Why It Matters: Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session was not without its share of controversy . While it is important that sportsmen and women and our elected officials remain engaged and willing to have important conversations, controversy shouldn’t overshadow the victories accomplished in the Sooner State.
Highlights:
- Last month, the second session of the 60th Legislature adjourned sine die after an active session for sportsmen and women.
- Despite some controversies that highlighted the importance of engaging with our elected officials as sportsmen and women, Oklahoma still saw some important victories in 2026.
- These victories include the continuation of important tax refund donations for conservation, updates to Oklahoma firearm carry laws, and important changes to waterfowl guiding laws.
Unless you have been living under a rock, or lucky enough to spend the past five months in the field or on the water, you have likely seen some of the stories coming out of Oklahoma as it relates to Chronic Wasting Disease management and the associated perspectives among sportsmen and women that drew national attention during the 2026 legislative session. While contentious at times, these challenges ultimately served to facilitate conversations and highlight the importance of an engaged sporting-conservation community. However, they are not the only stories worth highlighting this year. Following last month’s adjournment, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is proud to highlight two important victories achieved in Oklahoma.
First is the passage of Senate Bill 1405 by Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Carri Hicks. SB 1405 extended the sunset of the tax refund donation opportunity benefiting the Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program. This program allows individuals and corporations to donate portions of their tax return to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) specifically for the conservation of non-game wildlife through the Wildlife Diversity Fund. ODWC, like many state fish and wildlife agencies across the nation, is dependent almost exclusively on the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) to support fish and wildlife conservation efforts. Though focused on game species, the ASCF often benefits non-game species where habitat needs overlap. However, this program’s non-game focus represents a great opportunity to supplement the ASCF to ensure that adequate resources are available to effectively manage all fish and wildlife species.
Up next is the passage of Senate Bill 2095. Championed by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) partners at Delta Waterfowl and others, SB 2095 requires anyone providing paid waterfowl or sandhill crane guiding or outfitting services to obtain a guiding or outfitting license from ODWC. Given the increasing popularity of waterfowl hunting and the utilization of guides and outfitters to maximize chances of success, this bill creates important safeguards designed to protect both sportsmen and women and Oklahoma’s public trust wildlife resources.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is proud to work closely with so many great partners and engaged legislators in the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. Consider joining us in Oklahoma City later this year for the 2026 Annual NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit.
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