New rules in effect for nonresidents using public lands in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City — New this year, nonresidents in Oklahoma accessing certain public hunting and fishing areas for any reason must check in and out of the area, and most nonresidents hunting game birds on a state wildlife management area must possess a game bird permit. The game bird permit costs $100.

Nonresidents who hold an Oklahoma resident lifetime hunting license or lifetime fishing and hunting license are not required to buy a game bird permit, but must still check in if using a WMA.

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The new check-in rules are in effect to help the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation better understand how public hunting and fishing areas are used. More information, including a list of required areas, is available at wildlifedepartment.com/check-in. The new check-in rules do not apply to Oklahoma residents.

— Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation