Oklahoma Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 1 – February 15, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Pheasant:
    • Season: Closes January 31, 2026.
    • Note: Pheasant hunting is limited to specific counties in the Panhandle (Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver counties).
  • Bobwhite Quail and Scaled Quail:
    • Season: Typically November 1, 2025, to February 15, 2026 (based on historical patterns; confirm with ODWC for exact 2025-26 dates).
  • Lesser Prairie-Chicken:
    • No open season due to habitat loss and population decline. Conservation efforts are ongoing.

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Resident Hunting License:
    • Annual: ~$32 (exact cost subject to change; check ODWC website).
    • Lifetime: Available for residents (cost varies; e.g., ~$225 for lifetime hunting or ~$325 for combination hunting/fishing).
    • Senior Citizen Lifetime (65+): Reduced cost or free for certain licenses.
    • Youth (under 18): May be exempt with a youth super hunting license.
    • Landowners: Exempt when hunting on their own land.
  • Nonresident Hunting License:
    • Annual: ~$176 (exact cost subject to change).
    • 5-day: ~$75 (not valid for deer or turkey).
    • Nonresident game bird permit required for hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Cost not specified in sources.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Hunter Safety Course: Required for hunters born after January 1, 1986, unless using an apprentice-designated license (available for those 30 or younger).
    • Hunter Orange: Upland hunters must wear blaze orange or camouflage blaze orange (hat or upper garment) during muzzleloader or rifle big game seasons.
    • HIP Permit: Required for all migratory bird hunters (cost typically included with license or minimal, e.g., ~$3).
  • Where to Purchase: Licenses are available at ODWC license dealers, online at wildlifedepartment.com (with a $3 convenience fee), or through the GoOutdoorsOklahoma platform.

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Pheasant:
    • Daily Limit: 2 cocks.
    • Possession Limit: 4 cocks after December 1, 2025. Note that hunters in two states with different limits cannot exceed the largest number of birds legally allowed in one state.
  • Bobwhite Quail and Scaled Quail:
    • Daily Limit: 10 per day (in aggregate for both species).
    • Possession Limit: 20 (in aggregate).

Additional Notes

  • Public Lands: Seasons on public lands (e.g., Wildlife Management Areas, Oklahoma Land Access Program lands) may differ from statewide seasons. Check specific regulations for each area.
  • Quail Outlook: In 2024, quail numbers were up 48% statewide compared to 2023, suggesting good hunting opportunities in areas with favorable habitat and weather. The 2025 update is pending.
  • Conservation: Prairie-chicken populations have declined significantly, and no hunting is allowed. Efforts are underway to restore grasslands.
  • Regulations: Hunters must use shotguns (conventional or muzzleloading), archery equipment, or legal raptors. Shotguns larger than 10-gauge are prohibited, and there are no magazine restrictions. Federally approved nontoxic shot is required for migratory game birds.
  • Verification: Fees and regulations were last updated in July 2025; confirm with the ODWC website (wildlifedepartment.com) for the latest details.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website or contact their office directly.