“It is technically illegal to hunt whales in Oklahoma”
This is frequently cited as the pinnacle of legislative absurdity—a landlocked state banning whaling. However, the Oklahoma legislature never specifically banned whale hunting. The state statute simply adopts the federal endangered species list by reference, which includes various whale species.
The Oklahoma legislature never convened to specifically ban the hunting of whales. Instead, Title 29, Section 2-135 of the Oklahoma Statutes defines "threatened" and "endangered" species. Crucially, the state statute adopts the federal list of endangered species by reference to ensure consistency with the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The federal ESA lists various whale species (e.g., the Fin Whale, North Atlantic Right Whale) as endangered. Because Oklahoma law prohibits the hunting of any species on the federal list, it is technically illegal to hunt a whale in Oklahoma.
Where the story gets it wrong
Many people assume this law was created as a joke or publicity stunt, but it's actually the result of standard legislative copying of comprehensive wildlife codes.
Some also incorrectly believe the law was created to prevent transportation of whale products through the state, but the statute specifically addresses hunting and taking whales within Oklahoma's borders.
It shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess any whale within the territorial boundaries of the State of Oklahoma.
- Current status
- Never Enforced
- Enacted
- April 8, 1974
- Penalty
- Under Oklahoma Title 29, violations involving threatened or endangered species carry a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or both.