New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Commissioners approved emergency rules adding requirements for nonresident game bird hunters, banning the use of season-long duck blinds on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property and establishing rules for a new wildlife management area (WMA). Bill Dinkines, wildlife chief for Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said the rules include a new requirement for nonresident hunters to buy an additional $100 permit to hunt game birds on WMAs. Additionally, anyone accessing a WMA will need to check-in using an online system starting this fall.
While the use of season-long duck blinds on areas owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will now be prohibited, daily blinds are still allowed. Further emergency rules approved by the Commission will allow private aquaculture facilities to collect, reproduce and sell fish in recirculated aquaculture systems.
During the meeting, rules for the new Herron Family WMA in McCurtain County were approved. The 17,576-acre property will be open this fall to only Oklahoma residents at the request of the family who owns the land, Dinkines said. For a complete list of rules, see the forthcoming Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations.
Three resolutions were passed during the meeting setting bag limits and season dates for waterfowl seasons and antlerless deer zones, as well as adding Echota and Stunkard Public Fishing Areas to the list of areas that require a conservation passport, hunting license or fishing license. Hunters are now allowed to transport harvested deer, elk or other cervidae into the state?if they are going to a taxidermist in good standing with the Secretary of State.
The Commission also approved the ODWC’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes funding for renovations at the J.A. Manning Fish Hatchery, improvements to public fishing, boating or close-to-home fishing facilities, and improvements to shooting ranges on WMAs. During the meeting, the Commission accepted a $16,800 donation from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation (OWCF) for the Commissioner tag auction items at the Foundation’s 2025 Call of the Wild Gala to support the Hunters Against Hunger Program. Additionally, the North Fork Chapter of Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever in Oklahoma donated a $11,500 grain drill for planting food plots on WMAs and matching funds will be used for prescribed burn equipment.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the wildlife department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The next regular Wildlife Commission meeting is set for July 7 at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.
