Hunting in Oklahoma: 2 Animals to Hunt Legally Year-Round

Outdoor enthusiasts not familiar with what Oklahoma has to offer in the way of hunting will discover a couple of distinct options of game hunting available all year long in the "Sooner State." They include the following:

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Prairie Dogs - Though the animal may be hunted year-round, there are certain guidelines and restrictions. First, a hunting license or proof of exemption is required. Hunting for prairie dogs is closed on all lands managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Also, according to regulations listed on the Oklahoma official hunting website, “It is unlawful to hunt, take or attempt to take prairie dogs from dark to daylight with the aid of any artificial light and any sight dog.”
Hogs - Also known as “feral swine,” they are defined as “any hogs, including Russian and European wild boar, which are running at large, free-roaming or wild.” They can be hunted year-round with landowner permission. According to eRegulations.com They also may be “taken on Department-managed lands during any established hunting season with methods authorized by the Department for that hunting season, except that during any open deer and/or turkey season, only appropriate methods, hunting hours and weapons for that deer and/or turkey season are authorized for taking or pursuing feral hogs.”

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Though not technically available for hunting year-round, the season for squirrels has the longest duration of any in the state (including the summer, fall, and winter months), beginning in early May and lasting until January of the following year.

In a 2015 article for the All American Banner, squirrel hunting is regarded as “a popular part of Oklahoma’s hunting heritage and still is recognized by many today as a great recreational activity ... though fewer squirrel hunters may take to the woods now, the opportunities to harvest game and sharpen outdoor skills through squirrel hunting are still plentiful in Oklahoma.”

So, the question is, where can avid hunters go to track down these animals throughout the year? One such establishment is Hamm’s Sportsman Oasis, which bills itself as being “nestled in the heart of Southwest Oklahoma, where year-round hunting is abundant.” There are five separate locations in Oklahoma, according to the website, and overnight lodging is available.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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