Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt refuses to re-enter into hunting and fishing compacts with the Cherokee Nation and other tribes. Governor Stitt’s unfortunate decision to end the compact licensure program has cost the State of Oklahoma millions of dollars in revenue and federal funds, and has cost Cherokee citizens the opportunity to receive state/tribal compact licenses. While the Cherokee Nation is open to future partnership with the state of Oklahoma, Governor Stitt has no prospects for a new compact in the immediate future.  

Cherokee Nation tribal citizens are eligible to hunt and fish within the Cherokee Nation Reservation in accordance with tribal law, which requires a Cherokee Nation citizenship "blue" card or Cherokee Nation ID as a valid hunting and fishing license (subject to applicable trespassing laws and respect for private property rights). Individuals who are not Cherokee Citizens are eligible to hunt and fish within the reservation in accordance with state law; however, only members of the Cherokee Nation are allowed to hunt or fish on tribal lands.

Non-tribal citizens with a valid State of Oklahoma hunting and/or fishing license can hunt and fish within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation reservation in accordance with applicable law and with respect for private property rights. Access to Cherokee Nation tribal lands by non-tribal members is prohibited.

Cherokee Nation citizens may use their tribal citizenship card as a valid license within the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee, Chickasaw Nation reservations. Outside these reservations, Cherokee Nation citizens must obtain the necessary state licenses and tags for hunting and fishing. Additional forms of identification may be requested to confirm a citizen’s identity. Furthermore, completion of a Hunter Safety course is required unless exempt.

No, all Cherokee Nation citizens, regardless of residency, are permitted to hunt and fish on the Cherokee Nation Reservation in accordance with Cherokee Nation law.

Tribal citizens can hunt and/or fish within Cherokee Nation reservation boundaries utilizing their tribal ID as a hunting and fishing license. All applicable trespassing laws apply and will be enforced. The Wildlife Access Map outlines the Cherokee Nation Reservation as well as tribal-owned lands set aside for registered Cherokee Nation citizens to hunt and fish.

Currently, it is best to obtain a valid State of Oklahoma hunting and fishing license and follow applicable laws.

Currently, it is best to obtain a valid State of Oklahoma hunting and fishing license and follow applicable laws.

If a Cherokee Nation citizen already possesses a license with the State of Oklahoma, the license will continue to be valid, and no action is necessary.

Under Cherokee Nation law, Cherokee Nation citizens are not required to purchase tags. Bag limits and season dates apply.

A state stamp is not required for Cherokee Nation citizens. However, all federal regulations and requirements related to migratory game bird harvests apply to Cherokee Nation citizens hunting and fishing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. A valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is required for every waterfowl hunter aged 16 and older. All migratory bird hunters require a Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit unless exempt.

No, bag limits and season dates adopted by the State of Oklahoma have been adopted by the Council of the Cherokee Nation and apply within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Cherokee Nation citizens should report applicable harvests via the Gadugi Portal.

Yes, but a reliable internet connection or cell service is required for successful submission.

Yes, in accordance with Cherokee Nation law, bag limits and season dates adopted by the State of Oklahoma apply within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have cross-deputization agreements to ensure enforcement of tribal and state wildlife laws across the Cherokee Nation Reservation. However, it is possible that you could be cited for hunting and fishing without a license. If you receive a ticket for hunting without a license from an Oklahoma game warden while hunting within the Cherokee Nation reservation boundaries, contact the Cherokee Nation Wildlife Department at wildlife@cherokee.org or call 918-453-5333.

Contact Cherokee Nation Registration at: https://www.cherokee.org/all-services/tribal-registration

No, citizens of the Cherokee Nation must be fully registered with the Nation in order to be eligible to hunt and fish within the Reservation using their tribal citizenship identification. Non-citizens and citizens whose applications are in process will need to obtain a hunting and fishing license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to legally hunt within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, unless they are also members of the Choctaw, Muskogee, or Chickasaw Nations.

Citizens with valid Oklahoma hunting/fishing licenses may hunt and fish in a manner consistent with the laws of the State of Oklahoma, and no further action is required.  If utilizing tribal access lands reserved for Cherokee citizens, it is necessary to carry and have readily available your Cherokee Nation tribal citizenship card. 

Cherokee citizens may hunt/fish within Cherokee Nation reservation boundaries, on any lands they would otherwise be able to hunt/fish on. All applicable trespassing laws apply and will be enforced. Additionally, designated lands within Cherokee Nation Reservation boundaries are available only for Cherokee Nation citizens to hunt and fish. Cherokee Nation maintains a map of designated lands available to Cherokee citizens for hunting and fishing at: Cherokee Nation Fish and Wildlife Map.  

As of July 12, 2024, Cherokee Nation citizens can use their tribal citizenship card as a valid license within the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Chickasaw Nation reservations. Citizens are responsible for obtaining private landowner permission for access when applicable. All applicable trespassing laws will be enforced. All such hunting and fishing is subject to the laws and restrictions of the Nation whose reservation the Cherokee citizen is visiting. It is the individual citizen’s responsibility to know and adhere to the laws of the Nation on whose reservation they are hunting and/or fishing, including any laws or restrictions regarding the properties within those reservations that may be used for hunting and/or fishing.  

Outside the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Chickasaw reservations, Cherokee Nation citizens are responsible for obtaining the necessary licenses and tags for hunting and fishing. 

A Cherokee Citizen ID permits hunting or fishing throughout the Reservations of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee Nations. However, you are responsible for obtaining permission before hunting or fishing on any land that is not your own, including in Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas.  Please contact the landowner or land manager to secure the necessary permissions before accessing any property.

Citizens must adhere to the season dates and bag limits established by the Council of the Cherokee Nation within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. When hunting or fishing outside the Cherokee Nation Reservation, Cherokee Nation citizens must comply with the regulations and bag limits set forth by the respective tribal or state agency. A complete list of season dates and bag limits in the Cherokee Nation Reservation can be found at wildlife.cherokee.org.   

You are not required to pre-purchase tags, but are required to report your harvest via the Harvest Reporting System within the Gadugi Portal at: http://gadugiportal.cherokee.org  

No, a paddlefish permit is not required. However, paddlefish kept must be reported to Cherokee Nation via the Harvest Reporting System within the Gadugi Portal. The daily limit for paddlefish is one fish, with an annual limit of two. For full regulations, please visit wildlife.cherokee.org.   

Cherokee Nation citizens are required to report their harvest on the Gadugi Portal within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area. Once reported, hunters will receive a confirmation number that must accompany the carcass throughout processing or until it reaches its final destination.  

Members of the Choctaw, Muscogee, and Chickasaw Nations must follow all check-in guidelines of their respective tribe and use their respective tribe's system for harvest reporting when necessary.

Yes, all applicable wildlife harvest count towards the combined season total limit.

Yes, Cherokee Nation citizens are required to adhere to all federal regulations for migratory birds, including having a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Hunters are required to possess a valid Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit unless exempt. Season dates and bag limits apply. 

Yes, but a reliable internet connection or cell service is required for successful submission. 

Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have cross deputization agreements to ensure enforcement of tribal and state wildlife laws across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, and you should not be ticketed while hunting within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. But it is possible that you could be inadvertently cited for hunting and fishing without a license while hunting within approved areas. If you receive a ticket from an Oklahoma game warden while hunting within the boundaries of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee, or Chickasaw Nations, please contact the Cherokee Nation Wildlife Department at wildlife@cherokee.org 

Any Oklahoma resident with a valid State of Oklahoma hunting and/or fishing license can hunt and fish within the Cherokee Nation reservation in accordance with applicable law and respect for private property rights.  Any citizen of the Muscogee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Nations who would be eligible to hunt or fish within their own reservation under their respective tribal laws may hunt or fish within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. However, there are designated lands within Cherokee Nation Reservation boundaries that are available only for Cherokee Nation citizens. Cherokee Nation maintains a map of designated lands available to Cherokee citizens for hunting and fishing at: Cherokee Nation Fish and Wildlife Map.

Following the Hunting and Fishing Reciprocal Agreement, Cherokee Nation is working closely with Choctaw Nation regarding bear harvest and reporting. Cherokee citizens who wish to harvest a bear during the 2024 archery or muzzleloader season must create an account with Choctaw Nation through the Chahta Achvffa Portal. Cherokee citizens must abide by the laws, including season dates and bag limits, set by Choctaw Nation when hunting bear within any reservation. 

Tribal citizens may not hunt or harvest black bear without receiving a permit from Choctaw Nation no later than September 30, 2024 

Bear season is only open to: 

• Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties. 
• Portion of McIntosh, Muskogee and Sequoyah counties south of Interstate 40. 
• Portion of Atoka, Bryan, McIntosh and Pittsburg counties east of U.S. Highway 69. 

For more details on bear hunting, please visit the Choctaw Nation Wildlife Conservation Bear Hunting page. 

Choctaw Nation Wildlife Conservation: https://www.choctawnation.com/services/wildlife-conservation/ 

All wildlife harvests must be reported under the Gadugi account of the individual who harvested the animal, including minors. Children cannot report their harvest under their parent or guardian’s account. To create an account, please visit gadugiportal.cherokee.org.