Hunting & fishing licensing set to streamline starting July upon Gov. Stitt's signature

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahoma Senate Bill 941 authored by David Bullard (R-OK), seeking to simplify Oklahoma's hunting and fishing licenses and fees pass overwhelmingly 88-3 set to take effect July 1.

Senate Bill 941 gives Oklahomans 14 licenses to choose from.

Oklahoma lawmakers addressed a much-needed update to Oklahoma's hunting and fishing license structure that, along with some associated fee increases, will simplify opportunities for hunters while ensuring the ability to support the pricing structure for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife's department's functions.

According to ODWC, the agency receives no general tax revenues. For more information check out the Department's 2023 Annual Report. The Department has an annual budget of about $78 million. The agency receives no general tax revenues. The bulk of Department income is generated from the sale of annual hunting and fishing licenses.

Here are some of the changes Senate Bill 941 will provide:

1. Cut off age is now 18 and no longer 16 for fishing or hunting license
2. Five-year combination hunting and fishing license reduced to three years costing $120
3. New guidelines on the number of licenses one can have
4. Licenses are good one year from the time of purchase
5. A report by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife will be released every five years following inflation rates to increase or reduce fees

The bill now heads to the Governor's desk for signature on the proposed new rules.