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House committee advances bill to move Oklahoma bear season start to Sept. 15
Summary
The House Wildlife Committee on Feb. 11 advanced a bill to begin Oklahoma's bear season two weeks earlier, citing localized property damage and agency data; the committee discussed population estimates, sex-ratio risks and monitoring before approving the measure 6-0.
Representative Fettgetter introduced House Bill 41 28, saying the measure would move the state's bear hunting season to start Sept. 15 and moved adoption, yielding to committee questions.
The committee pressed the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) for population data. "I would currently put the bear population around 2,500," said Nels Rodefeld, assistant director for ODWC, adding that the agency relies on long-term harvest records and mark re—apture studies with Oklahoma State University to track sow-to-cub ratios and other demographics. Rodefeld offered to share harvest charts with members.
Vice Chair Cornwall raised concerns about sex ratios and timing: earlier seasons can increase the share of females in the harvest, Rodefeld said, citing Arkansas's experience after that state moved its season earlier. "Their harvest basically doubled," he said, though he cautioned Arkansas's statewide range and habitat differ from Oklahoma's.
Representative Fettgetter said the bill targets southeast Oklahoma, where landowners report property damage and multiple bears on trail cameras. "We are harvesting less than 2% of our population a year," he said, arguing that even modest harvest levels can be compatible with population growth if monitored and adjusted. He told members he'd support reducing opportunity if evidence showed harm.
Rodefeld described ODWC's methods, including radio collars and PIT tags to identify study animals in subsequent harvests. He said the agency has invested millions in multi-year studies and tracks harvest trends against variables such as acorn abundance.
After discussion about monitoring and adaptive management, the committee voted to adopt HB 41 28. The clerk recorded 6 yays and 0 nays; the chair declared the motion passed. The sponsor and ODWC said they would continue to monitor harvest composition and share detailed charts with the committee.
The bill now awaits further legislative steps outside the committee.
