton, Seiling, Fairview, and Longdale.
Are there elk near Canton WRP I can hunt?
Northwest Zone applies to private land; public areas need a controlled hunt.
When does deer season run at Canton WRP?
Bow: Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027. Gun: Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026.
What corner of the state is Canton WRP in?
The record puts it in Blaine and Dewey counties, ODWC Northwest Region. Drive toward Canton, about 6.8 mi straight line.
Roughly how big is Canton WRP in acres?
About 700 acres (the ODWC area page).
What should be in my wallet before hunting Canton WRP?
Your hunting license plus any deer, turkey or waterfowl licenses the season needs.
How many antlerless deer can I take around Canton WRP?
Zone 2 (Muzzleloader 4, gun 4). Zone lines follow roads, so check the ODWC map.
Other photos on this page: ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0); Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0); Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0).