New OK Non Resident Restrictions

[2flyfish4]

https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/oklahoma-permission-hunt-public-land/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ5RFFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpgRxArZKbxVfbwmOC8lWcBRF9f7B4SYmAFRxLK1C5eMvY2J9K_bjfz5lUy6_aem_3cHw21NX0ynrcn5nW-zJKw

Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt into law on Wednesday, Senate Bill 448 creates a lottery-style permit system for nonresident hunters who want to hunt Oklahoma's Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs, and National Wildlife Refuges in the state. Nonresident hunters will have to obtain written authorization from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

If demand outpaces the number of hunters these areas can support, a lottery will determine access. On top of regular license costs, successful applicants will also pay a permit fee of up to $100. It's not clear how many nonresidents will be allowed to hunt a given property before the lottery kicks in.

Anyone have anymore info on this?

[arkrem870]

It wasn't anti hunters that came for our hunting privileges....... It was our own. Newtons 3rd law applies. Loose lips sink ships. 

[arkrem870]

Reciprocity will never happen. It's too complicated to regulate....Wish it would though. We just need to take our screwing with a smile....right

[BullTom]

It wasn't anti hunters that came for our hunting privileges....... It was our own. Newtons 3rd law applies. Loose lips sink ships. 

I remember when turkey hunting was a bit of a  fraternity. No secrets shared for free. You had to earn it. That all changed overnight when some greedy, selfish folks chose to give everything away for free at once.

Been turkey hunting public land for 28 years. Hard to enjoy it anymore. Its going to get worse before it gets better, if it ever does.

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[Tail Feathers]

Getting older, I mostly do outfitted hunts out of state now.  Easier to get on birds and hopefully will allow me to miss some of these new regs. Sad to see, but with so many traveling hunters this won't end with OK.

[BullTom]

Getting older, I mostly do outfitted hunts out of state now.  Easier to get on birds and hopefully will allow me to miss some of these new regs. Sad to see, but with so many traveling hunters this won't end with OK.

My wife an I discuss this option more seriously every year. Havent done it yet, but i fear it will be the only option before long. Sure is hard to replicate the feeling when you kill a bird in the timber on public land from scratch! But that feeling is fleeting.

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[Remturkey]

I live in Maryland which is a small state to begin with.  Our season usually starts two weeks before Pennsylvania does.  The ratio of PA tags to MD tag trucks parked on public during this time before PA opens is easily 3 to 1.  For instance this year our opening day hit on Good Friday. My neighbor who works for or DNR counted 47 trucks parked in the parking lot and a long the road of a public piece that is approximately 800 acres.  It's actually becoming dangerous in some spots.  I was hoping the "fad" of turkey hunting during Covid would have fizzled our by now but from im seeing it definitely has not.

[Hook hanger]

Good for Oklahoma i hope they do charge $100 nonresident public land fee. I'm sure the funds will get put to good use.

[deerhunt1988]

Ya'll be sure to like and subscribe! Any bets on what state will be next?

[Penguin907]

I like a state putting their own people and resources first.

[The Lung]

I spoke with a warden last at a very popular western Oklahoma WMA. He mentioned they counted 329 trucks parked throughout the area on opening day
329 trucks.
Bear in mind that wildlife is supposed to be the property of the residents within that state.

[retrieverman]

I live in TX but own a place in the NW Oklahoma and am on a private lease in SE Oklahoma, so the newest regs don't affect me.  In my opinion, Oklahoma has become very unfriendly to out of staters, because this price increase on public land is just the latest money grab.  Last year, they jacked up all licenses but especially for non residents.  I used to be able to hunt and fish my place for about $1000/year, but with the increase last year, it will be closer to $2k.

A few years ago, Oklahoma moved their turkey season back ten days from April 6th to April 16th and went to one bird.  No more birds than I see, the one bird limit really doesn't bother me, but I killed my first eastern on the SE OK lease on opening day a couple weeks and would've liked to try to kill a Rio at my place this year too.  It is what it is though.

[deerhunt1988]

I spoke with a warden last at a very popular western Oklahoma WMA. He mentioned they counted 329 trucks parked throughout the area on opening day
329 trucks.
Bear in mind that wildlife is supposed to be the property of the residents within that state.

That area screams for quota hunts. 

Bear in mind it's only going to take one federal judge ruling on "property of the residents" to take this into a turmoil when National Forest et al are involved if this continues at it's current pace.  IMO states like MS have shot themselves in the foot.  We'll see.

Simple solution to your argument would just to be make MS draw for all non residents. Done. Be careful what you wish for.

[Gooserbat]

Well I honestly don't know what to say.  As an okie I see both sides but I don't think it's the solution that I would choose.

[arkrem870]

Well I honestly don't know what to say.  As an okie I see both sides but I don't think it's the solution that I would choose.

I get it. You somewhat support it because it'll improve your hunting in short run. But in the long run you'll lose. Everybody will lose this game in the long run if we aren't careful. Very short sighted thinking by many.....thats what got us here in the first place