06-15-2007, 07:10 PM
The Oklahoma Legislature addressed several wildlife-related issues this year, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is now working to let sportsmen know about the changes.
"The governor signed several bills passed by the Legislature that are going to benefit wildlife and sportsmen," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration and finance for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The new bills also will benefit those who would like to learn about the outdoors."<br />
One bill passed will encourage hunting among Oklahoma's youth and adults alike.<br />
House Bill 1042, effective immediately, modifies hunter education requirements to provide more opportunities for those interested in becoming involved with the sport, according to officials with the Wildlife Department.<br />
The changes permit people 16 and older who have not completed the hunter education course to purchase regular hunting licenses with an "apprentice" designation. The apprentice-designated hunting license allows them to go hunting when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education. A person 21 years of age or older who is exempt from hunting license requirements or exempt from the hunter education requirements also is permitted to accompany apprentice-designated license holders.<br />
"This opens the door for a lot of people who want to try the sport of hunting," Sturgess-Streich said. "They can purchase a hunting license and go hunting as an apprentice with a friend or family member."<br />
When hunting big game, an accompanying hunter must remain within arm's length of the apprentice hunter or close enough to be able to immediately take control of the firearm or archery equipment of the apprentice. When hunting small game, the accompanying hunter must remain in sight of the apprentice hunter and be able to communicate with the apprentice hunter in a normal voice without the aid of any communication device.<br />
Youth under 16 years of age who hunt big game (deer, antelope or elk) are required to have hunter education. When hunting small game, hunters under 16 must carry their hunter education certification or be accompanied by an adult who meets the requirements needed to accompany an apprentice hunter. Those under 16 who have not completed a hunter education course can purchase a turkey license, but it will be designated as an apprentice license and the hunter must be accompanied according to apprentice guidelines.<br />
Hunters 36 years of age and older are exempt from hunter education requirements in Oklahoma. Others exempt include those honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or members of the National Guard.<br />
"It's a good thing that first time hunters are encouraged to go with a parent, older sibling or friend," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "The supervision by a qualified hunter will make them an even safer and better hunter. The changes also encourage the mentor aspect of hunting."<br />
Though the new requirements allow people to learn to hunt before completing a hunter education course, Meek said enrolling in one of hundreds of courses statewide is still simple and ideal for learning about hunting in Oklahoma.<br />
Thousands of students enroll in hunter education courses each year. The course covers hunter responsibility, firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation and management, water safety, survival, archery, muzzloading and more. Hunter education is offered as an eight-hour classroom course or through home study courses. To find the nearest course offerings or to enroll in hunter education, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.<br />
Hunting licenses can be purchased at more than 800 outlets across the state, including Wal-Marts, sporting goods stores, tackle shops or online at wildlifedepartment.com. For more information about hunting licenses and hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.<br />
Another law passed recently by the Legislature will encourage hunting as well. Senate Bill 558 creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age.<br />
To view the Department's Legislative Tracker, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. On the homepage, look for the link that says "Legislative Tracker."
"The governor signed several bills passed by the Legislature that are going to benefit wildlife and sportsmen," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration and finance for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The new bills also will benefit those who would like to learn about the outdoors."<br />
One bill passed will encourage hunting among Oklahoma's youth and adults alike.<br />
House Bill 1042, effective immediately, modifies hunter education requirements to provide more opportunities for those interested in becoming involved with the sport, according to officials with the Wildlife Department.<br />
The changes permit people 16 and older who have not completed the hunter education course to purchase regular hunting licenses with an "apprentice" designation. The apprentice-designated hunting license allows them to go hunting when accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years or older who possesses a certificate of hunter education. A person 21 years of age or older who is exempt from hunting license requirements or exempt from the hunter education requirements also is permitted to accompany apprentice-designated license holders.<br />
"This opens the door for a lot of people who want to try the sport of hunting," Sturgess-Streich said. "They can purchase a hunting license and go hunting as an apprentice with a friend or family member."<br />
When hunting big game, an accompanying hunter must remain within arm's length of the apprentice hunter or close enough to be able to immediately take control of the firearm or archery equipment of the apprentice. When hunting small game, the accompanying hunter must remain in sight of the apprentice hunter and be able to communicate with the apprentice hunter in a normal voice without the aid of any communication device.<br />
Youth under 16 years of age who hunt big game (deer, antelope or elk) are required to have hunter education. When hunting small game, hunters under 16 must carry their hunter education certification or be accompanied by an adult who meets the requirements needed to accompany an apprentice hunter. Those under 16 who have not completed a hunter education course can purchase a turkey license, but it will be designated as an apprentice license and the hunter must be accompanied according to apprentice guidelines.<br />
Hunters 36 years of age and older are exempt from hunter education requirements in Oklahoma. Others exempt include those honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or members of the National Guard.<br />
"It's a good thing that first time hunters are encouraged to go with a parent, older sibling or friend," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "The supervision by a qualified hunter will make them an even safer and better hunter. The changes also encourage the mentor aspect of hunting."<br />
Though the new requirements allow people to learn to hunt before completing a hunter education course, Meek said enrolling in one of hundreds of courses statewide is still simple and ideal for learning about hunting in Oklahoma.<br />
Thousands of students enroll in hunter education courses each year. The course covers hunter responsibility, firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation and management, water safety, survival, archery, muzzloading and more. Hunter education is offered as an eight-hour classroom course or through home study courses. To find the nearest course offerings or to enroll in hunter education, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.<br />
Hunting licenses can be purchased at more than 800 outlets across the state, including Wal-Marts, sporting goods stores, tackle shops or online at wildlifedepartment.com. For more information about hunting licenses and hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.<br />
Another law passed recently by the Legislature will encourage hunting as well. Senate Bill 558 creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age.<br />
To view the Department's Legislative Tracker, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. On the homepage, look for the link that says "Legislative Tracker."