Say No to SB2111, SB1735 and HB2547

Since 1927 the Oklahoma Rifle Association, official state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, has been in the forefront protecting the Second Amendment and champion of sportsmen’s rights in Oklahoma, the latter, which have come under, attack by special interests that view financial advantage more of a goal than protecting a precious heritage.  Unfortunately, many have succumbed to “Trojan Horse” legislation disguised as “property rights” and “free enterprise.”   Under the guise of “trespass” legislation, the entire state will be “posted” without the necessity of erecting signage because of a measure by Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco, and Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman.

One would be led to believe that “trespass” is a major problem in Oklahoma yet no one has offered any evidence that supports this contention and as a result too many have blindly bought into Sparks and Richardson’s bills SB2111, SB1735 and HB2547.   The ORA made an inquiry with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation who we believe can speak from a position of authority on the matter.  Our inquiry was: “How many violations of “hunting or fishing without permission” occurred last year?  The response was 141 for hunting or fishing without permission.  Of these 6 were warnings.

These “Trojan Horse” bills fail to consider other critical factors such as absentee landowners and limited public hunting areas.  There are many properties belonging to out-of-state owners where sportsmen have hunted and fished for generations, making it difficult and often impossible to make contact owners to obtain the “written permission” that some believe mandatory.  When the requirement for posting was in place, any owner, local and non-resident, had the prerogative to erect signs.  Many landowners are angry that the decision to post or not would be taken from them.  They believe that this is their right, not someone in Oklahoma City.

Although the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has made efforts to increase the number and size of public hunting and fishing areas through the “Heritage fees,” the short time these fees have been in existence has limited ODWC’s efforts.  Currently there is not enough public hunting and fishing areas to support the demand.  Unlike many states, Oklahomans have very limited access to federal wildlife areas unlike our sister state of Colorado and others.  Only one such area exists in our state and that is the Quachita National Forest.

Our state has a long-standing tradition of hunting with dogs.  The measures being offered by Sparks and Richardson are the death knell for the time-honored tradition of hunting with dogs in Oklahoma.  They will have accomplished what the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) could not do.

One has cause to question the motivation of those who are driving the current rash of proposed laws.  The answer is simple: money.  A large corporate entity is pushing the “trespass” legislation because they view the “people’s wildlife” as just another “cash crop.”  Proponents of commercial hunting are eager to take control of much of the hunting land once it is placed off limits, thereby permitting them to lease or buy large areas to be transformed into “pay to play” hunting.  The average hunter or fisherman will discover that he or she can no longer afford to participate and out-of-state “sportsmen” with fat wallets will fill the void created by their departure.  According to authorities, there already exist over a hundred commercial hunting sites in our state and, at the current rate, the southern part of Oklahoma will be one big commercial hunting area.

The ORA strongly supports “property owners’ rights” and stands behind the concept of “free enterprise,” a principal that has made our nation the wealthiest on the planet.  However, wildlife in Oklahoma is the “property of the people” under the long held standard of ferae naturae.  Free enterprise is not good when it capitalizes upon property not held privately, but belonging to others, Oklahoma wildlife which belongs to all us.  The decisions made at this juncture will ultimately determine the future of hunting and fishing for future generations.  Supporting Richardson and Spark’s “Trojan Horse” legislation“ without examining the real motivation and ramifications to Oklahoma sportsmen is a great disservice to all Oklahomans.

Call your senator and urge them to vote “no” on these bills.   To contact your State Senator, please click here.
 
Charles H. Smith
Executive Director, Oklahoma Rifle Association