A new license is simplifying access to hunting for youth in Oklahoma, making it easier and more affordable for parents to get (and keep) their kids involved in the outdoors while cashing in on more valuable family time.
The new hunting license is called the youth annual super hunting license, and it works a bit like an all-season pass to an amusement park. It’s valid for 365 days from date of purchase and covers the youth for all the Oklahoma hunting seasons that require a hunting license. Gone are the days of needing a separate license for each deer hunted or for each method of take. Gone are the days of having to choose an antlered or antlerless deer license (or both) before heading afield. Gone are the days of wading through youth license requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds vs. younger hunters. Certain federal stamps or permits are still required in some cases, but the end result means more access to hunting than ever before for today’s youth hunters.
The youth annual super hunting license is part of a larger hunting and fishing license overhaul known as the Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act, a bill that condenses some 50 hunting and fishing licenses down to about 14 and helps secure more funding for conservation. Before the bill went into effect July 1, there hadn’t been any notable changes to the state’s fishing and hunting licenses or fee structure in over 20 years.
We’ve compiled what you need to know about the new youth annual super hunting license here.
Table of contents:
• What is the youth annual super hunting license?
• How much does the youth annual super hunting license cost?
• Is the youth annual super hunting license the same for residents and nonresidents?
• What are the benefits of the youth annual super hunting license?
• Besides the youth annual super hunting license, is there any other permit that might be required of a youth hunter?
• How do you get a youth annual super hunting license?
• What about fishing?
• Making the most of the youth annual super hunting license.
What is the youth annual super license?
The Wildlife Department’s new youth annual super hunting license is like a season pass to the outdoors for those under 18 wanting to hunt deer, turkey, waterfowl, elk, bear, antelope, and furbearers, or for youth who plan to trap. It’s a new license as of July 1, 2024, and is designed to simplify requirements for youth hunters.
Although there are a few federal permits that are still required in certain situations, such as for youth who hunt waterfowl, no other state hunting licenses are required. In fact, as of July 1, no other Oklahoma youth hunting license even exists! The youth annual super hunting license is valid for all seasons and all species listed above, and a state hunting license is not required for any species not listed.
How much does the youth annual super license cost?
The new youth annual super hunting license is $26 for residents and $151 for nonresidents.
Is the youth annual super license the same for residents and nonresidents?
The privileges provided with the $26 resident and $151 nonresident youth annual super hunting licenses are the same, and both are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Nonresidents also have the option to purchase a youth 5-day super hunting license with the same privileges for $76.
What are the benefits of the youth annual super license?
Right from the start, the youth annual super hunting license provides convenience and value for both resident and nonresident youth, not to mention for the adults who supervise their hunting endeavors. Not only is it an annual hunting license valid for 365 days from the date of issue, but it also covers the hunter for all of the game animals in their annual bag limit. No more individual youth licenses for each deer hunted. No more licenses good for archery season only; or muzzleloader, gun or holiday antlerless seasons. No more individual turkey licenses. No more elk, bear or antelope licenses. It’s all covered with the youth super license. And a youth can get the license every year until they are 18.
This greatly expands hunting options for youth, at a price hunters can afford. The one license is the only option for these hunters, and it carries all of the privileges needed to go hunting. Now that’s a bargain!
Besides the youth annual super license, is there any other permit that might be required of a youth hunter?
It should be noted that certain federal stamps and permits may still be required in some cases, such as for waterfowl or migratory bird hunting. For example, resident and nonresident youth (those under 18) are required to have a youth super hunting license and Harvest Information Permit (HIP) to hunt waterfowl. They are exempt from the Oklahoma Waterfowl license. And of course, federal law requires that all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must have a Federal Duck Stamp. Youth under 18 who are not hunting waterfowl but hunting other migratory birds (such as doves) are exempt from the Harvest Information Permit (HIP) How do you get a youth annual super license?
All licenses can be purchased online through your Go Outdoors Oklahoma profile. If you’ve never purchased a license, you’ll be guided to set up your profile.
What about fishing?
Under the Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act, youth under 18 years of age are now exempt from the purchase of a state fishing license.
