New Oklahoma hunting regulations available online

The hunting seasons are a little less than a month away, but the Wildlife Department is already getting ready. Hunters can now log on to wildlifedepartment.com to view the newest version of the “Oklahoma Hunting” guide, which provides regulations and dates for the 2024-25 hunting and fishing seasons.

The 76-page full-color guide, produced by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, also features a wide range of hunting-related articles and other helpful information, such as a sunrise/sunset table, hunter education requirements, game warden listings and detailed information on the state’s wildlife management areas, and frequently asked questions.

The last couple of years have had few changes for regulations, but this year a new license structure was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.

The Oklahoma Hunting guide is an important publication for hunters, because it summarizes the laws and regulations that hunters need to know,” said Skyler St.Yves, information specialist and hunting guide editor for the Wildlife Department.

Most years offer some coffee shop provoking discussion with changes, but this is a rather boring year for wildlife laws, there are very few changes of significance, except for the license changes. The hunting and fishing guide does offer some great information, and sportsmen and women should check it out.

Some interesting information in this year’s regulations include:

The ODWC has instituted a Selective surveillance area to monitor CWD (chronic wasting disease) in the Oklahoma panhandle. CWD has been around for some time, but mostly found in confined deer herds. A few cases in wild populations has caused the ODWC to increase its research.

These areas are confined to Cimarron, Texas and Woodward counties. Maps are located on page 39 of the regulations.

Remember No person shall import, transport, or possess any cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass from outside the boundaries of Oklahoma. The following items are the only exceptions:

· Antlers or antlers attached to clean skull plate or cleaned skulls (all tissue removed)

· Animal quarters containing no spinal materials, or meat with all parts of the spinal column removed

· Cleaned teeth

· Finished taxidermy products

· Hides or tanned products.

Some of the more interesting seasons or regulations found in the Hunting Guide are:

· All birds except for house sparrows, starlings and game birds are protected by federal and state law.

· There is no season on mountain lions in Oklahoma, however they can be taken if they are committing depredation to livestock or other domesticated animal, or considered an immediate safety hazard.

· The use of computer software or services that allow a person to hunt while not physically present are prohibited

· To take bullfrogs with at gig or hook and line, you must have a fishing license; to shoot them with a firearm, you must have a hunting license.

· To hunt rattlesnakes during a festival, a 5-day rattlesnake permit must be purchased.

· There is an open season on prairie dogs in Oklahoma, but all Department of Wildlife lands are closed.

· There is a season for mink and weasel in Oklahoma.

· There is a season for striped skunk, but spotted skunks are closed.

· It is unlawful to possess and American alligator in Oklahoma.

· The season is closed for Texas horned lizards, alligator snapping turtles and northern map turtles.

· Oklahoma Endangered species are: Mammals: Gray bat, northern longeared bat, Ozark big-eared bat, Indiana bat. Birds: Whooping crane, piping plover, eastern black rail, red knot, red-cockaded woodpecker. Fish: Ozark cavefishsh, leopard darter, Neosho madtom, blackside darter, longnose darter, Arkansas River shiner. Invertebrates: Winged mapleleaf mussel, scaleshell mussel, Ouachita rock pocketbook, rabbitsfoot mussel, Oklahoma cave crayfish, Neosho Mucket mussel, American burying beetle. Plant: Harperella, Geocarpon minimum

It is every hunter’s responsibility to look over the hunting regulations to see if there are any changes. If the online version is not available or if you are more of the traditional paper fan, then the free guide will also be available in printed form in late July anywhere hunting licenses are sold.

To find the new “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” online, log onto www.wildlifedeparment.com and follow the link.