Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 800 - Department of Wildlife Conservation
Chapter 30 - Department of Wildlife Lands Management
Subchapter 1 - Use of Department Managed Lands
Section 800:30-1-2 - Use restrictions
Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
The following restrictions apply to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife managed lands:
(1) Wildlife Management Areas. All lands owned, licensed, leased or under the management of the Wildlife Division of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, except for the McCurtain County Wilderness Area, are designated Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) to accurately reflect the overall objectives for these lands and the results of management activities conducted thereon. Depending on the specific management objectives, all or parts of any particular wildlife management area may also be designated as a public hunting area, game management area or migratory bird refuge, or wetland development unit.
(2) Public Hunting Areas. On a Public Hunting Area (PHA portion), all legal forms of wildlife harvest are permitted under statewide hunting, fishing and furbearer regulations unless specific regulations for the area indicate otherwise.
(3) Game Management Areas. A Game Management Area (GMA portion) is closed to all wildlife harvest, except as specifically permitted by Commission action.
(4) Migratory Bird Refuges. A designated Migratory Bird Refuge or Waterfowl Refuge Portion (WRP) is closed to all public use and access during the period of October 15 - January 31, except as specifically permitted by Commission action or special hunt permittee's on days of their hunt unless specifically noted otherwise. In addition, unless otherwise provided, all shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead shot is prohibited.
(5) Wetland Development Units. Areas designated as Wetland Development Units (WDU) are open for hunting as published annually in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations. Shooting hours for waterfowl are 1/2 hour before official sunrise until 1 p.m. daily. Unless otherwise provided, all shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot and the possession of lead shot is prohibited.
(6) Wilderness Area. On the Wilderness Area, there shall be no public entry except by persons possessing prior written permission from the Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation or his designated representatives; Department employees; or by the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture, Division of Forestry personnel engaged in fire protection or suppression activities. The self-guided nature trail on the McCurtain County Wilderness Area does not fall under these restrictions.
(7) Closed areas. Closed areas within larger management units may not be open to specific types of hunting or other activities on a year-round basis. Other uses may be permissible according to the above priorities insofar as they do not conflict with the specific objectives assigned to these closed areas. Those areas are:
(8) Conservation Education Area. The primary purpose of the conservation education area is conservation education. All activities are strictly regulated by ODWC.
Amended at 8 Ok Reg 2427, eff 6-13-91; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1671, eff 5-31-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2931, eff 7-1-01; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2230, eff 7-1-03; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 2483, eff 7-1-07; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1524, eff 7-1-12