During its regular meeting on Dec. 8 in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the entire slate of proposed regulation changes as recommended by ODWC Chief of Fisheries Ken Cunningham and Chief of Wildlife Bill Dinkines.
Read more: Wildlife commission approve rule changes| Along with several new rules, some of the changes are simple housekeeping matters or already in effect as emergency rules. The approved rule changes include: Removing the 14” minimum length limit on spotted bass at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area to better align with statewide rivers and streams black bass regulations. Adjusting the 18” minimum limit on walleye, sauger, and saugeye to the statewide minimum size limit of 14” for Shell Lake and Bluestem Lake. Updating the list of restricted exotic aquatic species to match the Federal Injurious Wildlife list. Establishing rules on when and how a UAV (drone) can lawfully be used in scouting for and recovering downed wildlife. Allowing daily waterfowl blinds only (no season-long blinds) on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Bureau of Reclamation areas (already in effect as an emergency rule). Establishing hunting seasons and dates, camping, and other regulations for the new Herron Family Wildlife Management Area (already in effect as an emergency rule). Requiring nonresidents to indicate their intention to access any wildlife management area for any activities by checking-in to an online system (already in effect as an emergency rule). Commissioners considered all public comments on the rule change proposals before voting. The changes will become effective later this year upon legislative and gubernatorial action, and they will be reflected in the annual 2026-27 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations to be published around August. During the meeting, the Commission also accepted donations from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Pheasant Forever/Quail Forever and Ducks Unlimited for several projects. The commission also appointed Ryan Leonard of Leonard, Long & Cassil as its General Counsel. The Commission also appointed Philip Whaley of Ryan Whaley Attorneys to serve as litigation counsel for the case Cherokee Nation v. Free. In other business, Commissioners: Recognized the graduates of the ODWC Leadership Development Program, an internal, two-year training program. Graduates include Mark Howery, Jennifer Benge, Curtis Tackett, Jerrod Davis, Austin Griffin, Betsey York, Mary Streber, Tell Judkins, Jon West, Drew Stegall, David Bogner, JD Stauffer, Cody Youngblood, Mike Baker, Austin Jackson, Trey Hale, Eric Barnes, Michael Zimmerman, Colby Gainer, Jason Rockwell, Tammy St. Yves, Marcus Thibodeau. Received the FY2025 Actuarial Report for the Wildlife Defined Benefit Plan. Reviewed the Department’s Financial Reports for September and October. Voted to approve purchase of property in Creek County. Approved job descriptions and qualifications of all Department employees. |
