Furbearer Season Has Kicked Off in Oklahoma, Look Out For Bobcats

Deer season with guns wrapped up in Oklahoma and now it's time for hunters to get their game on for furbearers. Things changed this year in Oklahoma with hunting licenses, so there are a few things you should know before setting out to catch your prey.

Furbearers Season in Oklahoma - December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025

Oklahoma's furbearer season kicked off on Dec. 1. Furbearers are creatures harvested specifically for their pelts. Here in Oklahoma, popular furbearers are bobcats, foxes, minks, muskrats, river otters and opossums (not to be confused with possums).

Hunting these species isn't just about collecting meat, though, like with deer. In many ways, the furbearer season helps regulate overpopulation,

Depending on the species, most hunters don't have to worry about a daily limit the way they usually do with deer or fish. But there are season limits to consider, again, based on species.

Daily Limits and Special Tagging Regulations

According to choctawnation.com, the general limits for furbearers are:

• Bobcat: No daily limit, season limit 20, possession limit 20 per license.
• Gray Fox / Red Fox: Daily combined limit 6, with no more than 2 red foxes. Season combined limit six, with no more than two red foxes.
• River Otter: No daily limit, season limit 4.
• Badger, Mink, Muskrat, Opossum, Weasel: No limit.

There are specific regulations for hunting foxes, coyotes, mountain lions and more that should be reviewed here before hunting.

This year there were some changes in Oklahoma's hunting licenses that may have actually worked in the hunter's benefit.

This Year's Modernization Act Helps Make Hunting Process Easier in Oklahoma

Earlier this year, the Wildlife License Modernization Act condensed the barrage of hunting licenses down to just 14. Although the Act has made the licensing process easier for hunters in the state, there are still some necessary tagging regulations to verify with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation before going out to hunt.

If you're needing to get a furbearer's tag, you'll need to reach out to the Department of Wildlife or private tagging locations such as:

• Nabatak Outdoors
• Okie Cable and Trap Supply
• Oklahoma Wildlife Control
• Outwest Taxidermy

Make sure you look through the regulations beforehand and come prepared. Happy Hunting, Oklahoma!