32.55—Oklahoma.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit. We require no fee.
2. We prohibit taking of goose during the duck hunt.
3. Species and bag limits are in accordance with State regulations.
4. We allow duck hunting on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 1 p.m. Refer to the refuge hunting brochure for opening and closing dates.
5. You may only use portable blinds. You must remove blinds, decoys, and all personal equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) daily.
6. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, turkey, and raccoon in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit for squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon. We require no fee.
2. We allow only shotguns, .22 caliber rimfire rifles, and .17 caliber rimfire rifles for rabbit and squirrel. We allow only special archery hunts by refuge Special Use Permit.
3. Raccoon hunting only: Hunt hours are legal sunset to legal sunrise only. State firearm restrictions apply.
4. We publish opening and closing dates in the Refuge Hunt Brochure.
5. We allow dogs for hunting squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon, but you must remove the dogs from the refuge at the end of the hunt (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. We offer refuge-controlled turkey hunts. We require hunters to possess a permit and pay a fee for these hunts. You may call the refuge office or the State for information concerning these hunts.
7. Turkey hunters must check-in and out at a refuge check station. Refuge staff provide a hunter briefing as part of the check-in.
8. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds during turkey hunts.
9. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. We offer refuge-controlled deer hunts (archery, primitive, youth primitive). For information concerning these hunts, contact the refuge office or the State.
3. We will offer a limited archery season deer hunt following the controlled deer hunt. Contact the refuge office for more information.
4. You may hunt feral hog during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
5. We prohibit scouting when we are conducting controlled deer hunts.
6. We offer refuge-controlled deer hunts (archery, primitive weapon, youth primitive). We require hunters to possess a permit and pay a fee for these hunts. For information concerning the hunts, contact the refuge office or the State.
7. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. A fishing brochure with a map is available from the refuge office. We identify parking areas and open and closed areas on the map.
2. We prohibit the possession of firearms.
3. We allow year-round fishing on the Deep Fork River. We allow fishing from March 1 through October 31 on sloughs, farm ponds, and impoundments not connected to the river.
4. Game fish species and creel/possession limits are in accordance with State regulations.
5. We allow bowfishing on the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset from May 15 through September 30.
6. We prohibit snagging and netting.
7. We only allow trotlines, juglines, limblines, and yo-yos in the Deep Fork River and prohibit them in any other areas on the refuge. Anglers must mark lines and attend and remove them (see § 27.93 of this chapter) in accordance with State regulations.
8. We allow noodling in accordance with State fishing regulations.
9. We prohibit the taking of turtle and mussel (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
Little River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit off-road vehicle use (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit building and use of permanent blinds. You may only use portable blinds. You must remove blinds, decoys, and all personal equipment from the refuge daily (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. You may hunt from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
4. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit while hunting.
5. You may only hunt duck during designated refuge seasons.
6. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, turkey, beaver, and raccoon on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Turkey hunters using firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) must pay fees and obtain a controlled hunt permit through the State.
2. Conditions A1 and A4 apply.
3. You may only hunt upland game during designated refuge seasons.
4. Shotgun hunters may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
5. You may hunt beaver during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Deer hunters using firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) must pay fees and obtain a controlled hunt permit through the State.
2. Condition A1 applies.
3. You may hunt feral hog during any established refuge hunting season. Refuge permits and legal weapons apply for the current hunting season.
4. Deer archery hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit while hunting.
5. You may only hunt big game during designated refuge seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A1 applies.
Optima National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of mourning doves is permitted on designated areas of the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt pheasants, bobwhite and scaled quail, cottontail rabbit and jackrabbit on the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Only shotguns are permitted.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer and turkey on the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Archery and shotguns are permitted during spring turkey season.
2. Only archery hunting is permitted during fall seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, sandhill crane, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We require hunters to check-in and out of the refuge.
3. Hunting begins 1/2 hour before legal sunrise and ends at 12 p.m. (noon).
4. We prohibit hunting during the regular State rifle deer season on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and pheasant on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of white-tailed deer is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Permits and payment of a fee are required.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We close designated areas of the Great Salt Plains Reservoir.
2. We allow fishing from April 1 through October 15.
3. We prohibit trotlines within 500 feet (150 m) of the shoreline of the Jet Recreation Area.
4. Posts used to secure or anchor trotlines must reach a minimum of 2 feet (30 cm) above the water surface, and you must mark them to make them clearly visible to boaters.
5. We prohibit the taking of any type of bait from refuge lands or waters.
6. We only allow fishing on Bonham Pond:
i. By youths age 14 and under;
ii. By any person with a disability;
iii. Only from legal sunrise to legal sunset;
iv. With a limit of one pole per person; and
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, dove, coot, snipe, and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require an annual refuge permit for all hunting. The hunter must possess and carry the signed permit while hunting. We require hunters to abide by all terms and conditions listed on the permit (see §26.43 of this chapter).
2. We open the refuge to hunting only on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. We prohibit hunters from entering the land portion of the Sandtown Bottom Unit or any portion of Sally Jones Lake before 5:00 a.m. Hunters must leave the area by 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 50 feet (15 m) of designated roads or parking areas. All hunters must park in designated parking areas.
3. Season lengths and bag limits will be in accordance with State regulations with the exception that all hunting, except for the conservation light goose season, will close on January 31 of each year. If a conservation light goose season is in effect, it will follow State regulations with the exception of special refuge regulations and hunting days.
4. We only allow legal shotguns. You must unload and case shotguns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while transporting them in a vehicle or boat.
5. We prohibit construction of pit blinds or permanent blinds. You must reduce blinds to a natural appearance or remove them (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of the day. You must remove all empty shells, litter, decoys, boats, or other personal property (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) at the end of the day. We prohibit camping in boats or otherwise spending the night on any area of the refuge.
6. We allow boats. You must operate them under applicable State laws and comply with all licensing, marking, and safety regulations from the State of origin.
7. We allow the use of dogs for hunting, but the dogs must remain under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We prohibit entry by hunters or dogs to closed areas to retrieve or rally game.
8. We prohibit guiding or outfitting for commercial purposes.
9. We prohibit hunters from using refuge boat ramps to access hunting areas outside the refuge boundary on days when we close the refuge for hunting certain species or for any species not hunted on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, quail, and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A7 through A9 apply.
2. We only open the refuge to hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. We generally designate open areas as: Area A—Sandtown Bottom, Area B—Webber Bottom, and Area C—Girty Bottom. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 50 feet (15 meters) of designated roads or parking areas. All hunters must park in designated parking areas.
3. Season lengths and bag limits will be in accordance with State regulations with the exception that all upland game hunting will close on January 31 of each year.
4. We only allow legal shotguns and approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)). You must plug shotguns so they are incapable of holding more than three shells. You must unload and case shotguns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while transporting them by vehicle or boat.
5. We require upland game hunters to follow State blaze-orange regulations.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters must possess and carry a refuge-controlled hunt permit, and comply with the designated refuge season, hunting methods, and location guidelines for that year.
2. Hunters must apply to the State-controlled deer hunt drawing administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for selection. We require those hunters to attend a prehunt briefing, and they must follow all applicable State regulations.
3. We require payment of State and Federal special deer hunting fees.
4. Condition A9 applies.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and frogging on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Fishing and frogging will follow State seasons, limits, and regulations with the exception that from September 1 to March 31 we prohibit fishing or frogging in the closed zone south of refuge headquarters, as designated by buoys and signs. We close the Horton Slough area south of the refuge headquarters to fishing and entry east to the confluence of Little Vian Creek.
2. We prohibit boating on the closed portion of Sally Jones Lake from September 1 to March 31.
3. You must remove trotlines (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the closed zone before September 1.
4. Conditions A6 (boats used for fishing), A8, and A9 apply.
5. We prohibit the possession of any firearms or bows with arrows while frogging.
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of mourning doves and waterfowl is permitted on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. The Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit is open during seasons, dates and times as posted by signs and/or indicated on refuge leaflets, special regulations, permits and maps.
2. Hunters are required to check in and out of the unit at designated areas.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
4. Dove hunting is permitted from September 1 through September 30th only.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt quail, squirrel, turkey and rabbits on the Tishomingo Wildlife Management Unit of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Upland game hunting is not permitted during deer archery and dark goose seasons.
2. We allow only bows and arrows and shotguns using approved nontoxic shot.
3. Hunters are required to check in and out of the unit at designated areas.
4. Turkey hunters may only hunt during the statewide spring shotgun season and during the fall archery season.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Deer hunting on the Wildlife Management Unit is permitted only during the statewide deer archery season.
2. Refuge bonus deer gun hunts are by special permit only.
3. Hunters are required to check in and out of the unit at designated areas.
4. We prohibit baiting on the refuge and the Wildlife Management Unit.
D. Sport Fishing. Fishing with hook and line is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions and exceptions:
1. Anglers may bank and wade fish with pole and line or rod and reel year-round in areas open for public fishing access.
2. Anglers may use boats from March 1 through September 30 in designated refuge waters and Wildlife Management Unit.
4. Anglers may use trotlines and other set tackle only in the Cumberland Pool and between the natural banks of the Washita River. Anglers must attach set tackle, used in Cumberland Pool, only to anchored floats.
5. Anglers may not use limblines, throwlines, juglines, and yo-yo's.
6. Anglers may not use any containers (jugs, bottles) as floats.
7. Anglers must remove fishing tackle at the end of the boating season.
8. Anglers may no-wake boat fish during the boating season with line and pole or rod and reel in: (a) open areas south and west of the Cumberland Pool shallow water buoy line; (b) lakes south and west of the Washita River; and (c) the Wildlife Management Unit.
9. Anglers may night fish from boat (during boating season) in the Cumberland Pool, except not in the no-wake area south and west of the buoy line. Anglers may night fish at the headquarters area, including Sandy Creek Bridge, Murray 23, Nida Point, and the Wildlife Management Unit.
10. You may only take bait for personal use while fishing in the refuge in accordance with Oklahoma State law. We do not allow removal of bait from the refuge for commercial sales. You cannot release bait back into the water.
11. Anglers may bow fish only in the Wildlife Management Unit.
12. Anglers may not take fish by the use of hands (noodling) in any refuge waters.
13. Anglers may not take frogs, turtles, or mussels.
Washita National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and sandhill crane on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require permits and payment of a fee to hunt goose and sandhill crane.
2. Goose and sandhill crane hunters must hunt from designated pit blinds.
3. We allow youth hunters, ages 12 to 16, to hunt duck in a controlled youth hunt in conjunction with a waterfowl seminar.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt quail and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting during the special refuge season in accordance with the refuge hunt information sheet.
2. You must obtain a refuge hunt permit and pay a fee (fee waived for Youth Hunt participants).
3. You must check in and out of hunt areas daily at the refuge office or check station.
4. You must take bagged deer and/or hog to the refuge check station.
5. We will determine bag limits on deer annually.
6. We prohibit the use of bait.
7. A nonhunting mentor of 21 years of age or older must accompany, and be in the immediate presence of, participants in the Youth Hunt, who must be between the ages of 12 and 18. Hunters and mentors must BOTH wear hunter orange clothing meeting or exceeding the minimum State requirements.
8. We prohibit handguns.
D. Sport Fishing. Anglers may fish in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State fishing regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Anglers may fish from March 15 through October 14 in the Washita River and Foss Reservoir. Anglers may bank fish year round in the Washita River and Foss Reservoir from open areas.
2. Anglers may access fishing areas only from designated parking areas and by boat from Foss Reservoir.
3. We do not allow boats and other flotation devices on refuge waters from October 15 through March 14.
Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of elk and white-tailed deer is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Permits and payment of a fee are required.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Fish may be taken only with pole and line or rod and reel.
2. Taking any type of bait from refuge lands or waters is not permitted.
3. Taking of frogs and turtles is not permitted.
4. Hand-powered boats are permitted only on Jed Johnson, Rush, Quanah Parker, and French Lakes.
5. Anglers may use electric trolling motors on boats 14′ or less in length only on Jed Johnson, Rush, Quanah Parker and French Lakes.
6. Anglers may use motorized boats on Elmer Thomas Lake; however, we enforce a no-wake rule on the lake.
[58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 6695, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55187, Nov. 3, 1994; 60 FR 61213, Nov. 29, 1995; 60 FR 62046, Dec. 4, 1995; 61 FR 46398, Sept. 3, 1996; 62 FR 47380, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46920, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30789, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56407, Sept. 18, 2000; 66 FR 46361, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58949, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54445, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54188, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33195, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45695, Sept. 3, 2009]