Choctaw Nation Clarifies Commonly Asked Questions Related to the Inter-Tribal Hunting and Fishing Agreement

DURANT, Okla. – On July 12, the Choctaw Nation signed the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement. Through this agreement, Choctaw tribal members may now hunt and fish on the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw reservations using their tribal membership card as their hunting and fishing license. Tribal members/citizens must follow the wildlife regulations (e.g., bag limits, season, etc.) of the tribe whose reservation they are hunting, fishing, or trapping. All Oklahoma residents with valid state-issued hunting and fishing are eligible to hunt and fish within these tribal treaty territories in accordance with applicable laws.

Below are some recently/commonly asked questions. You can find additional frequently asked questions, CNO’s Hunting and Fishing Regulations, Hunter Education Course, and contact information for the Wildlife Conservation team at the Wildlife Conservation webpage.

Where can Choctaw tribal members hunt?

Choctaw tribal members can hunt and fish within the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee/Creek, and Cherokee Nations with proof of tribal membership. Tribal members must have landowner permission to hunt private land and tribal members are responsible for any entry permits or fees required on public lands.

If I want to hunt off the Reservations of those tribes who have joined this agreement?

Outside of the reservations of the parties to this agreement, citizens and members comply with the rules of the controlling jurisdiction — such as another tribe, the State of Oklahoma, the State of Arkansas, the State of Texas, etc.

What documentation does a Choctaw tribal member need to have to hunt/fish?

You will need proof of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal membership. An additional form of ID might be requested to confirm identity. In addition, Hunter Safety course completion is also required by the Choctaw Nation Fish, Game and Animals Code and the State of Oklahoma.

What happens if a Choctaw tribal member receives a ticket for not having a state issued hunting/fishing license?

If you receive a ticket from an Oklahoma game warden for not having a state issued hunting/fishing license while hunting within the Choctaw Nation boundaries, contact the Choctaw Nation Legal Department via the Member Legal Assistance webpage.

Can a game warden ticket a Choctaw tribal member?

Yes, state game wardens are cross-deputized and can enforce tribal wildlife laws within each reservation. If an individual game warden is not cross-deputized, a tribal officer will be called to enforce the tribal laws.

Can I harvest multiple limits on different reservations?

No, one aggregate and daily limit applies per person to harvests across all reservations per season and the entire State of Oklahoma.

What laws do I have to follow?

Tribal members/citizens must follow the licensure requirements of their tribe but must follow the wildlife regulations (e.g., bag limits, season, etc.) of the tribe whose reservation they are hunting, fishing, or trapping.

Do I still have to check-in my harvest?

Yes, all species with a check-in requirement must be checked-in, and the check-in must be to the citizen’s tribe, regardless of the reservation where the animal was taken.

Do I have to buy tags?

Right now, all tags are free on all reservations. Just use the respective licensure from your tribe as your license and tags.