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David Stanley Ford

Group examines Oklahoma's hunting, fishing license changes
Capitol: Panel hopes to simplify process while keeping revenue stable

JULIE BISBEE, Capitol Bureau    Comments Comment on this article3
Published: August 27, 2009

Lawmakers are considering ways to simplify hunting and fishing licenses in Oklahoma.

Some of those proposals call for combining some licenses and in some cases increasing fees.

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Huntng and fishing in Oklahoma
• 625,000: The number of anglers who have licenses in Oklahoma


• 356,000: The number of hunters licensed in Oklahoma


• 63 percent: Portion who hunt deer


• 23 percent: Portion who hunt dove


• 19 percent: Portion who hunt turkey

Source: State Wildlife Conservation Department


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Some of the proposals include combining all lifetime licenses, creating a resident deer license by season and creating a "sportsman license” which would combine all licenses for all seasons.

All changes would have to be approved by lawmakers when the Legislature convenes next year.

License changes were discussed Wednesday during the first meeting of a 10-member task force created during the last legislative session.

"Some proposals would increase the price of licenses, but add seasons like holiday hunts,” said Melinda Streich, assistant director of administration and finance for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department.

The department gets about $16.6 million in revenue from hunting and fishing licenses each year.

"Our mission today it to try to simplify the process for the constituents and at least keeping it revenue neutral,” said Richard Hatcher, the assistant director of operations for the department.

Oklahoma has more than 45 types of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.

Proposed changes call for streamlining deer licenses from seven to three, which may increase fees.

Currently, an adult hunter pays $20 per deer during archery, muzzleloader or gun season. Under the proposal, a hunter would get a single season permit for $35 and would be allowed to harvest the maximum number of deer during a specific season.

The fee for youth permits would change from $10 per deer during a specific season to $20 for all seasons. Streich said while the fee could increase, hunters could take more deer under one license and encourage the hunting of antlerless deer.

The proposed sportsman license would include fishing and hunting licenses, deer and turkey licenses, waterfowl stamps and other permits. The package is valued at $354, but would be sold for $150, Streich said.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Politics, Hunting and Fishing, Sport Fishing


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Let's get the legislature out of this process. These decissions need to be made by the Wildlife Department and not politicians. Our Wildlife Department has done a great job at managing our fish and wildlife and most politicians no nothing about the science behind the decissions. Maybe a process that includes a recomendation by the Department and then approval by the commision is all that should be needed.
william, Oklahoma City - Sep 2, 2009 at 11:25 am
Your Lifetime should be grandfathered. Trout you will probably have to pay for because it's federal I do believe.
David, Frisco - Sep 1, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I bought a lifetime fishing license 7 or 8 years ago, I think for $150. With this proposal, does this mean I would never again have to also buy a trout permit or pay additional money for hunting privileges?
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Aug 27, 2009 at 9:05 am

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