Five Tribes to honor each other’s hunting and fishing licenses through reciprocity agreement

TULSA Tribal members of the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Muscogee Nation and soon the Seminole Nation, can now use their tribal membership to hunt and fish across participating tribes' treaty territories.

The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes announced the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement during its quarterly meeting on July 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. The agreement allows hunting and fishing licenses issued by each tribe to be recognized by the other tribes on their reservation lands. Most tribes accept tribal membership cards as credentials or licenses.

"These inherent treaty rights among our five tribal nations have been vital to food security for generations," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "This agreement makes hunting and fishing in eastern Oklahoma more sustainable and diverse for all our citizens."

Oklahoma residents with valid state-issued hunting and fishing licenses are also eligible to hunt and fish within these tribal treaty territories under applicable laws. Hunting and fishing licenses have been available to tribal members since October 2022.

"This partnership benefits approximately 815,000 tribal citizens and all Oklahomans," said Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton. "We are asserting our tribal sovereignty and providing further opportunities for our tribal members."

The agreement enables the Five Tribes to collaborate on wildlife management within their reservations, enhancing their ability to manage natural resources sustainably. Tribal members must adhere to the laws of the reservation where the activity occurs and secure permissions to access land owned by others.

"Our people have always been environmentalists," said Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill. "This agreement strengthens our sovereign rights and gives us greater autonomy over our lands."

Tribal citizens must report harvests to their respective tribes, with hunting and fishing limits considered aggregate statewide. Each tribe will report basic harvest data by Feb. 28 annually to help regulate wildlife.

"Just as we preserve our history and culture, we are stewards of our natural resources," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "This agreement enhances our wildlife conservation efforts and expands opportunities for sportsmen."

State game wardens cross-deputized with the tribes can enforce laws on these reservations. The tribes aim to work with state and federal partners to advance wildlife conservation.

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