Page 35 - 2023_2024_Regulations

REGULATIONS CHANGES

HUNTING REGULATION CHANGES

The following are brief descriptions of regulation changes. This summary of regulation changes
is intended to be used as a reference only. You are required to be familiar with all the changes FREE HUNTING DAYS
to regulations that apply to each of these items.
SEPT. 2-3, 2023
• Extend squirrel season through Feb. 28 Do you know someone who wants to
• Decrease the state hunter education course from eight hours to six try hunting? Take them afield the first
• Extend the closing time to one-half hour after official sunset on shooting ranges at ODWC weekend in September. No hunting
managed properties license is required for Oklahoma resi-
• Establish archery range rules for ODWC shooting ranges with archery facilities dents on Free Hunting Days! Introduce
• Open Holiday Antlerless Gun Season on Broken Bow WMA, Honobia WMA, Gains Creek someone to hunting this season!
WMA, Ouchita WMA — McCurtain & Tiak units, Three Rivers WMA

ATTENTION HUNTERS!

Hunters, help slow the spread of CWD. Please see new regulations pertaining to CWD management.
For regulations and information about CWD in Oklahoma, visit wildlifedepartment.com or scan the
QR code.

GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS

COMPUTER-AIDED HUNTING be issued. This confirmation number must in the production of an agricultural commodity.
The use of computer software or services remain with the carcass to its final destina- Landowners or agricultural lessees performing
that allow a person, not physically present, to tion or through processing and/or storage at nuisance control activities shall be required to
remotely control a firearm or weapon to hunt a commercial processing or storage facility. have a current agricultural exemption permit
any live animal or bird is prohibited. No person Evidence of sex must remain naturally attached issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. A
shall engage in any activity that provides, sells, to the carcass until the harvest has been prop- landowner, agricultural lessee, or designated
offers for sale, assists in, or provides facilities erly reported. agent of the landowner or lessee may use
for computer-assisted remote control hunting a headlight, thermal, or light enhancement
of wildlife. HEADLIGHTING / SPOTLIGHTING device carried on the person, a vehicle with
No person may attempt to take, take, attempt or without a mounted spotlight or night vision
DOGS FOR HUNTING to catch, catch, attempt to capture, capture, equipment while controlling nuisance coyotes
and feral swine at night.
Dogs may not be used in taking bear, deer, attempt to kill, or kill any deer, feral animal or
other wildlife, except fish and frogs or except
elk, antelope and turkey. as provided by law, by the use of a vehicle- NUISANCE COYOTE / HOG
Except as otherwise provided, nothing shall mounted spotlight or other powerful light at
prohibit the year-round pursuit of game (spe- night, by what is commonly known as “head- DAMAGE CONTROL
cies that can be lawfully hunted with dogs) for lighting” (or “spotlighting”) or use any light Except during deer gun seasons, the land-
dog training or sport only. However, unless enhancement device (night scope). Provided, owner or agricultural lessee or their desig-
otherwise provided, no person in pursuit of however, nothing in this code shall prevent one nated agent with written permission from the
game with hunting dogs outside the regular from possessing a .22 caliber rimfire rifle or landowner or agricultural lessee may control
harvest season shall possess the means to .22 caliber rimfire pistol and a light carried on nuisance or damage by coyotes or feral hogs
harvest such game. day or night by any legal means of take, to pro-
his person while in pursuit of furbearers with tect marketable agricultural crops, livestock or
FINAL DESTINATION hounds during the legal open furbearer sea- processed feed, seed or other materials used
son, while possessing a valid hunting license
For purposes of pheasant, turkey, bear, deer, and fur license, unless exempt. Except during in the production of an agricultural commodity.
elk, Eurasian collared dove and antelope, “final deer gun seasons, a landowner, agricultural Hunting, use of any artificial light, thermal or
destination” shall be the hunter’s residence or lessee, or their designated agent with written night vision equipment from a public roadway
place of consumption. permission from the landowner or agricultural is prohibited.
lessee may control nuisance or damage by Any person who has been convicted of, or
HARVEST REPORTING OF GAME coyotes or feral swine without a permit dur- pleads guilty to, a violation of Section 5-203.1
of Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes or Section
All deer, elk, antelope, bear, or turkey taken ing the day or night, and without limitation by 5-411 of Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes
statewide season regulations or bag limits, and
must be reported by the hunter to the Depart- with the use of any legal means of take, to pro- within a previous three-year period shall not
ment within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area. tect marketable agricultural crops, livestock or control nuisance or damage by coyotes or feral
Once reported, a confirmation number will hogs at night.
processed feed, seed, or other materials used
2023-2024 OKLAHOMA FISHING & HUNTING REGULATIONS 33