New Non-Rez Prices

[Okie4570]

Kansas being about $575 iirc, I didn't apply this year, missed the draw deadline line lol. That's for one antlered and one antlerless. How many total are included now on the NR OK license? Looks like the full limit for each license?

 

[retrieverman]

Before we jump all over our legislature, two things to consider. These recommendations were made by the ODWC after they had a consultant studied and make recommendations based on the market. Then the new prices are inline with surrounding states. Why should Okies have to pay $$$$ to go to Kansas or Texas, etc. to hunt, yet Kansans and Texans can come here and pay $?

I have not independently researched other state prices but this is what the argument was for the price increases in some articles that I read.

Isn’t the $710 cost for all harvest types in Oklahoma? So you buy a deer license and can basically hunt Oct 1 - January 15?

If that is the case, it seems to be a great buy to me.

This is the biggest crock of chit that’s regularly repeated on Oklahoma message boards and FB groups.

 

[retrieverman]

Just make the cost reciprocal to the state the person lives in.
There.
I fixed it.

I damn sure wish the TX legislature/TP&W would make it reciprocal.

I’ve already spent over $300 and haven’t bought a deer license yet. For basically the same $300, an out of stater can come to TX and hunt everything in the state and fish.

 

[Dorkus]

This is the biggest crock of chit that’s regularly repeated on Oklahoma message boards and FB groups.

I looked and it is the youth license that covers all seasons. I was inaccurate.

 

[SPOONBILL]

I used to get a tag in Kansas every year when I lived closer to the state line. Now that I live farther away it just isnt practical. A man can at least see some truly big deer up there (doesnt mean you will bag one). Nowdays I will go up there on a weekend evening and glass some beanfields just looking. I have hunted up there on leases and on public. Leases are great but there is some dang fine public land up there as well. You dont have to go far up into Kansas to see the difference in the deer either. This pic was taken last year just west of Caney Kansas.

 

[Okie4570]

I used to get a tag in Kansas every year when I lived closer to the state line. Now that I live farther away it just isnt practical. A man can at least see some truly big deer up there (doesnt mean you will bag one). Nowdays I will go up there on a weekend evening and glass some beanfields just looking. I have hunted up there on leases and on public. Leases are great but there is some dang fine public land up there as well. You dont have to go far up into Kansas to see the difference in the deer either. This pic was taken last year just west of Caney Kansas. View attachment 511654

As long as you stay near some ag imo, you're correct. My experiences with the Flint Hill counties and area haven't been so impressive as far as racks go.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Isn’t the $710 cost for all harvest types in Oklahoma? So you buy a deer license and can basically hunt Oct 1 - January 15?

If that is the case, it seems to be a great buy to me.

Non Resident Archery is $710 and can take up to 6 deer.

no more than 2 antlered.

not a bad deal unless someone is a pretty weather weekend warrior.

 

[1shott]

Non Resident Archery is $710 and can take up to 6 deer.

no more than 2 antlered.

not a bad deal unless someone is a pretty weather weekend warrior.

In other states that would get you maybe 2 deer?

IMO that is still a pretty good price.

 

[Birdistheword]

Talking with my Iowa buddy we believe Oklahoma maybe the most expensive "whitetail state" in the way of license costs in the nation now.

From this standpoint: Single buck tag during gun season...we took that position as that is typically what a non-resident is coming for. Regardless of how many doe tags you give him that really doesn't factor into most out of state hunters decision. Furthermore, we did not include Rocky Mountain states as those states are in general mule deer states and the supply/demand for mule deer tags far exceeds whitetail tags and thus command a much higher price, years to draw, etc....

We have not been able to think of another one, but admittedly we haven't researched everyone either.

Some quick examples of other states that are known for quality whitetail bucks:

Iowa $650
Nebraska $365
South Dakota $300ish
Kansas $600ish
Missouri $300ish
Wisconsin $300ish
Texas $315
Illinois $400ish
Ohio $250ish


Obviously its not apples to apples as some of those states don't hold their gun seasons during the rut and often archery tags are hard to pull in those states as a non-resident.

I hear a bunch of talk about making it "average" with other states. Oklahoma tag costs is not average now, we are on the top of the pile or dang near it! If their goal was to decrease the number of non-residents by making the tags expensive, I believe they will accomplish that. Did the ODWC state as much? They may have and I never saw it.

I'm mostly just making observations here, as it doesn't directly affect my hunting. Furthermore I enjoy the discussions and input of ideas. I did not realize the ODWC had study conducted regarding the matter, that's interesting.

Answer to the original question, one of my family members has limited access to hunt in his home state, and had finally decided to use the 4 day weekend after Thanksgiving to hunt with us, until I checked prices, it's not reasonable for what you get. I'm gonna say it's too much. An elk tag in some places is the same amount.
I also think it's bull crap that you can't quail hunt (our backup plan) on the 5 day license. An increase on nonresident was probably due, but maybe from $280 to $350, not $700.
I do like the bear tag change for residents though, should have always been that way.