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Dove, Teal, Resident Canada Geese offer earliest shot at migratory birds
Sports, Sports | Outdoors
September 5, 2024
Dove, Teal, Resident Canada Geese offer earliest shot at migratory birds

Don’t miss the latest on hunting season openings and pertinent information. For example, dove season kicks off this weekend, and teal and resident Canada goose seasons both open Sept. 7. Blue-winged teal and green-winged teal usually migrate through Oklahoma earlier than many other ducks, offering hunters a chance at these birds before regular duck seasons. Additionally, non-migrating resident Canada geese offer unique opportunities as well. Read all about both in the latest news release from the Wildlife Department.

FREE HUNTING DAYS, SEPT. 7-8 The first full weekend of September is traditionally Free Hunting Days in Oklahoma. This year, on Sept. 7-8, Oklahoma residents can get outdoors to pursue game in season without the need to carry a state hunting license.

These free days also provide a perfect chance for current hunters to gather up someone who hasn’t been hunting and give them an experience that might help preserve a time-honored American tradition in the years to come.

This year, hunting seasons that will be open during Free Hunting Days are squirrel, dove, teal, resident Canada goose, rail, gallinule, coyote, raccoon, beaver, prairie dog, nutria, striped skunk, and some species of reptiles, salamanders and amphibians.

On Free Hunting Days, no regular hunting license is required for Oklahoma residents, but nonresidents are required to possess the appropriate licenses. The Wildlife Department’s game wardens will be in the field as usual to enforce other game laws such as bag limits, shotgun plugs, and legal shooting hours.

TEAL, RESIDENT CANADA GOOSE, SEPT. 7

Waterfowlers won’t be waiting much longer before they can get out into the marsh or field to do some hunting in Oklahoma. Sept. 7 marks opening day for two early waterfowl seasons in Oklahoma. The September teal season will run through Sept. 22, and the special resident Canada goose season will run through Sept. 16.

Because blue-winged teal and green-winged teal usually migrate through Oklahoma earlier than many other ducks, hunters are offered the chance to harvest these birds before regular duck seasons. Teal are small, fast fliers and have an erratic flight pattern, challenging even the best of wing-shooters.

Hunters are reminded that only teal may be harvested, and bird identification is important. Hunters often see other species of ducks while teal hunting, such as resident mallards or wood ducks, along with some other early migrants. Be sure of your target.

Waterfowl hunters also have a chance to hunt resident Canada geese during the special September season. These non-migrating geese have established healthy populations in areas across the state, particularly near some larger urban areas. Goose hunters must obey all hunting restrictions for any area in which they are hunting.

Teal hunters are allowed a daily bag limit of six birds. Hunters taking resident Canada geese are allowed a daily bag limit of eight birds.

All other federal migratory bird hunting regulations are in effect for these two early waterfowl seasons. Only federally approved nontoxic shot is permitted; possession of any lead shot while waterfowl hunting is prohibited. And all shotguns must be plugged to hold only three shotshells.

Duck and goose hunters must possess a resident or nonresident hunting license unless exempt; a federal duck stamp (16 and older); a state duck stamp or state waterfowl license (ages 18-64); and a federal Harvest Information Program permit (ages 16-63). In some cases, other license exemptions may apply. New for 2024, the adult nonresident 5-day hunting license is not valid for waterfowl hunting.

Ensure you are abiding by all the rules in the current Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations found online at wildlifedepartment. com, in the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app, or in print across the state wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Treasurer honored at retirement party
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Treasurer honored at retirement party
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Retiring McIntosh County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt received high praise from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd at Whisenhunt’s retirement party Friday. “She could give courses acros...
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Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, News...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
A: Main, News...
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
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Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
A: Main, News...
Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
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Class of 1975 honor Jim Caro as 'Significant Alumni' Classmates from all over the U.S. reunited after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend. The Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion by hon...
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Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
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What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
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For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
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Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 3, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
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Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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News
Woman captured following foot chase
July 3, 2025
A 39-year-old Eufaula woman who had an outstanding warrant on an arson charge was arrested Wednesday, June 25, following a foot chase in a wooded area around south 7th Street in Eufaula. Tamara Dean K...
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Katy Depot Meet and Greet
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Katy Depot Meet and Greet
July 3, 2025
Mike Key talked to his Class of 1975 and other alumni about their Significant Alumni Jim Caro at the Katy Depot Meet & Greet on Saturday.
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