House Approves Bill to Allow Hunting Seasons for Furbearing Animals

Oklahoma Representative John Talley-District 33.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, secured passage of House Bill 1112 to allow the Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife to set trapping seasons and methods of take for furbearing animals.

Talley said a constituent in Stillwater brought this to his attention last year. The constituent is a falconer who wanted to be able to hunt squirrels year-round.

Currently, legislation is required to make any kind of change to season dates and trapping methods for squirrels, where for most other wildlife, these are laid out in Title 800 rules. This measure would allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to set season dates and bag limits for furbearing animals, including squirrels, with Title 800 administrative rules language rather than going through the Legislature.

“It makes good sense to give this authority back to the Department of Wildlife, who study animal populations and set hunting seasons and limits to maintain healthy population levels,” Talley said. “As a recreational hunter myself, I enjoy taking my son and grandson hunting and was happy to work on this legislation for my constituent in House District 33.”

HB1112 passed the House 69-24 on Wednesday and is now available to be considered in the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro.