INDIAHOMA, Okla. – Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will conduct the first in a series of controlled hunts Nov. 17-19. The refuge conducts the hunts in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to provide hunting opportunities and help manage deer and elk populations. Hunters are selected by drawing.

For public safety, the refuge will close public use areas between the visitor center and Indiahoma Road to other activities during the Nov. 17-19 hunt. The closed areas include Quanah Parker Lake and Dam, Boulder Picnic Area, Lost Lake, Burford Lake, Osage Lake, French Lake, Burma Road, the Narrows and the Dog Run Hollow Trail System. 

Public use areas west of Indiahoma Road will remain open, as will those east of the Visitor Center. These areas include Elk Mountain, Sunset Picnic Area, Charon’s Garden, Post Oak and Treasure lakes, Mount Scott, Jed Johnson Lake and Rush Lake. The refuge will post closure details at the Visitor Center.

Additional elk hunts are scheduled for Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 14-18, 2026, and Jan. 4-8, Jan. 11-15 and Jan. 25-29, 2027. Closed areas will change for each hunt. For closure updates, visit the refuge website or call the visitor center at 580-429-3222.