Agricultural News
New Rules Allow Aerial Hunting of Predatory Animals in Oklahoma
Tue, 12 Nov 2013 14:46:34 CST
Aerial hunting of depredating animals is now legal in Oklahoma under emergency rules recently approved by the governor. The rules were adopted by the state's Board of Agriculture October 1 and were approved by Gov. Mary Fallin on October 29.
The aerial hunting rules establish regulating and permitting requirements of hunters and their aircraft. Under the law, hunters who have a permit may kill feral hogs, coyotes and crossbreeds between coyotes and dogs from an aircraft.
Permits for aerial hunting cost $200 and will be issued by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Hunters will also need to submit proof they own the land on which a hunt is to take place or to submit proof from the landowner that they have permission to hunt. Proof will also have to be submitted that the hunter has $300,000 worth of liability insurance. Permits will be good for one year.
Hunters will have to notify the agriculture department at least 24 hours before any hunt they wish to conduct. They will also have to file quarterly reports of their hunting activity.
The emergency rules only allow hunting from aircraft licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and which are flown by licensed commercial pilots. Pilots for aerial hunting must also demonstrate they have at least 250 hours of flight time in low-level flying operations such as crop dusting. Pilots are not allowed to shoot from the aircraft.
Only helicopters and high-wing aircraft with a rated stall speed of 50 miles per hour or less are to be used for hunting, according to the new rules.
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