Deer hunting changes proposed

(Tulsa-AP) -- The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is proposing 17 changes to deer hunting regulations, including one to allow hunters to take more white-tail deer.

Hunters don't mind that, but many don't like another proposal that would reduce the number bucks that hunters cold kill from three to two.

Wildlife officials say there are too many does per buck, diminishing the quality of the deer herd. The officials say the proposed change would reduce the number of bucks killed each year by about 25-hundred.

Wildlife department spokesman Todd Craighead says sportsmen bagged about 102-thousand deer last year Department officials are traveling around the state this week to hear comments from hunters on the proposals.

The changes could be in place by this fall if the state wildlife commission, a legislative committee and Governor Keating approve.