A Month-by-Month Calendar for Oklahoma Recreational Land Owners (2026-27)

By Seth Willyard, Blue River Realty

A recreational tract in southeastern Oklahoma runs on four clocks: the hunting seasons set each year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), the county tax calendar set by statute, the weather, and the work the land needs between visits. The busiest stretch is October through December, when deer archery, bear, muzzleloader, gun season and the first property tax deadline all land within twelve weeks.

Every hunting date below was read on ODWC's current seasons page in October 2026 and is for the 2026-27 season year. ODWC sets dates annually, so treat next year's as unknown until it posts them. Where a season for mid-2027 has not been posted, we show the 2026 date and say so. This calendar is part of our Oklahoma recreational land guide.

The year at a glance

October to December: the main season

October

• Deer archery opens October 1, 2026 and runs to January 15, 2027. Elk archery and fall turkey archery run the same dates.
• Bear archery runs October 1 to October 18, 2026. Bear muzzleloader runs October 24 to November 1. Bear hunting has its own county and quota rules; read black bear in Southeastern Oklahoma before planning around these dates.
• Rabbit opens October 1 and runs to March 15, 2027.
• Youth deer gun is October 16 to 18, 2026.
• Deer muzzleloader is October 24 to November 1, 2026.
• Fall turkey gun is October 31 to November 20, 2026.
• Dove first split closes October 31.

On the land: the Oklahoma Climatological Survey puts the average first autumn freeze at about November 10 along the Red River and notes that the Ouachita Mountains differ from surrounding terrain by about two weeks, with a growing season three to four weeks shorter than nearby areas. Expect frost on a mountain tract in October. Oklahoma Forestry Services opens tree seedling orders in October for shipping in January through March. The Orionid meteor shower peaks October 21-22, 2026 under a bright moon.

Rut timing and stand planning are in whitetail habitat and rut timing in the Ouachitas.

November

• Property taxes become due November 1. See the tax section below.
• Woodcock opens November 7. Goose seasons open November 7.
• Quail opens November 14, 2026 and runs to February 15, 2027.
• Ducks in Zones 1 and 2 open November 14, 2026, close December 6, reopen December 12 and run to January 31, 2027. Confirm which zone your tract is in on ODWC's waterfowl pages.
• Deer gun is November 21 to December 6, 2026. Elk gun runs the same dates where elk hunting is open.

During any deer, elk or bear firearms season, ODWC's hunter orange rules apply on private land as well as public. Firearm hunters must wear a head covering and an upper garment totaling at least 400 square inches of hunter orange. Other hunters in the field during those seasons, with listed exceptions such as waterfowl and dove hunters, must wear either an orange head covering or upper garment. Guests walking the property should wear it too.

The Southern Taurid meteors peak November 4-5 and the Leonids November 16-17, 2026.

December

• Deer gun closes December 6.
• Dove second split is December 1 to 29, 2026.
• Furbearer season for bobcat, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, river otter, badger and weasel opens December 1 and runs to February 28, 2027. Coyote, beaver, raccoon, nutria and striped skunk are listed as year-round, subject to the regulations. See predators and nuisance wildlife on your land.
• Holiday antlerless deer gun is December 18 to 31, 2026. Check ODWC for where it is open.
• Pay at least the first half of the property tax before January 1.
• Geminid meteor shower peaks December 13-14, 2026 with only a thin crescent moon. See dark skies and stargazing.

All harvested deer, elk, turkey and bear must be reported to ODWC within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area, lifetime license holders included. Licenses and the full rules are in our Oklahoma deer and turkey seasons and licenses guide.

January to March: wind-down and winter work

January

• Deer archery, elk archery and fall turkey archery close January 15, 2027.
• Ducks in Zones 1 and 2 close January 31, 2027.
• Squirrel, rabbit, quail and furbearer seasons continue.
• Quadrantid meteors peak January 3-4, 2027.

ODWC notes that black bear cubs are born between January and March in the winter den, and that bears den in caves, hollow logs, large trees and under boulders. Leave a suspected den alone.

Seedlings ordered from the state nursery in the fall ship from January through March.

February

• Quail closes February 15, 2027.
• Squirrel closes February 28, 2027. The season then reopened on May 15 in 2026.
• Furbearer season closes February 28, 2027.

With leaves down and most seasons closed, this is the easiest month to see the ground. Walk the boundary and find the survey pins, cut and mark trails, look at how water ran across the driveway over winter, and deal with brush. If you plan to burn piles, check for a burn ban first and read burn bans, wildfire and prescribed burns; Oklahoma law gives extra liability protection to prescribed burns only when the notification steps are followed.

March

• Rabbit closes March 15, 2027.
• The second half of the property tax must be paid before April 1.

The Climatological Survey puts the average last spring freeze at about March 15 along the Red River in the east, with the Ouachitas running about two weeks different from surrounding terrain. It also notes that floods on major rivers happen most often in the spring and autumn months with the greatest rainfall, and that flash flooding of creeks remains a serious threat. March is when low-water crossings and creek-bottom campsites start to matter. See weather by season.

April to June: turkey, storms and green-up

April

• Youth spring turkey is April 10 to 11, 2027.
• Spring turkey opens April 16, 2027 and runs to May 16.
• The Lyrid meteors peak April 21-22, 2027 under a full moon.

The Climatological Survey reports that three-fourths of Oklahoma's tornadoes have occurred in April, May and June. Know where you would shelter on a tract with no building. Turkey tactics and regulations are in turkey hunting in the Kiamichi Mountains.

May

• Spring turkey closes May 16, 2027.
• Squirrel opened May 15 in 2026 and ran to the end of February. ODWC had not posted the 2027 opening date when we checked.
• Eta Aquariid meteors peak May 5-6, 2027 with almost no moon.

May averages more tornadoes than any other month in Oklahoma, about 20 by the Survey's count, and late spring is the peak thunderstorm season. After heavy rain, check culverts and the driveway before ruts set; the drainage basics are in first improvements on raw land. Tick and snake precautions start now and run through summer; see snakes, ticks and field safety.

June

• Squirrel season is open.
• ODWC notes that black bear breeding season is late June and July. Bears move more; keep food and trash locked up at camp.
• Fishing is the main draw. Residents and listed family members fishing a private pond on their own land are exempt from the fishing license; nonresident landowners are not. See ponds, creeks and fishing on your own land.

July to September: heat, then the first openers

July and August

The Climatological Survey reports about 85 days a year at 90 degrees or higher in southeastern Oklahoma, about 15 days above 100 in eastern Oklahoma, and heat index values of 105 or more over 40 times a year in the far southeast. Temperatures of 100 or higher occur from May through September. Plan work for early morning, carry more water than you think you need, and keep summer trips short.

Summer drought raises fire danger. County commissioners can declare a period of extreme fire danger, and the statute lists forecast temperatures at or over 100 degrees in the next three days as one of the conditions that allows it. Check the burn ban map before any trip where you plan a campfire; see camping on your own land.

August is preparation month: trim shooting lanes, check stands and straps, set cameras, and buy licenses. The Perseid meteors peak August 12-13, 2027, with a bright moon that year.

September

• Dove opened September 1 in 2026 and the first split runs to October 31.
• September teal was September 12 to 20, 2026, and the special resident Canada goose season September 12 to 21.
• Rail and gallinule opened September 1, 2026.

Migratory bird hunting needs a Harvest Information Program permit in addition to the hunting license, and waterfowl needs state and federal stamps. See duck, dove and small game on private land.

The Climatological Survey describes autumn as a secondary severe weather season.

The tax and license clocks

Property tax

Under Title 68, section 2913 of the Oklahoma Statutes, as we read it in the state Senate's statute compilation:

• Ad valorem taxes become due and payable on November 1.
• Unless at least half is paid before January 1, the whole year's tax becomes delinquent on that date.
• If the first half was paid before January 1, the second half must be paid before April 1.
• If the total tax is $25 or less, all of it must be paid before January 1.
• Delinquent taxes bear interest at 1.5 percent per month.

How the bill is calculated is in property taxes on raw land, and the rest of the annual budget in yearly cost of owning a tract. Confirm the dates and how to pay with your county treasurer.

Licenses

ODWC's fee page, read in October 2026, shows the annual hunting, annual fishing and combination licenses as valid for 365 days from purchase, not for a calendar year. Several season licenses run on fixed dates: deer archery October 1 to January 15, and turkey, bear, elk and antelope licenses January 1 to December 31. Put your own renewal date in your phone.

Two rules catch new owners:

• Nonresident landowners get no license exemptions. ODWC also applies a two-calendar-day waiting period to nonresident deer licenses bought after the season has opened.
• Hunter education. Anyone 30 or younger who is not hunter-education certified hunts on an apprentice-designated license with an accompanying adult hunter. Take the class in summer.

Out-of-state owners should read the out-of-state buyer guide.

Using this calendar in your first year

If you close on a tract in winter, you have until October to learn it: walk it in February, watch the water in spring, fix the driveway in summer, and hang stands in August. If you close in fall, hunt it lightly and take notes; do the heavy work after the season. A fuller plan is in your first 12 months as an owner.

If you are still looking, recreational land for sale in Oklahoma and hunting land for sale show what is available now.

This calendar is general information, not legal or tax advice. ODWC's regulations and your county treasurer's statement are the authorities.

Frequently asked questions

When is deer season in Oklahoma in 2026?

ODWC's 2026-27 dates are: deer archery October 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; youth deer gun October 16 to 18; deer muzzleloader October 24 to November 1; deer gun November 21 to December 6; and holiday antlerless deer gun December 18 to 31. Dates are set each year, so confirm on ODWC's seasons page before you plan a trip.

When are property taxes due on land in Oklahoma?

Under Title 68, section 2913, ad valorem taxes become due November 1. At least half must be paid before January 1 or the full amount becomes delinquent. If the first half is paid on time, the second half is due before April 1. Bills of $25 or less must be paid in full before January 1. Confirm with your county treasurer.

When is spring turkey season in Oklahoma in 2027?

ODWC lists the youth spring turkey season as April 10 to 11, 2027 and the regular spring turkey season as April 16 to May 16, 2027. A turkey license is required in addition to the hunting license, and every bird must be reported to ODWC within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area.

What is the best month to do work on recreational land?

Late winter. In February most hunting seasons have closed, the leaves are down so you can see the ground and the boundary, and it is cool enough for hard work. Summer heat in southeastern Oklahoma, with about 85 days a year at 90 degrees or higher, makes July and August the worst months.

Do Oklahoma hunting licenses expire at the end of the year?

Not the main ones. ODWC's fee page shows annual hunting, fishing and combination licenses as valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Some species licenses run on fixed dates instead, including the deer archery license from October 1 to January 15 and turkey, bear and elk licenses from January 1 to December 31.

When does hunter orange apply on my own land?

During any deer, elk, bear or antelope firearms season, which includes muzzleloader season. ODWC states the requirement applies on private as well as public property. Firearm hunters need a head covering and upper garment totaling 400 square inches; most other hunters in the field need an orange hat or upper garment. Non-hunting guests should wear it as well.

Sources

1. ODWC — Hunting Seasons — every 2026-27 season date in this article (accessed October 9, 2026).
2. ODWC — Big Game Regulations — hunter orange on public and private land, 24-hour harvest reporting, field tagging.
3. ODWC — License Fees — 365-day annual licenses and fixed-date species licenses (accessed October 2026).
4. ODWC — License Requirements — HIP and stamp requirements, nonresident deer license waiting period.
5. ODWC — License Exemptions — resident landowner exemptions; none for nonresident landowners.
6. ODWC — Hunter Education — apprentice designation and accompanying hunter rules.
7. ODWC — Black Bear — denning, cub births January to March, breeding in late June and July.
8. Oklahoma Statutes Title 68, § 2913 (Oklahoma Senate statute compilation) — ad valorem tax due date, half-payment schedule, delinquency and interest.
9. Oklahoma Statutes Title 2, Oklahoma Forestry Code, § 16-26 (Oklahoma Senate statute compilation) — county extreme fire danger resolutions and the 100-degree forecast condition.
10. Oklahoma Forestry Services — seedling orders from October, shipping January to March; burn ban map.
11. Oklahoma Forestry Services — Burning Within Oklahoma Law — prescribed burn notification and limited liability.
12. Oklahoma Climatological Survey — Oklahoma Climate — freeze dates, Ouachita growing season, heat, tornado and thunderstorm seasonality, flooding.
13. American Meteor Society — 2026/2027 Meteor Shower Calendar — meteor shower peak dates and moon phases.