I didn't know this but I have to have a fishing liscense to fish a private pond in Oklahoma that's insane because In texas that's not the case why does Oklahoma have to be different? I don't understand this law

their state their laws not all states do the same.

I'm trying to figure out thier reason why out of curiosity

why do ANY of them charge ANY fees? Can't line any pockets without someone paying! Guvment!

The only thing I can think of is. Oklahoma has less money than texas and they need more liscense sells and Oklahoma sucks hook em horns

this is why they want to collect all the money from the law abiding folks so it will subsidies the rest of the folks who dont.

Oklahoma game wardens dont even work.

We hunt up there in SW OK a lot. See the warden about every 3 seasons, maybe.

They really don't, one of the guys at Bassfest said no need to get a Texoma license just a Texas one because ain't gonna get checked on the OK side

I guess I understand a hunting license because deer are transient, but in regard to a private pond, those fish aren’t transient and owned by the state. They’re isolated and owned by the landowner, as is the water. It’s not a state resource that any state money goes towards managing.

I hunt quite a bit of public in oklahoma and the last game warden i saw was 6 years ago. I was loading up with a bloody tail gate and he was talking out his truck window. I finally got sick of the small talk and said you wanna see the deer and my license.

I swear to God he looked at me and said "you look pretty honest, have a good week" and drove off.

From the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife page:

Resident owners or tenants, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses who fish in private ponds on land owned or leased by such owner or tenant are exempt from a fishing license
Resident landowners or tenants who hunt or trap only on land owned or agriculturally leased by them (not including hunting leases) are exempt from the hunting license.
Resident landowners who hunt waterfowl and other migratory game birds only on their own property are exempt from the Oklahoma waterfowl license and HIP requirements.
Persons residing in another state who own land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land are considered nonresidents and are not exempt.

If you are 65 and older from Texas, no fishing license required in OK

Wardens for sure work they are just spread thin

Does that also apply to Tribal Land.

Yankees just do things different

Money?

Just went to look in my home state Louisiana and its not required on land locked private property.

I think the problem there is the federal ruling that screwed everything up. You’d have to be a federal officer to cite an Indian.

Oklahoma game wardens can cite Natives

They must have some sort of compact with the tribes?

The game wardens are cross deputized

The only place I’ve ever been stopped on the water for a license check was on Texoma, on the Oklahoma side by one of their game wardens

Guess you have not fished Sandlin on a weekend outside of deer season.

Game wardens have more "power" or unconventional power than regular LEO... They can enter your property without a search warrant... Board your boat without permission, seize personal property without probable cause... Always best to be on your best behavior when they stop and question you... I know exact compartments I have my throw cushion, fire extinguisher tow ropes fishing licenses and additional life vest... If you've gotta dig and tear the boat up that's a sign for them to keep asking and before you know it it's a full blown inspection... Dan

That depends on the tribe and your tribal status. If you are a Cherokee citizen, your citizenship is your hunting and fishing license on Cherokee land.

Eufaula which borders Georgia and Alabama has a reciprocal agreement and a license from either state is valid anywhere on the lake....I thought most states had similar agreements on border type lakes.....

I'd say that's the exception rather than the rule... I know Dale Hollow, Kentucky, Barkley, the Ohio River the Great Lakes you need all the licenses to fish these border state bodies of water... Dan

We lease about 15 private lakes in Oklahoma and to my knowledge none of our members have ever been asked for a license in 28 years. Not that it couldn't happen. But game wardens are generally not out checking for fishing licenses on private land. I'm not advocating for breaking the law. I don't know the reason for a fishing license needed for private land in Oklahoma, but I'm sure its just another way to make a little money for the state.

There is more reciprocity now. One of the links I posted earlier goes into that.

That’s not right, brother in Iowa Park got ticket for hunting dove on his own land last year without license lol

Good info! Cherokee nation needs to get with Osage nation with the same reciprocity!

Cherokee Nation provides any Oklahoma resident with a Cherokee role number a free state hunting/fishing license every year. They still send me one every year but I can't use it since i'm no longer an OK resident.

Same question could be applied to hunting in Texas. Why should a hunting license be required to hunt private property? Even with a fully enclosed high fence, you must be licensed and follow the tagging rules.

1. Texas land is 95% privately owned.
2. Most landowners have no interest in managing wildlife or any game species.
3. Many landowners who raise cattle still do not believe cattle and other 4 legged wildlife can coexist and be sustainable on the same property.
4. License is not required on private land with landowner consent for hogs and/or predators or non game nuisance animals.

New Texas Laws Affecting Feral Hog Hunting, License Validation Take Effect Sept. 1
Aug. 29, 2019
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
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AUSTIN – Feral hogs are so loathed by landowners in Texas for their habitat destroying behavior that beginning Sept. 1, you won’t even need a hunting license to pursue them on private property. That’s when a new law takes effect removing even more obstacles from controlling hog numbers.

The new law, SB 317 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (Mineola), passed during the 86th Texas Legislature and exempts any person (resident or nonresident), with landowner consent, from a hunting license requirement to hunt feral hogs. It is still a violation to hunt without a license if hunting without consent. The new law removes any reference to depredation and the exemption applies for the take of all feral hogs.

The new law only applies to private property, and is irrelevant of whether or not it is a paid hunt, although allowing hunting access in return for financial or other consideration still requires a hunting lease license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A hunting license is still required on public land. Hunter education requirements also still apply.

Hunters Can Use Digital Image of Licenses Afield
Also effective Sept. 1, in most cases hunters will not be required to carry their original paper hunting and fishing licenses with them to the field. HB 547 by State Rep. Terry Canales (Edinburg) allows licensees to use a photograph of their physical license to serve as verification of a valid license while hunting any game that doesn’t need a tag, like dove. You must carry your physical license with you for deer and turkey hunts, and if you want to retain an oversized red drum, since they require tags. Your license can now be viewed digitally on the Outdoor Annual mobile app or the My Texas Hunt Harvest app. Also accepted will be a legible digital photo, your emailed receipt, or your online purchase record. If your Outdoor Annual app was downloaded before Aug. 15, you’ll need to update it to version 6 in order to access your license and view the 2019-2020 regulations.

OK built a lot of those ponds for land owners so if you are a public fishing man you can't fish private water without a license.

One exception you may be able to take advantage of, if you are 65 y/o or older, a Texas resident, and possess a Texas fishing license, you do not need a fishing license to fish anywhere in Okalhoma, good rule for my wife and I because we fish Broken Bow lake every year for 1-2 weeks.

Cherokee Nation provides any Oklahoma resident with a Cherokee role number a free state hunting/fishing license every year. They still send me one every year but I can't use it since i'm no longer an OK resident.[/quote]

They don’t anymore. The compact with the state went away.

Not sure what is hard to understand. Texas doesn't make explanations of why they create any law.