As your constituent, I’m writing to respectfully urge you to vote “NO” on Senate Bill 1077 (SB1077). This bill, which would allow hunters to transport intact Cervidae carcasses into Oklahoma for delivery to taxidermists, poses serious risks to our state’s wildlife, public trust, and science-based management practices.
This legislation bypasses the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)—the agency best equipped to manage these issues through its existing rulemaking authority. Wildlife policy should be shaped by trained professionals who understand the complexities of disease prevention, habitat protection, and long-term resource stewardship—not locked into statute.
I’m especially concerned about the potential for spreading chronic wasting disease (CWD) into uninfected areas of our state. SB1077 does not address this risk or provide practical protocols for safe carcass disposal. Without proper oversight, this bill could unintentionally accelerate the spread of CWD, putting both wild deer populations and the future of hunting in Oklahoma at risk.
ODWC already has the rule making process in place that allows for public input and expert review. Issues like this should be handled through that process—not through rushed legislation.
Please stand with science, conservation, and the voices of your constituents. I urge you to vote “NO” on SB1077 and support wildlife policy that is rooted in sound management, not politics.
