It’s Not All the Luck of the Draw

Study Stats and Boost Your Odds for Controlled HuntsOklahoma is a place where hunters are richly blessed with

many outdoor opportunities. But there’s an additional way each year for hunters to possibly add to a successful year afield. It’s the Wildlife Department’s Controlled Hunts Program.

Whether a hunter enjoys his sport on the roughly 1.4 mil-lion acres managed for public hunting in the state, or on the remaining 40 million acres in Oklahoma that is privately owned, he or she is usually in for a first-rate outing.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Controlled Hunts Pro-gram gives sportsmen the chance to win one of the state’s most-sought-af ter hunts. And many of the win-ners will tell you they had luck on their side.

While luck certainly has something to do with the drawing, it’s not the only factor that can influence whether your name is drawn for one of these unique hunts.

For the 2016-17 Controlled Hunts program, about one out of every 19 applicants had his or her name drawn. A total of 98,607 applications were received from about 20,000 hunters for one of the 5,164 individual hunt permits available last year.

Many of those applicants will apply again when the 2017-18 Controlled Hunts applications are made available online around April 1. And while it may seem obvious, the most important thing you can do to improve your chances is to submit an online application each year.

Applications are accepted at wildlifedepartment.com, and the deadline for submitting an application is May 15. The application process is easy. And our website will not accept any application that is not completed correctly, so you can be

assured that your application submission was successful and that your name is in the drawing.

Winners of the Controlled Hunts are randomly selected through a computerized process that draws applications from the pool of those who applied. But hunters have the option to apply for several hunts, which increases your overall chances of being selected.

Each consecutive year that you apply but are not selected, you will collect preference points. Those points can help

increase your odds in the next year’s draw-ings.

Aside from making sure to apply year after year, those who are hoping to draw a hunt can do a few things to increase their chances of being drawn for what could be the hunt of a

lifetime. Some hunt categories allow you to apply with a group of other hunters, which ups your odds of success as a member of a successful group.

This article is designed to give you some insight into how the Controlled Hunts Program works, by the numbers, which could give you an edge in getting your name drawn for a hunt that you won’t soon forget.

Don’t miss your chance to take part in a hunt you won’t for-get. And make sure to gather a few friends to apply as a group, because when it comes to hunting, the only thing that makes being in the woods better is being there with family or friends.

Controlled Hunts Basics Controlled hunts are offered for deer, elk, antelope and

turkey. These hunts are held in locations where unrestricted

One out of every 19 applicants was successful in the 2016-17 Controlled

Hunts drawings.

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public hunting would pose safety concerns or where over-harvest 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. Names are selected through a random computer drawing for a range of hunting opportunities across the state.

Several of the controlled hunt choices are highly sought after and often have many times more applicants than available per-mits. To date, many thousands of hunters have enjoyed unique adventures through the Controlled Hunts program, including youth hunters and people with disabilities.

Getting drawn for a hunt through the Controlled Hunts program is a matter of odds, and if you continue to apply year after year, it’s likely you’ll get at least one chance to enjoy a controlled hunt offered through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Participation is easy. You start by submitting a simple, easy-to-complete application online. This gives you a chance to be drawn for one of the hunts for which you applied. Choices include opportunities such as hunting for a bull elk at the Wich-ita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, hunting for pronghorn antelope in northwestern Oklahoma, or hunting for deer at one of many Wildlife Management Areas across the state, often with exclu-sive privileges not offered at other times of the year.

Even though getting drawn is a matter of odds, you can still increase your chances of getting drawn by doing a little research first. And we’ve done a lot of the hard work for you in this article. All you have to do is study the data here and determine which hunts you want to apply for based on the information provided. And yes, there are ways to sway the odds in your direction.

For example, every time you apply and do not get select-ed, you earn a preference point for the next year. So, when you apply the next year, it’s like getting your name put in the hat an extra time for the drawing. Therefore, your odds of being drawn improve if you apply again the next year. By submitting an application year after year, you can build your chances far more than those who don’t continue to apply because they believe the odds are too hard to beat. Additionally, some hunt categories allow you to apply with a group of other hunters, so that if one of the group is drawn, the entire group gets to hunt.

Helpful Tips If you want to increase your chances of being selected,

one of the best things you can do is to make sure you apply each and every year like clockwork. Again, your odds of being drawn for a controlled hunt improve each year you apply

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because each preference point you earn acts like an extra application the next time you apply.

For example, if you have been applying for the controlled hunt of your dreams for five years straight without having your name drawn, you will have five “tickets in the hop-per” compared to a first-time applicant, who will have only one. Those who say they have stopped applying because they never get drawn are actu-ally giving you an advantage, as long as you just keep on applying. Your chances will get better each year that you apply when others with prefer-ence points decide to quit.

Although hunters with more preference points have great-er chances of being drawn for a controlled hunt, it is not a guarantee that those with the most points will be drawn for a hunt. What is guaranteed is that their odds improve.

First-time applicants with no preference points can and do get drawn over those with many points, because names are selected randomly from the entire pool of applicants. But remember, if you’ve amassed preference points for past years, your name will be in the hopper many more times than the name of the first-time applicant.

In some categories, hunters may apply in groups of up to four people. For group applications, the preference points of each hunter in the group will be averaged. If four hunters apply together — one with no points, one with two points,

and the other two with three points each — the group’s preference points will be two, which is the average of all four hunters on the application. If not drawn in that catego-

ry, each applicant in the hunt group will be given a single preference point.

When your name is select-ed in a hunt category, all pref-erence points that you have built up in that category are cleared. It’s very important to make sure you can attend the hunt dates that are listed before you apply. Remember, once you are selected, you will

lose your advantageous preference points you earned over the years. You can begin building preference points with the next year’s application again, but it would be disappointing to apply year after year only to be selected for a hunt that you cannot attend.

So, regardless of whether your name has been drawn, it’s important to keep applying, if for no other reason than to gain preference points.

(Compiled by the “Outdoor Oklahoma” Staff)

A one-time $5 entry fee is required of each applicant, regardless of how many hunt choices

are applied for.

Other Tips to Consider Include:• Rather than looking at the number of permits available

for each hunt, it could be in your favor to consider the ratio of permits to applicants before making a decision on which hunts you believe will give you the best chance.

• By designating additional choices, you increase your overall odds of being selected for at least one of the choices, so make as many selections as a category allows (five in the deer category, for example), rather than just three, two or one.

• You can increase your odds of being drawn when you apply for hunts that happen on key dates of the regular statewide seasons, such as the opening weekend of muzzleloader or gun season. Many hunters may skip those dates because of previous plans.

• For those locations that offer multiple hunts in the same category, the second or third hunts (the later hunts) are often easier to draw than the first hunts offered at that location.

• You cannot submit more than one application form per category. Now that applications are completed and submitted online, you will receive confirmation that your application was processed correctly. This system will help you avoid mistakes, so make sure you receive confirmation of a successful application.

• Hunts that are considered by some to be less desirable, such as antlerless deer hunts, may be just the right choice for a meat hunter looking to raise his chances at getting to hunt at a premier location.

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2016 Deer Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Atoka WMA 3001 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 2,084 75 1:27Beaver River WMA, McFarland Unit 3001 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 302 15 1:20Beaver River WMA, McFarland Unit 3007 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 328 5 1:65Beaver River WMA 3008 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 418 15 1:27Candy Creek WMA 3020 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 171 12 1:14Candy Creek WMA 3021 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 263 12 1:21Canton WMA 3030 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,495 75 1:19Cherokee GMA 3044 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,646 50 1:32Cherokee GMA 3045 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 240 75 1:3Cherokee GMA 3046 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,117 50 1:22Cherokee GMA 3047 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 157 75 1:2Cookson WMA 3060 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,271 18 1:70Cookson WMA 3061 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 122 35 1:3Cookson WMA 3062 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 53 35 1:1.6Cookson WMA 3063 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,437 18 1:79Cookson WMA 3064 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 109 35 1:3Cookson WMA 3065 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 56 35 1:1.6Cross Timbers WMA 3070 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 679 50 1:13Deep Fork NWR 3080 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 165 50 1:3.3Deep Fork NWR 3081 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 782 50 1:15Four Canyon Preserve 3090 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 42 4 1:10Four Canyon Preserve 3091 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 293 2 1:146Four Canyon Preserve 3092 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 40 4 1:10Four Canyon Preserve 3093 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 420 2 1:210Fort Gibson WRP 3110 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 614 50 1:12Fort Gibson WRP 3111 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 238 50 1:4Fort Gibson WRP 3112 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 230 50 1:4Fort Gibson WRP 3113 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,066 25 1:42Fort Gibson WRP 3114 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 134 25 1:5Grady County WMA 3120 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 234 10 1:23Grady County WMA 3121 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 284 10 1:28James Collins WMA 3140 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,487 50 1:29Lexington WMA 3150 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 736 135 1:5Lexington WMA 3151 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 385 135 1:2.8Lexington WMA 3152 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 335 135 1:2.5Lexington WMA 3153 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 259 135 1:1.9Little River NWR 3160 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 602 30 1:20Little River NWR 3161 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 527 30 1:17McAlester AAP Physically Challenged 3170 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 129 100 1:0.9

McAlester AAP 3171 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,824 275 1:6McAlester AAP 3172 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 2,124 275 1:7McAlester AAP 3173 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 3,253 275 1:11McAlester AAP 3174 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 4,311 275 1:15McAlester AAP 3175 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 4,305 275 1:15McCurtain Co. WA 3190 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 496 16 1:31McGee Creek WMA 3200 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,024 100 1:10McGee Creek WMA 3201 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,567 75 1:20Okmulgee GMA 3210 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 638 60 1:10Okmulgee GMA 3211 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 353 60 1:5Osage-Western Wall WMA 3220 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,075 25 1:43Pushmataha WMA 3230 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,928 75 1:25Salt Plains NWR 3242 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 212 25 1:8Salt Plains NWR Wilderness Area 3243 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 88 12 1:7Salt Plains NWR 3244 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 342 25 1:13Salt Plains NWR Wilderness Area 3245 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 164 12 1:13Salt Plains NWR 3246 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 262 25 1:10Salt Plains NWR Wilderness Area 3247 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 134 12 1:11Sandy Sanders WMA 3270 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 952 35 1:27Sequoyah NWR 3280 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 800 20 1:40Sequoyah NWR 3281 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 346 30 1:11Spavinaw GMA 3290 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 1,617 30 1:53Spavinaw GMA 3291 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 211 40 1:5Waurika WMA & COE Public 3330 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 494 15 1:32Waurika WMA & COE Public 3331 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 68 25 1:2.7Wichita Mts. NWR 3340 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlered Only 6,705 30 1:223Wichita Mts. NWR 3341 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Antlerless Only 596 40 1:14Great Salt Plains SP 3350 Archery 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 599 10 1:59

2016-17 Deer Hunts• Total hunt applications (includes first,

second, third, fourth and fifth choice preferences): 57,438

• Total permits available: 3,939

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 14.6

2016-17 Deer Hunts for Persons with Disabilities • Total hunt applications (includes first, sec-

ond and third choice preferences): 246

• Total permits available: 98

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 2.5

2016-17 Youth Deer Hunts • Total hunt applications (includes first, sec-

ond and third choice preferences): 3,006

• Total permits available: 816

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 3.7

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2016 Deer Hunts for Persons With Disabilities

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Cherokee GMA 4001 Gun 10/29/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 47 40 1:1 1Cookson WMA 4010 Gun 10/30/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 42 25 1:1 2Salt Plains NWR 4050 Muzzleloader 11/1/2016 10/19/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 3 2 1:1 3Waurika Lake COE 4090 Gun 11/1/2016 11/3/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 17 6 1:2 4Sequoyah NWR 4060 Muzzleloader 11/16/2016 11/17/2016 (2) Antlerless Only 12 3 1:4 5Tishomingo NWR 4080 Gun 11/9/2016 11/10/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 44 10 1:4 6Oologah Lake COE 4040 Gun 10/31/2016 11/13/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 53 8 1:6 7Salt Plains NWR 4052 Gun 11/14/2016 11/16/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 12 2 1:6 8Salt Plains NWR 4051 Gun 11/7/2016 11/9/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 16 2 1:8 9

2016 Youth Deer Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Atoka WMA 5001 Gun 10/29/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 111 50 1:2 3Beaver River WMA, McFarland Unit 5006 Gun 10/15/2016 10/16/2016 Either Sex 39 15 1:2 4Camp Gruber Cantonment 5009 Muzzleloader 11/25/2016 11/27/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 96 25 1:3 12Cherokee GMA 5010 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 196 50 1:3 13Cookson WMA 5020 Gun 10/22/2016 10/23/2016 Either Sex 120 45 1:2 5Deep Fork NWR 5030 Gun 10/14/2016 10/16/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 121 25 1:4 17

Ft. Cobb WMA and SP 5040 Muzzleloader/Shotgun 10/15/2016 10/16/2016 Antlerless Only 42 40 1:1 1

Ft. Gibson WRP 5050 Muzzleloader 11/5/2016 11/5/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 115 20 1:5 22Kaw Lake COE 5055 Gun 11/4/2016 11/6/2016 (2) 1 Either Sex, 1 Doe 61 4 1:15 30Hugo WMA 5060 Gun 10/7/2016 10/9/2016 Either Sex 60 25 1:2 6James Collins WMA 5070 Gun 10/21/2016 10/23/2016 Either Sex 191 50 1:3 14James Collins WMA 5071 Gun 10/28/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 211 50 1:4 18Little River NWR 5085 Gun 10/28/2016 10/30/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 45 10 1:4 19McAlester AAP 5090 Shotgun 11/25/2016 11/27/2016 Antlerless Only 57 25 1:2 7Okmulgee GMA 5110 Gun 11/5/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 66 24 1:2 8Okmulgee GMA 5111 Gun 11/12/2016 11/13/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 51 24 1:2 9Pine Creek WMA 5130 Gun 11/11/2016 11/13/2016 Either Sex 40 12 1:3 15Pushmataha WMA 5140 Gun 10/21/2016 10/23/2016 Either Sex 108 50 1:2 10Pushmataha WMA 5141 Gun 10/28/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 97 50 1:1 2Salt Plains NWR 5150 Gun 10/14/2016 10/16/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 143 25 1:5 23Sequoyah NWR 5160 Muzzleloader 10/21/2016 10/23/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 114 25 1:4 20Spavinaw GMA 5180 Muzzleloader 10/29/2016 10/30/2016 Either Sex 93 40 1:2 11Spavinaw GMA 5181 Gun 11/4/2016 11/6/2016 Either Sex 156 50 1:3 16Tenkiller COE 5190 Gun 11/4/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 105 10 1:10 27Texoma COE (Burns Run) 5200 Gun 11/4/2016 11/6/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 76 6 1:12 29Texoma COE (Lakeside) 5201 Gun 11/11/2016 11/13/2016 (2) Only 1 Antlered 70 6 1:11 28Tishomingo NWR 5210 Gun 10/20/2016 10/21/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 123 20 1:6 24USDA Grazinglands R.L. 5220 Gun 11/4/2016 11/5/2016 (2) 1st Antlerless, 2nd E-S 180 20 1:9 26Washita NWR Youth Exemption 5240 Gun 10/7/2016 10/8/2016 Antlerless Only 70 10 1:7 25Washita NWR Youth Exemption 5260 Gun 11/4/2016 11/5/2016 Antlerless Only 49 10 1:4 21

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Deer Hunt Application Tips • Steer clear of the most popular hunts, such as the Wichita

Mountains buck gun hunt, the Sandy Sanders buck gun hunt and Salt Plains NWR hunts that allow either sex hunt-ing. If you avoid these, your odds go up for getting drawn.

• Controlled hunts held during the regular muzzleloader and gun seasons, especially those held during the opening weekends, often offer better odds of getting drawn than those held outside the regular statewide season dates since many would-be applicants already have their hunting plans in place for those dates.

• Antlerless-only hunts traditionally see fewer applicants compared to buck-only or either-sex hunts.

• Areas in the northeast such as Cherokee, Cookson Hills, Gruber and Spavinaw WMAs typically have higher num-bers of applicants. Consider applying for hunts in other parts of the state.

• Archery hunts are historically easier to draw on average than muzzleloader or gun hunts

• Scouting is key to the success of a hunter in bringing home game.

• Finding sign such as tracks, rubs, scrapes or even heavily used trails and feeding areas help hunters locate areas where they may have the best chance of seeing game.

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Alysse Horton, Beaver River WMA

Whitney Jenkins, Cimarron County

Ally Rae Qualls, James Collins WMA

Quinton Picone, McAlester AAP

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What is the Controlled Hunts Program? This annual Wildlife Department Program awards hunting

opportunities to applicants selected in a random drawing. These controlled hunts are held in places where unrestrict-ed hunting would pose safety concerns or where overhar-vest might occur, such as in a wildlife management area of a smaller size. Several of the controlled hunts choices are highly-sought-after and often have many more applicants than number of hunts available.

Who can apply? Any resident or nonresident who possesses a valid hunting

license or who is otherwise exempt may apply for controlled hunts. A full of listing of valid hunting licenses is available online at wildlifedepartment.com. Applicants must purchase the license prior to applying for controlled hunts. Applicants who are eligible for, and possess, apprentice-designated

hunting licenses may also apply (although some hunts require hunter education certification by the date of the hunt).

What does it cost? All applicants (including lifetime license holders) must

pay a $5 application fee to enter the controlled hunts draw-ing. This fee is paid only once per person per year regard-less of the number of categories entered. You may pay the application fee with a Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card. If drawn, additional license and user fees may apply.

If I apply for controlled hunts long enough, am I guaranteed to be drawn?

There is no guarantee that anyone will be drawn, but your odds get better every year you submit an application in a particular hunt because you earn preference points in subsequent drawings.

2016 Elk Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Cookson WMA 1001 Gun 10/22/16 10/23/16 Either Sex 6,416 1 1:6,416 3Wichita Mountains NWR 1022 Rifle 1/12/16 1/14/16 Bull 10,567 30 1:352 2Wichita Mountains NWR 1023 Rifle 1/12/16 1/14/16 Cow 1,185 60 1:19 1

Elk Hunt Application Tip • If you apply for a cow hunt, your odds of being drawn are much higher than if

you apply for a bull hunt.

2016-17 Elk Hunts • Total hunt applications (includes first, sec-

ond and third choice preferences): 18,168

• Total permits available: 91

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 199.6

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Can I keep accumulating points indefinitely?

Yes, until your name is drawn or if you do not apply in a given category for five consecutive years.

If I can’t make my hunt, do I get my preference points back?

No. Once selected, your points in that category are reset to zero.

Can I apply with a group of friends for a hunt?

Yes, but make sure all of the information is correct for each member or your group could be disqualified.

Why not use a true preference point system for the controlled hunts?

There are too many hunters applying for too few hunts for that type of system to work.

If I apply with a group of four for a hunt, how are our preference points calculated?

Example: One person has 1 preference point, one has 2, one has 3 and one has 4. The total for the group is 10 prefer-ence points. The group total is averaged for each member, which equals 2.5 points each, which is then rounded to 3 points. The group is assigned 3 preference points.

What if I have an address change after I apply?

Notify the Wildlife Department’s License Section by calling (405) 521-3852.

If I am a nonresident hunter, can I apply for a controlled hunt?

Yes! Go to wildlifedepartment.com for more information.

2016 Antelope Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Cimarron County 2001 Gun 9/8/16 9/11/16 Either Sex 4,023 20 1:201 3Cimarron County 2002 Gun 9/12/16 9/21/16 Doe Only 887 50 1:17 2Texas County 2010 Gun 9/8/16 9/11/16 Either Sex 3,394 5 1:678 4Texas County 2011 Gun 9/12/16 9/21/16 Doe Only 327 20 1:16 1

Antelope Hunt Application Tip• Put your name in for both the buck and the doe hunts to have the best chance

of getting drawn.

2016-17 Antelope Hunts• Total hunt applications (includes first

and second choice preferences): 8,631

• Total permits available: 95

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 90.9

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2016 Spring Turkey Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Cross Timbers WMA 6000 Shotgun 4/6/16 4/10/16 Tom 1,290 10 1:129 7Cross Timbers WMA 6001 Shotgun 4/27/16 5/1/16 Tom 700 10 1:70 3Deep Fork NWR 6010 Shotgun 4/22/16 4/24/16 Tom 510 5 1:102 4Four Canyon Preserve 6020 Shotgun 4/6/16 4/7/16 Tom 568 2 1:284 9Four Canyon Preserve 6021 Shotgun 4/9/16 4/10/16 Tom 373 2 1:186 8Little River NWR 6040 Shotgun 4/22/16 4/24/16 Tom 953 20 1:47 1McAlester Army Ammo Plant 6050 Shotgun 4/15/16 4/17/16 Tom 2,562 20 1:128 6McAlester Army Ammo Plant 6051 Shotgun 4/22/16 4/24/16 Tom 2,227 20 1:111 5McCurtain Co. Wild. Area 6060 Shotgun 4/22/16 4/24/16 Tom 1,066 16 1:66 2

2016 Youth Turkey Hunts

Hunt Location Hunt Number Hunt Type Begin Date End Date Permit Type Applicants Permits

AllowedDraw Ratio Rank

Deep Fork NWR 7010 Shotgun 4/8/16 4/10/16 Tom 298 7 1:42 2James Collins WMA 7030 Shotgun 4/9/16 4/10/16 Tom 306 8 1:38 1Hugo Lake COE 7050 Shotgun 4/9/16 4/10/16 Tom 265 5 1:53 3

Spring Turkey Hunt Application Tips• Among the most difficult spring turkey hunts to get drawn for are the hunts

held at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. These hunts always have some of the highest application rates.

• Consider upping your selection odds by choosing a hunt held later in the season, especially in areas where two hunts are offered.

Youth Turkey Hunt Application Tip• Remember that hunts with fewer overall permits could be more difficult to

draw than other hunts that have even more applications. Be sure to consider the success ratios when making your hunt choices.

2016-17 Spring Turkey Hunts • Total hunt applications (includes

first, second and third choice prefer-ences): 10,249

• Total permits available: 105

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 97.6

2016-17 Youth Turkey Hunts • Total hunt applications (includes first, sec-

ond and third choice preferences): 869

• Total permits available: 20

• Overall odds of getting drawn for any one permit: 1 in 43.5

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