The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma says its members can hunt and fish in tribal territory without a state license.

The tribe says treaties guarantee its right to hunt and fish in a 14-county area in the state. But efforts to negotiate a compact or agreement with the state haven't been successful.

"We are confident our citizens have those rights. If we need to assist in asserting those rights in court, we will," spokesperson Mike Miller told The Oklahoman.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says state law doesn't apply to trust land but the tribe doesn't appear to differentiate between non-trust and trust lands within its 14-county area.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation gearing up for battle over land use for hunting and fishing (The Oklahoman 7/5)
What the Cherokee Hunting and Fishing Code says (The Oklahoman 7/5)