Game and Fish Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission; primitive firearm season; handguns; effective date.

HB 1768 allows hunters with a primitive firearm license to use specific handguns during the primitive (muzzleloading) firearm deer hunting season in Oklahoma. The bill requires the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to include modern handguns chambered in .38 Special +P caliber or larger in the list of legally permitted weapons for this season. This change directly affects licensed hunters who currently rely on muzzleloaders, expanding their allowed equipment to include certain handguns. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025, and modifies existing regulations governing hunting methods.