Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation successfully hosts first three controlled deer hunts of the season

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation has successfully completed its first three controlled deer hunts of the 2025 season on preserve land in Sequoyah County, marking continued milestones in the tribe's commitment to wildlife management, cultural preservation and food sovereignty as the Cherokee Nation continues to assert its treaty-protected hunting and fishing rights.

The Cherokee youth hunt took place Oct. 17-19 on Cherokee Nation's 4,000-plus-acre Sequoyah Hunting Preserve north of Sallisaw. Ten Cherokee youth hunters, selected through a random draw of qualifying applicants, participated in the weekend event accompanied by licensed adults as they practiced traditional hunting methods on ancestral lands.

Following the youth hunt, the Cherokee Speakers muzzleloader hunt was held Oct. 25-27, and the Cherokee elders muzzleloader hunt took place Oct. 31-Nov. 2, continuing the tribe's commitment to prioritizing cultural and community leaders in wildlife conservation efforts.

"Having our youth, Cherokee Speakers, and elders connect with the land and practice the hunting traditions of our ancestors has been incredibly meaningful," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "These controlled hunts are about more than wildlife management - they're about ensuring our Cherokee heritage and our relationship with the natural world continues to thrive for generations to come. By honoring those who carry our language and those who have walked this path before us, alongside our young people learning these traditions, we strengthen the bonds between generations and deepen our connection to these ancestral lands."

The youth, speaker and elder hunts boasted successful tagout rates of 70%, 66% and 63%, respectively.

The successful hunts come as the Cherokee Nation reaffirms its sovereign treaty rightsfollowing recent statements from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation claiming authority to enforce state hunting and fishing laws on tribal citizens within reservation boundaries.

Two additional controlled hunt categories remain scheduled for this fall at the Sequoyah Hunting Preserve: Cherokee veterans (Nov. 28-30) and an open hunt for Cherokee citizens (Dec. 5-7).

"These controlled hunts represent more than just wildlife management - they're about preserving our connection to the land and honoring our Cherokee traditions," said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. "By prioritizing our elders, veterans, youth, and Cherokee Speakers, we're ensuring that our hunting heritage continues to be passed down through generations while practicing responsible conservation on our ancestral lands. This program exemplifies our commitment to both environmental stewardship and cultural preservation."

The 2025 controlled huntsmark the fifth year Cherokee Nation has hosted these events at the Sequoyah Hunting Preserve. The tribe recently completed construction of a new facility at the preserve, providing office space and classroom space for hunting and other educational courses for citizens.

"The successful completion of these hunts demonstrates the effectiveness of our wildlife conservation programs and the dedication of our team," said Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice. "With our new facility at the preserve and our first Conservation Officer now in place, we have the infrastructure and expertise to sustainably manage our natural resources while providing meaningful opportunities for our citizens to engage with the land."

Cherokee Nation's Wildlife Conservation program is supported by Conservation Officer Brek Henry, the tribe's first Conservation Officer, who is responsible for enforcing Cherokee Nation laws and regulations related to the protection and conservation of natural resources.

The Sequoyah Hunting Preserve was established under the Cherokee Nation Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act, signed into law by Chief Hoskin in 2021. The preserve helps ensure food security for Cherokee families through hunting and gathering opportunities while supporting the tribe's wildlife management and conservation goals.

Although tribes have guaranteed hunting and fishing rights on their reservations under their treaties with the United States, Cherokee Nation previously held a compact with the State of Oklahoma that allowed for a coordinated, intergovernmental system that provided hunting and fishing opportunities for tribal citizens while generating revenue and federal funding for wildlife management programs across the state.

Four years ago, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt failed to renew standing hunting and fishing compacts with tribal governments, ending a successful partnership that expanded access for tribal citizens and brought millions in revenue and federal funding to Oklahoma.

In response, the Cherokee Nation joined the Intertribal Council of the Five Tribes to create the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement. This agreement allows tribal members and citizens of the Five Tribes to utilize their tribal memberships to enjoy hunting and fishing in participating tribes' treaty territories. Most tribes allow for their tribal membership cards to serve as their credential or license.

The Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement allows the Five Tribes to collaborate on wildlife management within their reservations and enhance their ability to effectively manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.

For more information about Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation programs, call 918-453-5058.