The Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP) enrolls private lands to allow public access for hunting, fishing, stream access and/or wildlife viewing. Accessing by foot, sportspersons can enter and use OLAP lands without obtaining special permission. The goal of the OLAP is to increase hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities in areas with limited public access.
OLAP now requires an access permit for all users wishing to access OLAP walk-in areas. This change came out of necessity, as the funding source for the program changed. The OLAP was initially funded using the USDA Farm Bill via the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP) grant funding, which provided funding without a requirement for state match funding. However, it was apparent the Farm Bill would not be renewed on time. This left the ODWC facing a gap in funding of at least 1 year (and with no Farm Bill in place, that has stretched to at least 3 years). Because of the importance and popularity of this program, the ODWC did not want to shut the program down until a new Farm Bill was in place. To continue to administer the program, the ODWC wrote a grant to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program for funding, however, these grants require States to provide match funding (25% of the program costs). This was all in the spring of 2023 and our license consolidation package was dead in the legislature and there was no other known or foreseen funding sources to help this program; so, the solution was to add OLAP properties to the already existing Land Access Permit.
With all of that playing heavily on our minds, the ODWC made the difficult decision to begin down the road to make this change. After going out for public comment (both online and through public meetings) and review of responses by the ODWC Commission, the change was approved by the Commission at their January meeting and submitted for Oklahoma Title 800 change. This year, the permit change goes into effect August 25 and the Land Access Permit will be required after that date. New permits purchased on/after that date will cost residents $100.00 and non-residents $200.00. Permits purchased before that date (i.e. purchased to hunt or fish on Honobia or 3 Rivers WMAs earlier in 2024) will still be valid. On top of the ~90,000 acres in the OLAP, purchase of your Land Access Permit will provide you access to the Honobia and Three Rivers WMAs, which provide an additional ~245,000 acres of public hunting in southeast Oklahoma. The money from these Land Access Permits goes directly back into the program to continue to provide more opportunities for public hunting across the state on leased lands.
Please review the 2024-25 Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations (pages 30-31) before entering OLAP Walk-in Areas. Regulations signs (above) are posted at parking/entrance areas. It is the hunter’s responsibility to consult regulations prior to use.
For more information about regulations and information on the OLAP, click below:
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