|
Legislative Session 2007
updated September 17, 2007 08:45 AM
New laws from the 2007 Legislative Session
|
Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Justice and Rep. Richardson. Committee Senate substitute allows landowners to kill any animals of the family canidae or felidae found chasing livestock on their property. Bill is effective immediately. |
|
Senate Bill 558 by Sen. Sparks and Rep Richardson. Creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age. Allows the Wildlife Department to waive bond requirements for dealers who are selling licenses via the Internet point of sale system. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 1042 by Rep. Smithson and Sen. Wyrick. Would modify hunter education requirements to specify that hunters 35 years of age and younger would have to either have successfully passed a hunter education course or they could if they purchased an apprentice hunting license and were accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years of age or older. The measure defines different accompanying parameters for small game and big game hunting. Bill is effective immediately. |
|
House Bill 1393 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ford. Would clarify residency requirements and proof of residency for the purposes of purchasing hunting or fishing licenses. Bill would also eliminate the sunset provisions for the Wildlife Diversity Fund. Would allow the Department to issue a duplicate of any annual license for $1.50, and would allow persons arrested for violations of fish and wildlife laws to, in lieu of posting bond, pay an administrative fine equal to one-half of the current bond schedule, as prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts. All fines collected would be payable to the Department of Wildlife to be exclusively used for developing, managing, conserving and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Bill is effective immediately. |
| House Bill 1914 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ballenger. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 1915 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Justice. Committee substitute prohibits trespass on lands devoted to farming, ranching or forestry regardless of whether or not it is conspicuously posted, including school lands. Also would increase the fine for trespassing to not less than $50 and not more than $500. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 2064 by Rep. Hyman and Sen. Barrington. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon and crow. The permit allows night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit is valid for up to one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
Dormant bills for the 2007 Legislative Session
|
House Bill 1043 by Smithson. Would require commercial hunting areas to compensate the Department of Wildlife for any deer, elk, antelope or bighorn sheep that still remain in the enclosure after a reasonable effort to remove the wildlife is completed. The number and value of the wildlife remaining in the enclosure shall be determined pursuant to rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1048 by Rep. Ellis and Sen. Wilson. Would exempt legal residents of Oklahoma serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 100-0; bill failed in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
House Bill 1420 by Rep. Duncan. Would exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children of their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, who fish in private ponds located on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a fishing license. Would also exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma and who hunt on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a hunting license. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee. |
|
House Bill 1516 by Rep. DeWitt. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| House Bill 1564 by Rep. Brown. Would allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish an annual special use permit that would be required for persons to operate all terrain vehicles off-road in wildlife management areas. The Commission may establish a three-day special use permit that would allow persons to use all terrain vehicles off road in wildlife management areas for up to three consecutive days. The fees from these resident and nonresident permits shall be expended exclusively for managing, preserving and protecting wildlife in wildlife management areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Bill failed in the House subcommittee on Environment and Wildlife and does not go to the full House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1668 by Rep. Dorman and Sen. Rabon. Committee substitute would direct the Oklahoma Tax Commission to distribute a portion of state income taxes paid to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in the amount equal to the sum of license fees forgone by exemptions to those licenses authorized by the Legislature. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Title stricken and passed by the House 91-2. Bill went dormant the Senate Finance Committee. |
|
House Bill 1728 by Rep. McCarter and Sen. Barrington. Modifying the hunting license exemption for persons engaged in training dogs to specify a license is not required provided the persons training or working dogs does not take or attempt to take in any manner any game. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 101-0. Bill amended and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Committee amendment would prohibit field training of dogs during deer gun and deer muzzleloader seasons. Bill goes dormant in the Senate. |
|
House Bill 1970 by Reps. Armes and Dorman. Assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Provides that no person may hunt wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an airboat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| House Bill 2108 by Rep. Cargill and Sen. Ford. Creates the Oklahoma Forever Land Trust Advisory Council and specifies goals, objectives and operation of the Council. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed by the House 99-1. Bill went dormant in the Senate Appropriations Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 70 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Hyman. Creates the feral swine control act. Senate floor substitute would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and hunting of feral swine during deer firearms seasons, and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Passes the Senate 48-0. Not heard in the full House Natural Resources Committee. |
| Senate Bill 95 By Sen. Corn and Rep. Richardson. Would prohibit hunting on private lands without landowner permission, whether they are posted or not. Bill also provides for revocation of a person's hunting or fishing license for up to a year if they violate these provisions. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed the Senate 40-7. Amended and passed by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Passed the House 73-12. Senate concurs with House amendments and pass bill 37-9. Bill held on a notice to reconsider. Governor vetoed. |
|
Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Barrington. Would exempt volunteer fire fighters from having to purchase an annual hunting or fishing license. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Rabon and Rep. Dorman. House Committee substitute clarifies the authority of game wardens. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the Senate 42-0. Passed by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant the full House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 505 by Sen. Easley. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. Permit allow night hunting and would be valid for one year. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 700 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Steele. Committee substitute would require any landowner building a high fence on their property to perform a reasonable effort remove any deer, elk, antelope or big horn sheep before the area is enclosed. Passed by the Senate 47-0. Bill went dormant in the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 721 by Sen. Barrington and Rep. McCarter. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. The permit would allow night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit would be valid for one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. One floor amendment adopted and bill passed the Senate 45-0. Passed from the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant in the full house Natural Resources Committee. |
Legislative Session 2007
updated May 10, 2007 08:25 AM
| Senate Bill 95 By Sen. Corn and Rep. Richardson. Would prohibit hunting on private lands without landowner permission, whether they are posted or not. Bill also provides for revocation of a person's hunting or fishing license for up to a year of they violate these provisions. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed the Senate 40-7. Amended and passed by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Passed the House 73-12. Senate concurs with House amendments and pass bill 37-9. Bill held on a notice to reconsider. |
New laws from the 2007 Legislative Session
|
Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Justice and Rep. Richardson. Committee Senate substitute allows landowners to kill any animals of the family canidae or felidae found chasing livestock on their property. Bill is effective immediately. |
|
Senate Bill 558 by Sen. Sparks and Rep Richardson. Creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age. Allows the Wildlife Department to waive bond requirements for dealers who are selling licenses via the Internet point of sale system. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 1042 by Rep. Smithson and Sen. Wyrick. Would modify hunter education requirements to specify that hunters 35 years of age and younger would have to either have successfully passed a hunter education course or they could if they purchased an apprentice hunting license and were accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years of age or older. The measure defines different accompanying parameters for small game and big game hunting. Bill is effective immediately. |
|
House Bill 1393 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ford. Would clarify residency requirements and proof of residency for the purposes of purchasing hunting or fishing licenses. Bill would also eliminate the sunset provisions for the Wildlife Diversity Fund. Would allow the Department to issue a duplicate of any annual license for $1.50, and would allow persons arrested for violations of fish and wildlife laws to, in lieu of posting bond, pay an administrative fine equal to one-half of the current bond schedule, as prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts. All fines collected would be payable to the Department of Wildlife to be exclusively used for developing, managing, conserving and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Bill is effective immediately. |
| House Bill 1914 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ballenger. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 1915 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Justice. Committee substitute prohibits trespass on lands devoted to farming, ranching or forestry regardless of whether or not it is conspicuously posted, including school lands. Also would increase the fine for trespassing to not less than $50 and not more than $500. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
|
House Bill 2064 by Rep. Hyman and Sen. Barrington. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon and crow. The permit allows night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit is valid for up to one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007. |
Dormant bills for the 2007 Legislative Session
|
House Bill 1043 by Smithson. Would require commercial hunting areas to compensate the Department of Wildlife for any deer, elk, antelope or bighorn sheep that still remain in the enclosure after a reasonable effort to remove the wildlife is completed. The number and value of the wildlife remaining in the enclosure shall be determined pursuant to rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1048 by Rep. Ellis and Sen. Wilson. Would exempt legal residents of Oklahoma serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 100-0; bill failed in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
House Bill 1420 by Rep. Duncan. Would exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children of their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, who fish in private ponds located on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a fishing license. Would also exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma and who hunt on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a hunting license. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee. |
|
House Bill 1516 by Rep. DeWitt. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| House Bill 1564 by Rep. Brown. Would allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish an annual special use permit that would be required for persons to operate all terrain vehicles off-road in wildlife management areas. The Commission may establish a three-day special use permit that would allow persons to use all terrain vehicles off road in wildlife management areas for up to three consecutive days. The fees from these resident and nonresident permits shall be expended exclusively for managing, preserving and protecting wildlife in wildlife management areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Bill failed in the House subcommittee on Environment and Wildlife and does not go to the full House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1668 by Rep. Dorman and Sen. Rabon. Committee substitute would direct the Oklahoma Tax Commission to distribute a portion of state income taxes paid to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in the amount equal to the sum of license fees forgone by exemptions to those licenses authorized by the Legislature. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Title stricken and passed by the House 91-2. Bill went dormant the Senate Finance Committee. |
|
House Bill 1728 by Rep. McCarter and Sen. Barrington. Modifying the hunting license exemption for persons engaged in training dogs to specify a license is not required provided the persons training or working dogs does not take or attempt to take in any manner any game. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 101-0. Bill amended and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Committee amendment would prohibit field training of dogs during deer gun and deer muzzleloader seasons. Bill goes dormant in the Senate. |
|
House Bill 1970 by Reps. Armes and Dorman. Assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Provides that no person may hunt wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an airboat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| House Bill 2108 by Rep. Cargill and Sen. Ford. Creates the Oklahoma Forever Land Trust Advisory Council and specifies goals, objectives and operation of the Council. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed by the House 99-1. Bill went dormant in the Senate Appropriations Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 70 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Hyman. Creates the feral swine control act. Senate floor substitute would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and hunting of feral swine during deer firearms seasons, and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Passes the Senate 48-0. Not heard in the full House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Barrington. Would exempt volunteer fire fighters from having to purchase an annual hunting or fishing license. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Rabon and Rep. Dorman. House Committee substitute clarifies the authority of game wardens. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the Senate 42-0. Passed by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant the full House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 505 by Sen. Easley. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. Permit allow night hunting and would be valid for one year. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 700 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Steele. Committee substitute would require any landowner building a high fence on their property to perform a reasonable effort remove any deer, elk, antelope or big horn sheep before the area is enclosed. Passed by the Senate 47-0. Bill went dormant in the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 721 by Sen. Barrington and Rep. McCarter. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. The permit would allow night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit would be valid for one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. One floor amendment adopted and bill passed the Senate 45-0. Passed from the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant in the full house Natural Resources Committee. |
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approves numerous regulation changes (3/5/07)
****The new proposed regulations changes must now pass through the legislative process and be signed by the governor. Look for complete details in the next "2007-08 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" and the "2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guide." ****
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a host of hunting and fishing regulation changes at its regular meeting Monday, most notably a number of significant deer hunting regulation changes aimed at improving the health of Oklahoma's deer herd while providing additional hunting opportunities for antlerless deer.
Specific deer hunting regulation changes were:
- The statewide combined season limit on antlered deer was reduced from three to two bucks.
- Youth under the age of 18 will have the opportunity to harvest a buck during the Youth Gun Season.
- For most of the state (antlerless zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9), the number of days open to antlerless deer hunting was increased to include the entire muzzleloader season (Oct. 27 - Nov. 4) and the entire gun season (Nov. 17 - Dec. 2). Zone one, located in the Panhandle, will be open to antlerless deer hunting Nov. 17 and Dec. 2 (gun), while zone 10 in southeast Oklahoma will be open to antlerless deer hunting Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 2-4 (muzzleloader) and Nov. 17, 24 and Dec. 2 (gun).
- Special antlerless seasons for most of the state (antlerless zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) will be open Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30. The Panhandle and portions of southeast Oklahoma are excluded. For a map of specific antlerless hunting zones, consult the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide."
- In antlerless deer harvest zone two, which includes much of northwest and north central Oklahoma, the antlerless deer bag limit for muzzleloader and gun seasons was increased to two antlerless deer. For a map of zone two, consult the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide."
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say the changes should help in managing the state's deer herd while at the same time providing benefits to hunters.
"We are confident that the changes approved by the Commission will help create a more favorable buck-to-doe ratio, improve the health of the herd and give hunters more chances to harvest does, and hopefully nicer bucks," said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Wildlife Department.
Deer regulations were not the only hunting regulations to change. The Commission voted and approved the following hunting items as well:
- River otters were added to the list of species that can be taken during the state's furbearer season in 14 counties in eastern Oklahoma, including Adair, Atoka, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Pittsburg, Pushmataha and Sequoyah counties. A season limit of two river otters will apply.
River Otter Tagging Requirements
- No river otter pelt may be held in possession after 10 working days after the close of furbearer season by the taker or buyer, sold, purchased or bartered within Oklahoma, nor taken out of Oklahoma, without having first affixed a permanent tag to the pelt, and no one may possess any Oklahoma river otter pelt without a permanent tag affixed to the pelt. This tag shall serve as an export tag. The tag must be affixed by an authorized employee of the Department or designated private tagging agent.
- It is the responsibility of the possessor of the river otter pelt, not the Department, to ensure that the pelt is legally tagged. No untagged river otter harvested in another state may be possessed in Oklahoma. Tags are available from any game warden, wildlife biologist, state fish hatcheries, Department field offices and specifically designated private tagging stations.
- Mountain lions were added to the list of species that can be taken year-round when committing or about to commit depredation or when deemed a nuisance or health hazard.
- The Commission voted to clarify guidelines for taking care of injured, sick or young wildlife for licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
- Those participating in Oklahoma's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) will be permitted to harvest antlerless deer with modern firearms during the entire month of December.
- In addition, the Commission established a south zone for dove hunting that will be open during the regular season Sept. 1-Oct. 30, but also Dec. 26-Jan. 4. The daily limit in the south zone will be 12 doves. The south zone starts on U.S. 62 from the Texas border west of Hollis, east to Interstate 44, Interstate 44 south to OK 7, OK 7 east to U.S. 81 and U.S. 81 south to the Texas border at the Red River. The remainder of the state will be considered the north zone, and regulations for that area were not changed.
"Since this portion of Oklahoma holds such strong dove populations through much of the winter, this change gives hunters more days to go out and hunt during times of the year when game is plentiful," Peoples said. "It's great because the new added dates fall right in line with the Holidays, so people may get more chances to meet up with family and friends to hunt."
Other changes that were approved affect fisherman and several popular fishing spots.
- Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area (PFHA): A 20-inch minimum size limit and one-fish-per-day limit on rainbow trout as well as an artificial flies and lures, barbless hooks-only restriction was approved for a half-mile portion of the trout stream (from the USGS stream gauge station downstream to the gravel pit county road). There are, however, provisions to allow anglers fishing this area to use natural bait on barbed hooks as long as the hooks are size 3/0 or larger. The area is popular with anglers who fish for striped bass using live bait.
- Lower Mountain Fork River trout stream: A 20-inch minimum size limit and one-fish-per-day limit on rainbow trout as well as an artificial flies and lures, barbless hooks-only area was approved for the Evening Hole/Lost Creek areas. Additionally, the existing 20-inch minimum size limit and one-fish-per-day limit on rainbow trout as well as the artificial flies and lures, barbless hooks-only restriction on that portion of stream from Rough Branch Creek downstream to the reregulation dam was eliminated.
- Blue River PFHA: A catch-and-release only portion of the Blue River PFHA trout stream from the northern-most boundary of the Plaster Wildlife Management Unit/Landrum Wilderness Areas downstream approximately a half-mile was established and will be effective Nov. 1-Feb. 29 annually. During that period, artificial flies and lures, barbless hooks-only are permitted in this area. From March 1 through the end of trout season, this rule will not be in effect and the statewide trout limit will apply.
- Department-owned lakes and access areas: Hunting seasons on those areas open to hunting (Lake Hall, Jap Beaver, Burtschi, Nanih Waiya, Ozzie Cobb, Schooler, Evans Chambers, American Horse and Vanderwork) were extended to the period from Sept. 1 through spring turkey season each year.
- The minimum size limit on walleye at Lake Altus-Lugert was reduced to 14 inches.
- The minimum size limit on black bass at Lake Arcadia was reduced to 14 inches, and the daily limit on black bass at Lake Arcadia was increased to six.
- The limit on the number of shad a person can have in possession while on the water was eliminated, and the possession limit on the number of shad that can be legally transported via land-based transportation was increased from 150 to 200. Additionally, the sale, offer to sell and transportation of shad taken from Oklahoma waters out of state with the intent to sell were prohibited.
- The Arcadia Conservation Education Area was added to the rules governing public use on Department Fishing Areas, which allows walk-in access to Arcadia Lake from the property, prohibits unauthorized camping and restricts unsanctioned fishing in educational training ponds.
- Camping on the Lower Illinois River PFHA will be prohibited.
- "Low-point" beer was added to language that places restrictions on possession and consumption of intoxicating beverages, except in camping and parking areas, on all Department areas. Also, an existing rule prohibiting controlled and dangerous substance possession on Department Fishing Areas was clarified.
- The definition of a legal bowfishing arrow was changed to an arrow with one point having no more than four barbs.
- Gaff hooks will be allowed for landing paddlefish taken while bowfishing.
- Fishing and angler camping will be permitted at Lake Dahlgren on the Lexington Wildlife Management Area.
Finally, the Commission re-affirmed the Department's control of fish stocking in all waters of the state.
Wildlife Department Fisheries Chief Kim Erickson said the slate of fishing regulation changes should improve fisheries management and angling opportunities across the state.
"Oklahoma's fish and the anglers who enjoy them were the top priority in making these changes," Erickson said. "People should definitely take advantage of the fisheries near them and the increased fishing opportunities created by these decisions."
The Commission approved several other items Monday relating to mussel harvest regulations and other wildlife. Pertaining to mussel harvests, the Commission made permanent several current rules that will:
- Require mussel harvesters to notify local game wardens of commercial mussel harvest operations.
- Modify some reporting procedures, including a requirement to list mussels purchased by species.
- Define how mussel dealers calculate their dollar value of purchased shells.
Other items include the following:
- An approval to allow the use of .17 HMR rimfire firearms on areas owned or managed by the Wildlife Department.
- The establishment of hunting seasons on the new Arcadia Conservation Education Area, Drummond Flats, Lower Illinois River PFHA and Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge and WMA.
- The increase of hunting opportunities on several wildlife management areas.
- The clarification that controlled hunt applications are only available on the Department's Web site and must be submitted online.
- A change to allow youth under 16 years old to participate in the Department's Controlled Youth Hunt if they have successfully completed the Hunter Education requirements. Previously, only youth ages 12-14 on the date of the hunt could participate.
The new regulations must now pass through the legislative process and be signed by the governor. Look for complete details in the next Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Guides.
-30-
|
Congress Considers Wildlife in Climate Change Bill
March 5, 2007 |
Washington, DC (March 5, 2007) "Today, Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) and Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) began circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to members of Congress, asking that wildlife be included as an important part of all global warming legislation passed by Congress. Two weeks ago, Senator Joseph Lieberman held a hearing on the impacts of climate change on wildlife. Among the many issues tied to climate change, it is clear that some of our nation™s leaders believe conserving wildlife is of great importance.
Senator Lieberman is chairman of the Subcommittee on Private Sector & Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection, and he included provisions in the "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007" (S.280) to allocate a portion of the funds from auctioned emissions allowances to fish and wildlife adaptation activities through the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP). In addition, Representatives Gilchrest and John Olver (D-MA) also included a similar provision in their legislation, "Climate Stewardship Act of 2007 (HR.620) as has Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) in her bill, "Electric Utility Cap and Trade Act" (S.317).
State fish and wildlife agencies are concerned that pervasive impacts from climate change will have landscape-level effects on fish and wildlife well into the future. In a recent letter to Lieberman, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies wrote, "Alteration of habitat, disruption to migratory patterns, changes in predator-prey interactions, and the spread of invasive species and wildlife diseases represent a few of the ways in which an altered climate will disrupt fish and wildlife populations."
"The pressures of climate change only increase the need for pro-active conservation and management of fish and wildlife and their habitat in order to ensure their continued survival," said Ed Parker, president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Bureau Chief for Natural Resources, Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection. "When fish and wildlife are pushed to the brink, other conflicts over scarce resources are frequently exacerbated. Dedicating a portion of adaptation assistance for practical, preventive actions to conserve fish and wildlife resources can help improve larger conflicts."
Established by Congress in 2000, the WCRP operates as a sub-account of the highly successful Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The program provides funding to every state and territory to support on-the-ground programs and projects aimed at keeping wildlife from becoming endangered. Since it is based in the well-established structure of the existing state-federal partnership in wildlife conservation, the WCRP provides the most effective way to put resources on the ground and begin immediately addressing critical wildlife and habitat conservation needs.
As a requirement of the WCRP and the related State Wildlife Grants program, every state and territory recently completed a wildlife action plan (known technically as a "comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy"). Completed in 2006, each state wildlife action plan contain information on low and declining populations of wildlife, their habitats, threats, and the conservation actions that must be taken to prevent them from becoming endangered. Individually, the action plans establish a set of conservation actions for each state, but together they represent a blueprint for conservation on regional and national scale. These plans provide a clear roadmap for putting funding on the ground to address conservation needs as fish and wildlife react to the challenge of climate change.
To learn more about an individual state plan, visit http://www.wildlifeactionplans.org.
To learn more about climate and wildlife, visit http://www.teaming.com/global_climate_change.htm.
|
Senate Bill 70 by Sen. Ballenger creates the feral swine control act. Senate floor substitute would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and hunting of feral swine during deer firearms seasons, and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Passes the Senate 48-0. Bill now assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
| Senate Bill 95 By Sen. Corn. Would prohibit hunting on private lands without landowner permission, whether they are posted or not. Bill also provides for revocation of a person's hunting or fishing license for up to a year of they violate these provisions. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed the Senate 40-7. Bill now assigned to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Justice. Committee Senate substitute allows landowners to kill any animals of the family canidae or felidae found chasing livestock on their property. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the Senate 39-0. Bill referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Rabon. Shell bill relating to game wardens. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the Senate 42-0. Bill now assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 558 by Sen. Sparks. Creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age. Allows the Wildlife Department to waive bond requirements for dealers who are selling licenses via the Internet point of sale system. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed from Senate 42-0. Bill now assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 700 by Sen. Ballenger. Committee substitute would require any landowner building a high fence on their property to perform a reasonable effort remove any deer, elk, antelope or big horn sheep before the area is enclosed. Passed by the Senate 47-0. Bill now assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 721 by Sen. Barrington. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. The permit would allow night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit would be valid for one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. One floor amendment adopted and bill passed the Senate 45-0. Bill now assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee. |
|
House Bill 1042 by Rep. Smithson. Would modify hunter education requirements to specify that hunters 35 years of age and younger would have to either have successfully passed a hunter education course or they could if they purchased an apprentice hunting license and were accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years of age or older. The measure defines different accompanying parameters for small game and big game hunting. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bill now awaits action by the full House. |
|
House Bill 1048 by Rep. Ellis. Would exempt legal residents of Oklahoma serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 100-0; bill now goes to the Senate for action. |
|
House Bill 1393 by Rep. Richardson. Would clarify residency requirements and proof of residency for the purposes of purchasing hunting or fishing licenses. Bill would also eliminate the sunset provisions for the Wildlife Diversity Fund. Would allow the Department to issue a duplicate of any annual license for $1.50, and would allow persons arrested for violations of fish and wildlife laws to, in lieu of posting bond, pay an administrative fine equal to one-half of the current bond schedule, as prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts. All fines collected would be payable to the Department of Wildlife to be exclusively used for developing, managing, conserving and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bill now awaits action by the full House. |
|
House Bill 1668 by Rep. Dorman. Committee substitute would direct the Oklahoma Tax Commission to distribute a portion of state income taxes paid to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in the amount equal to the sum of license fees forgone by exemptions to those licenses authorized by the Legislature. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Title stricken and passed by the House 91-2. Bill now goes to the Senate for action. |
|
House Bill 1728 by Rep. McCarter. Modifying the hunting license exemption for persons engaged in training dogs to specify a license is not required provided the persons training or working dogs does not take or attempt to take in any manner any game. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bill now awaits action by the full House. |
|
House Bill 1914 by Rep. Richardson. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the House 97-0. Bill now goes to the Senate. |
|
House Bill 1915 by Rep. Richardson. Committee substitute prohibits trespass on lands devoted to farming, ranching or forestry regardless of whether or not it is conspicuously posted, including school lands. Also would increase the fine for trespassing to not less than $50 and not more than $500. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed by the House 96-0. Bill now goes to the Senate. |
|
House Bill 2064 by Rep. Hyman. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. The permit would allow night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit would be valid for one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the House 97-0. Bill now goes to the Senate. |
|
House Bill 2108 by Rep. Cargill. Creates the Oklahoma Forever Land Trust Advisory Council and specifies goals, objectives and operation of the Council. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Committee substitute passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bill now awaits action by the full House. |
| |
| |
Dormant bills for the 2007 Legislative Session
|
House Bill 1043 by Smithson. Would require commercial hunting areas to compensate the Department of Wildlife for any deer, elk, antelope or bighorn sheep that still remain in the enclosure after a reasonable effort to remove the wildlife is completed. The number and value of the wildlife remaining in the enclosure shall be determined pursuant to rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1420 by Rep. Duncan. Would exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children of their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, who fish in private ponds located on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a fishing license. Would also exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma and who hunt on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a hunting license. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee. |
|
House Bill 1516 by Rep. DeWitt. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| House Bill 1564 by Rep. Brown. Would allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish an annual special use permit that would be required for persons to operate all terrain vehicles off-road in wildlife management areas. The Commission may establish a three-day special use permit that would allow persons to use all terrain vehicles off road in wildlife management areas for up to three consecutive days. The fees from these resident and nonresident permits shall be expended exclusively for managing, preserving and protecting wildlife in wildlife management areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Bill failed in the House subcommittee on Environment and Wildlife and does not go to the full House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
House Bill 1970 by Reps. Armes and Dorman. Assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Provides that no person may hunt wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an airboat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
|
Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Barrington. Would exempt volunteer fire fighters from having to purchase an annual hunting or fishing license. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
|
Senate Bill 505 by Sen. Easley. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. Permit allow night hunting and would be valid for one year. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. |
| |
Legislative Session 2006
updated November 3, 2006 07:41 AM
New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor
|
House Bill 2077 by Reps. Jerry Ellis, Neil Brannon, Wes Hilliard, Terry Hyman, Mark Liotta, Ray Miller, Paul Roan, Jerry Shoemake, Bud Smithson, Purcy Walker and Paul Wesselhoft and Sen. Frank Shurden. Would exempt legal Oklahoma residents serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Passed by the House 98-0. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Passed by the Senate 46-0; House refuses to concur with Senate amendments. Bill now goes to a conference committee. Senate conferees named: Shurden, Wilson, Rabon, Corn, Nichols, Riley. The House rejected the first conference committee report; bill now goes back to conference. The second conference committee report has been submitted. Fencing requirements that were outlined in the first conference committee report have been amended to 40 acres as opposed to two acres. I have a complete copy of the bill for those who want it. Bill went dormant. |
| House Bill 2401 by Ray McCarter. Shell bill relating to annual combination hunting and fishing licenses. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed to be acted on in the House Rules Committee. |
| House Bill 2406 by Rep. Dale Turner. Committee substitute creates the "Farmed Cervidae Act." The Act authorizes the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules governing farmed cervidaes. The bill does not change rules governing cervidaes in commercial hunting areas, which would remain regulated by the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House. |
| House Bill 2563 by Reps. Mike Jackson and Purcy Walker and Sen. Jim Wilson. Would change hunter education requirements to allow persons between 16 and 35 years of age to hunt without hunter education certification if accompanied by a licensed, hunter education certified persons who is at least 21. Bill provides for the definition of accompany. It also changes hunter education requirements such that youth under 16 must be accompanied while hunting unless they are hunter education certified. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 89-3. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill amended, title restored and voted down (33 to 12) by the full Senate. |
| House Bill 2710 by Rep. Mike Jackson. Shell bill that creates the Rights of Landowners Act of 2006. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed in the House Corrections Committee. |
| House Bill 2929 by Reps. Richardson, Hyman, Brown, Covey, Denney, DeWitt, McCarter, McMullen, Morgan (Fred), Roan, Shoemake, Turner and Walker, and Senators Frank Shurden and Ron Justice. House floor substitute would establish the Feral Swine Control Act. Provides that no person shall be required to obtain a hunting license to remove feral swine during daylight hours on property owned or leased by that person. Provides that a person shall obtain a permit from the Department of Wildlife to remove feral swine at night. Any person removing feral swine from public property during an established hunting season shall do so according to rules prescribed by the Wildlife Department with weapons and methods authorized for that season. The bill also specifies parameters for importing feral swine into Oklahoma. It also provides for and specifies that the Department of Agriculture shall promulgate rules for the testing and intrastate movement of feral swine. Title stricken and passed by the House 100-0. Committee substitute passed by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee retains much of the same language except that it specifies during designated muzzleloader and firearms deer seasons hunters must possess deer hunting licenses and permits as required by the Wildlife Department. It specifies, however, that landowner may obtain a free permit from their local game warden that shall allow the owner and one person of lineal or collateral descent to kill feral swine on their property during these seasons without any licenses or permits. Passed by the Senate 46-0. House refuses to concur with Senate amendments; bill now goes to a conference committee. House adopted conference committee report 96-0; The Senate has rejected the first conference committee report; bill went dormant in conference committee. |
| House Bill 2948 by Joe Dorman. Authorizes the Director of the Wildlife Department is authorized to issue rattlesnake hunting permit forms to a municipal entity or organizer of a rattlesnake-hunting event or festival which shall issue the rattlesnake permit and collect and remit the permit fees to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Not heard in the House Wildlife Committee. Referred to the House Rules Committee. |
| House Bill 2943 by Joe Dorman. Committee substitute provides for a tax credit of 100 percent of the cost of certain hunting and fishing licenses for many of the individuals who are normally exempt from hunting and fishing license requirements while keeping license exemptions for select individuals. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2007. Passed by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House. |
| House Bill 2952 by Rep. Joe Dorman. Shell bill relating to exotic wildlife. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed to be acted on in the House Rules Committee. |
| House Bill 3006 by Rep. Fred Morgan. Would remove authority from the Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop and implement a plan to provide step raises for Commission Employees so that discrepancies within pay levels within a pay grade will be eliminated; further provide that the Director of the Wildlife Department shall determine the salaries and wages to be paid to employees under the Commission subject to the rules promulgated by the Commission and the subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Bill would also provide for suspension, discharge, station or transfer of employees subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Specifies that effective July 1, 2006, the Department of Wildlife Conservation shall be a Merit System agency and all employees shall be classified employees subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Failed to be acted on in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. |
| House Bill 3018 by Rep. Don Armes. Provides that no person may harass, attempt to capture, capture, attempt to take or take, kill or attempt to kill any wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an air boat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Failed to be acted on in the House Wildlife Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1019 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Paul Roan. Adding those portions of the Blue River and tributaries located in Johnston County from the Pontotoc/Johnston County line ending where Blue River passes under State Hwy. 48A to the list of scenic river areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the Senate 42-0. Bill failed in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1045 by Senators Shurden, Crutchfield and Rabon and Rep. Bud Smithson. Senate floor substitute provides that prior to enclosure of any tract of more than two acres with a fence capable of confining deer or other wildlife, a drive must be made throughout the area to ensure that any wild whitetail or mule deer, elk, antelope or other big game are not present on the area. Such drive must be made in the presence of designated Wildlife Department employees and shall be to the satisfaction of such employees. Provides a penalty of up to $1,000 per acre for every acre in violation of the law. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the Senate 30-16. Committee substitute with similar language passed by the House Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House. |
| Senate Bill 1300 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Turner. Specifies that any person using a Wildlife Management Area must possess a hunting or fishing license, whether or not they are hunting or fishing. Provides exemptions for those under 18 years of age; students and instructors in bona fide educational tours and persons entering, but not fishing or hunting on the following Department fishing areas: Etling, Raymond Gary, Watonga and Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill fails in the Senate by a vote of 11-30. |
| Senate Bill 1506 by Sen. Jim Wilson. Shell bill relating to in lieu of tax payments by the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Assigned to the Senate Rules Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1783 by Sen. Jeff Rabon and Rep. Mike Jackson. Senate committee amendment would provide any Wildlife Department employee aggrieved by disciplinary action resulting from a complaint from the public with the opportunity to file an appeal with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission within 60 days of the alleged disciplinary action. Title struck and passed by the Senate 36-9. Bill failed in the House Wildlife Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1833 by Sen. Mike Johnson. Would require written permission to hunt or fish on private land. Bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2006. Introduced but not yet assigned to a committee. Assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee. |
| Senate Joint Resolution 44 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Turner. Refers to a vote of the people a proposed constitutional amendment to add one at-large member to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant while awaiting action by the full Senate. |
2006 Legislative Session Dormant Bills
Information Source
|
