ok-5279: Department of Wildlife Conservation — Wildlife Rules

Summary

Opens archery in designated areas Dec. 15 – Jan. 15. Provides for controlled deer hunts in certain area. Adds certain exemptions to possession of wildlife. Clarifies pursuit of and taking of bear, deer, elk, antelope, and turkey. Removes license requirement for youth trapping and hunting furbearers. Adds opportunity for falconers to trap and train passage birds during a more malleable age. Adds 2-day waiting period for nonresidents purchasing a deer license after the season opens. Clarifies language and adjust date for CITES tag. Adds opossum to list of species with a year-round take. Exempts lifetime license holders from purchase of bear license and simplifies wording in list of prohibited activities. • Opens leg hold trapping methods on Arbuckle Springs, Candy Creek, Cross Timbers, Lexington, Grady County, Hickory Creek, Love Valley, Skiatook, and Texoma/Washita Arm WMAs. Removes outdated language to a webpage that no longer exists on all NWRs. Opens small game hunting opportunity on Wichita Mountains NWR. Updates season dates on Camp Gruber Training Center to be consistent with statewide regulations. Provides for additional means of take on Fort Cobb WMA for small game. Opens trapping opportunities on Fort Gibson WRP and aligns waterfowl season on Shorb WMA to be consistent with all Northwest region WMAs. Adds American eel to list of Species of Special Concern Category II. • This rule change has significant clean up language to match Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) requirement with what is now required of hunters and trappers in Oklahoma. Clarifies when an NWCO permit is and isn’t required. Corrects report deadlines and license renewals. Expands the Special Canada Goose Permit program to allow licensed NWCO persons to recruit non-licensed helpers to assist in trapping and relocation efforts. Prohibits rehabilitation of cervids without Director approval. • This rule change proposal as authorized by HB3462 specifies the conditions under which private landowners can release deer on private property. Establishes rules for waterfowl and crane outfitter and guide licenses as authorized by SB2095.

The agency’s own summary, as published.