OK Dept. Of Wildlife seeking to streamline licensing during legislative session
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts listen up!
As we turn the calendar to 2024, the Oklahoma Dept. Of Wildlife Conservation has some things in the works they want you to know as outdoor season approaches.
Streamlining licensing for both hunting and fishing as well as keeping an eye on nonresident deer hunting and management are just a couple of things on the outdoor Oklahoma radar for the Department of Wildlife Conservation with the legislative session right around the corner.
"This is a great time of year,” said Micah Holmes. Spokesperson for the department of wildlife conservation.
Christmas has passed, but Holmes said they still have something on their wish list for the legislative session, especially when it comes to hunting and fishing licenses.
"We're looking to streamline those because it can be intimidating for a new hunter or angler to try to figure out what license they need when they need it, how long it's good for,” Holmes said.
They does have two pages that list 100 different licenses and it appears intimidating. The agency would love to see the creation of a “youth super license” for Oklahomans under 18 years old. It would be good for everything from hunting to fishing for an entire season.
"We want to make it as economical as possible, especially for families got three or four kids,” he said.
The agency is also leaning into a phrase you may have heard, “hunters in the know, take a doe.”
"It keeps that population really stable,” Holmes said.
Other 2024 goals include leasing more land in southeast Oklahoma from timber companies to expand hunting and fishing access. They also want a better understanding of the economic impact of Oklahoma’s two year-round trout fisheries in the lower mountain fork and Illinois. Holmes added they’re also seeking some input for the future of Oklahoma outdoor activity.
"I would encourage folks to let us know what they're seeing out there,” Holmes said.
If you’d like to get in touch with game wardens and officials within the department, click the link in this story. We’ll be following this throughout the legislative session to see how it goes. Holmes added that the department does not receive any state tax appropriations. Their money comes from license sales and federal grants from excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment.
For more information, visit wildlifedepartment.com.