Not Checking In Deer Could Cost Oklahoma Hunters

It's deer season in Oklahoma and lots of hunters are out across the state with bows now, and rifles soon.

Hunters are required to check in deer they harvest through Oklahoma's E-Check online system, and if they don't, they could face big trouble. It could cost hunters thousands of dollars, and maybe even their hunting license.

This time of year, state game wardens, like Joe Alexander, are constantly on patrol and watching for poachers, or hunters breaking the rules.

"It's horrible whenever you see someone take advantage of that, poaching, or whether it's taking something illegally or doing something the wrong way,” he said. “They need to follow the rules just like everyone else."

This year, the state wildlife department is stepping up efforts to enforce requirements that hunters check in deer they harvest.

"The game wardens in Oklahoma are out 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Especially in the fall," Alexander said.

Deer must be checked within 24 hours.

That used to happen at check stations, but now it's done online at the wildlife department's website.

It saves the state money on stations, and gives wildlife experts easy access to information and data on the deer population.

"The online check station is nice, for all of us in the field, the data is there, it's almost immediate," Alexander said.

Not checking in deer could mean a nearly $500 fine. It can escalate to illegal possession of a deer, which is $1,000; and when mandatory state restitution is added, that runs up to $5,000.

Most hunters do the right thing, but it's costly if they don't.

Joe Alexander, Game Warden

"Possession of illegal wildlife in Oklahoma is very expensive,” Alexander said. “Thousands of dollars; the loss of equipment, your hunting rifle, it could be your vehicle.”

Oklahoma is also part of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact, which means if hunters lose their state hunting license here, they can also lose privileges in all 44 member states.

Hunters who don't have access to a smart phone or a computer to check in their deer do have other options, starting with the state wildlife department; you can call them, or your local game warden.