Page 9 - OutdoorOK-2023-September-October-Low

GAME WARDEN’S JOURNAL

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH
AND WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA

Game War- rity details after a tornado devastated that town on
dens helped June 15.
ou t y ou n g
sharpshooters
on the shot- Several Game Wardens participated in Safety Day
gun range on activities at Checotah Schools. Game Wardens Matt
the final day Farris, based in Cherokee County, Logan Shimp, based
of 2023 Wild- in Haskell County, David deMontigny, based in McIntosh
life Youth Camp. The youths learned the importance County, and Lt. Patrick Matlock, based in Okmulgee
of firearms safety and handling. And they honed their County, enjoyed meeting all the students and teaching
marksmanship skills on the rifle range until a champion them the importance of firearms and hunting safety.
was crowned. Thanks to the Oklahoma State Game
Warden Association for helping financially support this
youth camp for many years.

Game Wardens were glad to help at the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Kids Fishing Day at Copan Lake
on June 25 in northeastern Oklahoma. Area families
enjoyed a fun morning of fishing. The young anglers
landed everything from a turtle to a nice bass! Game
Wardens Hank Jenks, based in Delaware County, and
Lt. Joe Alexander, based in Washington Co., were on
hand to ensure all of the kids had a blast! (Reports from the Oklahoma Game Wardens Face-
book page.)

Game Wardens helped with the EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help make a difference!
Tenkiller State Park Day Camp in late When violators break the law, they steal fish and
June. The youths learned about fish wildlife from you! Report violations anonymously by
identification, knot tying, and cast- calling Operation Game Thief at (800) 522-8039. You
ing. The young anglers caught cat- could earn a cash reward.
fish, sunfish and bass with help from
Game Wardens Lt. Patrick Matlock,
based in Okmulgee County, Brek
Henry and Jerry Henry, both based IT’S THE LAW:
in Sequoyah County. There are unfortunate times when vehi-
cles and deer collide. And at times, a deer
carcass along a roadway might be in good,
Oklahoma Game Wardens Max Crocker, based in Texas salvageable condition. But according to
County, and Mike Baker, based in Beaver County, respond- statutes, you aren’t legally able to take
ed to the Per- possession of the deer. As a game species,
ryton, Texas, harvest of deer is regulated. A person must
area to assist have appropriate licenses (unless exempt)
local author- and must take deer during an open hunting
itie s an d season by the allowed methods. However, a
other first Game Warden can issue a permit allowing
responders someone to harvest a road-killed deer. If
with search you ever find yourself in this situation, be
and rescue sure to contact a Game Warden before
effor ts as removing any road-killed deer.
well as secu-

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 7