Time to renew hunting and fishing licenses

While ushering in a new year on the calendar, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation officials remind sportsmen to renew their annual hunting and fishing licenses.<br><br>To hunt or fish, sportsmen

Friday, January 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

While ushering in a new year on the calendar, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation officials remind sportsmen to renew their annual hunting and fishing licenses.

To hunt or fish, sportsmen must possess a 2001 annual hunting and fishing license, said Melinda Sturgess, chief of administration for the Department. The exceptions are the Trapping and Bobcat-Raccoon-Gray Fox licenses, which expire Jan. 31 and Feb. 28, respectively.

For those who enjoy both hunting and fishing, sportsmen can save more than 15 percent off the cost of individual hunting and fishing licenses by purchasing an annual combination license.

"A combination license is a great bargain," Sturgess said, "and it means one less license you have to carry, especially if you purchase some of the auxiliary permits at the same time."

Some of the more popular auxiliary permits are the special trout fishing permit, as well as permits for deer and turkey. Another auxiliary permit available is the unique Land Access Fee. For just $16, the permit gives hunters and anglers a passport to enjoy more than 725,000 acres of the Three Rivers and Honobia Creek wildlife management areas in southeast Oklahoma.

License requirements and exemptions are outlined in the Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations and the Oklahoma Fishing Guide. These publications are available at hunting and fishing license dealers statewide.

Those who have questions about hunting and fishing license requirements should contact their local game wardens. The Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations contains a complete list of game wardens and phone numbers for the entire state. Information is also available from the Department's licensing section at (405)521-4629 or at wildlifedepartment.com.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is responsible for managing Oklahoma's fish and wildlife resources. The department does not receive any general state tax revenues to accomplish its mission. Its operations are funded primarily from revenue generated by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and also from revenue generated by special excise taxes on guns, ammunition, motorboat fuel and fishing equipment.