And just like that, 2021 is off to the crazy races with a “Here, hold my beer, 2020,” story out of Oklahoma. On Jan. 20, 2021, Oklahoma State Representative Justin Humphrey filed House Bill 1648, which calls for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission (OWCC) to establish a Bigfoot hunting season. (Or, as it’s spelled in the bill, “big foot.”)
Why Rep. Humphrey believes this is pressing (or necessary) business to attend to in the 1st session of the State of Oklahoma’s 58th Legislature, I don’t know. (Although I make a guess below.) However, it makes for a great paranormal-themed news story, so let’s take a closer look.
The Gist of the Bigfoot Hunting Season Bill
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.
Effective Date
If passed, the Bigfoot hunting season bill would go into effect November 21, 2021.
Voting Date
The legislature could vote on the bill as soon as February 1, 2021
Is it a real bill?
Micah Holmes, the Assistant Chief of the Information and Education Division at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), confirmed to Fox News that, “It is a real bill, yes.”
But will it pass? Not if the ODWC has anything to say about it.
Holmes also told Fox News, “Here at the department, we use science to make management decisions, and we do not recognize Bigfoot as a wildlife species in Oklahoma.”
Why Rep. Humphrey Might Have Proposed the Bill
As Fox News also shared, “Humphrey represents House District 19, a southeastern area of Oklahoma famous for its Bigfoot sightings.”
He’s looking out for his peeps. Because there’s even a Bigfoot paracon (a.k.a. an economy-boosting event) that takes place in Honobia each year, one of the towns in his district: The Bigfoot Festival and Conference. Except for 2020. Thanks to the pandemic, the festival had to be canceled.
But maybe it’ll happen in 2021? I’m sure the Bigfoot hunting season bill will be a topic. By then, it will have probably been voted on. If it gets voted on.
I wonder if most Bigfoot enthusiasts are in favor of a hunting season or not? What about you? Check-In and cast your vote with the poll below.
The Bill
We always hear about legislation but we rarely get to see any. But seeing is believing and makes it more real.
Since the Bigfoot hunting season bill is so short and fit in a single screenshot, I took this one from a PDF that I found via the Oklahoma State Legislature.
Check-In
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Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
I’m not against hunting in general, but if Bigfoot exists, then they are rare, and we shouldn’t be killing off a rare species.
Amen!