Oklahoma’s governor, attorney general at odds over tribal hunting rights
By Skyler Cooper – KRMG News
12:09pm 11/14/2025
The battle between Oklahoma’s governor and attorney general over tribal hunting rights continues. At issue is whether tribal citizens are required to have state hunting and fishing permits, even on tribal land. Attorney General Gentner Drummond says tribal hunting rights are covered under federal treaties, but Governor Kevin Stitt says tribal citizens are required to have state permits and he says people hunting without permission are breaking the law. “State and federal courts have been clear. The State of Oklahoma can prosecute Indians who commit non-major crimes in our state,” Governor Kevin Stitt said. “I will not stand by and allow lawless Drummond to undermine district attorneys who are prosecuting crimes and keeping Oklahomans safe.” Attorney General Drummond has vowed to take over such cases and dismiss the charges. In response, the governor appointed a special prosecutor, Russ Cochran, to handle such cases and accuses Drummond of disregarding the rule of law. Drummond is telling the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation not to issue citations to tribal citizens and has vowed to take over any cases that are brought against Native Americans. “These enforcement actions are not merely ill-advised—they are unlawful. They expose individual ODWC officers to personal liability.” AG Drummond wrote in letter to ODWC Director Wade Free. “They waste limited law enforcement and prosecutorial resources on cases that cannot succeed. And they inflict significant harm on the State’s government-to-government relationships with the Five Tribes—relationships that took years to rebuild and that benefit all Oklahomans.” Drummond said he’s prepared to litigate the matter if Stitt’s policies are not rescinded.
