The Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area between Freedom and Woodward is an area protected by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. This WMA protects over a million Mexican free-tailed bats that return to this 340 acre plot of land in northwestern Oklahoma each year in their migratory path.

Bats travel 1,400 miles each spring to give birth and raise their young in this protected wildlife area. Loved by farmers and ranchers for eating all sorts of pests, the bat is Oklahoma's official state flying mammal for it's special relationship with the Sooner state. The area is also home to porcupines, Texas horned lizards, larks, great-crested flycatchers and many other animals.

Selman Bat Cave is closed to the public except during ODWC-sanctioned Bat Watch events on specific summer nights.

ODWC is evaluating the future of Bat Watch events and will post information on the provided website. https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlife/selman-bat-watch