Free Hunting Days coming up

The first full weekend of September is traditionally Free Hunting Days in Oklahoma. This year, on Sept. 7-8, Oklahoma residents can get outdoors to pursue game in season without the need to carry a state hunting license.

These free days also provide a perfect chance for current hunters to gather up some folks who have never been hunting and give them an experience that might open a door for them, as well as help continue a time-honored American tradition.

This year, open hunting seasons during Free Hunting Days include dove, squirrel, coyote, raccoon, beaver, striped skunk, prairie dog, rail and gallinule. State Game Wardens will not check for state hunting licenses for residents on those days.

Game Wardens will be on duty as usual to ensure compliance with bag limits, shooting hours, shotgun plugs, hunter education requirements, special area regulations, and other general regulations that are published in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations. The regulations are available online at www.wildlifedepartment.com, in the free Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app for Apple or Android, or in print free at license dealers statewide.

Get licenses online — It’s easier than ever to get your Hunting license for opening day at the Wildlife Department’s new Go Outdoors Oklahoma online licensing system. Using a computer or a mobile device, dove hunters are now able to buy hunting licenses and get a HIP permit immediately at license.GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com. The licenses and permits are delivered via email to the hunter, and the electronic versions are now valid proof for license holders in the field.

The ODWC has several new license options for outdoorsmen and women, so be sure check regulations before heading to the field.

Oklahoma Duck Stamp entries due Aug. 31

Registration is open now for the 43rd annual Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Competition. The winning artwork will become the design for the 2025-26 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp, which is sold to state waterfowl hunters and stamp collectors nationwide. The winning artist will receive a $1,200 purchase prize.

All artworks must arrive at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters in Oklahoma City by Aug. 31.

Oklahoma is blessed with a tremendous number of excellent wildlife artists, but any artist from any state is eligible to enter. If you are an artist (or know one who would like to enter), the Wildlife Department invites you to get creative with us!

The lesser scaup, one of the diving duck species that migrates through Oklahoma every fall, is this year’s selected subject.

After the entry period closes Aug. 31, public voting will take place online and will figure in the final judging. Then a judging panel of waterfowl experts from the Wildlife Department will consider each artwork in terms of anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for printing before selecting the winner.

For complete rules, go to wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/waterfowl/duck-stamp-program.