SECTION 800:30-1-15. Large organized groups and military units

(a)   Under appropriate circumstances, organized group activities and military training activities may be considered acceptable uses on Department managed lands; however, written permission from the Director or his authorized representative is required prior to any such group activity.

(b)   Requests for military or group use of National Forest lands are subject to the regulations and/or approval of the U.S. Forest Service.

(c)   Requests for permission should be submitted to the local Department representative at least seven days prior to the planned activity on forms as prescribed by the Department.

(d)   Periods closed to group use:

(1)   Generally, permission for use of Department lands will not be granted during the hunting season period beginning September 1 continuing through February 1. Requests for use will be considered on an individual basis during this period. Permission may be granted, unless it conflicts with hunting activities.

(2)   Areas may also be closed during the period of May 15-30 and the spring wild turkey season beginning the weekend prior to the opening of the season.

(e)   Off-road use of vehicles for training is not authorized.

(f)   Travel on roads maintained at Department expense is prohibited for vehicles in excess of 3/4 ton gross vehicular weight whenever moisture conditions will not support the vehicle.

(g)   Any pits, foxholes, trenches, gun or unit emplacements or other depressions which have been authorized must be backfilled and tamped to surface level upon completion of the activity.

(h)   Disturbance of surface cover is prohibited in any area where exposure could later result in an erosion situation.

(i)   No living trees, shrubs or other woody vegetation may be cut for any purpose including shelters, camouflage or blinds. Standing dead timber less than six inches diameter-breast-high, may be used but shall not be removed from the area.

(j)   Military and other non-wildlife related group activities are prohibited within 150 yards of any fishing lake, designated campsite or the manager's residence.

(k)   Any litter or solid waste generated by any using group must be thoroughly policed and removed from the area.

(l)   Group activities must provide adequate sanitary facilities if Department facilities are not available.

(m)   Off-road night activities are not to be conducted in areas where campers may be found.

(n)   Vehicular travel, aircraft landings and close formation movements are prohibited on alfalfa hay fields or crop fields and food plots.

(o)   If fires are to be built or pyrotechnics of any type are to be used, the user must provide sufficient fire control equipment to promptly extinguish any wild fires which might occur as a result of the activity.

[Source: Amended at 8 Ok Reg 2427, eff 6-13-91]