Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Posted: 2021-01-22T10:00:47Z | Updated: 2021-01-22T11:05:16Z

Bigfoot may not be real, but one lawmaker in Oklahoma wants to create a hunting season for him anyway.

Just dont plan on actually shooting the Squatch.

I want to be really clear that we are not going to kill Bigfoot, state Rep. Justin Humphrey, the Republican behind the bill, told The Oklahoman . We are going to trap a live Bigfoot. We are not promoting killing Bigfoot. We are promoting hunting Bigfoot, trying to find evidence of Bigfoot.

The bill doesnt specify that. The text, as introduced by Humphrey, directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to create rules, dates, license and fees establishing a big foot (sic) hunting season.

Humphrey told the Oklahoma City NBC station KFOR that he would work on the specifics with the commission, which would include a $25,000 bounty for someone who traps the cryptid.

The commission didnt seem interested.

We use science-driven research, and we dont recognize Bigfoot in the state of Oklahoma, Micah Holmes of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation told ABC station KOCO in Oklahoma City, adding that the bill would require them to create a new season and license for something that doesnt exist.

But Humphrey said it would be great for tourism and outdoor recreation.

Having a license and a tag would give people a way to prove they participated in the hunt, Humphrey told KFOR. 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 theyre at it, well hey, thats just an even bigger prize.

So Bigfoot might be safe in Oklahoma for now, anyway. While multiple states have laws protecting animals not otherwise named, hes specifically protected by name in Washington.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

However, he might want to avoid Texas. The Lone Star States laws allow hunters to bag a Bigfoot on sight.

If Bigfoot did exist, and wasnt human, then it would [be legal], L. David Sinclair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told NPRs State Impact in 2012. Bigfoot would be a non-protected wild animal.

Humphrey made national headlines in 2017 when he proposed a law that would make it illegal for a woman to have an abortion without the mans consent . He told The Intercept that he preferred the term host for pregnant women.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost