New Youth super license explained

It’s easier than ever for youth in Oklahoma to participate in the bounty that the state offers this hunting season. The new Youth Super License simplifies access to hunting for youth in Oklahoma, making it easier and more affordable for parents to get (and keep) their kids involved in the outdoors while cashing in on more valuable family time.

With the kick off to deer season just a few days away, now is the time to get those licenses ready.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation the new license works a bit like an all-season pass to an amusement park. It’s valid for 365 days from date of purchase and covers the youth for all the Oklahoma hunting seasons that require a hunting license. Gone are the days of needing a separate license for each deer hunted or for each method of take. Gone are the days of having to choose an antlered or antlerless deer license (or both) before heading afield. Gone are the days of wading through youth license requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds vs. younger hunters.

The youth annual super hunting license is part of a larger hunting and fishing license overhaul known as the Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act, a bill that condenses some 50 hunting and fishing licenses down to about 14 and helps secure more funding for conservation. Before the bill went into effect July 1, there hadn’t been any notable changes to the state’s fishing and hunting licenses or fee structure in over 20 years.

So if you have a young outdoorsman that want to try hunting, whether it be deer, turkey, waterfowl, elk, bear, or furbearers, this license is a year-long pass for any or all of those. In fact, as of July 1, no other Oklahoma youth hunting license even exists! Although there are a few federal permits that are still required in certain situations, such as for youth who hunt waterfowl, no other state hunting licenses are required.

The new youth annual super hunting license is $26 for residents and $151 for nonresidents. Nonresidents also have the option to purchase a youth 5-day super hunting license with the same privileges for $76.

Right from the start, the youth annual super hunting license provides convenience and value for both resident and nonresident youth, not to mention for the adults who supervise their hunting endeavors. Not only is it an annual hunting license valid for 365 days from the date of issue, but it also covers the hunter for all of the game animals in their annual bag limit. No more individual youth licenses for each deer hunted. No more licenses good for archery season only; or muzzleloader, gun or holiday antlerless seasons. No more individual turkey licenses. No more elk, bear or antelope licenses. It’s all covered with the youth super license. And a youth can get the license every year until they are 18.

All licenses can be purchased online through the ODWCs website/go outdoors Oklahoma app.

Along with the new license, Youth under 18 are now exempt from the purchase of a state fishing license. And youth 17 and under do not need a license to hunt small game, like dove.

Hunter Education requirements still exist, so hunters under the age of 30 must complete an approved hunter education course to hunt solo. An apprentice designated license will let those who have not completed the course to hunt, but they must follow apprentice guidelines. See the Oklahoma Hunting Guide for details.