Image: regs_increase

Nonresident hunters must now obtain written permission before hunting at any Oklahoma refuge or WMA. (Photo by Jim Cummings)

According to oklahomavoice.com, Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced two bills designed to tighten the state’s hunting regulations on public lands through implementing new requirements for nonresident hunters and guides.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 448 into law after it passed off the House floor with a nearly unanimous vote. SB 448, authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, requires nonresidents to schedule and obtain written permission before hunting at any refuge or Wildlife Management Area (WMA) operated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

If necessary, a lottery system would be used to distribute permits, which would cost $100, to nonresidents to hunt. The lottery would be used to help ease overcrowding on public lands.

Micah Holmes, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), said the agency supports the bill because it addresses the issue of overcrowding.

Holmes said this is a “good problem to have” as it reflects the “excellent” land management done by the department.

Senate Bill 208, authored by Rep. Ty Burnes, R-Pawnee, is headed to the House floor. It would require the wildlife department to create a licensing and registration system for anyone providing “guiding services” on public lands.

The bill excludes “commercial hunting facilities” and landowners that offer those services on private or leased property.

The measure allows the department to create rules for carrying out the legislation, even though it doesn’t outline any fees or guidelines for implementation.

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, voted against it, saying he’s concerned that the bill’s language provided no enforcement authority to require these licenses and registration.

If this measure is approved on the House floor and not amended on the full chamber, it will head to Stitt’s desk.