By Clay Bell

Deer hunting has been an important Oklahoma tradition for many years. A century has passed since those days in the early 1900s when a person seeing a deer in the Sooner State rated mention as a news item in the local newspaper. In fact, there now are probably more deer killed on the roads in auto collisions in a single day than were killed in the state's first official deer season in modern times.

The fact is, Oklahoma's deer population is booming. Many people who have watched deer numbers for the past several decades will tell you that many deer are being killed now in areas where, 20 years ago, a deer had never walked.

Oklahoma hunters have never had it better. While we didn't manage another record year, or another 100,000-plus deer harvest during the 2002 seasons, hunting was great nevertheless. Of course, there's plenty of reason to think this fall will yield the same great results. The only catch - especially for new hunters - is in knowing where the best deer populations, and thus the best deer hunting, are located.

In my opinion, the best way to find out where deer are - or where they can be killed - is to look and see where they have come from in previous years. And that's the purpose of this feature, to give you an idea of the top spots where you can increase the odds of putting some venison in your freezer during the 2003 archery, primitive and conventional firearms deer seasons, not to mention the plethora of special antlerless season opportunities.

The following figures are the final results from the 2002 deer hunt. Trends in deer numbers generally don't change drastically from year to year, so these numbers afford an excellent indication of how deer hunters did last year on a county-by-county basis, and how those hunters can probably expect specific counties to perform this year.

How do you follow two straight seasons of 100,000-plus Oklahoma deer harvests? Why, with one nearly as good, that's how.

Photo by Mike Lambeth

Oklahoma hunters harvested a total of 98,581 deer, only about 3,000 fewer deer than were killed during the 2001 hunt. Of the 98,581 deer harvested in Oklahoma during the various 2002 seasons, 14,219 were taken by bowhunters, 24,479 by primitive firearms hunters and another 59,824 by conventional firearms hunters. Obviously, your chances of bagging a deer are still better during the conventional firearms season; those more favorable odds are, however, pretty much tied to that season's higher number of hunters. With deer populations at the rate they are now in Oklahoma, it's not wise to dismiss any of the three seasons - or the late special season - if you want to bag your share of deer in 2003.

The 42,979 antlerless deer harvested in 2002 was the second highest number ever taken in the state, taking a backseat only to the previous season's 44,521 antlerless deer harvest. As most hunters are aware, antlerless harvest is an important aspect of Oklahoma's deer management plan. As education efforts by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation continue, along with the realization that does yield fantastic dinner fare, hunters continue to pursue antlerless deer with more vigor now than ever before.

During the 2002 hunts, 20 counties yielded more than 1,500 deer apiece. That's quite impressive when you realize that only six years ago, during the 1996 hunt, only 18 counties managed to produce more than 1,000 deer each. The counties that yielded more than 1,500 deer last year, in alphabetical order, are Adair, Alfalfa, Atoka, Caddo, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell, Major, Mayes, Muskogee, Nowata, Osage, Pittsburgh, Pushmataha, Rogers, Sequoyah, Woods and Woodward. And of those, five - Cherokee, Craig, Osage, Pittsburgh and Sequoyah - had the distinction of producing 2,500 deer or more! Add to these another 23 counties that came in between the 1,000 and 1,500 mark, and there's little wonder that the Sooner State experienced another near-record deer season.

The eastern portion of the state again had the most counties reporting extremely high deer harvests in 2002, a trend that's continued for the past several years. Of the 21 counties yielding more than 1,500 deer, all but five are located east of Interstate 35.

Northern and eastern counties were, as usual, the top harvest areas in 2002, and there's no reason to believe that it won't be the same again this fall.

Osage County, the state's perennial leader in harvest and the first to break the 1,000-deer mark back many years ago, yielded an incredible 4,553 deer during the 2002 season. While that number is truly incredible, the harvest there actually was down about 1,200 from last year. For hunters who really want a shot at putting some venison in the freezer, however, Osage is still a hard county to beat.

While certainly not impossible, finding private land to hunt deer in Osage County will take some legwork. Fortunately, there's plenty of public hunting land available in that county, including Hulah, Copan, Kaw and John Dahl harbor excellent deer populations and very good hunting. As always, check regulations before hunting on public lands.

Southeast Oklahoma, another perennial top deer-producing region, also turned in some fine numbers in 2002. As usual, Pittsburgh County topped the list in that region, with 3,080 deer, an all-time Pittsburgh County record. Atoka County, another regular hotspot in the southeast, reported an impressive kill total of 2,379 deer. Pushmataha, another county in the southeast quadrant that always yields lots of deer to hunters, did so again in 2002, with 1,829 harvested there.

Central Oklahoma continues to grow as a top producer among deer regions in the state, with 2002 being no exception. Lincoln County led the region with 1,465 deer taken. Payne County yielded 1,263, and Kay County, which can always be expected to make a good showing on behalf of the north-central portion of the state, yielded 1,210. Other central Oklahoma counties with good harvest numbers included Johnson, with 1,192; Logan, with 1,083; and Noble, with 1,081.

Northwest Oklahoma hunters should find again in 2003 that not only does their region produce some of the biggest-bodied and biggest-racked bucks of all, but it also has some counties that produce lots of deer that are smaller but just as impressive as the ones its eastern counterparts produce. In fact, five northwest counties topped the 1,500 mark for 2002 (that's up two from 2000), indicating that they should be among the top northwest hotspots for 2003.

Leading northwest Oklahoma last year was Major County, with 1,814 deer. That's an impressive total and a Major County record. Woodward County followed, with 1,751 deer harvested. A top-ranked county when it comes to producing big deer and big antlers, this county is now producing deer-harvest figures that should make hunters sit up and take notice.

Neighboring Woods County is in the same boat in that respect. It fell only 139 deer shy of Woodward County's figure, tallying a total kill of 1,612. That county is also known for its great trophy-buck hunting, as well as for producing lots of deer that field dress up around the 200-pound mark.

Of other northwest counties that had big harvest numbers to show for 2002, Grant had 1,466; Roger Mills had 1,191; Logan had 1,083; Ellis had 1,007; Kingfisher had 930; and Blaine had 911. The three Panhandle counties also got in on some pretty good action, although not in as big a way as their more southeasterly neighbors. Beaver produced 541 deer in 2002, followed by Texas, with 188, and Cimarron, with 105.

Southwest Oklahoma, which commonly has the lowest deer harvest of any region, continues to do more and more to contribute to the excellence of the state's deer hunting. Not too many years ago, the county deer harvest figures in this region were measured in the single digits. Now, while still not on par with the rest of the state, southwest Oklahoma deer hunting is the best it's ever been.

In fact, one southwest county last year again surpassed the 1,500-deer mark, although it was down more than 500 from its all-time high. Caddo County, the southwest's hottest hotspot, yielded 1,668 deer to hunters during the 2,002 season, and reports from hunters who frequently hunt there indicate things should remain good for the 2003 hunt.

Several other southwest counties are also producing good numbers, and their 2002 harvest figures are worthy of mention. Jackson County, another top southwest hotspot, saw 595 deer taken there, 359 bucks and 236 does. Other top southwest counties included the following: Greer, 565; Comanche, 399; Washita, 387; Tillman, 385; Cotton, 353; and Jefferson, 299.

For those who hunt in counties that while not top-ranked in their region for deer kill still see their fair share of animals taken, here's a total look at the county-by-county 2002 harvest on a statewide basis: Adair, 1,593; Alfalfa, 1,523; Atoka, 2,379; Beaver, 541; Beckham, 694; Blaine, 911; Bryan, 1,014; Caddo, 1,668; Canadian, 946; Carter, 938; Cherokee, 3,766; Choctaw, 1,086; Cimarron, 105; Cleveland, 642; Coal, 880; Comanche, 399; Cotton, 353; Craig, 2,695; Creek, 1,939; Custer, 837; Delaware, 2,309; Dewey, 1,153; Ellis, 1,007; Garfield, 740; Garvin, 639; Grady, 848; Grant, 1,466; Greer, 565; Harmon, 432; Harper, 698; Haskell, 1,606; Hughes, 1,453; Jackson, 595; Jefferson, 299; Johnston, 1,192; Kay, 1,210; Kingfisher, 930; Kiowa, 427; Latimer, 939; LeFlore, 1,069; Lincoln, 1,465; Logan, 1,083; Love, 638; Major, 1,814; Marshall, 566; Mayes, 1,749; McClain, 416; McCurtain, 639; McIntosh, 1,186; Murray, 460; Muskogee, 1,588; Noble, 1,081; Nowata, 1,897; Okfuskee, 1,080; Oklahoma, 492; Okmulgee, 1,126; Osage, 4,553; Ottawa, 1,409; Pawnee, 1,093; Payne, 1,263; Pittsburgh, 3,080; Pontotoc, 1,084; Pottawatomie, 1,158; Pushmataha, 1,829; Roger Mills, 1,191; Rogers, 2,036; Seminole, 855; Sequoyah, 2,574; Stephens, 789; Texas, 188; Tillman, 385; Tulsa, 457; Wagoner, 1,130; Washington, 1,100; Washita, 387; Woods, 1,612; and Woodward, 1,751.

Hunters who don't have a good place to hunt on private lands need not despair: Several public hunting areas throughout the state offer fine deer hunting for those willing to work for their venison. Last year, eight public areas yielded a harvest of 200 or more deer. And hunters should expect similar results this year.

Top public sites include Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, 1,218; Ouachita Wildlife Management Area, 591; Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area, 527; McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, 370; Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area, 344; Gruber Wildlife Management Area, 326; Fort Sill, 308; Hugo Wildlife Management Area, 232; Cherokee Public Hunting Area, 203; and Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area, 201. Canton Wildlife Management Area, in northwest Oklahoma, came close to breaking the 200 mark, with 199 deer harvested there.

Final public area harvest for all open lands from 2002 included Altus-Lugert WMA, 4; Atoka WMA, 72; Beaver River WMA, 37; Black Kettle WMA, 344; Blue River WMA, 8; Broken Bow WMA, 1; Candy WMA, 19; Canton WMA, 199; Cherokee GMA, 93; Cherokee PHA, 203; Chickasaw NRA, 64; Choteau WMA, 1; Cookson Hills WMA, 70; Cooper WMA, 54; Copan WMA, 14; Deep Fork WMA, 14; Ellis County WMA, 42; Eufaula WMA, 9; Fobb Bottom WMA, 15; Fort Cobb SP, 42; Fort Cobb WMA, 25; Fort Gibson WMA, 201; Fort Gibson Waterfowl Refuge, 79; Fort Sill, 308; Fort Supply WMA, 61; Gruber WMA, 326; Heyburn WMA, 36; Hickory Creek WMA, 43; Honobia Creek WMA, 527; Hugo WMA, 232; Hulah WMA, 134; James Collins WMA, 88; John Dahl WMA, 2; Keystone WMA, 70; Lexington WMA, 66; Little River National Wildlife Refuge, 14; Little River State Park, 24; Love Valley WMA, 32; Major County WMA, 1; McAlester AAP, 370; McCurtain County Wilderness Area, 7; McGee Creek WMA, 27; Okmulgee GMA, 21; Okmulgee PHA, 12; Oologah WMA, 59; Optima NWR, 1; Optima WMA, 20; Osage-Rock Creek, 15; Osage-Western Wall, 10; Ouachita WMA, 591; Packsaddle WMA, 53; Pine Creek WMA, 33; Pushmataha WMA, 72; Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, 150; Sandy Sanders WMA, 8; Sequoyah NWR, 93; Skiatook WMA, 26; Spavinaw GMA, 83; Spavinaw PHA, 25; Stringtown WMA, 19; Three Rivers WMA, 1,218; Tiak WMA, 1; Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, 17; Tishomingo WMA, 12; Washita National Wildlife Refuge, 71; Washita Arm WMA, 11; Waurika WMA, 22; Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, 65; Wister WMA, 11; and Yourman WMA, 3.

One notable change deer hunters will find for 2003 is the first 16-day deer gun season in state history. As most hunters know, the conventional firearms season typically runs from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. But for 2003, the season will again begin the Saturday before Thanksgiving and run through Dec. 7 - a full 16 days. Be aware, however, that most state wildlife areas that are open to deer hunting will stay on the same nine-day schedule as in the past.

While finding a deer is certainly important to hunting success, knowing the legal aspects of the season is equally important. Be sure to consult a copy of the 2002-2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations for season dates, areas and all tagging requirements before heading afield this year. As you can see, just knowing last year's regulations isn't enough, as dates, areas and antlerless harvest days frequently change from year to year.

Next month: FINDING TROPHY BUCKS