Bill > SB2171

This bill updates Oklahoma's wildlife statutes, primarily by increasing the residency requirement for certain lifetime hunting and fishing licenses from six months to one year, and it introduces a new "velvet buck controlled hunt." This controlled hunt, authorized by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, will allow for the archery hunting of deer with velvet antlers (defined as deer with antlers still covered in velvet-like hair) on private land for nine days each year, specifically from the Saturday before the last full weekend of August to the Sunday of that weekend. Hunters participating in this controlled hunt will need a valid deer license or a specific velvet buck permit, and any velvet bucks harvested will count towards their annual deer bag limit. The bill also allows for the upgrade of existing lifetime fishing licenses to combination hunting and fishing licenses, and it directs the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish rules for the controlled hunt, including bag and tag limits, with a provision to award ninety percent of velvet buck tags to resident hunters, while also allowing for the cancellation of the hunt under certain conditions without refunding fees.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb2171&Session=2600