Hog Hunting in Oklahoma: Feral Hog Rules, Night Exemption & Range

Feral hogs in Oklahoma: where they are

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) estimates 600,000 to 1.5 million feral swine in the state, with hogs detected in 70 of 77 counties. They're most prevalent in southern Oklahoma, but there's hardly a corner of the state without a report. That spread makes Oklahoma, along with Texas, one of the core hog states of the southern Plains.

ODWC puts the damage in plain terms. A single sounder can tear up several acres in a night, and a feral hog eats about 4% of its body weight every day. That's food taken straight out of wheat fields, pastures and the acorn crop that deer and turkey depend on.

Responsibility is split between two agencies. ODWC sets the hunting rules. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) regulates feral swine in every other respect, including licensing anyone who transports or holds live hogs after capture.

Rules here keep changing. In 2026, SB 2108 proposed a night-hunting permit system for nuisance hog control, then died in the Legislature in May. With proposals like that coming up most sessions, check ODWC's hog page before every season instead of relying on last year's habits. For background on what you're hunting, our wild boar vs. feral hog guide covers the names Oklahomans use.

Feral hog status	Est. 600,000–1.5 million; detected in 70 of 77 counties (ODWC)
Hunting license on private land	Not required, except big-game license rules during open gun seasons
Season on private land	Year-round in daylight, with landowner permission
Night shooting	Deed-holding landowner or one written designee with a night hunting exemption
Public land (WMAs)	License required; closed year-round on Hackberry Flat, Kaw, Sandy Sanders and Waurika WMAs
Live hogs	Transport and holding licensed by ODAFF; no live hogs off WMAs

Hog hunting and trapping rules in Oklahoma

As of 2026, here's how ODWC lays out hog hunting in Oklahoma.

Private land, daytime. With the landowner's permission, feral hogs may be taken year-round during legal shooting hours (a half hour before official sunrise to a half hour after official sunset), with no restriction on method. You don't need a hunting license to pursue hogs on private land, except during an open big-game season. Then, if you use a slug shotgun or a rifle or handgun larger than .22 rimfire, you need that season's license unless you're exempt.

Hog hunting at night. The deed-holding landowner, or one designee with written landowner permission, can register the property for a night hunting exemption through GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com or the GoOutdoorsOK app. Approval is immediate. Anyone else shooting hogs on that property at night must carry the exemption number and written permission. Outside deer seasons, calling the local game warden first is encouraged. During the regular deer gun season, only the landowner or the written designee may hunt hogs at night, and advance notice to the game warden is required.

Agricultural control. Landowners and agricultural lessees with a current Oklahoma Tax Commission agricultural exemption permit, and their designated agents with written permission, may control nuisance hogs day or night outside deer gun seasons. They may use lights, thermal or night vision, or vehicles, but never shoot from a public road. Anyone convicted of certain wildlife violations in the last three years is excluded from night control.

Wildlife management areas. A hunting license is required unless you're exempt. Hogs may be taken only during established seasons with that season's legal methods. Dogs and night pursuit are prohibited during all deer and turkey seasons. Hog hunting is closed year-round at Hackberry Flat, Kaw, Sandy Sanders and Waurika WMAs, and live hogs may never be removed from a WMA.

Trapping and live hogs. Anyone who transports or keeps live feral swine after capture must be licensed by ODAFF, so check with ODAFF before you haul. Our trapping guide covers corral traps that take out the whole sounder.

Cooking wild hog, Oklahoma style

Oklahoma barbecue borrows from both neighbors, Texas-style smoke and Kansas City-style sweet sauce, and adds a touch of its own: thick-sliced smoked bologna, the joke "Oklahoma prime rib."

Wild boar fits right in. Smoke our St. Louis ribs over hickory at 250°F (121°C), brushing on a tomato-molasses sauce only in the last half hour so the sugar doesn't burn. For a hunting-camp breakfast, brown ground wild boar with sage and crushed red pepper and make sausage gravy for biscuits. If the whole family is coming and you want to try a little of everything, the sampler box puts tenderloin, chops, ground, sausage and stew meat in one order. Cook everything to 160°F (71°C).

Wild boar meat delivery to Oklahoma

We ship wild boar from our plant in Hubbard, Texas to every part of Oklahoma — frozen, vacuum sealed and packed with dry ice. Estimated transit: 1–2 days by ground (estimate), including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond and Lawton. Orders over $199.00 ship free; smaller orders ship for a flat $39.95.

Estimate from Hubbard, TX; most of Oklahoma is within two days by ground.

Best for pulled pork Wild Boar Shoulder Roast Boneless shoulder, rolled and tied — the cut for pulled wild boar, carnitas and braises. 3–4 lb boneless roast, rolled and tied$49.95 Wild Boar St. Louis Ribs Spare ribs trimmed square, St. Louis style. Smaller and meatier than you might expect. 2 slabs, about 2.5 lb$36.95 Best seller Ground Wild Boar Our most popular product — lean wild boar ground once, packed flat to thaw fast. 1 lb pack$13.95

Feral hogs in Oklahoma: FAQ

Do you need a license to hunt hogs in Oklahoma?

Usually not on private land. ODWC says no license is needed to pursue hogs there, but during an open big-game season you need that season's license if you use a slug shotgun or a gun larger than .22 rimfire. A license is required on WMAs.

Can you hunt hogs at night in Oklahoma?

Only under a night hunting exemption, registered by the deed-holding landowner or a written designee through GoOutdoorsOklahoma. Anyone else hunting under it must carry the exemption number and written permission.

How many feral hogs are in Oklahoma?

ODWC estimates 600,000 to 1.5 million, detected in 70 of the state's 77 counties and most common in southern Oklahoma.

Which Oklahoma WMAs are closed to hog hunting?

Hackberry Flat, Kaw, Sandy Sanders and Waurika WMAs are closed to hog hunting year-round. On other WMAs, hogs follow the open season's methods and hours.

Sources

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