OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is accepting applications for its 2026 Special Family Hunts program, an initiative designed to introduce more families, women and firsttime hunters to the outdoors.
Applications are open through June 26 for the controlled deer gun hunts, which will be held this fall at Cross Timbers and Okmulgee wildlife management areas.
The program began as a pilot effort in 2023 after agency surveys found that many female hunters were not continuing to hunt from year to year. According to the department, 38% of licensed female hunters in Oklahoma did not purchase a hunting license the following year.
To encourage participation, selected wildlife management areas are closed to the general public during the hunts, creating what officials describe as a low-pressure environment for families to hunt together on public land.
Data collected during the program's first three years suggests it has been successful in reaching new audiences. Wildlife officials reported that 37% of applicants during the pilot phase were female. Because each application must include at least one youth hunter, at least half of all applicants were under age 18.
The program also attracted many first-time hunters. Nearly 29% of applicants had never held an Oklahoma hunting license, according to the department. Among those first-time license holders, one-third were female.
Officials said the hunts have drawn a mix of experienced hunters and newcomers. About half of applicants already held lifetime hunting licenses.
Family groups may include one or two adults ages 18 and older and up to three children ages 10 to 17. All participants must possess a valid hunting license.
Applications are free, although standard license fees apply to annual license holders who are selected. Deer harvested during the special hunt dates do not count toward a hunter's regular seasonal bag limit.
Huntersmayapplythrough their Go Outdoors Oklahoma account by selecting the Controlled Hunts option. The application period closes June 26.