Revenue from recreational annual license sales was up 9% in the first half of this fiscal year versus the same period in the previous fiscal year, according to a presentation made to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission during its regular meeting Feb. 9 in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation License Supervisor Mike Chrisman presented on trends in license sales for the first half of Fiscal Year 2026, with a focus on impacts of the License Modernization Act, which took effect July 1, 2024.
The Act reduced the number of license types and was the first major license fee adjustment since 2003. In the first half of FY 2026, resident hunting license sales saw the following increases over the same time the previous year:
- Annual combo: 6%
- Annual hunting: 8%
- Deer archery: 7%
- Deer muzzleloader: 8%
- Deer gun: 3%
During the same time period, nonresident hunting license sales decreased by 2% compared to the first half of FY 2025. However, nonresident deer archery license sales increased 25%, regaining 33% of the losses in FY 2025. Nonresident deer muzzleloader sales increased 6% and nonresident gun sales increased by 16% compared to the previous year.
Chrisman also said annual fishing license sales increased in the first half of FY 2026 by 13% for residents and 7% for nonresidents.
In other business, Commissioners:
- Heard results of the FY 2025 Annual Financial Audit. It was a clean audit with no findings to report.
- Received a presentation of the December 2025 Financial Report and approved miscellaneous donations.
- Discussed upcoming calendar items including Rack Madness to be held March 4 at the Wildlife Department's headquarters.
- Received updates from Director Wade Free on various activities within ODWC’s five divisions.
- Received an update from Assistant Director Nels Rodefeld on the current legislative session.
- Recognized Wildlife Lands and Minerals Coordinator Kristen Gillman for her 25 years of service.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The next regular Wildlife Commission meeting is set for March 2 at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.