Page 7 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

How do I apply for a lifetime license? Is there a discount on lifetime licenses for tribal
No changes are happening to the lifetime license citizens?
application process. All of that information, including No. Discounted prices for lifetime license are only
a link to the online application, is online at wildlifed- available to resident seniors (65 and older) and resi-
epartment.com/licensing/lifetime-license. dent disabled veterans.
When is the final date for lifetime license hard- So is every hunting and fishing license going to
copy applications? cost me more now?
Mail-in applications with a postmark date before No, a number of our licenses did not change at all.
June 30 will be processed at the current rate.
Are licenses more expensive for nonresident hunt-
When is the final date for lifetime license online ers and anglers?
applications? Yes, nonresident prices have increased and pro-
The last day to ensure approval is June 28, 2024. vide the bulk of the revenue increase projected from
the bill.
If a nonresident buys a deer license in June 2024,
will he or she still have to buy an annual nonresi- I have my lifetime licenses for hunting and fishing,
dent hunting license to hunt deer this fall? so how does all this affect me?
Yes, every nonresident hunter in the fall of 2024 Mostly, it doesn’t. You are, however, now
will need an annual hunting license and a deer exempt from having to buy a separate bear
license (even if they bought their deer license in license to hunt bear.
June 2024).
Why are license fees increasing?
Will the price and scope of the Conservation The new license structure and license fees, deter-
Passport change? mined by the Oklahoma Legislature, streamlines
This legislation provides that the Wildlife Con- and modernizes licensing for Oklahomans, making
servation Commission may increase the price of it easier and more accessible for them to enjoy
the Conservation Passport by $10 and require it for Oklahoma’s outdoors. This restructuring brings
all lands managed (not just owned) by the Wildlife Oklahoma hunting and fishing licensing from 2003
Department. The Wildlife Conservation Commis- to the present, and it makes Oklahoma competitive
sion may consider this in the future, but there is no with regional averages. This license streamlining will
immediate change expected until ODWC can con- result in better customer service, and customers will
sult with cooperators such as the U.S. Army Corps of have more confidence in knowing they are buying
Engineers and other agencies. the correct license. Additionally, this modernization
plan was based on extensive surveys of constituent
If I bought my hunting or combination lifetime license preferences by industry leader Southwick
license before July 1, 2024, does it include a Associates. Importantly, this license modernization
bear license? will bring needed revenue to the Wildlife Depart-
Yes, moving forward bear licenses are included ment to fulfill its mission in conserving wildlife for
in all hunting and combination lifetime licenses, no all Oklahomans.
matter when they were purchased.
Will people younger than 18 be required to have
If I have a lifetime fishing license now, can I add a or buy the HIP permit?
lifetime hunting license to it after July 1? No. If the hunter is not required to have a basic
No. After July 1, the lifetime hunting privilege hunting license, that hunter is not required to have a
will only be sold with the new lifetime combina- Harvest Information Program permit. Hunters 65 and
tion fishing and hunting licenses. If you want to older are also exempt from the HIP permit.
add a lifetime hunting license along with a current
lifetime fishing license, we recommend you do so Will I still need to buy an Oklahoma Waterfowl
prior to July 1. Stamp (license)?
Resident waterfowl hunters age 18 to 64 will be
Can I start a payment plan for my child before the required to buy the state duck stamp (license), now
price increase? priced at $20. Lifetime or combination license hold-
Yes. If a payment plan is started for a minor (under ers, along with all youths 17 and younger, are exempt
18) prior to July 1, your total cost will be at the current from the state duck stamp. Nonresident waterfowl
price. However, you must pay the balance within 1 hunters 18 or older must have the state duck stamp,
calendar year of starting the payment plan. now priced at $30.

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