Page 2 - Jan/Feb 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine
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here’s no feeling quite like being part of a tainty for the thousands of conservation-minded anglers
successful team. Pulling together to gener- and hunters who only want to do the right thing to support
ate the best outcomes is something I find wildlife conservation. Worse yet, imagine the number of
T very rewarding. potential new anglers and hunters that simply give up after
One of the benefits of a team is that it trying to choose from the complicated menu
brings to the table the various viewpoints of of license options.
everyone involved in reaching for a goal. By its To make license modernization happen,
very nature, teamwork requires collaboration. we need the Legislature to team up with us.
This is how I view much of what we do here We’ve done the groundwork on how to best
at the Wildlife Department, even though we simplify and consolidate our fishing and
won’t compromise on fulfilling our mission: hunting license system to grow hunter and
to manage and protect fish and wildlife, along angler participation while maintaining suffi-
with their habitats, while also growing our cient revenue to sustain the agency’s conser-
J.D. Strong
community of hunters and anglers, partnering vation mission.
with those who love the outdoors, and fostering stewardship So, during this year’s legislative session, we will be seeking
with those who care for the land. support at the Capitol from our elected lawmakers to allow
The bottom line is that ODWC works with others outside the Wildlife Conservation Commission to do what’s best
the agency to do what’s best for everyone in accomplishing for Oklahoma’s outdoor lovers and its treasured wildlife
the Department’s mission. We work with the State Legisla- resources. We will be sharing how license modernization will
ture, other government agencies, nongovernmental conser- be a big improvement over the cumbersome current system.
vation groups, and of course our core constituents — all of And we look forward to teaming up with our Senators and
the anglers, hunters, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts Representatives so we can collectively hit this one out of the
who largely make our efforts possible. park for all our constituents!
This year, ODWC will continue an effort to overhaul its
licensing structure. The Department’s goal is to simplify our
license system for our constituents, add value to each license
option, and provide constituents with the confidence in
knowing that they’re buying the proper licenses before going
afield or afloat. Currently ODWC sells some 200 types of J.D. Strong,
licenses. It’s a confusing array of options that creates uncer- ODWC Director
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