You need a valid license and hunter education to legally hunt on Oklahoma soil-unless you qualify as exempt. The same is true for anyone who wishes to go fishing in the waters of Oklahoma. The following quick guide to certification and licensing requirements contains important information for resident hunters. Non-resident hunters have differing rules and fees.
Hunter Education Requirements
In an effort to cut down on hunting fatalities, Oklahoma has instituted a mandatory hunter-education program. The course is free and covers the hunter's responsibilities, firearm safety, archery, wildlife skills and survival methods. Residents may take the course online and print out a certificate themselves. Alternatively, residents of Oklahoma may attend classes in person in their respective counties.
It's possible to hunt in Oklahoma without the hunter education certificate that each participant receives at the end of the course. If you're 31 and older, you may purchase a hunting license without possessing a hunter-education certificate.
Hunters who are under 30 years of age can hunt with an apprentice hunting license. Apprentice-designated hunters may only hunt in Oklahoma under the supervision of an "accompanying hunter." Rules for the accompanying hunter include:
When hunting large game, the accompanying hunter must be able to take control of the firearm or bow of the apprentice hunter. When hunting small game, the two parties must be able to hear each other speak in a normal tone of voice without devices.
Hunting Licenses
Your basic hunting license allows you to use gun, muzzleloader or bow to harvest small game and fowl. To hunt nearly every type of larger mammal, you'll need a basic Oklahoma hunting license plus an additional game license specific to the type of animal you wish to hunt. In some cases, you'll need additional licenses to hunt in a specific animal's habitat and hunting season, even though you have no intention of hunting that type of game.
The following animals may be hunted with a basic Oklahoma hunting license:
You may also hunt feral hogs (wild boar) with a basic license or without a hunting license at all. However, if you hunt feral hogs during other animal hunting seasons, you'll need the corresponding animal licenses.
Some of the native Oklahoma animals you may hunt with additional game licenses include:
Bear may only be harvested using a muzzleloader or bow in the appropriate season. There are two seasons for turkey, and you need either a fall or spring license to hunt in the corresponding season.
A federal permit is required to hunt sandhill crane. Federal duck stamps are required for those hunting migratory waterfowl. Some hunters will also need a state waterfowl license.
Fishing License
All residents over 16 years of age must have valid fishing licenses to take any organisms from the water in the state. There are exemptions. If you fish on private property of your own-or of a family member-you need no license to fish. Resident disabled veterans with 60 percent or higher impairment can also fish license-free.
Residents have multiple options when it comes to obtaining a fishing license in Oklahoma. There's a 2-day resident license available for short camping trips and weekend fishing. The two days run consecutively with the license expiring on midnight of day two.
A resident one-year or five-year fishing license can also be ordered in Oklahoma. You may need additional licenses and permits to fish at some places and times. For example, anyone who fishes for paddlefish in Oklahoma must have a separate paddlefish license, regardless of age or residency.
There are lower fees for youth between 16 and 17. Seniors over 65 qualify for lifetime licenses, and there are hunting-fishing combination licenses to save residents a bit in their yearly outdoor fees.
If you need a helping hand to obtain your Oklahoma fishing or hunting license, contact Motor Vehicle Tag Agency today and let us handle the transaction for you. We offer convenient, time-saving service in Oklahoma to get you the permits, tags and licenses you need.
