Elk

License Requirements

• Residents: Must possess a hunting license (see Licenses & Permits) or proof of exemption. In addition, all elk hunters must possess an elk license for each elk hunted or proof of exemption.
• Nonresidents: Nonresident elk hunters are exempt from a hunting license while hunting elk, but they must possess a nonresident elk license for each elk hunted or proof of exemption. Holders of nonresident lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses are not exempt from purchasing elk licenses.

Written Landowner Permission

All elk hunters must possess written permission from the landowner or, where appropriate, the lessee (tenant). Permission must be carried on the person while hunting elk. Elk hunters may only hunt on those lands for which they have written permission.

Combined Season Limit

The combined statewide season limit for elk is two elk, regardless of sex or method of taking. Elk taken by hunters participating in controlled hunts are not included in the hunter’s combined season limit.

Elk taken in the Southwest Zone/Slick Hills area from Jan. 1 – 31, 2013, and elk taken in the Northeast Zone from Jan. 1 – 15, 2013, count towards the 2012 bag limit.

Dates, Open Areas & Zone Limits

Open areas are private lands in Caddo, Comanche and Kiowa counties (Southwest Zone) and Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes, Muskogee and Sequoyah counties (Northeast Zone).

Southwest Zone / Granite Hills Area – Private lands west of Hwy. 115. One elk limit.

Archery (legal bull or antlerless elk): Oct. 6 – 10 and Dec. 8 – 12, 2012

Gun (legal bull or antlerless elk): Oct. 11 – 14 and Dec. 13 – 16, 2012

Southwest Zone / Slick Hills Area – Private lands east of Hwy. 115. Two elk limit, one of which must be antlerless.

Archery (legal bull or antlerless elk): Oct. 6 – 10 and Dec. 8 – 12, 2012

Gun (legal bull or antlerless elk): Oct. 11 – 14 and Dec. 13 – 16, 2012

Gun (antlerless elk only): Nov. 17 – Dec. 2, 2012 and Jan. 1 – 31, 2013

Northeast Zone – Private lands only. One elk limit, any elk regardless of sex, age, or antler points.

Archery (either sex): Oct. 1, 2012 – Jan. 15, 2013

Youth Gun (either sex): Oct. 19 – 21, 2012 (Same age requirements as youth deer gun season, see Deer Regulations.)

Muzzleloader (either sex): Oct. 27 – Nov. 4, 2012

Gun (either sex): Nov. 17 – Dec. 2, 2012

Public Lands

Elk hunting is closed on all Department-owned or managed lands, except for controlled elk hunt permittees on areas and dates designated on their controlled hunt permit.

Legal Elk Definitions

• Southwest Zone – A legal bull is defined as having at least five points on at least one side. A point is defined as the tip of the main antler beam and any projection arising from the main antler beam that is at least one inch in length.

Antlerless elk are defined as elk with no visible antlers.

• Northeast Zone – No antler point restrictions. Any elk is legal.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset.

Legal Means of Taking

• Archery: Equipment described as legal for deer archery season. See Deer Regulations.
• Muzzleloader: Equipment described as legal for deer muzzleloader season. See Deer Regulations.
• Gun: Equipment described as legal for deer gun season. See Deer Regulations.

Hunter Orange

For hunter orange requirements, see General Hunting Regulations.

Field Tagging & Checking

For field tagging and checking requirements for elk, see Field Tagging & Checking.