ODWC TIMELINE

1895 – First game laws passed by Territorial lawmakers – Rainbow trout first stocked in Oklahoma by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1907 – Oklahoma became a state
1909 – Hunting licenses established – First Game Warden hired – Wildlife Department created
1911 – Ring-necked pheasant first introduced
1913 – Legislature closes Department, $94,000 in license funds transferred to State Capitol Building Fund
1915 – Department reopens with appropriation from Legislature – Medicine Park Fish Hatchery (J.A. Manning) opens
1917 – Legislature returns $94,000 to Department
1918 – Purchase of McCurtain County Wilderness Area

1925 – First fishing licenses established
1929 – Byron Fish hatchery opens

1931 – Game Farm opens at Darlington
1933 – First deer gun season
1934 – Holdenville Hatchery opens

1944 – Deer relocation program initiated
1945 – Information & Education Division created – "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine established
1946 – First deer archery season – First weekly news releases issued
1947 – Cooperative Fisheries Experimental Station established at University of Oklahoma (now exists as Oklahoma Fisheries Research Lab.)
1948 – First private pond stocking policy adopted – Program to re-establish turkey populations initiated 1949 -- First Rio Grande turkeys released (Harper County)

1950 -- First walleye stocking in Canton Reservoir and Tenkiller Reservoir
1955 -- Striped bass stocked in Great Salt Plains and Lake Murray (not successful) – Hunter safety program initiated
1957 -- Department became a constitutional body
1958 -- First rainbow trout stocking in Illinois River below Tenkiller
1959 -- Lake Etling winter-time trout stocking program begins

1960 -- Autumn marked the state's first fall turkey season.
1962 -- Forty-two elk were harvested at Oklahoma's first elk hunt. The Department installed 14 radio base and relay stations, allowing statewide two-way  
             radio communication.
1962 -- First antlerless deer season
1965 -- Mule deer from Colorado were released in the Glass Hills and the first spring turkey season was opened.
1965 -- Department emblem established – First spring turkey season
1966 -- First attempt at introducing giant Canada geese.
1966 -- Opened state's first antelope season. The Department moved into its own building near the state Capitol.
1967 -- Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area land purchased.
1969 -- First primitive deer season.
1969 -- The first Lifetime Combination License was sold for $150.

1970s Various hunting seasons were lengthened and the state boasted a stabilized deer herd.
1970 -- First successful natural reproduction by striped bass in Keystone
1971 -- Environmental Program established -- First eastern turkeys released (LeFlore and Delaware Counties)
1971 --  Wild turkey restocking program successfully re-established the eastern wild turkey throughout much of the state east of U.S. Highway 69.
1972 -- Environment section created as a clearing house for all pollution related complaints and inquiries. It was later incorporated into the natural resources
             section.
1974 -- First natural reproduction by striped bass in Texoma
1977 -- Striped bass hybrids first stocked in Oklahoma (Sooner Lake)
1976 -- Started production of a weekly 30- minute show for Oklahoma Educational Television stations. It emphasizes wildlife management and provides
             useful information on outdoor recreational activities.
1977 -- Started statewide furbearer program to assure the continued availability of furbearer programs for many years to come.
1979 -- Operation Game Thief telephone installed
 

1980 -- Duck Stamp Program initiated
          -- Lower Mountain Fork River year round trout stocking program begins
          --Giant Canada goose introduction
1980s -- Controlled hunts were expanded, and Oklahoma had its first statewide turkey season. The Department purchased three major wildlife
               management areas, adding 52,500 acres to the program.
1980 -- Began waterfowl habitat development program utilizing funds generated from the new $4 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp.
1981 -- Nongame Wildlife Program and tax checkoff established
1982 -- First successful introduction of giant Canada geese
1983 --James Porter breaks the 43-year-old state record for largemouth bass with a catch weighing 12 pounds, 1.6 ounces at Lake Lawtonka -- Fish
             habitat development program initiated
1983 -- Department assumed management of a 10,000-acre wildlife management area to be developed in conjunction with the McGee Creek reservoir in
              Atoka County. The Department purchases a 160-acre addition to Lexington Wildlife Management Area.
1984 -- Developed statewide conservation education program with the primary instructional vehicle being Project WILD.
1984 -- Extended hunter safety-training classes from a six-hour to a 10-hour course for certification. All game wardens recertified as hunter safety instructors for their assigned areas.
1985 -- Saugeye first stocked in state (Lake Thunderbird )
1986 -- Lake Watonga winter-time trout stocking program begins
1988 -- Trout stocking program was expanded from two to five areas. Quartz Mountain State Park wintertime trout stocking begins. First brown trout
             stocking takes place in lower Mountain Fork River.
1988 -- Aquatic Resources Education Program was established The program teaches aquatic resource conservation, fishing techniques, safety, ethics and
             fish identification and biology to youth, handicapped and other target groups.
1988 --- Lower Mountain Fork River year round trout stocking program begins
1989 -- Oklahoma Angler Recognition Program was started under the Aquatic Resources Education Program. It increases awareness of the state's aquatic
              resources and encourages selective catch and release of a trophy fish.
1989 -- The deer harvest jumped from approximately 14,000 in 1980 to more than 38,000.

1990s -- Almost 40,000 acres was added to Department-owned lands. They include: Hackberry Flat; Packsaddle; Blue River; Yourman; and Cooper
              WMAs; expansion of the Deep Fork WMA; and Selman Bat Cave.
1991 -- Brown trout introduced to the tailwaters below Broken Bow Reservoir.
1991 -- Nationally recognized Packsaddle quail mortality study begins
1992 -- Natural Resources Section created to coordinate the Department's environmental, nongame wildlife and conservation education programs.
1992 -- Cooperative outreach project with Sportfishing Promotion Council, which sponsors the 1-800-ASK-FISH phone line. This is a toll-free, 24-hour
              hotline for anglers needing information about fishing in Oklahoma.
1992 -- Deer Management Assistance Program initiated to help landowners and managers manage deer herd as well as hunting opportunities.
1993 -- Biodiversity Project initiated to produce statewide plan for conserving Oklahoma's diverse ecosystems.
1993 -- Hunter Education law changed in September, requiring persons under 16 who are hunting big game with a firearm to complete a hunter education
               course.
1993 -- Durant Hatchery was renovated, increasing annual production by 1.7 million fish. Department fish hatcheries stocked almost 30 million fish over the
             course of two years.
1994 -- Robbers Cave State Park winter time trout stocking begins.
1994 -- Wildlife Conservation license plates introduced. Two plate designs introduced: a white-tailed deer and a scissor-tailed flycatcher in flight. Currently
              five plates are available including an Eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail and a largemouth bass.
1995 -- Five wetland/waterfowl development projects totaling 1,367 acres were completed. They include: Billy Creek, Walker Creek, Hackberry Flat
             (Phase I), Oilton, Deep Fork/Harold Stuart and Deep Fork/Swift Bottoms. A total of 165 acres of forested wetlands were restored through
              seeding/planting methods on the Deep Fork WMA and Whitegrass Flats tracts.
1995 -- Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program underway. Universal License system initiated. Controlled hunt drawings conducted by computer.
1995 -- Purchased 340-acre Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area.
1996 -- New watchable wildlife area at Byron hatchery. This is the first watchable wildlife area on a Department-owned area.
1996 -- Darlington Game Farm closed. Ground broken for Hackberry Flat WMA.
1996 -- ODWC embarked on a unique partnership with a corporate landowner in developing a new WMA. Honobia Creek WMA is the result of a
              partnership with Hancock Timber Resources Group and covers 200,000 acres in Pushmataha and LeFlore counties.
1997 -- Youth turkey and deer hunts have been expanded. Another record deer harvest occurred with more than 71,000 animals harvested.
1997 -- Lake Pawhuska winter-time trout stocking program begins -- Selman bat viewing tours began.
1998 -- Stream management program begins. Prairie Chicken Season closed. Three Rivers WMA opens.
1998 -- Expanded a top-line Internet web site that is updated weekly to include all the latest ODWC information - www.wildlifedepartment.com.
1998 -- Hunter education program began offering home study certification.
1998 -- Designed and developed a 23-acre urban wetland and interpretive trail in the Teal Ridge housing addition in Stillwater.
1998 -- Bass Pro sells hunting and fishing licenses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over the phone.
1998 -- Three Rivers WMA stems from a partnership with Weyerhaeuser Company and covers 450,000 acres of rugged timberland in McCurtain County.
              Residents and nonresidents alike can enjoy the many activities both areas offer with the simple purchase of a land access fee permit.
1999 -- Department offers weekly news releases by e-mail.

2000 -- For the first time deer harvest numbers tops 100,000.
2001 -- First Special Antlerless season is held in December and expanded deer archery season in January.
2002 -- Department partners with the Oklahoma Aquarium and relocates its Tulsa area offices to Jenks.
2003 -- First statewide youth antlerless deer gun season is held in October.
2003 -- Gun deer season season extended to 16 days statewide.
2003 -- Hunting and fishing licenses available online.
2003 -- Maps of the Department’s Wildlife Management Areas are made available free to sportsmen over the Internet.
2003 -- Special emphasis given to helping private landowners improve fish and wildlife habitat through a grant from the National Resources Conservation
             Service. Four technicians dedicated to assisting landowners are hired.
2004 -- Turkey bag limit increased and southeast season dates extended (for spring 2005 season).
2004 -- Archery in the Schools program developed to introduce students to the sport of archery.
2004 -- Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit created to provide funds for the purchase of additional lands for outdoor recreation opportunities.
2004 -- Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and Renewable Resources, LLC, agreement, allows for almost 30,000 acres of commercial
             forestland to remain open to public use as part of the Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
2005 --  "Hughes Crossing at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area dedication.
2005 -- An internet point of sales license system is implemented.
2005 -- New partner joins Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area with a land access agreement with J.M. Huber Corporation, a private forest
             investment company, to maintain public recreational access to 4,440 acres of the Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
2005 -- Department hosted the first Oklahoma Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena. More than 45,000 people attended.
2005 -- Development of the Evening Hole and Lost Creek projects on the Lower Mountain Fork River began.
2005 -- Ozark Plateau WMA opens.
2005 -- Oklahoma's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy is approved.
2006 -- Reproduction of rainbow trout was first documented in the Lower Mountain Fork River.
2006 -- Oklahoma’s first black bass hybrid state record was caught at Veteran’s Lake.
2006 -- The Lower Illinois River Simp and Helen Watts Public Fishing and Hunting Area was purchased with funds from the sale of fishing and hunting
              legacy permits.
2006 -- New opportunities added for hunters and trappers. Sportsmen are allowed to take red fox.
2006 -- The Evening Hole and Lost Creek projects on the Lower Mountain Fork River completed.
2006 -- Second annual Wildlife Expo draws nearly 35,000 people

2007 -- Tenth Anniversary of the Selman Bat Watch
2007 -- Controlled Hunts application submission is all done electronically through the Department's Web site.
2007 -- Wildlife Department creates pilot paddlefish management program near Twin Bridges area of the Neosho River to collect important data for the
              Department's paddlefish management plan, process paddlefish meat for anglers and salvage paddle fish eggs.
2007 -- Department initiates new wetland restoration project at Drummond Flat area to restore a unique wetland habitat and create more opportunities for
              sportsmen and other wildlife enthusiasts.
2007 -- Hunting participation encouraged through apprentice-designated license which encourage those who have never hunted to do so under supervision
              of a licensed hunter.

2008 -- Lake Record Fish Program established to recognize Oklahoma anglers and fish. Thirteen major lakes and 13 species of popular Oklahoma fish are included initially.
2008 -- On Nov. 4, 2008 Oklahomans voiced their opinions in the ballot box on hunting, fishing and trapping by amending the State Constitution to give all people the right to hunt, trap, fish and take game and fish. It also makes hunting, fishing, and trapping the preferred means to manage certain fish and game animals.
2008 -- More than 3,000 acres in southeast Oklahoma are opened to public hunting and fishing in LeFlore County’s Cucumber Creek area.      
2008 --  Oklahoma Archery in the Schools program surpasses 100 school milestone and state tournament draws more than 800 students.
2008 --  Two new WMAs were acquired in 2008, Cimarron Bluff and Cimarron Hills in Harper County provide anglers and hunters access to more than 7,100 acres of public land.