By Abdullahi Lukman
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved new emergency hunting regulations, adopted the 2026–27 hunting season framework and accepted a major conservation donation during its June 22 meeting in Oklahoma City.
The emergency regulations, which took immediate effect, include a two-day waiting period for nonresident deer hunting licences purchased during an open deer season, a new licensing requirement for outfitters and hunting guides conducting waterfowl and sandhill crane hunts, and regulations governing the Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Programme for deer released on private property.
Commissioners also approved hunting season dates and bag limits for the 2026–27 season covering migratory birds, antlerless deer and elk.
In addition, the commission removed the black bear muzzleloader season quota and revised crappie fishing limits for selected lakes, including Lake Eufaula and Atoka Lake, while retaining the statewide daily bag limit of 37 crappie.
During the meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation presented a donation of 293,250 dollars to support wildlife conservation initiatives across the state.
The commission also approved an 88.6-million-dollar budget for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for the 2027 fiscal year, aimed at supporting wildlife management, conservation programmes and outdoor recreation initiatives.
