The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge hosts two of Oklahoma's most popular controlled hunts, the annual elk and deer hunts. The hunts are 2 1/2 days of exhilarating scenery and are known as some of the best-managed hunts in the country. While the white-tailed deer herd is native to the area, the elk herd started with introductions in 1911-1912 when Rocky Mountain elk were reintroduced from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The original herd had been wiped out by indiscriminate hunting before this area was protected as a wildlife refuge. Today, careful management insures their survival, controls their numbers, and allows a portion to be harvested.
The elk and deer hunts on the Refuge are a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Recent Hunt Results:
The 2008 deer hunts resulted in a 56% overall success. Eighty six hunters participated in the hunt out of 100 permits issued. Of the 36 buck hunters participating, 20 filled their permits, resulting in a 56% success rate. Of the 50 doe hunters participating, 26 filled permits, resulting in a 52% success rate. Overall, 86 hunters removed 46 animals, resulting in a 53% success rate.
The 2008 elk hunts resulted in an overall 56% success rate. A total of 190 permits were issued for the hunt and 165 hunters actually participated. Twenty permits for bulls were issued and 39 hunters participated, with 32 being successful, resulting in a 82% success. One hundred twenty two (122) hunters participated in the cow hunt, and 61 of them were successful in filling permits, resulting in a 50% success. The elk hunt is a once-in-a-lifetime hunt and, once drawn, hunters may not reapply for this hunt.
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