Oklahoma Hunting Guidelines and Tips

Hunting in Oklahoma- Legally and Successfully!

Hunting in Oklahoma is often a family affair, taking up much of the fall, winter, and spring months. Originally a necessary survival tool, hunting is now seen primarily as a sport. As with all sports, hunting carries its own rules and regulations participants must abide under penalty of law.

To hunt in Oklahoma you must first obtain a Hunting License through the local Oklahoma Wildlife Department. There are several types of Oklahoma hunting licenses available, ranging from small, 3-day passes to lifetime permits. An Oklahoma residential yearly Hunting License is $20. However, this licenses only covers small game. Big game hunters (such as deer) will need additional licenses and/or permits.

In Deer hunting, for example, there are separate permits needed for primitive firearms, archery, etc. types of hunting. These permits break up even further by antlered and anterless deer. Each permit only allows one deer per hunter. These permits run about $20.

Other types of permits needed in conjunction with a hunting license are for turkey, sandhill crane, and rattlesnake, among others. These are all under $20.

In addition, the Oklahoma Wildlife Department also requires all hunters to obtain a Fishing & Hunting Legacy Permit for $5.00 every year.

As you can see, obtaining an Oklahoma hunting license can be quite expensive. Many residents often choose to buy a Lifetime Hunting License. The current price for a Lifetime Hunting License is $625.00 (or $225.00 for those over 60). Combination hunting/fishing licenses are also available. Although some additional permits would be needed every year, a lifetime hunting license can be an eventual cost-saver to Oklahoma hunters. It also includes a Lifetime Fishing & Hunting Legacy Permit.

Oklahoma also requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1971, to complete a hunter education course in order to obtain an Oklahoma Hunting License. A typical hunter education course covers firearms safety, wildlife identification, conservation and management, water safety, survival, archery, muzzle loading and hunter responsibility.