Page 6 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE

MODERNIZATION CHANGES TO BEGIN JULY 1

The Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization our deepest thanks to the more than 15 conser-
Act was signed into law March 26 by Gov. Kevin vation-minded partner groups who threw their
Stitt. The measure streamlines and simplifies hunting support behind ODWC and this measure because
and fishing licenses, and will provide funding for the they understand how crucial it is to the future of
Wildlife Department primarily by adjusting license Oklahoma’s natural resources.”
costs to regional averages. The act adjusts license costs to more realistically
The act becomes effective July 1, 2024. reflect the cost of wildlife conservation activities at
More than 20 years have passed since any notable present. ODWC has struggled to maintain opera-
changes were made to the state’s fishing and hunting tions during this time with no appreciable increase
licenses and fee structure. This modernization plan in license fees and stagnant revenues.
reduces the array of licenses previously required for This act also brings Oklahoma’s fees more in line
many activities and adjusts license fees to maintain a to those of other surrounding states. In some cases,
stable funding source for future conservation of fish the license cost will increase, and in others the cost
and wildlife in Oklahoma. will decrease.
“As an avid outdoorsman and a lifetime hunting By restructuring into fewer licenses and assigning
and fishing license holder, I’m proud to sign the Wild- more realistic prices, the act is expected to gener-
life License Modernization Act,” Stitt said. “We’re ate as much as $10 million in additional revenue to
going to be top 10 in everything and give Okla- fund fish and wildlife conservation in Oklahoma.
homa hunters a streamlined licensing system. This The funding will enhance fish and wildlife habitat
bill gets government out of the way by combining improvements, address infrastructure and deferred
multiple licenses, cutting red tape, and modernizing maintenance needs, and can be used to access fed-
the process. eral Office of Conservation Investment funds at a
The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. rate of $3 for every state license dollar. The Wildlife
David Bullard of Durant, and state Rep. Ty Burns of Department is a user-funded agency that is solely
Watchorn. Some highlights in the act: supported by hunting and fishing license sales and
• Consolidation of more than 50 current hunting receives no state tax appropriations.
and fishing licenses into 15.
• Defining all “youth” as anyone younger than 18, LICENSE MODERNIZATION FAQ
whether resident or nonresident.
What licenses are changing, and what licenses are
• Creation of a single “youth super license” that remaining?
will take the place of about 15 different types of For a comprehensive list of restructured licenses
youth hunting licenses. and adjusted prices, go online to wildlifedepartment.
• Providing resident deer hunters one license for all com/licensing.
deer they are allowed to harvest in a season, an
option previously only offered to nonresidents. Will my current licenses still be valid?
Yes, any license bought prior to July 1 will be valid
• Increasing license costs for nonresidents hunt- for what it was intended (one single resident gun
ing deer and waterfowl in Oklahoma. antlered deer license = one gun antlered deer). That

• Adding the black bear hunting license to the one license does not, however, cover hunters for all
privileges granted with the lifetime hunting and the deer they can hunt; after July 1, they will need to
lifetime combination licenses. buy a resident deer gun license if they are going to
hunt beyond just the license they bought previously.
“Restructuring Oklahoma’s cumbersome and
outdated licensing structure has been the No. 1
priority the past several years for the Oklahoma What about Controlled Hunts fee structure? Will
Wildlife Conservation Commission,” said Wade it change for this year?
Free, Interim Director of the Wildlife Department. Controlled Hunts will all be the same as far as the
“We are grateful for the sponsorship of Senate regular application/current license types, and costs
Bill 941 by Sen. Bullard and Rep. Burns during because the drawings will be conducted (and licens-
this legislative session. And we want to express es paid and issued) prior to July 1.

4 OFF THE BEATEN PATH