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Home › Oklahoma › Public land › Packsaddle WMA

Ellis County · WMA

Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area for hunters

A 2026-27 guide to the wildlife management area, 19,659 acres, in Ellis County.

Get driving directionsAll Ellis County spots

Not Packsaddle WMA; a nearby stand-in from Black Kettle National Grassland (White and yellow wildflowers in full bloom on the Black Kettle National Grassland).

Photo: Cibola National Forest and Grasslands (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

Getting to Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Packsaddle WMA on paper

Ellis County holds the 19,659 acres of Packsaddle WMA (the ODWC area page). Motor-vehicle access for non-ambulatory hunters covers 615 acres. Ellis County has 2 records with acreage here; Packsaddle WMA is number 1.

Day to day, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation looks after it (ODWC Northwest Region). Ellis County holds 24,997 acres of public land on the GIS layers.

The area page reads: Packsaddle WMA covers 19,659 acres, and is located in Ellis County 17 miles south of Arnett, Oklahoma on Highway 283. Located in the mixed grass prairie, it is a mixture of rolling sand hills and wooded bottoms with the South Canadian River as its southern boundary. Uplands sites are vegetated with mixed grass species including big bluestem, indian grass, little bluestem, side-oats grama, and buffalo grass and brush species like shinnery oak, sagebrush, and sand plum. Bottomlands are dominated by cottonwood, elm, and hackberry trees. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 25 inches.

How to drive in: From Arnett: 17 miles south on U.S. Hwy 283, 1 mile east on E0770 to headquarters on right (south).

Packsaddle WMA game outlook

GameStatus on the area
QuailBobwhite quail are usually present in good numbers, but are highly sought after.
DeerWhite-tailed deer are present in fair numbers.
TurkeyRio Grande turkeys are usually present in good numbers but are heavily sought after.
RabbitMostly cottontails, but an occasional jackrabbit may be found.
FurbearersCoyote, bobcat, and raccoon are available.
DoveMay be abundant during peak migrations around watering areas and weedy fields.
WaterfowlLimited to two wetland development areas.
(580) 515-2030Hunting phone
20,185Layer acres
800:25-7-134OAC rule

Seasons open on Packsaddle WMA: Deer, Doves, Crows, Turkey, Rails, Gallinules, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbits, Squirrels, Furbearers, Waterfowl, Sandhill crane, Trapping, Quail.

From the agency record (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation); checked November 3, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Roger Mills County

County · 13 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Black Kettle National Grassland (Oklahoma)

Public land · 15 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Ellis County Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 19 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Public land · 29 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Dewey County Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 37 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Fort Supply Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 43 mi from Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Directions

Packsaddle WMA: the county rules that apply

TopicEllis County
Antlerless zone2 (58%), 7 (42%)
Elk zoneSpecial Northwest
Bear areaNo
PronghornNo season
Fall gun turkeyOpen
PheasantNorth of SH 51
Duck datesZones 1 and 2
Crane, jackrabbitWest of I-35
CWD surveillanceOutside
ODWC regionNorthwest
Warden districtNo. 7

Overlaying the ODWC antlerless zone map on the boundary gives Zone 7 (Muzzleloader 4, gun 4); roads, not county lines, divide the zones. Deer limits: six total for the season, two antlered maximum, in every zone. For elk, Ellis County sits in the Special Northwest Zone (quota 8), a private-land zone that closes when its quota is met. The fall gun turkey list includes Ellis County. Ellis County is pheasant country (the part north of SH 51). Ellis County counts as west of I-35 for crane and jackrabbit.

Ellis CountyZones explainedElk by zone

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

Packsaddle WMA rules for 2026-27

ODWC area rules on Packsaddle WMA keep shooting to designated ranges, vehicles to open roads and stands portable. Nonresident check-in applies here; the list entry reads "Packsaddle". Non-hunters on Packsaddle WMA need either a hunting or fishing license or the Wildlife Conservation Passport, $46 resident / $239 nonresident a year. Ducks in the Packsaddle WMA wetland units: mornings only, to 1 p.m., and nontoxic loads.

Area notes for Packsaddle WMA

  • All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on designated WDU portions.

Count it up for Packsaddle WMA: 7 statewide, 15 restricted, 1 closed, out of 23 lines in the ODWC table.

HuntStatusWhat ODWC adds
Holiday Antlerless Deer GunClosed–
Deer ArcheryStatewide dates–
Youth Deer GunStatewide dates–
DoveStatewide dates–
CrowStatewide dates–
Turkey Fall ArcheryStatewide dates–
RailStatewide dates–
GallinuleStatewide dates–
Deer MuzzleloaderRestrictedClosed to antlerless mule deer hunting.
Deer GunRestrictedOpen the first nine days only. Antlerless hunting permitted last two days of area season.
SnipeRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
WoodcockRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
RabbitRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
SquirrelRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
Predator/Furbearer CallingRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
Turkey Fall GunRestrictedTom only. Shotgun only.
Pursuit with Hounds for FurbearersRestrictedClosed from the opening day of deer archery season through deer gun season and closed during spring turkey season.
Duck, Merganser and CootRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portion.
Sandhill CranesRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portion.
TrappingRestrictedOpen to water sets, live box traps and enclosed trigger traps only through Jan 31. Open same as statewide Feb 1 through end of February.
Turkey SpringRestrictedOne-tom limit; seasons combined. Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily.
Youth Turkey SpringRestrictedOne-tom limit; seasons combined. Hunting hours close at 7:00 p.m. daily.
QuailRestrictedClosed during the first nine days of deer gun season. Closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.

Extra Packsaddle WMA rules

  • Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas during open hunting seasons.
Area ruleOn Packsaddle WMA
BaitNot allowed
StandsPortable only
Stand removalWithin 14 days
MarkingODWC customer ID
Target shootingDesignated ranges
VehiclesOpen roads only
Camping limit16 days in a row
  • Packsaddle WMA: Bonser Marsh WDU & Designated WDU Areas , Hunting Contact (580) 515-2030
ODWC area atlasODWC web mapRules by areaMore like this

Sources: source, source, source, source (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation). Checked November 3, 2026.

Harvest figures for Packsaddle WMA

Area harvest, newest season: 105 deer under the name "Packsaddle WMA". Ellis County reported 906 deer in 2025-26 outside WMAs, 563 of them antlered, 65th of 77 counties. By method: 722 gun, 133 archery and 51 muzzleloader. 2025-26 mule deer: 11 in Ellis County.

YearArea labelArcheryMuzzleloaderGunSum
2024Packsaddle WMA9107392
2025Packsaddle WMA61683105
Ellis County reported deer harvest by season (WMA harvest excluded).05001,0001,5002,0002016: 659 deer on the county row65920162017: 741 deer on the county row74120172018: 798 deer on the county row79820182019: 984 deer on the county row98420192020: 1,094 deer on the county row1,09420202021: 824 deer on the county row82420212022: 856 deer on the county row85620222023: 828 deer on the county row82820232024: 966 deer on the county row96620242025: 906 deer on the county row9062025

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

Packsaddle WMA season dates, 2026-27

40 species and 61 dated windows reach Packsaddle WMA this year; the right-hand column checks each against today.

SpeciesWindowReachFromThroughToday?
White-tailed deerArcheryZone 2, 7, 8Oct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth gunZone 2, 7, 8Oct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderZone 2, 7, 8Oct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGunZone 2, 7, 8Nov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
White-tailed deerHoliday antlerlessZone 2, 7, 8Dec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Mule deerAll deer seasonsStatewideOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkArcherySpecial Northwest elk zoneOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkYouth elk gunSpecial Northwest elk zoneOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
ElkMuzzleloaderSpecial Northwest elk zoneOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
ElkGunSpecial Northwest elk zoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
ElkHoliday antlerless elkSpecial Northwest elk zoneDec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Wild turkeyYouth fall turkeyOpen countiesOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
Wild turkeyFall GunOpen countiesOct 31, 2026Nov 20, 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
PheasantSeasonPheasant countiesDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027
RabbitsSeasonStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
JackrabbitSeasonWest of I-35Oct 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
Sandhill craneSeasonWest of I-35Oct 17, 2026Jan 17, 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.

Packsaddle WMA and the closest public tracts

Closest non-OLAP ground: Black Kettle National Grassland, 15 mi southwest. Walk-in OLAP ground starts 50 mi off at Woodward OLAP tract H004.

AreaTypeAcresCountyStraight lineWhich way
Black Kettle National GrasslandNational grassland30,688Roger Mills15 misouthwest
Black Kettle WMAWMA30,710Roger Mills17 misouthwest
Ellis County WMAWMA4,800Ellis19 minorthwest
Washita NWRWildlife refuge8,088Custer29 misoutheast
Dewey County WMAWMA212Dewey37 mieast
Fort Supply WMAWMA5,462Woodward43 minorth

Points: ODWC Public WMA Boundaries layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.

Packsaddle WMA: nearest towns, offices and shops

Durham, 15 mi off, is the closest town with a page here. Woodward is the largest of these towns, with 11,750 people in 2024. Other communities nearby: Strong City (15 mi, 29 people) and Leedey (18 mi, 393 people). Warden phones on the area page: (580) 860-4967 (Ellis).

TownCountyPop. 2024Miles offBearing
DurhamRoger Mills–15 miwest
ArnettEllis48619 minorth
CheyenneRoger Mills73619 misouth
HammonRoger Mills46323 misoutheast
WoodwardWoodward11,75040 minorth
Headquarters

ODWC office · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County · about 124 mi away

(405) 521-3721RouteSite
Alberts Deer Processing

deer processing · Vici, Dewey County · about 27 mi away

(580) 940-0185Route
Parry Custom Gun

sporting goods · Vici, Dewey County · about 27 mi away

(580) 995-4867Route
Red's Gun Shop

sporting goods · Shattuck, Ellis County · about 30 mi away

(580) 938-2135Route
Gage Locker Service

deer processing · Gage, Ellis County · about 31 mi away

(580) 923-7661Route

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.

Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area: ODWC range details

Packsaddle WMA Shooting Range is on Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area; there is no range fee, but shooters need a hunting or combination license.

Packsaddle WMA Shooting Range
ODWC WMA range

Durham, Ellis County · 1 mi

Set up for: 100 yd rifle, trap

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

Croton Creek Guest Ranch
outdoor range

Cheyenne, Roger Mills County · 18 mi

Set up for: rifle

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

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

Oklahoma views around Packsaddle WMA

Eastern redcedar and brush on a grassland unit of the Black Kettle National Grassland
Eastern redcedar and brush on a grassland unit of the Black Kettle National Grassland
The Antelope Hills and distant mesas over shortgrass range in the Black Kettle National Grassland
The Antelope Hills and distant mesas over shortgrass range in the Black Kettle National Grassland
Two sandhill cranes flying with wings spread against white clouds
Two sandhill cranes flying with wings spread against white clouds

Legal hunting times, Packsaddle WMA

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 opens7:33 a.m.7:24 p.m.7:03 a.m. to 7:54 p.m.7:03 a.m. to 7:24 p.m.7:33 a.m. to 7:24 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Muzzleloader opens7:53 a.m.6:53 p.m.7:23 a.m. to 7:23 p.m.7:23 a.m. to 6:53 p.m.7:53 a.m. to 6:53 p.m.
Nov 21, 2026Gun deer opens7:22 a.m.5:29 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 5:29 p.m.7:22 a.m. to 5:29 p.m.
Dec 6, 2026Gun deer closes7:36 a.m.5:25 p.m.7:06 a.m. to 5:55 p.m.7:06 a.m. to 5:25 p.m.7:36 a.m. to 5:25 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:46 a.m.5:28 p.m.7:16 a.m. to 5:58 p.m.7:16 a.m. to 5:28 p.m.7:46 a.m. to 5:28 p.m.
Jan 15, 2027Archery closes7:49 a.m.5:46 p.m.7:19 a.m. to 6:16 p.m.7:19 a.m. to 5:46 p.m.7:49 a.m. to 5:46 p.m.
Apr 16, 2027Spring turkey7:06 a.m.8:12 p.m.6:36 a.m. to 8:42 p.m.6:36 a.m. to 8:12 p.m.7:06 a.m. to 8:12 p.m.

WMA shooting ranges open at sunrise.

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.

Alternatives to Packsaddle WMA

WMA

Black Kettle WMA

30,710 ac, 17 mi

WMA

Ellis County WMA

4,800 ac, 19 mi

WMA

Dewey County WMA

212 ac, 37 mi

WMA

Fort Supply WMA

5,462 ac, 43 mi

WMAs by ODWC regionParks and programsOLAP walk-in tracts

Packsaddle WMA answers from the sources

Is there a place to stay overnight at Packsaddle WMA?

Six designated primitive camping areas are located in the area. Both lodging and restaurants are available 17 miles north in Arnett and 22 miles south in Cheyenne. Shooting Range Features: 100-yard rifle range with 5 covered shooting benches, a trap range, and ADA access and parking. Coordinates : 35.89844 N, 99.67547 W Directions: From Arnett, 17 miles south on U.S.

How many deer were checked from Packsaddle WMA in 2025-26?

105 deer in the 2025-26 report (74 antlered).

What are the archery and gun deer dates at Packsaddle WMA?

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

What are the elk rules around Packsaddle WMA?

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

Is Packsaddle WMA a large or small piece of ground?

The ODWC area page gives 19,659 acres.

Where would I find Packsaddle WMA on a road map?

Ellis County, in the ODWC Northwest Region. Durham is 15 mi away.

What antlerless limit applies near Packsaddle WMA?

ODWC map overlay: Zone 7 (Muzzleloader 4, gun 4); the legal line is the road on the map. Area rules can narrow it further.

Which documents cover a hunt on Packsaddle WMA?

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

What is there to hunt at Packsaddle WMA?

Game on file: deer, doves, crows, turkey, rails, gallinules, snipe, woodcock, rabbits, squirrels, furbearers, waterfowl, sandhill crane, trapping and quail.

Is feeding game allowed for hunting on Packsaddle WMA?

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

What other public ground lies close to Packsaddle WMA?

Black Kettle National Grassland, about 15 mi southwest.

What agency sets the rules on Packsaddle WMA?

It falls under the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Phone: (580) 515-2030.

Heading to Packsaddle WMA?

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

Oklahoma pin mapAll OK areasEllis CountyWMAs by ODWC regionManager website

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

Other photos on this page: Cibola National Forest and Grasslands (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Richmassena (English Wikipedia) (CC BY-SA 2.5); Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0).