ODWC - The rut, or deer mating season, is well underway in most of Oklahoma, as big bucks have been reported chasing does for several days in many areas. Deer movement should be plentiful this coming Saturday, Nov. 23, when the state’s deer gun hunting season officially opens a half-hour before sunrise.

It’s the most highly anticipated day of the year for roughly 130,000 hunters in Oklahoma.

This year’s annual Rut Report suggests a successful season is likely for a majority of hunters. See below for the latest rut status reports from the field.

This will be the first deer gun season under the new license requirements of the 2024 Wildlife License Modernization Act. Oklahoma residents 18 and older will need a base hunting license ($36) and a deer gun season license ($36), unless exempt. No longer are separate licenses required for each deer hunted. Instead, hunters may harvest the entire gun season limit of deer (four, with one being antlered) along with two bonus antlerless deer during the holiday antlerless deer season.

Residents younger than 18 require only the annual youth super hunting license ($26), which allows participation in the 2024-25 deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, turkey, waterfowl, furbearer and trapping seasons.

The modernization act brought Oklahoma’s fee structure for nonresident hunters in line with regional averages. For deer gun season, nonresidents older than 17 will need an annual base hunting license ($209) unless exempt, and a nonresident deer gun license ($501), which allows the hunter to take the entire regular deer gun and holiday antlerless season bag limits — a total of six deer. Nonresidents younger than 18 require either an annual youth super hunting license ($151) or a five-day youth super hunting license ($76) to hunt in Oklahoma’s deer gun season.

Oklahoma’s deer gun season is a great time to maybe tag a wall-hanger but also to stock the freezer with tasty, nutritious and healthy venison. And for filling the freezer, “Hunters in the Know … Take a Doe!”

Big Game Biologist Dallas Barber with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reminds deer hunters again that harvesting antlerless deer remains an important part of the state’s deer herd management strategy.

Last year, state hunters voluntarily hit it out of the park, with antlerless deer making up 44% of the deer gun harvest. Barber said a doe harvest of at least 40% is the target for maintaining optimum buck-to-doe ratios for herd health.

To encourage doe harvest, ODWC allows each hunter to take as many as eight antlerless deer combined over the various hunting seasons. Hunters who were drawn for this year’s-controlled hunts may take even more antlerless deer, as controlled hunt deer harvests do not count toward a hunter’s overall season limit.

To help deer hunters plan for opening day in the forest or field, here are the most recent regional reports from ODWC field personnel.

CENTRAL REGION

Reported by Jay Rouk, Wildlife Biologist Current Buck Rutting Activity: Younger bucks are on the move searching for does and checking scrapes. Older bucks seem to be moving mostly at night, possibly due to the mild weather. Does have been less visible as a heavy mast has kept them in the woods and out of food plots, which suffered from the October drought. Certainly, many does have become receptive and breeding has begun as mid-November is peak breeding time.

Habitat Conditions : Once again, oak trees produced a very substantial mast this year. Acorns are falling in the upland forests and in the river bottoms, with most oak species contributing. The October drought decimated most food plots.

Timely rain in September had most seeds germinate and then subsequent lack of rain caused them to perish.

Food plots may look green, but in many cases, it is opportunistic (and less desirable) cool season grasses that have replaced what was planted. Native vegetation is in good shape and has benefited from a longer frost free season.

Hunter and Landowner Reports: Hunters have reported early successes during archery and muzzleloader seasons. But many are still frustrated with the lack of daytime activity. Trail cam pics reveal that rut activity is ongoing during the night. The forecast indicates cooler weather is coming.

This will certainly trigger an increase in daytime activity.

A waning full moon may transition daytime deer movement from midday back to “normal” dawn and dusk times.

Public Land Best Bets : Kaw WMA: a consistent producer found in north-central Oklahoma. Deep Fork WMA: an hour’s drive from either Oklahoma City or Tulsa.

Love Valley and Texoma/ Washita Arm WMAs: found near Texoma Lake, are the best choices for southern hunters.

Advice for Deer Hunters : If you have oaks, check your area for acorns. Acorns are always the most energy efficient food and will pull deer from other sources. Tracks and droppings found with the acorns are a sure sign of recent deer activity. Now is also the time to hunt forest bottlenecks, ridge saddles, or other travel corridors.

Antler rattling would be good way to bring some action to the hunt.

Biggest Mistakes to Avoid: Losing confidence: this will cause the hunter to go home or start walking, which may decrease chances for success. Lack of proper preparation: pre-scouting, checking rifles, having stands/blinds already set and in good condition are steps one should take maximize opportunities. Not respecting the wind direction: try to set up downwind of anticipated deer movement. Deer depend on their noses to make decisions, and human scent will certainly alert them.

Opening Morning Expectations : The recent warmer weather has suppressed daytime activity somewhat. Colder temperatures should come in, just in time, to get deer moving and set hunters up for success. The deer gun opener is the most anticipated hunting day of the year, and many hunters will be headed to the woods. Be kind to other hunters. We share the common goal to enjoy the hunt with hope for success.

Public land hunters need to be considerate of others and cooperate when seeking stand locations. Success can always be found in the outdoor experience and fellowship with friends.

SOUTHEAST REGION Reported by Matt Hensley, Southeast Region Senior Biologist Current Buck Rutting Activity: Field reports indicate that rut activity increased steadily throughout the first week of November. During the end of the second week much of the chasing and fighting activity transitioned into tending and breeding. Hunters are reporting more mature deer sightings now and still getting good responses to calls.

Habitat Conditions : With a heavy acorn crop in much of the southeast this fall, food availability is not an issue for deer in areas with mast producing oak timber. The abundance of mast contributed to slightly slower than normal deer movement in the early season, however the rut momentum has increased in daylight hours.

Hunter and Landowner Reports : Many reports of hunters seeing and taking good quality deer. It seems that the herd’s health is in good shape overall and deer numbers are high in the region.

Public Land Best Bets : Top wildlife management areas in the region for deer gun season include Honobia Creek WMA, Three Rivers WMA, and Ouachita WMA. Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs require an additional Land Access Permit that must be purchased before your trip ($100 residents, $200 nonresidents). Please check your hunting regulations and the area-specific regulations for additional information on these and other wildlife management areas. Some management areas may be open for archery hunting activities but closed for deer gun season. Some may also be closed while conducting draw-awarded controlled hunts on the area.

Advice for Deer Hunters : Nowadays we have a multitude of information such as detailed topographic maps and weather forecasts that are literally available at our fingertips. Take advantage of this and maximize your efforts by virtually scouting for natural travel corridors with good downwind ambush options and being prepared for changing temperatures and precipitation so that you’ll be warm, dry, and at the top of your game when you look over to see that doe running by with a wallhanger right behind her.

Biggest Mistakes to Avoid: The biggest mistake that we are all occasionally guilty of is getting in too big of a hurry. Slow down and invest some time into planning and preparing. Double- checking gear, licenses/ permits, and area specific regulations will make for a safer, more enjoyable hunt, while also raising your chance of success. Another mistake is often made by only hunting an hour or two at sunrise or sunset. During the rut, deer often move all day long, and hunters that go in too early might miss out on seeing a midday chase.

Opening Morning Expectations : The weather forecast looks great with a high temperature prediction of mid to high 60s with sunshine and mixed clouds. If going to public land, expect to hear and see a high number of hunters, but also expect plenty of opportunities to see and harvest a deer.