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January 22, 2021
By Game and Fish Staff
The Oklahoma state legislature is considering a bill to establish a "Bigfoot" hunting season.
For real. Well, sorta.
Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) filed legislation this week — House Bill 1648 — that would direct "the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission to establish a big foot hunting season." That would involve determining licenses, fees and annual seasons.
It’s a real bill, a Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation spokesperson told Fox News .
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"A lot of people don't believe in Bigfoot, but a lot of people do," Humphrey said in a statement . "Just like some people like to go deer hunting, while some don’t."
Humphrey said the bill is more about tourism than catching Sasquatch.
"Tourism is one of the biggest attractions we have in my House district," Humphrey said in the statement. "Establishing an actual hunting season and issuing licenses for people who want to hunt Bigfoot will just draw more people to our already beautiful part of the state. It will be a great way for people to enjoy our area and to have some fun.”
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Specifically, House Bill 1648 states, "The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission shall promulgate rules establishing a big foot hunting season. The Commission shall set annual season dates and create any necessary specific hunting licenses and fees. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021."
Humphrey said he will ask will help from state wildlife and tourism representatives with the bill's final language to specify that only trapping would be allowed to catch Bigfoot. He's also working on creating a $25,000 bounty for the first person to capture one.
Humphrey's district in Southeastern Oklahoma is apparently known for Bigfoot sightings, Fox25 in Oklahoma says . The Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference is held annually in October in the district.
"Having a license and a tag would give people a way to prove they participated in the hunt," Humphrey said. "Again, the overall goal is to get people to our area to enjoy the natural beauty and to have a great time, and if they find Bigfoot while they’re at it, well hey, that's just an even bigger prize."
It's not clear how the bill has been viewed by the state legislature.
