Two fish and wildlife funding bills were approved Feb. 18 by the Oklahoma House of Representative’s Wildlife Committee, the first step in the legislative process. The bills now await action by the full House.

            House Bill 1663, by Representatives Dale Smith and Joe Hutchison, would generate additional funds for wildlife conservation and fisheries management by increasing the cost of most annual hunting and fishing licenses, with the notable exception of youth licenses, which would actually decrease. An annual fishing license, for example, would rise from $12.50 to $20, while a combination hunting and fishing license would increase from $21 to $37.

            Under provisions of HB 1663, the price for youth licenses would decrease. In some cases, the youth license costs would be half of what the proposed adult license prices would be if the bill passed. For example, a youth combination hunting and fishing license would be $18.50, while adults would pay $37 for the same license. Youths 16 and older are currently required to purchase a regular annual hunting license, but the bill provides that youths ages 14 to 18 are entitled to purchase youth licenses.

            “The last hunting and fishing license fee increase was in 1994, which we projected at the time would provide sufficient revenue to meet the costs of providing services for only three or four years,” said Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “The Department does not receive any general state tax appropriations, so in response to inflation we have been forced to cut our budget more than six percent in the last five years. We’re still losing ground and additional services will be impacted unless we increase revenues.”

            Hatcher added that annual license fees in Kansas, New Mexico and Texas are significantly higher than what Oklahoma currently charges, with an annual hunting license costing $19.75 in Kansas, $28 in New Mexico and $19 in Texas. License fees in Arkansas and Missouri are similar to Oklahoma’s current fees, but both of those states share portions of a 1/8 cent statewide sales tax that is dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation.

            In the second funding measure, House Bill 1419 by Rep. Joe Hutchison, fees for lifetime hunting and fishing licenses would increase. The lifetime hunting license would increase from $400 to $600 while the lifetime fishing license would rise from $150 to $200. Lifetime combination licenses would increase from $525 to $750.

            Hunters and anglers interested in tracking these and other new fish and wildlife laws currently being considered by the Oklahoma Legislature should be sure to bookmark the Wildlife Department's Web site (wildlifedepartment.com). Sportsmen can track a bill from the time it is introduced until the time it hits the Governor’s desk.

The status of individual measures is updated daily as changes occur. In addition, links are provided to the Legislature and to previous legislative sessions. To find the legislative tracker, go under "Weekly Wildlife News" on the Department's index, or first page. From there, click on "Legislative Tracker." The exact URL is www.wildlifedepartment.com/legislation.htm.

A number of other wildlife-related bills also are awaiting action, including:

            House Bill 1138, which transfers the Division of Parks of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

            House Bill 1492, which would expand the type of wildlife covered and functions of the wildlife habitat development program.

            House Bill 1493, which would change the expiration date for commercial wildlife breeder’s and commercial hunting area licenses.

            House Bill 1565, a measure that authorizes the sale of squirrel hides.

            House Bill 1566, which modifies restrictions on confinement of bears and cats and increases the fee for a commercial wildlife breeder’s license.

            Senate Bill 360, which modifies provisions relating to commercial wildlife breeders’ possession of bears and cats.

            Senate Bill 362, which prohibits taxidermists from selling certain wildlife products.

            Senate Bill 449, which removes prohibitions against the Wildlife Department issuing big game licenses to nonresidents.

            Senate Joint Resolution 9, which would call for a vote of the people to provide constitutional protection for hunters and fishermen.

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