Carl Moore of Oklahoma City took this white buck in Logan County during deer muzzleloader season, but he had written permission from the state wildlife direcotor.
Former state representative Terry Harrison, D-McAlester, killed a piebald deer on his land shortly after Thanksgiving.
He was proud of the unique trophy. He called his local newspaper, the McAlester News-Capital, and the newspaper published a photo.
Then a friend of his who happens to be a game warden informed Harrison that he first needed written permission from the state wildlife director before shooting such a deer.
Harrison, who did not seek re-election this year, didn’t know about the regulation and turned himself in to another game warden. Harrison was fined $296.
It was a deserving fine. Every hunter is expected to know the regulations, especially a former lawmaker who served on the House wildlife committee and helped write some of the state’s hunting rules.
But this is a dumb and unnecessary hunting law. All it does is inconvenience hunters who come across a white deer or piebald deer (which is a deer with a combination of spots) in the field.
Since 1998, the law has required Oklahoma deer hunters to first obtain written permission from the state wildlife director before harvesting a white or piebald deer.
It was passed after a Guthrie hunter killed a piebald buck in Logan County in 1997, upsetting some who didn’t like the fact that such an unusual deer was killed. Some Native Americans believe white deer are sacred animals.
White or piebald deer are just like any other whitetail deer except they are a different color. The white color phase and spots are the result of a genetic mutation.
There are pockets of such deer around the state, including in Pittsburg County and Logan County.
Two or three white or piebald deer are killed every year in Oklahoma by hunters. There has been at least one harvested in Logan County each of the past four years.
The regulation may appease anti-hunters who think white and piebald deer need protecting, but neither the present state wildlife director nor his predecessor has ever denied anyone permission to hunt them.
So the regulation is useless, except maybe to make the wallets of unknowing hunters like Harrison a little lighter.
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The following comments are archived from the original publication of this post
pieceon Feb 10, 2012 @ 11:27 am
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Shawnon Dec 15, 2011 @ 11:32 pm
I need to check my local laws here in Arizona. thanks for the post. Sure is a beautifull deer and I have yet to see one here in Arizzona in the wild.
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hunton Sep 23, 2011 @ 9:43 pm
I 100% agree, this is a stupid law. White deer will never make it a full life in the wild anyway. I live in Indiana and we do not have that law. I have seen 3 taken and one is a full body mount down the road here at a local mulch/flower shop.
Bruce Mackayon Sep 22, 2011 @ 2:02 am
I agree the laws are taking a lot away from the enjoyment of hunting it is just as bad here in northern Canada and the law makers are doing all they can to crush the hunters most all is limited entry . THe guide outfitters are the power in goverment and are winning soon it will only be guided hunting .Most years I think more and more about weather to get my sons into hunting it is just so hartbreaking for me to see this.
Charles Surholton Jul 07, 2011 @ 10:27 am
I have never heard of this law. I am going to have to check in on this in Mississippi. Thanks for this post so we can be more informed.
Mark S. Baumanon Apr 08, 2011 @ 7:25 am
Just a short comment on "The mission of" any state wildlife and fish conservation----as was stated, "to manage resources and habitat"----That means if the numbers of wildlife are getting too large for a given area, then it must be managed by a change in season or take. If the fish are not growing due to overpopulation then increase the take. If the population is falling off then tighten the take or season. NOT TOO DIFFICULT, HUH? If they happen to be a commodity that is in short supply, then don't take it without cautions. NOT TOO DIFFICULT, HUH? I will tell you what has ruined the entire hunting and fishing experience----COMMERCIALIZATION----you can't find open hunting hardly anywhere. Corporations have taken over for small farmers and lease hunting and fishing has become the norm. Glad I won't be here in another 50 years. Mark S. Bauman Raised a farmboy (fifties and 60s) that could hunt and fish anywhere with a license, by just asking permission. And I don't recall getting skunked very many days.
Kansas Hunteron Mar 30, 2011 @ 9:26 pm
@Rick -The OK Dept. of Wildlife Conservation's Mission Statement says "The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is to manage Oklahoma’s wildlife resources and habitat to provide scientific, educational, aesthetic, economic and recreational benefits for present and future generations of hunters, anglers and others who appreciate wildlife." Nothing in there says that they are responsible for establishing a sustainable population of animals with genetic defects. Sorry, white or brown they're both quite tasty!
Rick Parkeron Mar 02, 2011 @ 3:13 am
The idea behind hunting, is over supply, create balance. Then why would something rare go along with that thinking? I hunt on my logan county farm for deer because there are enough to hunt, and not hurt the population.I dont shoot white deer. Just how many white deer are out there? Very, very few. How many people would like to see one, and enjoy its god given beauty? EVERYONE! I am blessed to see these very unusual white deer. I want everyone to have a chance. " Leave this one alone"!!
JR Rigginson Dec 19, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
I think every hunter should request written permission, i think if they got 20 or 30 thousand requests they may lift the law.
Jim Crawfordon Dec 19, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Every hunter should request permission to kill a white deer . That would get rule changed.
edgodfreyon Dec 16, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
The article in Sunday's paper concerned financial restitution that could be ordered by judges in criminal cases.
Arles Votawon Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:38 am
In Sunday's paper there was an article on the cost of shooting a trophy animal illegally and what it would cost to replace the animal. I assume this being a very rare animal the max fine of $5000 should be imposed and not a $296 fine which was given to the ex legislator,or is this a good old boy fine.
Dustin Neweron Dec 15, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
HAHAHA typical law maker and typical ODWC LAWS... that's what happens when you put the Wildife regulations in the hands of uneducated politicians...that's why we crossbows are legal now...not to mention the 10 day doe anaialation holliday season, and the online check in (free poaching pass) law.
Deer Hunters Having A Good Year Across Oklahoma – News On 6 Hunting Report Archery Duck Deeron Dec 14, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
[...] closed for the year. The deer archery season is open until January 15, 2010 and the holiday …A dumb hunting lawNewsOK.com (blog)White deer of Kansas better head to OklahomaThe Wichita Eagle (blog)Ex-lawmaker [...]
Carl Moore of Oklahoma City took this white buck in Logan County during deer muzzleloader season, but he had written permission from the state wildlife direcotor. Carl Moore of Oklahoma City took this white buck in Logan County during deer muzzleloader season, but he had written permission from the state wildlife direcotor.
Ed Godfrey
Ed Godfrey was born in Muskogee and raised in Stigler. He has worked at The Oklahoman for 25 years. During that time, he has worked a myriad of beats for The Oklahoman including both the federal and county courthouse in Oklahoma City for more...
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