A status report for the Wildlife Department’s online licensing system contained plenty of good news for customers and for Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners during their regular August meeting this week.
GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com began in January 2019, giving people a convenient “one-stop shop” to interact with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to get hunting and fishing licenses, permits, automatic-renewal choices, merchandise sales, and event registration. The Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app allows licenses to be carried on a mobile device while also providing resources including regulations, in-field E-check, Game Warden contacts, and public land maps.
Mike Chrisman, License Supervisor for the Wildlife Department, told Commissioners that year-over-year increases were seen in the number of transactions, number of customer accounts, revenues, and number of items sold. “We are trending upward, which is always positive,” he said.
Importantly, a public survey showed that users were highly satisfied with the service they received from the Go Outdoors Oklahoma call center, rating most survey categories at 90 percent or greater.
The Wildlife Department partners with Brandt Information Services to provide the Go Outdoors Oklahoma online and mobile system.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioners approved a resolution honoring Brandon Adams of Prague for completing the “Oklahoma Big Game Archery Grand Slam” in 2018 and for promoting hunting in Oklahoma. Adams harvested a mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear, all with a bow. It is believed that he is the first hunter in Oklahoma to complete such a quest in a single year.
In part, the resolution states that Adams “has proven to be a distinguished ambassador for hunting in Oklahoma and across the nation … and showcased Oklahoma as a diverse big game destination for thousands of hunters across the nation.” Adams is co-owner of My World Outdoors.
In other business, Commissioners:
- Recognized the 2019 Wildlife Division Biologist of the Year, Dallas Barber, and 2019 Wildlife Technician of the Year, Emily Clark, as they were presented their awards by Wildlife Chief Bill Dinkines. Clark is the first woman to receive the honor.
- Recognized 2019 Fisheries Division Professional of the Year, Richard Snow, as he was presented his award by Fisheries Chief Barry Bolton.
- Heard Director J.D. Strong’s regular Department report, including announcing a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to continue the Oklahoma Land Access Program for three more years.
- Voted to prohibit the harvest of alligator gar anywhere in Oklahoma during May. The rule will apply to May 2021 and thereafter.
- Recognized service awards for Hatchery Supervisor John Davenport, 30 years; Law Enforcement Chief Nathan Erdman, 25 years; Game Warden Supervisor Mark Walker, 25 years; Game Warden Tim Campbell, 25 years; and Assistant Hatchery Manager Joe Williams, 20 years.
To view a recording of the meeting, go to https://youtu.be/nYiNB38nbp8.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.
