(US) Oklahoma Weekly Hunting News

[JanaW...@aol.com]

A/w local OKC Saturday hunting news:

 

Okla. hunters will now be able to use noise suppressors on their rifles this

season when hunting on private land.

  Okla. Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law (on Friday) Okla. Senate Bill 1743

that allows hunters to use noise suppressors or silencers when hunting on

their own land or with permission from the landowners.

  This law will be effective on the first of Nov.

  State lawmakers earlier in the week passed an amended version of the

original bill which carries harsher punishment for hunters using a suppressor

while committing a game violation.

  Anyone convicted of a wildlife offense while using a noise suppressor could

face an additional fine of $500 to $1000 over the normal amount for the

game violation.

  The Okla. State Game Wardens Association had opposed the legislation.

  Gov. Fallin also signed legislation increasing the penalties for paddlefish

poaching.

  The crime remains a misdemeanor.  However, fines will now range from

$5000 to $25,000 for anyone caught in illegal possession of paddlefish eggs

or other paddlefish products with a market value of more than $5000.

  Paddlefish eggs are used as a substitute to sturgeon caviar and is often

sold illegally.

 

Okla. annual free fishing days will be in the first of June.  Anglers will not

need state fishing licenses, although some city licenses might still be

required.  However, Okla. City is offering free fishing on the same days

for its municipal waters.

 

People can now register for the summer bat watches at Okla.'s Selman

Bat Cave near Freedom, Okla.  This begins on Tuesday.

  The bat watches are held every weekend in July.  Each night is limited

to 75 visitors.

  Registration forms will be online on Tuesday and people are selected thru

random drawings.  The Selman Bat Cave attracts migrating Mexican

free-tailed bats every year.

 

 

                                                                            For the Animals,

 

                                                                            Jana, OKC