Okla. Stat. tit. 29, § 29-5-401

A. The Wildlife Conservation Commission is authorized to

declare an open season on wildlife in any counties or parts of

counties of this state where, in the judgment of the Commission,

such wildlife exists in sufficient quantity to warrant such open

season, and such open season shall be declared by Commission

resolution not less than ten (10) days before the season is opened.

B. The Commission may designate any two (2) consecutive days

after the open season declared for hunting deer to be senior

citizen’s hunting days. During those two (2) days only legal

residents of Oklahoma who are sixty-four (64) years of age or older

may hunt deer provided the person has a valid license as otherwise

provided by law.

C. The Commission is further authorized to declare an open

season on mountain lions and black bears.

D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, the

Commission is further authorized to prescribe rules necessary to the

proper conduct and policing of such open season, the amount and kind

of wildlife that may be taken, and the dates and time limits of such

season.

E. Any bowfishing season set for nongame fish by the Commission

for the Upper Illinois River shall include the following:

1. Upstream from the Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to where State

Highway 51 crosses the Illinois River bowfishing is permitted from

June 1 to March 31; and

2. Upstream from where State Highway 51 crosses the Illinois

River bowfishing is permitted from December 1 through March 31.

F. The Commission is further authorized to require any person

participating in such open season or hunting in open areas during

open season to procure, under rules prescribed by the Commission, a

special permit or license to participate in such season or hunt in

such areas during open season and to charge residents not to exceed

Twenty Dollars ($20.00), nonresidents not to exceed Seventy-five

Dollars ($75.00) and further providing that Five Dollars ($5.00) of

this fee shall be set aside for compensation to Oklahoma surface

holders participating in the Acres for Wildlife Program at a rate to

be determined by the Wildlife Conservation Commission. No

exemptions shall be permitted.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 29. Game and Fish Page 114

G. Open seasons, closed seasons, bag limits, catch limits,

possession limits and territorial limitations set forth in the

statutes of this state, pertaining to wildlife of every sort, are

hereby declared to be based on the existence of a normal population

of such species of wildlife, compatible with and not damaging to the

proper agricultural use of the lands of the state.

H. Such seasons, catch limits, bag limits, possession limits

and territorial limitations as set by statute shall prevail and be

in full force and effect for each and every species of wildlife to

which they pertain so long as the population or numbers of such

wildlife species remain normal or are not damaging or endangering

crops or proper agricultural use of the lands of the state.

I. The Commission in session, and after having given ten (10)

days’ public notice of such meeting being called and the purpose of

such meeting, the species of wildlife to be considered and the

reasons therefor, shall have the right to determine if there does or

does not exist a normal population of the wildlife species under

consideration, which does or does not endanger the crops of the

state or of any certain areas, or the agricultural use of the lands

therein. In the event the consideration is other than statewide,

the Commission shall meet at the most convenient place to the people

of the area in the area being considered. All meetings shall be

open to the public and proper records of those appearing and

testifying shall be made. If the Commission, after hearing and

after investigation, finds that the populations of the wildlife

species under hearing are not normal or that they are not compatible
ide,

the Commission shall meet at the most convenient place to the people

of the area in the area being considered. All meetings shall be

open to the public and proper records of those appearing and

testifying shall be made. If the Commission, after hearing and

after investigation, finds that the populations of the wildlife

species under hearing are not normal or that they are not compatible

to the agricultural use of the lands or are damaging or endangering

the farm crops of the area, they shall, by administrative order,

make the necessary changes by either extending, shortening, opening

or closing such seasons, and change such bag limits, catch limits

and possession limits, and regulate methods or devices for taking,

killing or capturing of the wildlife species affected in any area or

areas covered by the notice of meeting and hearing, except as

otherwise set by the Legislature.

J. Such administrative order shall take effect after

publication in at least one newspaper of general state circulation,

or in a newspaper having circulation in the territory affected. A

copy of all such orders shall, before publication, be filed with the

Secretary of State, and such order shall not be construed as

authorizing the Commission to change any penalty for violating any

game law or regulation or change the amount of any license

established by the Legislature.