Fall hunting season is underway in Oklahoma and hunters of all ages are headed outdoors, some for the first time. Whether hunting on personal property, leased land or using public hunting land through OLAP, safety is the most important tool one can possess.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, hunting related accidents and fatalities havedeclinedbyoverseventy percent in Oklahoma over the past forty years thanks to mandatory hunter education classes. Oklahoma initiated a gun safety program in 1955 and mandatory hunter education to follow in 1987. Hunting not only benefits the hunter but it also benefits wildlife.
Most importantly, a hunter needs to be prepared for their hunt to ensure personal safety, the safety of others and to help manage the wildlife population. Without appropriate management wildlife, populations would be in would be in great danger. To properly prepare for the hunt the hunter will need to learn the area they are hunting, make sure the equipment is in good condition, practice and know the laws.
Hunters are expected to not only be prepared for their hunt but to be responsible while hunting, as well. Hunting in season game is one way of being a responsible hunter. Uncontrolled commercial hunting caused a need for season dates and bag limits in Oklahoma. Hunting seasons are vital for the wildlife population and being prepared will increase safety while hunting.
Park Rangers and Game Wardens also monitor the state to make sure those hunting have licenses and are following the laws. It is very important to know the laws in the hunting area and know the laws about the game being hunted. Hunting without a license is a punishable offense.
Oklahoma residents who hunt only on land owned or leased by them (not hunting leases) are exempt from a hunting license. Residents of Oklahoma can purchase an annual license, a five-year license or a lifetime license. Hunter education is a mandatory course to receive a license for people 30 years and younger. If a prospective hunter does not take a hunter education course either online or at an in-person class, they will receive an apprentice license and must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 18 years or older and abide by the accompanying hunter’srequirements.Without Rangers and Wardens over seeing illegal hunting and fishing practices, parks, wildlife and landowners would suffer tremendous repercussions as a result.
Safe hunting guidelines have led the way for more opportunities for hunters around the state. One way was increasing hunting and fishing for residents. In 2017, Oklahoma adopted the Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP) with federal grant money. It gives the public access to land for hunting and fishing opportunities in exchange for incentive payments to private landowners. Oklahomahasroughly1.3 million acres of land set aside for recreation and hunting. OLAP maps, directories and other information can be viewed online at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website. The Hunter Education safety course can also be found online for free at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website.