Скачать или смотреть 2025 Oklahoma Deer Forecast: BIGGER BUCKS EXPECTED! | CWD Update & Rut Secrets from ODWC Biologist

Are you ready for the 2025 Oklahoma deer season? We're sitting down with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Big Game Biologist, Dallas Barber, to give you the ultimate insider's guide to the upcoming season. From last year's record numbers to this year's habitat conditions, we cover everything you need to know for a successful hunt.

Last season was phenomenal, with hunters harvesting over 128,000 deer. The most impressive number? A whopping 48% of the harvest was antlerless deer, hitting the "sweet spot" for herd management. Dallas explains why this is the key to a healthier deer herd, a better buck-to-doe ratio, and most importantly for hunters—bigger antlers and a more intense rut!




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00:00 Introduction

Meet ODWC Hunter Education Coordinator Pake Wise and Big Game Biologist Dallas Barber.

00:20 Last Season's Harvest by the Numbers

A review of the successful harvest of over 128,000 deer last year.

How hunters achieved a 48% antlerless harvest rate, a critical goal for herd health.

01:25 The Secret to Bigger Bucks: Doe Management

Why the "Hunters in the No, Take a Doe" mantra is so effective.

Managing doe harvest leaves more nutrition available for bucks, which directly translates into better antler growth.

Learn how a healthy buck-to-doe ratio (around 3:1 or 4:1) creates a more condensed and intense rut, making for an awesome hunting experience.

A shorter rut means bucks enter the spring in better health, allowing them to put more energy toward antler development instead of recovery.


03:55 CWD UPDATE: New Zone & FREE Testing Info

A new Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive deer was identified south of Guymon over the summer.


This has led to an expansion of the Select Surveillance Area (SSA) to minimize human spread of CWD.

Hunter participation in testing is 100% voluntary.

Three NEW free drop-off freezers are available for hunters who choose to have their deer tested:

Guymon Police Department

Goodwell Fire Department

Texhoma Fire Department

Test results can take anywhere from one to five weeks. Dallas recommends quartering your deer and waiting for results before final processing.


06:16 2025 DEER SEASON FORECAST

Thanks to a mild, rainy summer, the habitat across most of Oklahoma is in fantastic shape.

Fawns have had plenty of cover, and does have had plenty of food.

This year's antler development is expected to be better than normal!

The archery opener might be warm and windy, so prepare for "shorts and T-shirt" tree stand weather.

07:15 What Defines a Successful Season?

Dallas's goal for hunters: continue being mindful of antlerless harvest and aim for that 40-45% mark.

A reminder that every shot is a management decision—focus on does and let young bucks mature.

CONNECT WITH ODWC:

Learn to Hunt Podcast Series: [   • Learn to Hunt  ]

ODWC Website: [https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/]

Hunting Regulations & Licenses: [https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hu...]

More on CWD in Oklahoma: [https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hu...]

Thanks for watching! We wish everyone a safe and successful 2025 deer season. Let us know your predictions for the season in the comments below!

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