If you’re looking to participate in one of Oklahoma’s controlled hunts in 2025, it’s time to get busy filling out applications. The state’s wildlife agency has opened up the portal for applying to hunt deer, elk, antelope and turkey in these special situations.
Lest you be confused, note that you don’t have to necessarily apply to hunt these animals normally under Oklahoma law. Here’s how the state’s website explains the controlled hunts:
Controlled hunts are offered for deer, elk, antelope, and turkey. They are held in areas where unrestricted public hunting would pose safety concerns or where overharvest might occur.
Hunters wishing to go on one of these controlled hunts must submit an application, which goes into the running with all other applications for that hunt. Hunters are selected through a random drawing.
Got it? Oklahoma is doing something different this year, though—they’re also offering hunters the chance to buy an extra Preference Point to up their chances of winning the draw.
Last year, they did this for the controlled elk and pronghorn hunts; now, it’s also available for all the categories. And previously, hunters could only pick so many options for hunt applications; now, they can add more choices if they want to pay $3 extra.
Confused? Take a look at the Outdoor Oklahoma Journal here if you have more questions or want to improve your odds in the draw. Otherwise, you can apply here. Remember, the draws close on May 20 this year.
The state’s fish-and-game authorities also announced new Outdoor Oklahoma Adventures raffles. These are hunting and fishing packages offered by the state, with the money going into their conservation efforts as well as supporting public hunting and fishing opportunities.
Currently, they have a raffle for just about everyone:
There are five raffles being offered, including a chance at a premier private land cow elk hunt in southwest Oklahoma (you’re eligible even if you’ve been drawn for an elk hunt through the Oklahoma Controlled Hunts Program); a turkey hunt at Lively Ranch in Northwest Oklahoma; a guided striped bass fishing trip at Lake Texoma; a hog hunt at Deer Time Ranch near Carney; and a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license.
The tickets for the raffle are $10 apiece, or $30 for five tickets, and you can enter whether or not you have a hunting or fishing license.
There’s no limit on how many tickets you can buy. For more details, check out their website here. Ticket sales end on July 1; head here for more info.
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