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Fish, Wildlife Rule Change Proposals Open for Public Comment

In-person Hearing Nov. 5 Among Three Ways to Provide Input 

Each year, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation proposes changes in Title 800, the administrative rules that apply to hunting, fishing and Wildlife Department operations. The public comment period for 2027’s proposed rule changes is open now until 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6.

Many proposed changes are simple housekeeping matters, while some are more substantial. Among this year's rule change proposals are:

  • Allowing resident lifetime fishing license holders to convert to a lifetime combination fishing and hunting license by paying the current lifetime combo license price minus the price they paid for their lifetime fishing license.
  • Removing the aggregate limit and harvest limit for crappie for “Close to Home” waters and allow for crappie size and bag limits to be adjusted through Wildlife Commission resolution. 
  • Expanding legal methods of take for hunting at Department-owned lakes. 
  • Requiring watercraft and associated equipment be drained upon leaving any Oklahoma water body, to include removing drain plugs from bilges, live wells, ballast tanks, and other water-retaining compartments. 
  • Adding a two-day waiting period for nonresidents buying a deer license after the season opens. 
  • Removing the license requirement for youth trapping and hunting of furbearers.
  • Exempting lifetime license holders from the need to buy a black bear license. 
  • Opening small game hunting opportunities at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. 
  • Updating hunting season dates at Camp Gruber Training Center to be consistent with statewide regulations. 
  • Allowing licensed wildlife control operators to recruit nonlicensed people to assist in Canada goose trapping and relocation.
  • Prohibiting rehabilitation of cervids without the Director’s approval. 
  • Specifying conditions under which private landowners can release deer on private property, as authorized in House Bill 3462.
  • Establishing rules for waterfowl and crane outfitter and guide licenses, as authorized in Senate Bill 2095.
  • Allowing personal watercraft use in Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area.
  • Adding Canton, Keystone and Spavinaw WMAs to the list of areas with a feral hog shooting restriction.
     

To read all of the proposed rule changes in their entirety, go to wildlifedepartment.com/public-meeting and click on the Title 800 chapter links.

Anyone wishing to make comments on any of the proposed rule changes may do so in one of three ways:

  • Fill out the online public comment form by clicking “Leave Your Comments” at wildlifedepartment.com/public-meeting. The online comment period will close at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 2026. 
  • Write your comments in a letter and mail to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Re: Public Comment, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Letters must be postmarked by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 2026.  
  • Voice your comments in person during a public hearing beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 2026, at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. A summary agenda for the hearing is online at wildlifedepartment.com/public-meeting. 

All public comments are collected and reviewed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the eight-member governing board for ODWC. Discussion and possible action on the rule change proposals are planned for the regular Commission meeting scheduled for Dec. 7, 2026.