Red Slough Wildlife Management Area

By: Mike Smith, Biologist at Hugo, Pine Creek, Whitegrass Flats, Red Slough and Grassy Slough WMA’s. Phone: (580) 320-3176. 

Area Description:
Red Slough WMA covers 7,800 acres in McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma.  Located 6 miles south of Haworth, the area consists of 3,200 acres of moist soil management units, 1,700 acres of bottomland hardwood restoration fields, and 397 acres of reservoirs. In addition Push Creek intersects the entire WMA. It is cooperatively managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, U.S. Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Follow the links to wildlife management areas. Habitat consists of reclaimed rice farm fields, bottomland hardwoods, small areas of open prairie, and replanted hardwood areas. The area also has a waterfowl refuge. Non-toxic shot is required for hunting with deer archery hunting allowed. All waterfowl hunting is closed after 1:00 pm local time.  The average annual precipitation for the area is 54 inches. 
 

Game Species of Interest: 

            Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in very low numbers.

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

            Turkey: Eastern turkeys are present in low numbers.   

            Rabbit: Swamp and Cottontail common.

            Furbearers: Raccoon, beaver, mink, and nutria are a few of the species to be seen.

            Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers during season.

            Waterfowl: Ducks are usually present in good numbers.

Nongame Species of Interest: 

            Black Bear: Seldom seen but are known to be in the area. No hunting is allowed. 

            River Otters: Present, but only in very low numbers. No hunting or trapping allowed. 

            Bald eagle: Eagles are frequently seen and golden eagles have also been seen on            occasion. 

Other: Red Slough is also becoming a haven for bird watching with 261 species confirmed. 

American Alligator: This protected reptile has been seen occasionally on Red Slough and area ponds, oxbows and wetlands. 

Description of Fish and Wildlife Management Practices:
Flooding, discing, prescribed burns, and bush hogging are the tools of management. Japanese Millet is planted yearly but native plants and invertebrates provide the majority of forage for game and non-game year round. Management practices include discing between 300-500 acres per year to stimulate native plant growth and to reduce woody vegetation and maintain habitat diversity. Red Slough WMA has plenty of water sources for all game and non-game species.

Camping and Facilities:
Primitive Camping is limited to parking areas. There are five viewing platforms strategically located on the area for wildlife and habitat viewing. Lodging and restaurants are available in Idabel. An additional contact for Red Slough is the U.S. Forest Service 580-286-6564.There are no rifle range facilities on the area. All areas are walk in only.  

Fishing Opportunities:
Fishing opportunities include Push Creek and in the reservoirs. Bass, catfish, and sunfish are the predominate species.

FOR A MAP OF THE AREA CLICK HERE.

Red Slough WMA - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Article (May/June 2005)

For additional information and area attractions:
The U.S. Forest Service has more information about Red Slough on their Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/redslough/index.shtml

Kiamichi Country Tourism  
1-800-722-8180

Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce
1134 W Martin Luther King Jr,
Broken Bow 74728
(580) 584-3393 or (800) 528-7337
bchamber@pine-net.com
ww.brokenbowchamber.com

Idabel Chamber of Commerce,
13 North Central, Idabel 74745
(580) 286-3305
www.idabelchamber.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

PLEASE CONSULT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA GENERAL REGULATIONS AND PUBLIC LANDS RESTRICTIONS IN HUNTING REGULATIONS.