OKLAHOMA EARLY WATERFOWL SEASONS: As of this past Saturday, Sept. 7, waterfowlers are able to get their waders wet with the opening of September teal season and special resident Canada goose season. For 16 days statewide, early-migrating teal will offer some fast and furious action over the decoys. And the resident honker populations will give goose hunters a chance to tune up the old goose call through Sept. 16 statewide. All of the usual waterfowl hunting regulations apply; for details, see the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide.

YOUTH WATERFOWL DAYS: Two days are designated as special youth-only hunting opportunities outside of the regular waterfowl season dates. The first waterfowl hunting youth day this year will be Oct. 5 in all of Oklahoma. The second youth day will be Feb. 1, 2020. Hunters must be 15 or younger and accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 or older. All of the usual waterfowl hunting regulations apply; for details, see the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide.

REGULAR WATERFOWL SEASONS: On Oct. 12, hunting season for ducks, mergansers and coots will open in the three Panhandle counties, and it will remain open through Jan. 8. In Duck Zone 1 (much of northwestern Oklahoma), the season will be open Oct. 26-Dec. 1, then reopen Dec. 14-Jan. 19. In Duck Zone 2 (northeastern and southern Oklahoma), the season will be open Nov. 2-Dec. 1, then reopen Dec. 14-Jan. 26.

Sandhill cranes may be hunted west of Interstate 35 from Oct. 26-Jan. 26. A federal sandhill crane harvest permit is required in addition to other waterfowl licenses.

All goose seasons will be open statewide Nov. 2-Dec. 1, then reopen Dec. 14. The season for white-fronted geese will close Feb. 9, and the seasons for dark geese and light geese will close Feb. 16.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation