SB197: Could New Game Warden Guidelines Lead to Increased Illegal Hunting Activity?

Will hunters find ways to avoid detection under new law?

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What does SB197 want to accomplish?

SB197 updates the rules for game wardens in Oklahoma when they are checking hunting on private land.

Here’s what it changes:

➡️Game Wardens' Duties: Game wardens don’t have to tell hunters that they need permission from the landowner to hunt, unless the landowner asks them to.

➡️Entering Private Property: Game wardens can’t go onto private land just because they think someone might be using a gun or bow without permission. They can only enter if the landowner asks them to.

➡️Penalties for Breaking the Rules: If someone hunts on private land without the landowner’s permission, there are specific fines and possible jail time for breaking the law.

Who will benefit from this law?

✔️Landowners: They will have more control over who can access their property for hunting and can directly request game wardens to enforce hunting rules.

✔️Hunters: They will know that game wardens can’t enter private land without permission, giving them clearer guidelines on where they can and cannot hunt.

✔️Game Wardens: The updated rules will clarify their responsibilities and limit their need to investigate without landowner requests, making their jobs easier and more focused.

✔️Local Communities: With clearer rules and enforcement, there may be fewer conflicts and misunderstandings about hunting on private land, leading to smoother interactions between landowners and hunters.

What are some concerns people might have about this law?

⚠️Limited Enforcement: Game wardens might not be able to act on their own if they suspect illegal hunting, which could lead to some violations going unnoticed unless the landowner reports them.

⚠️Landowner Burden: Landowners may feel more pressure to monitor their property closely and request game wardens' help, which could be time-consuming and stressful.

⚠️Potential for Increased Violations: If hunters know that game wardens need landowner permission to enter, they might be tempted to ignore the rules, thinking they won’t be caught.

⚠️Confusion Over Rules: There could be confusion about what constitutes sufficient landowner consent and when game wardens can or cannot enter private property.

⚠️Inconsistent Enforcement: The need for landowners to request enforcement might lead to inconsistent application of the law, depending on how actively landowners enforce it.

⚠️Potential Delays: If a landowner is not available or doesn’t promptly request enforcement, it might delay addressing potential hunting violations.

This bill is in the legislative process. When introduced, it was set to go into effect at the end of 2023. It remains in committee.

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SB65 Oklahoma State Pays For You to Stay Home on Your Birthday

➡️Is this something that you think Oklahomans need? How will it benefit the county you live in?

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