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Oklahoma public land hunting programs
State parks with hunting, the Arcadia Conservation Education Area, the Land Access Program, the Department-Managed Area Rules and nonresident check-in.
Photo: Kool Cats Photography (CC BY 2.0)
State parks and Arcadia CEA
Two state parks appear on ODWC's Where To Hunt list. Foss State Park is closed to all seasons except dove (September 15 to October 31) and rabbit (October 1 to February 15), with nontoxic shot. Lake Thunderbird State Park allows deer archery on statewide dates and waterfowl between September 8 and February 15 in designated areas, closing at 1 p.m., and requires a park parking pass. The Arcadia Conservation Education Area near Edmond is closed to all hunting except controlled archery deer hunts that the City of Edmond may offer.
| Place | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Foss State Park | Custer | 1,749 |
| Thunderbird State Park | Cleveland | 1,874 |
| Arcadia CEA | Oklahoma | 475 |
ODWC area pages and special regulations. Checked November 3, 2026.
ODWC programs that touch Oklahoma public land
| Program | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olap | Oklahoma Land Access Program: enrolled private walk-in hunting, fishing and stream access; Land Access Permit required; foot traffic only; statewide seasons; trapping limited to water sets, box and enclosed-trigger traps; elk hunting prohibited; access 2… | source |
| Nonresident area check in | Free check-in/check-out for nonresidents at listed WMAs, lakes and other public areas. | source |
| Hunters against hunger | Donate legally taken deer through participating processors. | source |
| Dmap | Deer Management Assistance Program for cooperators with 1,000+ acres (adjoining landowners may combine); annual hunting license plus deer gun license valid on DMAP property. | source |
| Free hunting days | Sept. 5-6, 2026 for Oklahoma residents. | source |
| Drones | Drones may be used on private land to scout or recover wounded game (notify a game warden, record the flight; no hunting in that area that day; if the animal is alive land and wait 4 hours); prohibited on ODWC lands. | source |
Rules and check-in on ODWC land
Department-Managed Area Rules cover every ODWC area: no baiting, portable stands only (removed within 14 days), equipment marked with an ODWC customer ID, target shooting only on designated ranges, vehicles on open roads and camping for at most 16 consecutive days. Drones are prohibited on ODWC lands, and thermal and night vision possession is banned on WMAs for 2026-27. Nonresidents check in and out, free, at 98 listed areas. Non-hunting visitors on Conservation Passport Areas carry a Wildlife Conservation Passport ($46 resident / $239 nonresident) or an ODWC license.
Department-Managed Area Rules, ODWC check-in, license fees. Checked November 3, 2026.
Oklahoma Public Land Hunting Programs: photos
Hunting program questions
Do Oklahoma state parks allow any hunting?
Only where ODWC lists it; Foss and Lake Thunderbird have limited seasons.
What hunting happens on Arcadia CEA?
Only controlled archery deer hunts that the City of Edmond may offer.
Who needs a Wildlife Conservation Passport on ODWC land?
A pass for non-hunters on Department lands, $46 resident / $239 nonresident.
Where do I donate deer?
Hunters Against Hunger takes legally taken deer through participating processors.
Can I fly a drone to scout a WMA?
No; drones are prohibited on ODWC lands.
Do nonresidents check in?
Yes, at the areas on the ODWC check-in list.
Other photos on this page: Thesagemarmot (CC BY-SA 3.0); Guy Teague (CC BY-SA 2.0); Billy Hathorn (CC BY-SA 3.0).