Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area
By:
Bruce
Burton, Biologist at Deep Fork, Okmulgee, and Heyburn WMA’s. Phone: (918) 759-1816.
Area Wildlife Technician Steve Bray (918) 759-0101.
The area is approximately 95% wooded, with elevations ranging from about 600 ft. near the river to over 950 ft. on wooded ridges. Post oaks, blackjack oaks, and hickories dominate the poor, rocky upland soils, with burr oaks, pin oaks, red oaks and sycamores dominating the riparian bottomland. The average annual rainfall is 42 inches.
Quail: Bobwhite quail present in fair numbers.
Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
Turkey: Turkeys are present in fair numbers but are highly sought after.
Rabbit: Cottontails and swamp rabbits are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
Furbearers: Bobcat, coyote and raccoon are abundant.
Doves: Present in low numbers.
Waterfowl: Waterfowl are abundant when conditions are favorable, primarily mallard, wood duck, and teal. This area rarely holds geese.
Squirrel: Both gray and fox squirrel are abundant.
Nongame Species of Interest:
Bald Eagles: Infrequently seen in both summer and winter months.
Warblers: The mature bottomland hardwoods are frequented by several species of warblers uncommon elsewhere.
Description of Fish and
Wildlife Management Practices:
Approximately fifteen hundred acres are targeted for prescribed burning
annually. Wildlife plots are planted to cool season annuals and permanent
clover pastures. Old fields are mowed as needed to control succession in small
clearings. Waterfowl units are manipulated with water level controls and annual
discing as necessary.
Camping and Facilities:
A primitive camping area is located just inside Entrance #4 on the Public
Hunting Area and Okmulgee State Park is located just one half mile east of the
main entrance to the Game Management Area on highway 56.
Both a 100 and 200 yard shooting range is located on highway 56, one mile west of the Game Management Area entrance #1.
Fishing Opportunities:
Fishing opportunities exist at several area ponds, but the area is most famous
for its huge flathead catfish that occasionally are wrestled from the Deep Fork
River, accesses are open seasonally. Also nearby Okmulgee Lake and Dripping
Springs Lake offer good fishing for largemouth bass and other species (i.e.
crappie, channel catfish, and sunfish).
FOR A MAP OF THE AREA CLICK HERE.
Okmulgee (East) Wetlands Development Area
Okmulgee (West) Wetlands Development Area
Directions
A) Public Hunting Area: Take 75 Highway North from
Okmulgee(McCoys Building Supply) two miles to Hole in The Wall
Bar. Proceed 3.5 miles west to Entrance#2 on south side of road.
Entrance #4 can be reached by taking 75 highway south from
Tulsa to highway 16. Travel west to Beggs. At Alt 56 turn south
for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Webster Road. Entrance number 4 is
4.5 miles on the right.
B) Game Management Area Portion: Take highway 56 westbound 8
miles from Okmulgee. Entrance#1 is just west of the rock spillway
of Okmulgee Lake.
For additional information and area attractions:
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Okmulgee State Park
(918) 7546-5971
Okmulgee Main Street/Tourism
208 W 6th, Okmulgee OK 74447
918-758-1015
www.tourokmulgee.com