First Oklahoma lease

[hully1029]

Well guys and gals, I went on and did it. I took a lease spot in Oklahoma. Rattan, Pushmataha County to be more exact. This will be my first time hunting Oklahoma and definitely a topography change from what I'm used to. Lease is friend's family lease and I got an invite when family grandpa no longer wanted on. They showed me some pictures and it looks like the target environment may not have the quantity as a Brady, TX, but the quality is exponentially better. It's right shy of a 1000 acres and only 4 people on, including me. I'm excited, but have some questions.

1.) I read where folks are talking about "bear proofing" their feeders. Is that just by hanging them up between some pines or any other precautions need to be taken?
2.) Anyone feed protein? What time of year do you start your feeding protein and/or corn in attempt establish pattern?
3.) What's your preferred blind setup? Double tree stands? Blinds on short platforms? When I don't have the kids with me, Ill be in my saddle and doing a lot of moving.

Please feel free to share your experiences with me and any guidance that may be helpful. Thanks in advance!

[hully1029]

Here's some of what to look forward to.

[fish4food]

no help on advise, but my Goodness!!!

[friscopaint]

Good for you !!

[Bone Thug]

Congrats on the new lease.

[TCB]

Oklahoma definitely has some quality deer!!! Be aware of the different seasons and license. I think they just upped the cost on all of the non-resident license.

As for protein, start as soon as you can!! I'd spend time looking at your property via onX and think out your stand locations to have one ready for different winds.

[darralld]

I hunt between Clayton & Antlers on the east side of the river. The genetics down in that country is awesome. You could definitely have some bear problems with feeders.

[bbbuck]

I’m in the same boat as you. First time on a lease in Ok in the same vicinity as you. From what I’ve witnessed by the others on the lease is the feeders are either hung high on chains between some pines or tripods that are up at least 7.5’ from bottom of the controller to the ground. Make sure they are secured firmly with posts and the cranking wheel is also secured so that they cannot mess with it and cause the barrel to free fall. I heard this past week that one of the feeders was pushed over and another free spooled to the ground. He is a feeder I built and setup a couple of weeks ago.

[HogCommander]

Get your license this month...on 1Jul 24 the cost for non-residents more than doubles to $700! For the rest of this month it's $300 per weapon.

I hunt near Tulsa with a buddy. We have great luck with ladder stands and ground blinds. We try to do winter wheat food plots in September but have to time it with rain in the forecast.

[rebelbow]

mountain hunting is challenging! you will have huge thermal shifts.
i don't know if you can bear proof a feeder ! lol

[whakm]

Hunted between Rattan and Antlers a few years back and that sure is some pretty country. You're right, you are not going to see the numbers but the quality is there. What I found was that the big bucks will NOT hit a feeder in the daylight so hunting from a saddle is the way to go. As far as bear proofing stuff...... good luck. I had my "texas style " feeders (55 gallon barrel, tripod legs t-posted down) knocked over, torn up and moved 80 yards by them 200# racoons. Ground blinds were chew toys for 'em. Hanging your feeders between two trees by cable is the way to go. Other than that the only problem we had were the locals walking off with our stuff. Still hunting in OK and I love it, even if the licenses are ridiculous.

[rjet]

When I hunted Oklahoma I would use bucket feeders hung from a limb away from tree trunk. Like rebelbow said, is very challenging up there.

[KactusKiller]

Not sure about the eastern side but Central OK the ticks will flat carry you off in the summer. Lots of permethrin spray and wear spandex top and bottoms base layers to keep them off skin. Other than that and the locals you should def enjoy it.

[Aggiehunter08]

Best of luck OP! Seems like bigger deer are killed on the average Oklahoma lease than the average Texas lease.

[lmartin5]

Great opportunity...keep us updated!