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Home › Oklahoma › Public land › Ouachita National Forest

National forest · 2026-27

Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma) for hunters

A 2026-27 guide to the national forest, 353,429 acres, in Le Flore County and 1 neighboring county.

Get driving directionsAll Le Flore County spots

Shot inside Ouachita National Forest. Blue Ouachita Mountain ridges under a clear sky from the Talimena Byway.

Photo: robert thigpen (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Getting to Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

  • Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 5.0 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.

Ouachita National Forest: the record behind the page

Le Flore and McCurtain counties holds the 353,429 acres of Ouachita National Forest (Forest Service land statistics). USDA Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest manages it, inside the ODWC Southeast Region. Le Flore County holds 261,645 acres of public land on the GIS layers.

697,058Boundary acres

From the agency record (USDA Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest); checked November 3, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Ouachita National Forest Tiak Ranger District

Public land · 1 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions
Ouachita Wildlife Management Area McCurtain & Tiak Units

Public land · 1 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions
McCurtain County Wilderness Area

Public land · 6 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions
Hunting Near Hochatown, Oklahoma

Town · 6 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions
McCurtain County

County · 9 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions
Hunting Near Eagletown, Oklahoma

Town · 16 mi from Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Directions

Ouachita National Forest: the county rules that apply

TopicLe Flore CountyMcCurtain County
Antlerless zone10 (83%), 4 (17%)10
Elk zoneSoutheastSoutheast
Bear areaYesYes
PronghornNo seasonNo season
Fall gun turkeyClosedClosed
PheasantNo seasonNo season
Duck datesZones 1 and 2Zones 1 and 2
Crane, jackrabbitNo seasonNo season
CWD surveillanceOutsideSSA county
ODWC regionSoutheastSoutheast
Warden districtNo. 3No. 3

Overlaying the ODWC antlerless zone map on the boundary gives Zone 10 (Muzzleloader 1, gun 1); roads, not county lines, divide the zones. Deer limits: six total for the season, two antlered maximum, in every zone. For elk, Le Flore County sits in the Southeast Zone (quota 5), a private-land zone that closes when its quota is met. Bear hunters in Le Flore County follow the bear area dates (archery Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026; muzzleloader Oct 24, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026); ODWC set no quota this year. Le Flore County is on the fall gun turkey closed list. CWD Selective Surveillance Area: McCurtain County SSA. Processing before transport is required.

Le Flore CountyZones explainedElk by zone

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

Ouachita National Forest access rules

Ouachita National Forest is hunted as Ouachita WMA: the WMA season table and the Department-Managed Area Rules apply on this federal ground. Forest Service rules sit on top of the ODWC area rules here, for example on alcohol, horses and taking resources. Inside the 697,058-acre boundary only 353,429 acres are National Forest System land; the rest is private.

See also: Choctaw Ranger District, Kiamichi Ranger District, Tiak Ranger District, Ouachita WMA.

Forest Service siteOuachita WMAFederal hub

Sources: agency page, ODWC Department-Managed Area Rules, USFS EDW land statistics. Checked November 3, 2026.

Ouachita National Forest: reported deer

Le Flore County reported 2,298 deer in 2025-26 outside WMAs, 1,256 of them antlered, 11th of 77 counties. By method: 1,119 gun, 610 archery and 569 muzzleloader. 35 black bear were checked in Le Flore County in 2025-26.

Le Flore County reported deer harvest by season (WMA harvest excluded).07501,5002,2503,0002016: 2,180 deer on the county row2,18020162017: 1,986 deer on the county row1,98620172018: 2,390 deer on the county row2,39020182019: 1,849 deer on the county row1,84920192020: 2,549 deer on the county row2,54920202021: 2,298 deer on the county row2,29820212022: 2,657 deer on the county row2,65720222023: 2,122 deer on the county row2,12220232024: 1,914 deer on the county row1,91420242025: 2,298 deer on the county row2,2982025

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

Ouachita National Forest season dates, 2026-27

38 species and 63 dated windows reach Ouachita National Forest this year; the right-hand column checks each against today.

SpeciesWindowReachFromThroughToday?
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
White-tailed deerArcheryZone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9Oct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth gunZone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9Oct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderZone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9Oct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGunZone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9Nov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
White-tailed deerHoliday antlerlessZone 3, 4, 5, 6, 9Dec 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

Controlled hunts on refuges and WMAs need a drawn permit.

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

Ouachita National Forest and the closest public tracts

Closest non-OLAP ground: Ouachita WMA McCurtain & Tiak Units, 1.0 mi west. Walk-in OLAP ground starts 46 mi off at Choctaw OLAP tract H001.

AreaTypeAcresCountyStraight lineWhich way
Ouachita WMA McCurtain & Tiak UnitsWMA unit133,000McCurtain1.0 miwest
Broken Bow Lake (Corps)Corps lake–McCurtain2.6 misoutheast
McCurtain County Wilderness AreaWilderness area14,000McCurtain6.0 minortheast
Broken Bow WMAWMA5,420McCurtain7.4 minorth
Three Rivers WMAWMA185,199McCurtain, Pushmataha17 minorthwest
Little River NWRWildlife refuge14,502McCurtain20 misouth

Points: USFS EDW Ranger Districts layer (Oklahoma districts) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.

Ouachita National Forest: nearest towns, offices and shops

Hochatown, 6.0 mi off, is the closest town with a page here. Broken Bow is the largest of these towns, with 4,227 people in 2024. Le Flore County is in game warden District 3; the district captain is Todd Tobey, (580) 513-2305.

TownCountyPop. 2024Miles offBearing
HochatownMcCurtain2686.0 misouthwest
Broken BowMcCurtain4,22715 misouth
EagletownMcCurtain–16 misoutheast
SmithvilleMcCurtain–17 minorth
GoldenMcCurtain–18 misouthwest
Caddo Office & Durant State Fish Hatchery

ODWC office · Caddo, Bryan County · about 93 mi away

(580) 924-4087MapSite
White's Deer Processing

deer processing · Smithville, McCurtain County · about 17 mi away

(580) 306-9710Map
Stewart Rifles LLC

sporting goods · Smithville, McCurtain County · about 17 mi away

(580) 703-3442MapSite
Outdoors, Southeast gun

sporting goods · Idabel, McCurtain County · about 25 mi away

(580) 286-5824Map
Shoot Straight Hunting Preserve

guide or preserve · Grant, Choctaw County · about 45 mi away

(580) 743-5569MapSite

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.

Paper-punching options en route to Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Three ranges near Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma) follow, beginning with Kiamichi Shooting Range at 39 miles.

Kiamichi Shooting Range
outdoor range

Talihina, Le Flore County · 39 mi

Set up for: rifle, handgun, rimfire

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

Kelly Branch Shooting Range
outdoor range

Heavener, Le Flore County · 40 mi

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

James Collins WMA Rifle
Range
ODWC WMA range

Adamson, Pittsburg County · 70 mi

Set up for: 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.

First and last shooting light, Ouachita National Forest

Deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and hogs may be hunted from half an hour before official sunrise to half an hour after official sunset; turkey and migratory birds stop at sunset.

WhenEventRiseSetBig gameBirdsUpland
Oct 1, 2026Archery deer opens7:12 a.m.7:04 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 7:34 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 7:04 p.m.7:12 a.m. to 7:04 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Muzzleloader opens7:31 a.m.6:34 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 7:04 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 6:34 p.m.7:31 a.m. to 6:34 p.m.
Nov 21, 2026Gun deer opens6:59 a.m.5:11 p.m.6:29 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.6:29 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.6:59 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.
Dec 6, 2026Gun deer closes7:12 a.m.5:08 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 5:38 p.m.6:42 a.m. to 5:08 p.m.7:12 a.m. to 5:08 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:22 a.m.5:11 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.7:22 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.
Jan 15, 2027Archery closes7:26 a.m.5:29 p.m.6:56 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.6:56 a.m. to 5:29 p.m.7:26 a.m. to 5:29 p.m.
Apr 16, 2027Spring turkey6:47 a.m.7:51 p.m.6:17 a.m. to 8:21 p.m.6:17 a.m. to 7:51 p.m.6:47 a.m. to 7:51 p.m.

Clock time: Central Daylight Time until Nov. 1, 2026 and from March 14, 2027.

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.

Ouachita National Forest photo row

Pines and hardwoods above a broad valley from an overlook on the Talimena Scenic Drive
Pines and hardwoods above a broad valley from an overlook on the Talimena Scenic Drive
Fall forest and a winding road below Panorama Vista on the Talimena National Scenic Byway
Fall forest and a winding road below Panorama Vista on the Talimena National Scenic Byway
Sunset Point Vista over forested Ouachita ridges on the Talimena Scenic Byway
Sunset Point Vista over forested Ouachita ridges on the Talimena Scenic Byway

Listings close to Ouachita National Forest (Oklahoma)

Checked November 3, 2026, the 10-mile ring shows 2 upcoming listings, covering ODWC controlled hunt. Controlled hunt rows (2) admit only hunters whose names came up in the ODWC draw.

Not yet held

DatesEventMiWhereButtonSource
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
All dates, every countyODWC Controlled Hunts

Spotted a flyer for a local hunt or banquet? Send it

If Ouachita National Forest is full, try these

Wilderness area

McCurtain County Wilderness Area

14,000 ac, 6 mi

Wildlife refuge

Little River NWR

14,502 ac, 20 mi

Military land

McAlester AAP

44,800 ac, 80 mi

Wildlife refuge

Sequoyah NWR

20,807 ac, 85 mi

Federal hunting landCorps and ODWC lakesOklahoma land map

Ouachita National Forest answers from the sources

How early is legal light at Ouachita National Forest in late November?

Deer and other big game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; on November 21, 2026 that works out to 6:29 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. for Le Flore County.

Does the 400-square-inch orange rule apply on Ouachita National Forest?

Firearm deer, elk, bear and pronghorn hunters wear 400 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange on a head covering and outer garment combined.

How does CWD affect hunting Ouachita National Forest?

Yes. McCurtain County SSA rules apply.

How many deer does the county around Ouachita National Forest produce?

Le Flore County: 2,298 deer in 2025-26.

What are the archery and gun deer dates at Ouachita National Forest?

Statewide dates: archery from Oct 1, 2026, gun from Nov 21, 2026.

Are there elk near Ouachita National Forest I can hunt?

Public elk hunting is by draw only; county zone: Southeast Zone.

Is Ouachita National Forest a large or small piece of ground?

Roughly 353,429 acres, by Forest Service land statistics.

Where would I find Ouachita National Forest on a road map?

ODWC Southeast Region: Le Flore and McCurtain counties. Hochatown is 6.0 mi away.

What antlerless limit applies near Ouachita National Forest?

ODWC map overlay: Zone 10 (Muzzleloader 1, gun 1); the legal line is the road on the map.

Which documents cover a hunt on Ouachita National Forest?

A state hunting license and species licenses; no separate area permit is listed.

Which seasons can I hunt on Ouachita National Forest?

Check Ouachita WMA for the species list.

Can a feeder go up on Ouachita National Forest?

Not allowed. The Department-Managed Area Rules prohibit bait.

Ouachita National Forest trip checklist

Report deer, elk, bear, pronghorn and turkey through E-Check within 24 hours, and carry your field tag while hunting Ouachita National Forest.

Oklahoma pin mapAll OK areasLe Flore CountyFederal hunting landManager website

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: MARELBU (CC BY 3.0); Michael Barera (CC BY-SA 4.0); Robert Nunnally (CC BY 2.0).