| OCTOBER
2007 NEWS
RELEASES |
WEEK OF OCTOBER 19, 2007
WEEK OF OCTOBER 11, 2007
WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2007
Third annual
Oklahoma Wildlife Expo draws 40,000
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s third annual
Oklahoma Wildlife Expo drew about 40,000 people to the Lazy E Arena Sept. 28-30.
“This was our most successful Expo yet,” said Greg Duffy, director
of the Wildlife Department. “But the success of this year’s Expo was huge on
many levels. The people of Oklahoma came together for three days of enjoying our
state’s outdoor heritage, and we did that in a big way.”
More than 25,000 shotgun shells were shot at the Expo, and thousands
of arrows were shot from bows at one of three archery ranges. In addition,
visitors to the Expo’s popular Taste of the Wild booth consumed about 250
gallons of buffalo chili, 1,200 pounds of blue catfish fillets and 1,000 pounds
of venison bacon.
The 2007 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo featured more than 150 activities
and booths related to the outdoors, many of which allowed hands-on learning
experiences for people of all ages and skill levels. Among the activities
available at the Expo were shooting sports, ATV rides, mountain biking,
kayaking, fly fishing, castnetting, bowfishing, rock climbing, bird watching,
wild game tasting and booths and seminars related to hunting, fishing,
backpacking, camping, mule and horse packing, taxidermy, wildlife and land
management, nature trails, reptiles and amphibians, upland game birds and
waterfowl, treestand safety, Oklahoma history and more.
The event drew thousands to the grounds of the Lazy E Arena, just
north of Oklahoma City, to celebrate what many Oklahomans know to be an
enriching part of life in Oklahoma—the great outdoors. But perhaps Expo
spokesperson and rising country music star Blake Shelton explained the outdoor
heritage best when he told the crowd at the Expo about his own introduction to
the outdoors when his cousin took him hunting near Calvin, Okla., when he was
only 14 years old. His cousin set him up near a creek and explained to him what
to expect from his first hunt.
“About 30 minutes later a doe walked in to about 10 yards from me
and changed my life, and I want all these kids out here to experience what that
feels like,” Shelton said regarding how the hunting and outdoor heritage became
a significant part of his life once he experienced it firsthand.
And experiencing the outdoors firsthand is what the Oklahoma
Wildlife Expo is all about. The event is designed to promote and perpetuate
appreciation of Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources and provide hands-on
learning opportunities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation partnered with a
wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related
companies to host the huge event.
Though the third annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo may be hard to top,
volunteers and Wildlife Department employees are already looking ahead to the
2008 Wildlife Expo, slated for Sept. 26-28.
“We have a talented bunch of individuals working on the Expo every
year, and because of that and all that goes into making the Expo such a great
thing, we are confident the Expo will continue to be the biggest outdoor
recreation event in the state, as well as the best,” said Rhonda Hurst, Expo
coordinator for the Wildlife Department.
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Paddlefish permit established to help manage fisheries and simplify tagging
process
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have
developed a new way to manage paddlefish while creating simpler tagging
regulations for paddlefish anglers.
At its October meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Commission approved a rule change that will require anglers to obtain a free
paddlefish permit before fishing for paddlefish in Oklahoma. Each angler that
obtains the permit will be assigned a number that must be attached to all
paddlefish that are caught and kept.
“In the past, it has been a challenge to determine numbers of
paddlefish anglers,” said Barry Bolton, fisheries chief for the Wildlife
Department. “This permit system will give us a clearer picture of these anglers
and help us better manage paddlefish populations.”
According to Bolton, the free permits will also make the paddlefish
tagging process easier for anglers.
“Previously, anglers had to tag their paddlefish with personal
information, including their first and last name, address and fishing license
number. Now they will only be required to attach their paddlefish permit number
to the fish,” Bolton said. “The permit is good for the whole year, and the
permit number can be used on every paddlefish tagged during that period. That
speeds up the tagging process and makes it less likely to make a mistake.”
At its meeting last month, the Commission approved an extensive plan
for a pilot paddlefish research program scheduled to open in February. A
paddlefish research and processing center will be built near the Twin Bridges
area of the Neosho River and will play an important role in paddlefish
management. The primary functions of the center will be collecting important
data for the Department’s paddlefish management plan, processing paddlefish meat
for anglers and salvaging paddlefish eggs.
Surveys performed in top paddlefishing locations in Oklahoma showed
that anglers strongly supported the idea of a paddlefish research and processing
center. About 99 percent of those surveyed said they would moderately or
strongly support such a venture, and about 92 percent said they would likely
participate by having their paddlefish processed at the center.
The center will be open during the paddlefish spring spawning run,
and anglers will be able to bring their catch to the center for cleaning and
processing. They will take home meat from their own fish that has been cleaned
and packaged.
Paddlefish, which date back to the Jurassic Period, regularly weigh
over 50 pounds, and anglers who have caught them say the action is better than
deep-sea fishing.
In other business, the Commission recognized a host of Wildlife
Department employees for tenure and excellence in service.
Larry Manering, chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife
Department, presented Game Warden Jerry Henry with the “Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation’s Outstanding Game Warden of the Year Award.” Henry is
stationed in Sequoyah County and has been working for the Department for 23
years. A panel of past “Outstanding Game Warden of the Year Award” recipients
recommended one of eight anonymous finalists from each law enforcement district
to receive the award.
In addition, Jim Edwards, assistant chief of law enforcement for the
Wildlife Department, was recognized for 25 years of service to the Department
and sportsmen of the state; Jack Witt, district six chief of law enforcement,
for 35 years of service; Todd Tobey, game warden supervisor, for 20 years of
service; Gary Peterson, northeast region fisheries biologist, for 25 years of
service; Ron Folks, wildlife biologist, for 35 years of service; and Kelly
Roberson for 25 years of service as a game warden. Roberson recently accepted
the position of lands and minerals coordinator for the Department.
Additionally, the Commission took no action after returning from
executive session to discuss a pending investigation and possible litigation
involving pollution from an active oil well located on the Osage West Wall
Wildlife Management Area.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing
board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife
Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for
the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife
conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and
confirmed by the Senate.
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the
southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
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Outdoor
Calendar offers full schedule of fall activities
The temperatures outside may be cooling off with the switch from
summer to fall, but the outdoor activities available to sportsmen across the
state are just heating up. Oklahomans looking for opportunities to share the
outdoors with family and friends this fall need to look no further than the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Outdoor Calendar.
Visitors to the Wildlife Department's Web site at
wildlifedepartment.com can use the Outdoor Calendar to find out what activities
are going on in their area — whether it is a wildlife tour, hunting season,
shooting sports event, hunter education course or other activity.
The Outdoor Calendar provides information about events sponsored by
various conservation organizations, such as the Wagoner Chapter of Ducks
Unlimited Waterfowl Extravaganza to be held Oct. 13 at Bass Pro Shops in Broken
Arrow, and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International’s second
annual Fall Rendezvous charity fundraiser Oct. 12 at the historic Elks Lodge in
El Reno. The SCI event is open to the public and will include a cash bar at 6
p.m., a western barbecue dinner at 6:30 p.m., casino-style games from 7:30 -
9:30 p.m., a live auction of 20 hunt packages and firearms and a raffle of 20
hunting-related items. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the door, or
reservations can be made. For more information or to RSVP, call (405) 721-7229.
Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI is a leader in protecting sportsmen’s right to
hunt, supporting wildlife conservation projects, educating the public about the
value of hunting for wildlife management and supporting humanitarian services
such as the Hunters Against Hunger program. The Oklahoma Station Chapter has
supported the Wildlife Department with over $200,000 in contributions over the
past 20 years.
Sportsmen also can use the Outdoor Calendar to plan to attend hunter
education courses that are scheduled throughout the fall in many communities
such as Oklahoma City, Norman, Sperry, Midwest City, Tulsa, Madill, Wagoner and
others across the state. And travelers can use the calendar as a tool for
planning a fall afternoon at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge for
a Bugling Elk Tour during the peak of the elk mating season or a hunting trip
during their favorite season.
Camp cooking enthusiasts can find out about the Red Dirt Dutch Oven
Cook-off at Crow’s Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park. The
event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes cast-iron cooking competitions for
several skill levels and age classes. Categories include meats, vegetables,
breads and desserts. More information is available by calling (405) 321-4633.
To learn more about other outdoor activities this fall, log on to
wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar.
Those interested in receiving the Outdoor Calendar by e-mail can
also subscribe to the Department’s weekly Wildlife News at
wildlifedepartment.com. The weekly news release provides detailed
information about events, breaking outdoor news, hunting and fishing
opportunities and more.
For even more information about Oklahoma’s outdoors, log on to the
Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com. The site is a great source for
brochures and other information to help sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts get
the most from Oklahoma’s outdoors while benefiting wildlife at the same time.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about the Wildlife
Department, getting rid of aquatic vegetation in your pond or learning about
wildlife species in Oklahoma, it can all be found with a few clicks of the
mouse. In addition, the Department’s annual hunting and fishing regulations also
are available on the site.
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Muzzleloader
deer season slated for Oct. 27-Nov. 4
Oklahoma sportsmen who enjoy mixing their time afield with a little
of the “good old days” will be taking to the woods soon for the 2007 deer
muzzleloader season.
Spanning nine days (Oct. 27 - Nov. 4) deer muzzleloader season
offers hunters a chance to hunt deer weeks in advance of the popular deer gun
season (Nov. 17 - Dec. 2).
In recent years, participation in muzzleloader season has been on
the rise, as well as the hunter success rate. Last year, hunters set a new
muzzleloader harvest record with 29,519 deer taken.
“This year looks like it could be another good one statewide,” said
Jerry Shaw, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “After getting a lot of rain this past year, Oklahoma’s deer herd
looks healthy, and hunters should do well by hunting areas that have proven
successful in the past.”
From wide-open prairie to pine-covered mountains, Oklahomans are
blessed with a wide variety of terrain that whitetail deer call home. Many of
the wildlife management areas in the state are open for all or at least a
portion of the nine-day muzzleloader season. According to Shaw, though, it is
always a good idea to do some scouting before the season no matter where you go.
“It can really pay to know the land you are hunting as well as
something about the deer that are moving in the area,” Shaw said.
Hunters can do a little virtual scouting and never leave the comfort
of home by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com. The Web site offers an
award-winning digital wildlife management area atlas. And best of all, it is
free. In addition to detailed maps, sportsmen can find information such as
camping locations and contacts for local biologists.
“Using some of these available resources may help some hunters
harvest a nice deer this year,” Shaw said.
Not only can hunters harvest a buck, but most of the state is open
to antlerless hunting every day during the muzzleloader season. New this year,
hunters can harvest three deer (one antlered and two antlerless) during
muzzleloader season and must have a deer license to hunt for each, unless
exempt. If hunters harvest two antlerless deer, at least one of those antlerless
deer must be taken in antlerless zone two (see page 17 of the current “Oklahoma
Hunting Guide”). In addition, resident muzzleloader hunters must carry an
appropriate hunting license and a fishing and hunting legacy permit, unless
exempt. Nonresident muzzleloader hunters must also carry a fishing and hunting
legacy permit. As an extra incentive for heading to the woods, hunters can
harvest a turkey with their muzzleloaders Nov. 3-4 in most of the state. A fall
turkey license is required, unless exempt. Fall turkey gun season runs Nov.
3-16, and details on the season are available in the current “Oklahoma Hunting
Guide.”
For newcomers to the outdoors, going hunting during the muzzleloader
season may be easier than ever. New to this year’s hunting seasons is Oklahoma’s
apprentice-designated hunting license for certain individuals who have not
completed the Wildlife Department’s hunter education course. Hunters age 16-35
who have not completed hunter education can buy an apprentice-designated hunting
license and hunt while accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older
who has completed the hunter education course, or a licensed hunter 21 years old
or older who is otherwise exempt from hunter education (includes those 36 years
old or older, those honorably discharged or currently active in the Armed Forces
or members of the National Guard). Hunters under 16 years old must complete a
hunter education course to hunt big game or to buy any big game hunting license.
For specific information regarding which areas are open to
muzzleloader season, licenses, bag limits, blaze orange clothing requirements or
legal firearms, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide" or log onto
wildlifedepartment.com.
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Youth deer gun season hunters have opportunity to harvest a buck and doe
Oklahoma's 2007 youth deer gun season runs October 19-21, and while
past youth seasons have been open to antlerless hunting only, this year youth
can harvest both a buck and a doe.
"We hope that a lot of young Oklahoma hunters take advantage of the
youth deer gun season this year," said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "To maximize opportunity for youth
participation, we tried to set the youth deer gun season so it falls during the
week of fall break for many schools."
Youth are already talking about the building excitement that comes
with the youth deer gun season.
“Fall break starts Thursday, and I'm looking forward to
participating in this year's youth deer season,” said Corbin Craycraft, who
lives near Cleveland. “I've been lucky enough to harvest a doe during two of the
last four youth seasons, but what I really want to do is harvest a buck this
year.”
Corbin has been hunting with his step-father, Colin Berg, since he
was nine, and has received a lot of mentoring from him.
“I’ve taken Corbin hunting during three of the past four youth deer
seasons, and I wouldn’t trade the time we’ve been able to spend together for
anything,” said Berg. “I am really glad I’ve had the opportunity to pass what I
know about deer hunting on to Corbin. He is 13 now and is well on his way to
becoming a really good hunter. I'd have to say the most important part of our
hunting together has been the shared memories and the great father/son
relationship that we have developed. We've had some great hunts together. Corbin
is a natural at everything he does. Hunting isn't any different. Last year I
watched as he harvested a doe opening morning of the youth deer gun season, and
that very same evening he harvested his first deer — another doe — with his bow.
I told him he accomplished something I never have — harvesting a deer with two
different methods during the same day.”
The youth deer gun season was created to encourage youth to head
afield. The youth season is open to kids under 18 years of age. Youth hunters
must be accompanied by a hunter 18 years or older (21 years or older for
apprentice hunters). Oklahoma kids under the age of 16 are exempt from the
purchase of a hunting license, and youth 16 or 17 years old can purchase a
combination youth hunting and fishing license for $9 or a youth hunting license
for $5. Unless they hold a lifetime hunting or combination license, all youth
participants must purchase a $10 youth antlered deer gun license and/or a $10
youth antlerless deer gun license if they want a chance to harvest a buck and a
doe. Nonresident youth hunters must purchase a nonresident deer gun antlered,
antlerless or combination license, and nonresident youth hunters ages 14-17 must
also purchase a fishing and hunting legacy permit. Youth hunters who do not
harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may use their unfilled youth
deer gun license during the regular deer gun season. Youth hunters who do
harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may purchase another youth deer
gun license and harvest a deer during the regular gun season. Deer taken by
youth hunters participating in the youth deer gun season are included in the
hunter’s combined season limit.
Youth under the age of 16 must be hunter education certified to
participate in the youth deer gun season. However, due to a change in the hunter
education requirements, youth 16 and 17 years of age can hunt with an
apprentice-designated hunting license. For complete information on the
apprentice-designated hunting license, youth season regulations and season
dates, pick up a copy of the “2007-08 Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log onto
wildlifedepartment.com.
For those youth who do not have their hunter education
certification, the Department is offering several courses before the season
opens in communities across the state, including Oklahoma City, Ardmore, Duncan,
Tulsa, Madill and Jenks. Some require pre-registration. Log on to
wildlifedepartment.com for more information on each available class.
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Winners of
2008-09 Waterfowl Stamp contest announced
The 2008-2009 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp design competition results
are in, and first place goes to Russ Duerksen of Sioux Falls, S.D. His winning
art, displaying mallards in flight as a Labrador retriever watches from a boat,
will be featured on the 2008-09 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp.
Honorable mentions went to James McKew of Minden, Nev., and Larry
Simons of Lebanon, Ore.
“We added a few new elements to the stamp design contest this year,
and we received some great entries,” said Micah Holmes, information supervisor
for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “One of the biggest
changes is that we gave artists a chance to include a retriever in their
artwork, and this year Russell proved this could be an interesting new dynamic
of the competition, not to mention a great addition to the stamp.”
Also new to this year’s competition was the manner in which the
artwork was judged.
“In previous Oklahoma duck stamp design competitions, the winning
artwork was determined by a small panel of judges,” Holmes said. “We asked for
the public’s input to help choose the best artwork for the stamp. After all,
they are the ones purchasing and collecting the stamps. Selected entries were
displayed at the 2007 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo last month, and hundreds of
visitors were able to voice their opinions on their favorite entries.”
Duck stamp sales help finance many projects that benefit ducks and
geese. Since the duck stamp program began in 1980, thousands of acres of
waterfowl habitat have been created through duck stamp revenues.
Entries were judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and
suitability for printing. The winner and honorable mentions also will appear in
a future issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.
A selection of waterfowl stamp art from previous years is currently
on display in the lobby of the Wildlife Department headquarters located at 1801
N. Lincoln, in Oklahoma City.
Prints of previous winning waterfowl artwork can be purchased at
wildlifedepartment.com
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Special youth waterfowl hunt at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Oklahoma youth have a unique opportunity this year to draw out for a
waterfowl hunt at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
The special two-day waterfowl hunt is coordinated by the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation, and will take place Thursday, Dec. 20 and
Friday, Dec. 21 on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian. Youth ages
14 or 15 are eligible to be drawn for the hunt.
“This is an outstanding hunt,” said Brek Henry, game warden
stationed in Rogers Co. and coordinator for the special waterfowl hunt.
According to Henry, youth attending the hunt are sure to be in for a
successful hunt.
“If they’ve never taken waterfowl before, this will be an excellent
opportunity for them to do that,” Henry said.
Thursday will be a field day, where youth will participate in
several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting
safety, decoy placement, waterfowl identification, shotgun shooting and
retriever training.
On Friday, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
The Wildlife Department will provide successful applicants the
necessary nontoxic shotgun shells, and a shotgun will be available for use if
the youth does not have his or her own shotgun.
Participants must apply for the hunt by mailing a postcard including
their name, age and address to “Attention: Youth Waterfowl Hunt:” Sequoyah
National Wildlife Refuge, Route 1 Box 18A, Vian, OK, by Nov. 1.
Successful applicants will be notified after the drawing. Call the
Refuge at (918) 773-5252 for more information.
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Youth outdoor writing contest could mean trip of a lifetime for winning youth
Oklahoma youth have a chance to show their interest in the outdoors
and win the trip of a lifetime through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation and Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International 2007
Creative Writing Competition.
"By writing an essay or short story on an outdoor theme provided to
them, youth can show their love of the outdoors and conservation, and in the
process have a chance to win a great outdoors getaway,” said Colin Berg,
education supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
To participate, students must be 11-17 years of age and currently
enrolled in any Oklahoma school or home school. Winners of the 2006 contest are
not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter
Education course by the entry deadline, which is Nov. 21, 2007. Students also
must use the theme of “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage, Archery: What I like about
Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting” or the concept of the theme to develop an
expository essay or short story.
Winners in the 15-17 age category (one boy and one girl) will
receive a guided antelope hunt in New Mexico, and winners in the 11-14 age
category are competing for scholarship for the Apprentice Hunter Program at the
YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. Safari Club International’s Apprentice Hunter
Program is a unique, hands-on course designed for girls and boys aged 11-14. The
program covers topics such as history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern
sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, tracking and
interpreting sign, game cooking and the SCI Sportsmen Against Hunger Program.
There are three sessions, each one week long, during the summer of 2008.
The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited
to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25
essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club
International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI
newsletter “Safari Trails.” Publication qualifies the winning entries for the
National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of
America. Several past national winners have come from Oklahoma.
“One educator also will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship
for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International’s
American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson,
Wyoming,” Berg said.
The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an
outdoor program for educators that concentrates on natural resource management.
Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass usage, fly tying,
shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping,
white-water rafting, educational resources, how to implement outdoor education
ideas and language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting.
Both the essay contest rules and teacher scholarship applications
are available from the Department's Web site at
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com
Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 21, or
delivered by Nov. 21 in person to the Department of Wildlife’s Jenks Office at
201 Aquarium Drive, in Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Attn: Education
Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, P.O. Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037.
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Archery in
Schools workshop available to teachers
A program offering competitive archery to students has found its way
into at least 75 schools in Oklahoma, and coordinators of the program say
available grant money could make it easy for other schools to join up as well.
The program, coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation, is called Oklahoma Archery in Schools (OAIS) and is part of a
national program that partners state wildlife agencies, schools and the nation's
archery industry to introduce students to the sport of archery. The program
curriculum is designed for 4th-12th graders and covers archery history, safety,
techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement.
“Teachers and students alike have many great things to say about the
program,” said Lance Meek, OAIS coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “It’s a
lot of fun, and teachers are reporting increased attendance, better attitudes
and academic improvements.”
And thanks to a recent grant made available through the Federal
Wildlife Restoration Program, more than $50,000 is available for schools to
acquire all the equipment, curriculum and training necessary to begin an
OAIS program in their
communities at little or no cost.
“We’ve worked out a deal where, after applying the grant money and a
reduction in cost provided by the archery industry, schools can get $5,000 worth
of equipment for $1,300,” Meek said. “That includes bows, arrows, targets,
safety nets, and almost everything else needed to run the program.”
About 6,500 Oklahoma students participated in the program last year,
400 of which attended the OAIS state tournament held at the University of
Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Students have the opportunity to win bows, arrows,
bow cases, trophies and medals through the program as well.
“This is a great program because students of almost all sizes and
physical abilities can excel,” Meek said.
In order to be eligible for a grant, the school must send a couple
of teachers to an eight-hour workshop where they will learn to how to conduct
the program at their school and instruct students in archery.
Teachers interested in learning more about the OAIS program or in
starting an OAIS program at their school should contact Meek at (405) 522-4572.
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Wildlife Miscellaneous Sale slated for Oct. 20
Shoppers won’t want to miss the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation’s Miscellaneous Sale slated for Oct. 20.
The sale will be held at Lake Burtschi, just west of Chickasha at
the Lake Maintenance Headquarters. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the
sale will start promptly at 9 a.m.
Items for sale range from Kawasaki and Polaris ATVs to boats, pickup
trucks, digital cameras, computer monitors, truck tool boxes, riding and push
lawn mowers, chainsaws and more. A complete list of sale items can be viewed on
the Wildlife Department’s Web site at
wildlifedepartment.com.
High bidder must pay in full at the time of sale or bid will be
rejected. Titles will be furnished with cash and cashier's check. Personal
checks will be accepted; however, titles will be held for approximately two
weeks. No warranty is given or implied. The State reserves the right to reject
any and all bids. For additional information, call (405) 521-4600 or (405)
521-4618.
Lake Burtschi is located 11 miles west of Chickasha on SH-92. In
case of rain, the sale will be held Oct. 21, at the same time and place.
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Youth waterfowl hunts hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma youth have an opportunity this fall to apply for one of
several waterfowl hunts sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation.
The hunts are designed to provide youth who do not have an adult
mentor who waterfowl hunts an opportunity to experience the traditions of
waterfowling.
“Taking our youth hunting is a very important part of keeping our
hunting traditions strong, not to mention the sport can draw individuals and
families closer together. These waterfowl hunts provide a way for Oklahomans to
do just that,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “We hope the kids who go on these
hunts develop an interest in wildlife conservation, and discover the lifelong
hobby of hunting as well.”
Applicants must be 12 to 15 years of age, have proof of successfully
completing a certified hunter education course and have an adult guardian who
can accompany them on the hunt.
A Wildlife Department employee will accompany each youth and their
adult guardian for the controlled waterfowl hunt at one of several
Department-managed areas. Only the youth hunter will be allowed to hunt.
To be eligible for the drawing, each youth applicant and their
guardian may apply only once and must provide the following information on a 3x5
postcard: names, addresses, telephone numbers, youth’s hunter education number,
and the name of the desired hunt location and two alternate hunt locations where
they would like to hunt. The scheduled date of the hunt will be coordinated with
successful applicants after the drawing.
Hunt locations include Altus-Lugert Lake, Canton Lake, Ft. Gibson
Refuge, Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge, Hackberry Flat Refuge, Vann’s Lake, Wagoner Co.,
Webbers Falls Refuge, and Wister Lake Refuge.
Applications must be received by November 15, 2007, and should be
mailed to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Youth Waterfowl
Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Successful applicants will be
notified.
The Wildlife Department will provide successful applicants the
necessary nontoxic shotgun shells, and a 20 gauge single shot shotgun will be
available for use if the youth does not have his or her own shotgun. For more
information, contact Jeff Neal, Wildlife Department migratory game bird
technician at (405) 424-0122.
Additionally, youth ages 14 or 15 years of age have another
opportunity to participate in a special two-day waterfowl hunt coordinated by
the Wildlife Department. The hunt will take place Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday,
Dec. 21 on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian.
Thursday will be a field day, where youth will participate in
several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting
safety, decoy placement, waterfowl identification, shotgun shooting and
retriever training.
On Friday, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Participants must apply for the hunt by mailing an application to
the Refuge Headquarters by Nov. 1. Call the Refuge at (918) 773-5252 for more
information.
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The cold fronts bring the big
birds
If you have ever wanted to witness the tallest bird on the
continent, now is the time. Whooping cranes have been spotted on and near Great
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northcentral Oklahoma.
Whooping cranes have begun their annual 2,700-mile migration from
Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada to the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge along the Texas Gulf Coast.
During the journey, whoopers and about 50,000 sandhill cranes stop
off to rest at Great Salt Plains Lake, as well as other areas, including
Hackberry Flat WMA. Generally, the birds will spend anywhere from a couple of
days to two weeks in the state, resting up for the last part of their migration.
“Sandhill cranes, a premier game bird whose hunting season opens
Saturday, Oct. 27, and snow geese, migrate through Oklahoma around the same time
as the whooping crane, and can appear similar under certain conditions,” said
Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation. “Sandhill cranes and whooping cranes will commonly
associate together and can often be seen flying together to go feed in the same
fields. While standing next to one another, whooping cranes and sandhill cranes
can be relatively easy to tell apart. However, hunters should be especially
careful during low light or backlit conditions, as whooping cranes and sandhill
cranes will both appear dark and can look similar. Veteran sandhill crane
hunters know that if you cannot positively identify the bird, you should not
shoot.”
For more information on identifying cranes, log on to
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/SandhillCrane/SandhillCraneHunters.htm
As adults, whooping cranes will lose their brown feathers and turn
into magnificent white birds with black wingtips and long black legs. Standing
5 feet tall with a wingspan of more than 7 feet, this is the largest bird on the
continent of North America.
The whooping crane is among the rarest of endangered species in
North America. In 1941, there were only 15 birds in the entire wild population.
With agencies throughout the entire North American continent pushing
conservation efforts, the population now consists of over 275 wild birds and
almost 150 living in captivity.
“If you see a whooping crane, let us know,” said Mark Howery,
wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Department. “Reports help us better
understand the migration needs and behavior patterns of these birds.”
Report sightings to the Department’s Wildlife Diversity Program at
(405) 522-3087. Reports should include the date, location, number of birds seen,
and what they were doing (i.e. – flying, feeding, loafing). That information
will be shared with a federal tracking program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
All about whoopers:
- The cranes return to the same nesting area each year, often to the same nest.
- The birds mate for life but will take a new mate if one of them dies.
- The cranes perform a strange mating dance consisting of weaving, bobbing,
jumping, and picking up sticks in their beaks and tossing them, along with
vocalizations.
- Usually two brown to buffy-green eggs are laid; both parents incubate them,
but usually only one chick survives because the second egg is pushed out of the
nest.
- Hatched in May or June, the chick is able to swim quickly and will leave the
nest with its parents.
- Chicks are able to fly in 90 days and will be ready for the 2,700-mile fall
migration.
- In 1860, numbers were between 1,300 and 1,400. By 1941, numbers had dropped to
15. With efforts by government and private organizations, the total number,
including captive birds, has grown to over 400 birds today.
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Trout opener just around the corner
The wait is almost over for trout anglers growing anxious for the
opening of seasonal trout areas in several state waters.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation operates two
year-round trout fisheries — at the Lower Mountain Fork River (LMFR) and the
Lower Illinois River — but in the six other areas, including Lake Pawhuska,
Robbers Cave, Blue River, Lake Watonga, Quartz Mountain and Lake Carl Etling,
the season kicks off Nov. 1.
“Anglers should try to get out and do some trout angling this year,”
said Paul Balkenbush, southeast region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife
Department. “There’s a lot of people who may be missing out on a great new
hobby in trout fishing. You can bet that if you like to fish, you will love
fishing for trout.”
Rainbow trout usually are stocked about every two weeks at all eight
of the state’s trout areas during designated trout seasons, while the Lower
Illinois River and LMFR below Broken Bow Dam also are occasionally stocked with
brown trout.
“Trout are an introduced species to Oklahoma, and they are stocked
regularly at all eight trout areas. Anglers can view the trout stocking
schedules by visiting our web site at wildlifedepartment.com,” Balkenbush said.
“While you are there, check out all the other great information about trout and
trout angling that is provided.”
The Wildlife Department’s streams management team works vigorously
on projects to enhance trout habitat in certain state waters. Recent trout
habitat improvement projects have included renovations at the Evening Hole
portion of the LMFR during summer 2006. At the same time, a new trout stream
dubbed “Lost Creek” was also created that is providing additional trout fishing
opportunities. The team is now setting their sights on improving trout habitat
within the Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit portion of the lower Illinois
River.
Habitat is not the only thing getting attention at state trout
fishing areas. This past summer, streams management program staff and other
Wildlife Department fisheries personnel worked with engineers to complete
installation of three bubble plume diffusers near the dam of Broken Bow
Reservoir.
Bubble plume diffusers are designed to pull up the deep, cold water
within reservoirs so it is more accessible to intakes that supply water to
tailrace fishing areas. In the case of Broken Bow Lake, cold water is found at a
lower elevation than that of the intake structures at the dam, so when water is
released from the lake, the temperature of the LMFR becomes warmer than that
which is optimal for trout.
“The initial phase of bubble plume diffuser testing has been
completed, and analysis of the results is ongoing,” Balkenbush said. “We hope
the project will ultimately provide long-term access to cold water for the trout
fishery during warm seasons.”
Trout anglers must carry a resident or nonresident fishing license
and a fishing and hunting legacy permit, unless exempt, while fishing.
Additionally, a trout license is required for all who fish in state-designated
trout areas or in tributaries of state-designated trout streams during trout
season.
Trout angling tips as well as daily trout limits, season dates and
other trout fishing regulations for each area are available on the Wildlife
Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com or in the current “Oklahoma
Fishing Guide.”
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