Page 13 - Outdoor Oklahoma - May/June 2021 Issue

NEW 2021 DURABLE CARDS FEATURE ELK, CRAPPIE

Oklahoma hunters and anglers often said the paper hunt-
ing or fishing licenses they carry in the field should be more
durable. Now that choice is here! The Wildlife Department’s
durable collector’s license cards are the answer. These stylish
collectible cards allow you to carry up to nine licenses that you
hold, encoded on one long-lasting card that fits in your pocket.
And each one features an image related to Oklahoma’s fish or
wildlife. Since their inception in 2019, these cards have been
not only a badge of support that license holders can use to
display their support for their outdoor heritage, but also serve
as collectors’ items.
The durable license cards for 2021 are now on sale. One features
a bull elk, originally created by Nora Hall as part of her Oklahoma
Animal Series. The other card features a black crappie in a paint-
ing titled “Morning in the Cedars” by Dave Whitlock.
Hall is a Norman native, where she resides and co-owns
Oil & Clay Studio. Whitlock is well-known for his flyfishing
expertise. Born in Muskogee in 1934, Whitlock grew up in
Green Country, moved to Arkansas when he was 35, and now
resides again in northeastern Oklahoma. Learn more about
both artists on the Wildlife Department’s blog, the Outdoor
Oklahoma Journal.
To get your card, sign in to the Wildlife Department’s Go can order one of these classy cards. Proceeds from card sales help
Outdoors Oklahoma online license system at license.gooutdoor- fund the Wildlife Department’s mission to conserve and protect
soklahoma.com and click “Print License.” If you are getting a the state’s fish and wildlife resources and habitat.
new license, you will be given the option to choose a collectible — Michael Bergin, Communication and Education Senior
card as you complete your purchase. Even lifetime license holders Specialist

APPLY ONLINE BY MAY 20 FOR CONTROLLED HUNTS

The Wildlife Department’s annual Controlled Hunts Pro- When hunters apply as a group, each hunter will be given the
gram will accept applications until May 20, 2021. There are a option to buy PointGuard individually; all group members are
few days remaining to put your name in the random drawings not required to choose the option.
for these hunting opportunities on areas that are normally The Preference Point Only Option is for hunters who do not
closed to public hunting. want to put their name in a hunt drawing but still want to obtain
Controlled Hunts are offered in seven categories: Deer, Youth an additional preference point for future drawings. The hunter
Deer, Nonambulatory or Motor Vehicle Permit Deer, Spring Tur- applies for Controlled Hunts as he or she normally would for
key, Youth Spring Turkey, Pronghorn and Elk. Controlled Hunts the regular $5 fee, but this year the hunter will have an option
for elk and pronghorn are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. to select Preference Point Only in each category.
New this year, applicants can add PointGuard or select the Hunters may purchase only one point per year per category.
Preference Point Only option when they apply. These options The PPO Option is designed for hunters who already know
are safeguards in certain situations that will preserve an appli- when they apply that they will not be able to attend hunts during
cant’s valuable preference points and future eligibility, or allow certain times of the year if they are drawn for those hunts.
an applicant to get a preference point in lieu of having his or her Anyone with a hunting license can apply for Controlled
name in the drawing. These options will not be available after Hunts. Applications are submitted through a hunter’s personal
the Controlled Hunts application period closes. account at GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com, the Wildlife Depart-
PointGuard protects a winning hunter’s preference points ment’s online licensing and customer service site. During the
and eligibility for Controlled Hunts drawings in future years in application process, hunters will be asked whether they want
case the hunter cannot attend the hunt he or she has won. Point- to add either of these new options.
Guard costs an additional $5. The insurance can be claimed For more information, visit the Controlled Hunt Program
anytime before midnight on the day before the winner’s sched- webpage at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/
uled hunt. controlledhunts.

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