Waurika Wildlife Management Area

By: Kent Swanda, Habitat Coordinator at Ellsworth WDU, Ft.Cobb, Mtn.Park, Washita County and Waurika WMA’s.  Phone 580-595-0347. 

Area Description:
Waurika WMA covers 10,580 acres in Cotton and Stephens counties in southern Oklahoma and is located west of Comanche on Hwy. 53.  The area mostly encompasses the floodplains of primary creeks feeding Waurika Lake and the adjacent uplands.  The bottomlands are primarily American elm, hackberry, burr oak, cottonwood and willow.  Uplands are vegetated by typical tall and mid grass species, with sandplum and other shrubs present.  Some portions of the area are rather narrow strips of land between the lake and private land. 440 acres of wetland units are located south of Hwy 53, adjacent to Big and Little Beaver creeks, and on Walker Creek.  The annual rainfall for the area is 30 to 32 inches.

WMA Driving Directions:

From Comanche: 11 miles west on State Hwy 53 (from the intersection with U.S. Hwy 81). The WMA is located on both sides of the Highway, mainly to the south of this point

Game Species of Interest: 

Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers on upland sites.

Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers.

Turkey: Rio Grande turkeys are present in fair number. 

Rabbit: Both cottontails and jackrabbits are present in good numbers with cottontails more common. 

Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available. 

Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers, primarily on managed fields. 

Waterfowl: Geese and ducks are usually present in good numbers during the annual migration. 

Nongame Species of Interest: 

        Shorebirds: Frequent wetland units and lake shore during fall and spring migrations. 

Description of Fish and Wildlife Management Practices:
Approximately 400 acres of wildlife feeding areas are planted annually, including 250 acres through an agriculture lease program.   Wetland units are intensively managed with both agricultural plantings and native wetland plant enhancement.  Trees are planted to provide woody cover on WMA. 

Camping and Facilities:
One designated primitive camping area is located on the area. Camping with hookups is available on Corps of Engineers managed areas on the south end of Waurika Lake. (580-963-2111)

Fishing Opportunities:
Waurika Lake offers a variety of fishing opportunities for hybrid striped bass, black bass, crappie and catfish species.

Maps:

Maps are available at the Corps of Engineer office. 580-963-2111.

Waurika WMA Map - best general purpose map, pdf format (8.5x11)

Waurika WMA Map  - interactive map with aerial photography available

Waurika Wetlands Development Area

Information on the lake and surrounding area  

Area map courtesy of US Army Corps of Engineers  

Regulations: Seasons on public lands section of hunting regulations

 

For additional information and area attractions:
Duncan Convention and Tourism
1-800-782-7167
 

Great Plains Country
114 South 9th St, Suite A Frederick OK 73542
580-335-5999
gpc@greatplainscountry.com
www.greatplainscountry.com

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com

Waurika Chamber of Commerce
120 W Broadway
Waurika OK 73573
 chamber1@waurika.net