Page 53 - 2022/2023 Oklahoma Fishing & Hunting Regulations

REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN REGULATIONS
R E P TI L E & AM P H IB I A N R E G U LA TI O N S

Possession of Tagging Hints Exemptions from
Carcasses or Hides All bobcats and otters are usually tagged Regulations
It shall be illegal to possess live animals, with a plastic tag looped under the skin from Nothing in this regulation prevents the kill-
the eye to the mouth. If you choose to freeze
carcasses or raw furs of ringtail, spotted skunk your bobcat or otter whole prior to tagging, it ing of furbearers actually found destroying
or swift fox unless it can be proven that each is best to open a 1/2-inch wide slot under the livestock or poultry. In addition, nothing in
carcass or hide was taken legally outside of skin from the eye to the gum line with a knife this regulation prevents the running or chasing
Oklahoma. Proof of legality or origin for car- or sharp screwdriver and install some sort of of coyote, bobcat, fox or raccoon with dogs for
casses or green hides shall be a tag or other spacer that can be removed later to allow tag- sport only, except on those public lands where
marking or device attached to or imprinted on ging once the bobcat or otter is frozen. Taking such activity is prohibited. Bobcats and foxes
each and every hide in such a way that it cannot these few simple steps will allow the spacer to taken with this exemption cannot be removed
be removed intact. The tag or marking must be be removed and the tag attached in the proper from the property. Only furbearers taken
the official method used by the issuing agency. location without having to thaw the bobcat or within season and with a fur license may be
If an identification is not required by the issuing otter. Otherwise, partially thaw the carcass sold or removed from property.
agency, a hunting or trapping license appropri- before taking it to be tagged.
ate to the species taken is required as proof.
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REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN REGULATIONS
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License Requirements Rattlesnake Dates species, if more than one (1) exists, of reptiles
Any person while in the act of taking or at- & Daily Limits or amphibians collected from the wild that are
indigenous to or whose range extends into Okla-
tempting to take reptiles and amphibians or pos- Mar. 1 - June 30. homa, except for provisions for rattlesnakes,
sessing reptiles or amphibians must first possess: The following reptiles are legal to harvest water turtles and aquatic salamanders (Necturus
1. Any resident or nonresident hunting license, with no daily limit: prairie rattlesnake, western and Ambystoma, except Ambystoma talpoideum)
unless otherwise exempt, for land-dwelling diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake and Ambystoma annulatum.
reptiles or amphibians, with the exception of and massasauga.
(3) and (4) of this paragraph.
2. A resident or nonresident fishing license, un- Commercial &
less otherwise exempt, for water-dwelling Other Reptile Dates Noncommercial Breeding
reptiles or amphibians, with the exception & Daily Limits All persons so licensed for captive breeding
of (3) and (4) of this paragraph. There is a statewide closed season on the of reptiles and amphibians must keep detailed
3. A commercial turtle harvester license for following reptiles: Texas horned lizard, east- breeding and hatching records in addition to
legal water-dwelling turtles if the taking ern side-blotched lizard, checkered whiptail, those records already required by law.
or possession is for commercial purposes. American alligator, western chicken turtle, The Director may make exceptions for educa-
Note: Not all bodies of water are open for northern map turtle, wandering gartersnake, tion or research purposes to holders of Okla-
commercial harvest. gulf swampsnake, alligator snapping turtle, homa scientific collector’s permits for reptiles
4. A commercial resident or nonresident min- common lesser earless lizard, round-tailed and amphibians.
now dealers license for legal aquatic salaman- horned lizard and western mudsnake.
ders if the taking is for commercial purposes.
All other reptiles, excluding rattlesnakes, Possession of
have a year-round season. The limit is six (6)
Bullfrogs may be taken with hook and line, per day or in possession for each species. American Alligators
gig, spear, bow and arrow or other methods It is unlawful to possess an American alligator.
except firearms under the resident or nonresi-
dent fishing license. Bullfrogs may be taken Nuisance Reptiles
with firearms under the resident or nonresident Nothing prohibits the control of reptiles other Amphibian Dates, Areas,
hunting license. than those listed as endangered or threatened, Legal Species &
Persons possessing a current resident or non- by landowners, lessees, or occupants of such
resident hunting license, unless otherwise exempt, land when such reptiles are creating a nuisance. Daily Limits
may sell lawfully-taken rattlesnakes only to those There will be a statewide year-round open
individuals holding a commercial or noncommer- Legal Means of Taking season for all amphibians except for the follow-
cial wildlife breeders license during open season. It is unlawful to introduce, deposit, place ing salamanders that have a statewide closed
A commercial wildlife breeders license is required or drain any deleterious, noxious, toxic or pe- season: Sequoyah slimy salamander, Kiamichi
of all who buy and resell live rattlesnakes. slimy salamander, western slimy salamander,
troleum based substance into or around any Rich Mountain salamander, Ozark zigzag sala-
5-Day Rattlesnake Permit underground dens or rock crevices for the pur- mander, four-toed salamander, grotto salaman-
pose of taking reptiles or amphibians.
Any person hunting, pursuing, trapping, The method of taking legal water turtles and der, Oklahoma salamander, cave salamander,
harassing, catching, killing, taking, or attempt- aquatic salamanders for commercial purposes mole salamander, ringed salamander, Ouachita
ing to take in any manner any species of rattle- and the taking of bullfrogs is restricted to pro- dusky salamander and three-toed amphiuma.
snake during an organized rattlesnake hunting visions in the current statutes and regulations. Aquatic frogs (except bullfrog and crawfish
event or festival must have a rattlesnake permit, With the exception of water turtles and aquatic frog), Woodhouse’s toad and aquatic salaman-
unless exempt. salamanders taken for commercial purposes ders of the genera Necturus and Ambystoma (ex-
Persons with a valid hunting license (see (when licensed) and all legal species of frogs, cept mole and ringed salamander) have no limit.
page 4) are exempt from the rattlesnake permit. all other reptiles and amphibians may only be The daily limit and possession limit for bull-
Permits are available online at wildlifedepart- taken by hand or any other legal means. frogs is 15. It is illegal to sell bullfrogs or ship
ment.com, by calling (405) 521-3852, or at any them out-of-state at any time. Bullfrogs may not
hunting or fishing license dealer. Commercial Harvest be taken in the Wichita Mountains WR.
The limit for crawfish frog and all other species
It shall be unlawful to engage in any com- of amphibians, except those listed as closed, is
mercial activities involving any species or sub- four (4) per day or in possession of each species.
2022-2023 OKLAHOMA FISHING & HUNTING REGULATIONS 51