Courtesy Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

Ask any Oklahoman how much money they spend on their favorite pastime — whether it is golf, shopping, video games or another activity — and you will quickly learn that hobbies can cost big bucks.

Sportsmen are no different, spending money on the latest gear, hunting leases, outdoor apparel and gasoline and food for their outings. But starting in January 2009, Oklahoma sportsmen will have the option of getting a great bargain by purchasing a five-year hunting, fishing or combination license at a fraction of the cost of buying an annual hunting and fishing license each year.

State Rep. Randy McDaniel (R) recently authored House Bill 2667, which was recently signed into law by the governor, creating five-year hunting, fishing or combination licenses that will be available to sportsmen in 2009. Senator John Ford (R) was the Senate author.

“Hunting and fishing are great traditions in Oklahoma and improve the quality of life for all who enjoy the outdoors,” Rep. McDaniel said. “The five-year combination hunting and fishing license will be an exceptional value for sportsmen, and it will encourage participation in our state’s outdoors.”

Rep. McDaniel is the state’s District 83 representative (northwest Oklahoma City) and serves on several House committees, including Tourism and Recreation, for which he is vice chair; Industry and Labor; Arts and Culture; Human Services; and Health. Sen. Ford represents District 29 (northeast Oklahoma).

The bill sets the fee for these licenses at $88 for a five-year fishing license, $88 for a five-year hunting license and $148 for a combination license, which also includes the five-year fishing and hunting legacy permit. Normally, hunters and anglers pay $5 each year for the legacy permit, or $25 over five years.

“For most sportsmen, five years of annual combination licenses and fishing and hunting legacy permits comes to about $210, but for just $148 sportsmen can get a hunting and fishing license as well as a fishing and hunting legacy permit that will last five years,” said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “That is an enormous saving.”

Sportsmen who hold a five-year license will still be required to purchase other applicable annual permits such deer and turkey licenses, appropriate waterfowl stamps, land access permits and other permits where required.

The five-year fishing, hunting or combination license will be available in January 2009 at any sporting goods store or location that sells hunting and fishing licenses, or online through the Wildlife Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.

The Wildlife Department is the state agency charged with conserving Oklahoma’s wildlife. It receives no general state tax revenues and is funded by sportsmen through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and special federal excise taxes on sporting goods.