Waterfowl News
Recent rains in southern Oklahoma the start waterfowl hunters were looking for (10/19/06)
Dust off the decoys, find your duck calls and patch your waders; duck season has already begun in the three Panhandle counties and will begin soon in the remainder of the state.
“Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, which translates to more young birds in the fall flight. And more young birds can have a big impact on hunter success,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Wildlife Department. “Of course, the overall success of our Oklahoma waterfowl season depends on the weather. The good news is that there is lots of food and vegetation around the lakes, but we really need some more timely rains to bring the water levels up so that ducks can get to that food. If we could get some more rains like we had last week across the state it could shape up to be a great year for waterfowl hunters.”
Duck season dates and daily limits are similar to last year, with most of the state enjoying a six-bird daily limit and 74-day season with a 12-day mid-season closure.
O’Meilia noted that Oklahoma, as a member of the Central Flyway, will be participating in the Hunter’s Choice trial over the next three years. Oklahoma is participating only as a control state, meaning Oklahoma hunters will not use the Hunter’s Choice bag limit. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a new bag limit system designed to maintain maximum duck hunting opportunity. For more information about Hunter’s Choice, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
In zone 1 (most of northwest Oklahoma), the first half of the duck season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, with the second half beginning Dec. 16 and running through Jan. 21, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, and then re-open on Dec. 16 and run through Dec. 17. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 1 will be Oct. 21 and 22.
In zone 2, the duck season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Jan. 28, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Dec. 21 and run through Jan. 28. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 2 will be Oct. 28 and 29.
Panhandle counties will offer the longest duck season. It is currently open and will run through Jan. 4, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will run through Nov. 14. Youth waterfowl dates for the panhandle were Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Hunters will be allowed a daily limit of six ducks combined, no more than five of which can be mallards. Of those, only two mallards may be hens. Only two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads may be included in the daily limit. There is a shortened season on pintails and canvasbacks with a daily limit of one pintail and one canvasback during the specified time period in each of the established duck seasons.
The statewide Canada goose season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18, 2007. The daily limit will be three birds. The season for white-fronted geese will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 9, 2007. The daily bag limit is one. The regular season for light geese (snows, blues and Ross’) will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18. The daily bag limit is 20.
Sandhill crane season will be from Oct. 28 – Jan. 28, west of I-35 only. The daily limit will be three birds.
Hunters who wish to participate in the waterfowl season must have a resident or non-resident hunting license, a 2006 Federal Duck Stamp, and unless exempt, a 2006 Oklahoma Waterfowl License, a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit and a Harvest Information Program Permit. The federal duck stamp costs $15 and is available at U.S. Post Offices. Hunters pursuing sandhill cranes must also purchase a separate sandhill crane hunting permit.
Hunters should consult the “2006-07 Waterfowl Hunting Guide” for complete hunting regulations and license requirements. Waterfowl Guides are available at hunting and fishing license dealers statewide or hunters can obtain complete regulation information from the Wildlife Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
-30-
Deadline nears for special youth waterfowl hunts (10/19/06)
Brek Henry loves his job. Henry serves as a game warden stationed in Rogers County for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Every day is a new adventure with new challenges, but some days are just plain fun. One day last December was one of those days.
“Several game wardens and other Wildlife Department employees got together to host a youth waterfowl hunt where we introduced several kids to hunting for the first time,” Henry said. “That morning as the sun was coming up and the ducks were coming in, the boy I was taking hunting turned around and said, ‘This is as much fun as I’ve had in my whole life,’ and the first thing I thought was, ‘Me too.’”
Henry and his colleagues are hoping to recreate that experience for more Oklahoma youngsters this year. Youth 14 or 15 years of age have a special opportunity to participate in a special two-day waterfowl hunt coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and hosted at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian.
On the field day, Thursday, Dec. 21, youth will participate in several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting safety and decoy placement.
“The day before the hunt, the kids will get an opportunity to shoot a shotgun, learn about retriever training and how to identify ducks on the wing. We’re even going to give every kid a duck call to take home with them – which I’m sure the parents will love,” Henry said.
The following day, Dec. 22, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
“The area we are going to be hunting on that Friday is normally closed so the kids will have the area all to themselves. This should make for a real memorable hunt,” Henry said.
Participants will be chosen through a random drawing and youth must submit a postcard with their name, address and age to:
Youth Hunt
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Rt. 1 Box 18-A
Vian, OK 74962
All entries must be received by November 1. Lodging will not be provided, however, lunch will be provided by the Oklahoma Game Wardens Association the field day and breakfast will be provided on the hunt day.
Oklahoma youngsters age 12 to 15 have another opportunity to apply for special controlled 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.
“When it comes to our hunting traditions there is nothing more important we can do than taking a young hunter afield,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “These hunts can provide a unique opportunity for those kids that might otherwise never have the chance to experience waterfowl hunting. Our hope is that the experience will spark a lifelong interest in hunting and dedication to wildlife conservation as an adult sportsman or woman.”
Youth hunters will be randomly drawn from a list of applicants for each hunting area. Applicants must be 12 to 15 years of age on the day of the hunt, 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.
The locations to choose from are: Hackberry Flat, Altus-Lugert Lake, Canton Lake, Ft. Gibson Refuge, Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge, Vann’s Lake, Wagoner Co., Webbers Falls Refuge, and Wister Lake Refuge.
Each youth applicant and their guardian may apply only once and must provide the following information on a 3x5 postcard to be eligible for the drawing: 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. Applicants may apply only once and should specify the primary hunt area desired and two alternate locations.
Applications must be received by November 15, 2006, 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 by November 17, 2006.
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.
-30-
Youth waterfowl hunts hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (10/5/06)
Oklahoma youngsters age 12 to 15 have an opportunity to apply for special controlled 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.
“When it comes to our hunting traditions there is nothing more important we can do than taking a young hunter afield,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “These hunts can provide a unique opportunity for those kids that might otherwise never have the chance to experience waterfowl hunting. Our hope is that the experience will spark a lifelong interest in hunting and dedication to wildlife conservation as an adult sportsman or woman.”
Youth hunters will be randomly drawn from a list of applicants for each hunting area. 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.
Each youth applicant and their guardian may apply only once and must provide the following information on a 3x5 postcard to be eligible for the drawing: 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. Applicants may apply only once and should specify the primary hunt area desired and two alternate locations.
The locations to choose from are: Altus-Lugert Lake, Canton Lake, Ft. Gibson Refuge, Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge, Vann’s Lake, Wagoner Co., Webbers Falls Refuge, and Wister Lake Refuge.
Applications must be received by November 15, 2006, 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 by November 17, 2006.
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.
Youth between the ages 14 or 15 years of age have another
opportunity to participate in a special two-day waterfowl hunt coordinated by
the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The hunt will take place on
the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian.
On the field day, Thursday, Dec. 21, youth will participate in several waterfowl hunting related demonstrations including duck calling, hunting safety, decoy placement, waterfowl identification, shotgun shooting and retriever training.
The following day, Dec. 22, the youth will be taken on a guided waterfowl hunt on the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Participants will be chosen through a random drawing and youth must submit a postcard with their name, address and age to:
Youth Hunt
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Rt. 1 Box 18-A
Vian, OK 74962
All entries must be received by November 1. Lodging will not be provided, however lunch will be provided on the field day and breakfast will be provided on the hunt day.
-30-
Teal and resident Canada goose seasons open Sept. 9 (8/24/06)
Waterfowlers can soon get their first fix of duck and goose hunting action. Both the September teal and resident Canada goose seasons open statewide Sept. 9.
Hunters can venture afield in t-shirts and jeans during the teal season which runs from Sept. 9-24.
“Bluewing and greenwing teal are the first ducks to migrate through Oklahoma each fall,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Biologists have reported very good teal breeding success in the northern prairies and that means that more teal will be moving through Oklahoma this Fall.”
According to O’Meilia, teal prefer shallow water and rely on wetland vegetation and invertebrates to provide fuel for their long journey. Teal migration is triggered by decreasing day length as summer winds to a close. Large migrations can occur as northern cool fronts occur with increasing frequency in September.
As an added bonus, the resident goose season opens the same day as teal season. Sportsmen in the right place could have the chance at bagging both the largest and smallest waterfowl species in Oklahoma, all in the same day. The resident goose season closes Sept. 18.
To participate in the September teal season or resident Canada goose season, you need a resident or non-resident Oklahoma hunting license, an Oklahoma waterfowl hunting permit ($10) unless exempt, a federal duck stamp ($15 available at U.S. Post Offices and some retail outlets like Wal Mart), a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit ($3 or free at wildlifedepartment.com) and a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit ($5). For complete regulations, consult the “2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" or log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.
-30-
Snow goose hunters reminded to register (2/16/06)
Waterfowl hunters who aren’t quite ready to hang up their goose hunting gear for the year have the perfect chance to extend their season and help the arctic ecosystem at the same time. The Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS), which is currently open and runs through March 31, is designed to reduce the mid-continent light geese population.
Light geese, which include snow, blue and Ross’ geese, have become so numerous that they are causing severe habitat destruction to their Arctic breeding grounds. Since 1999, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has cooperated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the COLGS.
Due to land-use practices in the south-central U.S. which are beneficial to light geese, adult survival rates have increased significantly. The overpopulation of light geese continues to degrade Arctic habitat. Because snow geese feed by grubbing and pulling out plants by the roots, large numbers can literally destroy extensive areas of the tundra.
Federal law requires that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation estimate the harvest of light geese during the Conservation Order Light Goose Season. Hunters who plan to pursue snow, blue and Ross' geese during the Conservation Order are asked to register with the Department and provide their name, address and telephone number so a harvest survey can be administered when the COLGS ends.
Hunters can register for the season by going to the Department's Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com/COLGS/colgsexplination.htm
Or, they can mail a letter or postcard to: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Attn: COLGS; P.O. Box 53465; Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
The COLGS provides for certain special methods of take, including one-half hour after sunset shooting hours, no bag limits, electronic calls and unplugged shotguns. Even with the special regulations, the birds can be very challenging to harvest in Oklahoma.
For more information and regulations on the COLGS, hunters should consult the “2005-2006 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide,” available at license dealers across the state, or by logging on to the Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
-30-