Four changes to the state’s hunter education requirements will take effect this month, resulting in more opportunities for Oklahomans to try hunting while making hunting safer for the state’s youngest big game hunters.
Effective Aug. 26, anyone 31 years of age or older will be exempt from hunter education requirements. Additionally, hunters ages 8-30 will be able to purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license that allows them to go hunting without first completing a hunter education course, provided that they are accompanied by a licensed adult mentor who is at least 18 years old and hunter education certified (or exempt from license and hunter education requirements).
In previous years, hunters were not exempt from hunter education requirements until 36 years of age or older, apprentice-designated hunting licenses were only available to hunters at least 10 years old, and mentor hunters had to be at least 21 to accompany an apprentice hunter.
“These three changes should simplify the requirements for responsible adult hunters to get involved in hunting while making the apprentice-designated license available to youth who are ready to start hunting under a mentor at a younger age,” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “We also feel that 18-year-olds are adults and should be allowed to introduce their friends to the sport of hunting.”
In addition to making the apprentice-designated hunting license more accessible, one other change will require more supervision for young hunters. Effective Aug. 26, all hunters under the age of 10, whether hunter education certified or not, must be accompanied when hunting big game.
“Big game hunting is a safe and fun sport, and our state’s young hunters deserve to be introduced to the joys it offers,” Meek said. “But they also deserve to be mentored and guided so that they are equipped to be safe, responsible hunters in the future. This is a reasonable change, and we are confident it will result in safer hunting situations for our young big game hunters and will ensure they gain a true appreciation for conservation and the outdoors.”
Most Oklahomans who want to hunt big game must be hunter education certified in order to hunt alone, or must possess an apprentice-designated hunting license and remain within arms reach of a qualifying mentor hunter. Exemptions from hunter education certification as of Aug. 26 will include anyone 31 years of age or older, anyone honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and members of the National Guard.
Meek encourages new hunters to complete the Department’s hunter education course, and reminds hunters who plan to hunt in other states that completing a course may be required. The Wildlife Department’s hunter education class covers a variety of topics including firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation and management, survival, archery, muzzleloading and hunter responsibility. It is available as a standard eight-hour course held in communities across the state, an Internet home study course and a workbook home study course. A full listing of course dates and locations can be found online at wildlifedepartment.com.
For more information about hunting in Oklahoma, log on to the Wildlife Department’s website at wildlifedepartment.com.
Caption:
Effective Aug. 26, anyone 31 years of age or older will be
exempt from hunter education requirements. Additionally,
hunters ages 8-30 will be able to purchase an
apprentice-designated hunting license that allows them to go
hunting without first completing a hunter education course,
provided that they are accompanied by a licensed adult
mentor who is at least 18 years old and hunter education
certified (or exempt from license and hunter education
requirements). In addition to making the
apprentice-designated hunting license more accessible, one
other change will require more supervision for young
hunters. Effective Aug. 26, all hunters under the age of 10,
whether hunter education certified or not, must be
accompanied when hunting big game.
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Dove
season opener just around the corner
The Sept. 1 dove season opener is fast
approaching, marking for many the start of a fall season
full of hunting memories.
This year dove season will run Sept. 1 – Oct.
31, statewide, followed by another nine-day period open from
Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, 2012, statewide. In previous years,
dove season was split only in the southwest portion of the
state.
According to Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for
the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the
concept of providing a late season dove hunt during the
holidays worked so well in the southwest dove zone that the
idea appealed to other regions of the state as well. But
until this year, federal framework options set forth by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not provide for it. When
the option became available to Oklahoma this year, the
Wildlife Department took the opportunity.
“This is a great opportunity that can benefit
hunters statewide with more hunting opportunity,” Peoples
said.
According to Josh Richardson, migratory game
bird biologist for the Wildlife Department, this season may
be “slightly different” than normal.
“ Our breeding counts were down at the start of
the summer, we had several severe weather outbreaks,
followed by extreme heat and drought,” Richardson said. “I'd
expect dove numbers to be down some from all that. However,
there will still be plenty around. Besides, we have had or
are expected to get some ‘cold’ fronts moving through, which
will bring birds in from the north.”
According to Richardson, the biggest change for
this year relates to habitat conditions.
“A lot of wheat was plowed under early in the
year due to the drought, with many farmers replanting,
hoping for the spring and early summer rains to salvage the
year,” Richardson said. “Fall crops like corn, milo, and
sunflower provide
good dove foods, but again, the drought really limited
production across most of the state.”
It also changed the farming timeline.
“Most of the corn around where I live was
harvested two weeks ago, and farmers are beginning to plow
the fields while the ground has a little moisture,” he said.
By the time dove season arrives, there may
little if any food left to attract birds, so Richardson said
finding a good dove watering source could be the key to a
good hunt.
“Hunters in areas that have been fortunate
enough to get enough rain to start refilling ponds will want
to find areas that have most recently been harvested, or
look for areas of natural foods like sunflower,
snow-on-the-mountain or
croton,” Richardson said. “
Richardson said areas that have been burned by
wildfires due to drought this year might in fact offer some
good dove habitat.
“The fire creates a lot of bare ground and
exposes and scatters seed for the birds to eat,” Richardson
said.
Full details and regulations for dove hunting
are available in the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide,”
available free online at wildlifedepartment.com or at any
location where hunting licenses are sold.
To help well-meaning sportsmen avoid common dove
season violations, law enforcement officials with the
Wildlife Department advise hunters to read and familiarize
themselves with the dove hunting portion of the Hunting
Guide, and all other portions that pertain to species they
plan to hunt.
“When hunters make a check list before season
and follow it, they will be much better prepared,” said
Robert Fleenor, law enforcement chief for the Wildlife
Department. “Going out at the last minute and not being
prepared is the biggest problem.”
The following is a basic checklist to help avoid
some of the most common dove season mistakes:
* Obtain the appropriate hunting license as well as the Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit.
* Use appropriate shotgun plug. Taking migratory game birds such as doves with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, unless otherwise provided, is prohibited. Fleenor said even well meaning hunters who remember to plug their shotguns should still ensure that the plug they use limits the magazine to two shells.
* Obtain landowner permission before hunting on private property.
* Do not shoot across or from roadways. Shooting from or across any public road, highway (or right-of-way) or railroad right-of-way is prohibited. Public roadways are defined as any governmental or corporate roadways where vehicular traffic is not restricted and the roadway is routinely used by the general public.
* Know your doves. Identification of species is a key to hunter success.
* Know you limits. The daily limit for dove is 15, which may consist of any combination of mourning, white-winged and fully dressed Eurasian collared doves (“fully dressed” describes those birds without a head or fully feathered wing naturally attached to the carcass). However, there is no limit on Eurasian collared doves provided that the head or one fully feathered wing remain naturally attached to the carcass of all such birds while being transported to their final destination.
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Learn
an outdoor skill at the Wildlife Expo
Outdoorsmen find satisfaction in
do-it-yourself-projects, and at the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo
Sept. 24-25, visitors can try their hand at making their own
birdhouses or even learn how to cook a camp setting meal in
a Dutch oven, tie their own fly fishing lure, or attract
wildlife to their property.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
is partnering with a wide range of other state agencies,
private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host
the Wildlife Expo. Held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of
Oklahoma City, the event is designed to promote and instill
appreciation for Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources
and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of
outdoor enthusiasts. The event is free and open to the
public.
Activities range from free shotgun and archery
shooting to fishing, kayaking, ATV riding, mountain biking
and much more. Additionally, numerous learning opportunities
are available at booths and exhibits at the Expo. Visitors
can speak with wildlife biologists and outdoorsmen
experienced in fishing, hunting, game calling, wildlife and
fisheries management, reptiles and amphibians and more, as
well as attend seminars on hunting dog training, wild game
cooking and basic firearm safety, among other topics. And
for Expo visitors who like to shop, a large area called the
Outdoor Marketplace is set aside at the Expo for vendors who
will be on hand showcasing and offering for sale their
outdoor merchandise and services.
“In short, the Expo is a celebration of
everything outdoors in the state of Oklahoma,” said Rhonda
Hurst, Expo coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “We
want you to leave the Expo with a new appreciation for
wildlife and the hobbies of hunting, fishing and wildlife
watching.”
The Expo is Oklahoma’s largest outdoor
recreation event, drawing thousands of people each year. The
Expo will be held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of
Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
daily Sept. 24-25. Admission and parking are free.
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Free Hunting Days pave way for taking someone hunting
Oklahoma Free Hunting Days take place Sept. 3-4,
during which Oklahoma residents do not need a hunting
license or HIP permit to go afield.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation’s migratory game bird biologist, Free Hunting
Days is a great way to introduce someone to hunting.
“Dove season is a great time to introduce or
reintroduce people to the world of hunting,” Richardson
said. “Gear requirements are low, doves are found everywhere
and usually in high numbers, and the hunting can occur in
more of a social type outing — perfect for those new hunters
who need supervision or instruction. And with the Free
Hunting Days, potential new hunters don’t even have to buy a
license to try this out.”
In addition to dove hunting, squirrel season is
open and there are other year-round hunting opportunities
are available as well for species such as coyotes. To see a
full listing of hunting opportunities, consult the current
“Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available free on
wildlifedepartment.com or anywhere hunting licenses are
sold.
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Wildlife Expo
gets families outside
Visitors to the 2011 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo
Sept. 24-25 will have a chance to catch a fish, shoot a bow
and arrow or shotgun, ride a mountain bike, float in a
kayak, pet an alligator and even sample wild game meat and
camp cooking.
The Wildlife Expo is a free public event
designed to generate interest in the outdoors while
providing hands-on learning opportunities. Hosted by the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in partnership
with a range of other state agencies, businesses,
organizations and volunteers, the Expo is the state’s
largest outdoor recreation event.
“The wildlife Expo is a unique, one-of-a-kind
experience for the whole family,” said Rhonda Hurst, Expo
coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “Where else can you
go spend the day actively participating in everything from
tossing an atlatl to paddling a kayak? You can touch native
reptiles and see bats up close. You can catch a fish or
shoot a bow. You can learn about wildlife from birds to
worms and how to conserve Oklahoma’s resources for future
generations. You are sure to find your favorite outdoor
activity as well as discover some new ones, and the best
part is that it’s free!”
Some opportunities at the Expo are considered
common and popular among outdoorsman — such as fishing at a
pond or shooting a shotgun — while others, like tanning a
buffalo hide with primitive tools or even experiencing a
mock bowfishing trip, will be new experiences for all
involved.
“The idea is to provide an absolutely free
opportunity for people to come see all that Oklahoma’s
outdoors have to offer,” Hurst said. Hurst is confident
that getting people interested in the outdoors leads to
heightened awareness about the importance of wildlife
conservation.
The Wildlife Expo will be held at the Lazy E
Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 24-25. The event draws thousands of
people every year for a weekend of outdoor recreation and
education.
The Expo features archery and firearms ranges, a
stocked fishing pond, bird watching areas, mountain bike
trails, ATV test ride courses, Dutch oven cooking seminars,
and even an indoor pond used for kayaking and sporting dog
demonstrations. The event also features free wild game
samples, live wildlife, and booths and activities that
provide information, learning opportunities and recreation.
Though admission and activities at the event are all free,
visitors can shop at the Expo’s Outdoor Marketplace, a large
area where vendors will be showcasing their outdoor-related
goods and services.
Log on to the all-new wildlifedepartment.com
regularly to stay up to date on this year’s Expo activities.
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Oklahoma hunters exempt from hunter ed have proficiency test
option for out-of-state hunts
Oklahoma resident hunters who are exempt from
the state’s hunter education requirements may not be exempt
in other states in which they plan to hunt this year. For
them, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
offers a proficiency test that would allow them to bypass
the eight-hour course.
Exemptions from Oklahoma’s hunter education
requirements include anyone 31 years of age or older, anyone
honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the
U.S. Armed Forces, and members of the National Guard.
“If you are exempt from hunter education
requirements in Oklahoma and you are not hunter education
certified, you should check other states’ requirements
before planning an out-of-state hunting trip,” said Lance
Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife
Department. “You might find they have different requirements
than Oklahoma.”
“The proficiency test involves taking and
passing the actual hunter education test at one of our
offices or completing the online course quizzes through
wildlifedepartment.com,” Meek said. “This is a quick and
easy process for people who qualify.”
According to Meek, hunters exempt from hunter
education requirements who want to take the proficiency test
should contact the Wildlife Department’s headquarters at
(405) 521-4636 or Jenks office at (918) 299-2334.
“This is a great service we can provide for
Oklahoma hunters who are exempt from hunter education but
who want to hunt out-of-state,” Meek said.
To hunt in Oklahoma, those not exempt from
hunter education requirements must either complete the
Wildlife Department’s hunter education course or hunt with a
mentor under an apprentice-designated hunting license. The
apprentice-designated hunting license is available to
hunters ages 8-30 and allows them to go hunting without
first completing a hunter education course, provided that
they are accompanied by a licensed adult mentor who is at
least 18 years old and hunter education certified (or exempt
from license and hunter education requirements). All hunters
under the age of 10, whether hunter education certified or
not, must be accompanied when hunting big game.
Oklahoma’s hunter education certification is
valid in all 50 states and Canadian provinces.
For more information about hunting in Oklahoma,
log on to the Wildlife Department’s website at
wildlifedepartment.com.
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New association to help simplify prescribed burning for
landowners
A new association has been formed to provide
landowners and state prescribed burn associations with an
organization that can assist them with liability insurance,
finding funding for equipment and training, and a voice for
prescribed burning throughout the state.
The Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association (OPBA)
was formed through a three-year Conoco-Phillips challenge
grant from the Playa Lakes Joint Venture through the High
Plains Resource and Conservation District. Ron Voth is the
executive director of this first of its kind organization to
assist landowners with all aspects of prescribed burning.
Prescribed burning is a useful and important
habitat management tool employed to remove accumulated
litter, encourage new vegetative growth and to control
excessive invasion of brush and woody cover. Native
rangelands that are burned periodically have a wider
diversity of plants that are beneficial to wildlife than
unburned prairies. Wildlife such as quail benefit from burns
because they increase mobility by removing ground level
clutter, attract greater density and diversity of insects
used by quail chicks as food and increase the ability of
birds to feed on those insects.
The primary goal of the OPBA is to become the
umbrella organization for landowners and local prescribed
burn associations to receive reasonably priced liability
insurance for conducting prescribed burns. Through the OPBA,
the insurance will be available to burn association members
at an affordable rate. The insurance covers escaped fires,
suppression costs, injury to people assisting with the burn,
and problems caused by smoke. A five-member board of
directors has been formed to assist with the development of
this organization. Members include Alva Gregory, Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation; Darrel Dominick,
Oklahoma Conservation Commission; Paul Clark, Natural
Resource Conservation Service; Karsen Davis, Roger Mills
Prescribed Burn Association; and John Weir, NREM, Oklahoma
State University.
There will be a minimal annual fee, and a charge
for each burn the landowner would like to have insured.
There will be some requirements for each burn, which are
currently being developed by the association and the
insurance company.
The OPBA is currently conducting a survey of
landowners throughout the state to get information on the
number of landowners that would be interested in joining a
prescribed burn association and if they are interested in
the liability insurance. The survey can be found at the
Oklahoma Prescribed Fire Council website at
www.oklahomaprescribedfirecouncil.okstate.edu. Click on
“Burn Associations” and send the completed survey to Ron
Voth at the address listed.
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Free Hunting Days pave way for taking someone hunting
Oklahoma Free Hunting Days take place Sept. 3-4,
during which Oklahoma residents do not need a hunting
license or HIP permit to go afield.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation’s migratory game bird biologist, Free Hunting
Days is a great way to introduce someone to hunting.
“Dove season is a great time to introduce or
reintroduce people to the world of hunting,” said Josh
Richardson, migratory game bird biologist for the Wildlife
Department. “Gear requirements are low, doves are found
everywhere and usually in high numbers, and the hunting can
occur in more of a social type outing — perfect for those
new hunters who need supervision or instruction. And with
the Free Hunting Days, potential new hunters don’t even have
to buy a license to try this out.”
In addition to dove hunting, squirrel season is
open and there are other year-round hunting opportunities
are available as well for species such as coyotes. To see a
full listing of hunting opportunities, consult the current
“Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available free on
wildlifedepartment.com or anywhere hunting licenses are
sold.
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