Whitegrass Flats Wildlife Management Area

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

Whitegrass Flats WMA covers 391 acres and is located in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. The WMA is 7 miles south of highway 70 at the intersection of 70 and highway 98. Habitat consists of a 90 acre moist soil unit divided into three compartments. The area is mostly old farm fields with some areas replanted to hardwoods. The variety of trees include six species of oak as well as ash, hickory, pine, river birch, willow, as well as sand plum, holly, sumac, and a great variety of grasses and legumes. Soil types vary from deep sand to sandy loam. The average annual precipitation for the area is 53 inches. 
 

Game Species of Interest: 

            Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in very low numbers. 

Turkey: Easterns wild turkeys are present in very low numbers. 

            Deer: Whitetail deer are present in low numbers but are highly sought after. 

Rabbit: Both cottontails and swamp rabbits may be found with cottontails being more common. 

            Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat, beaver, mink, and raccoon are available. 

            Dove: Dove are present in low numbers during the annual migrations. 

Waterfowl: Ducks may be present in low numbers on the open water.   

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 winter at Pine Creek Lake and travel the Little River Basin.           

            American Alligator: Seldom seen but are known to be in the area. No hunting allowed.

Description of Fish and Wildlife Management Practices:
Management practices such as burning, plowing, and bush hogging are used to provide quality native plant food resources and to maintain habitat diversity. Whitegrass Flats WMA has plenty of water sources for all game and non-game species. 

Camping and Facilities:
Camping is allowed at primitive sites in the parking area. With RV camping available at nearby Raymond Gary State Park (580) 873-2307 and Corps of engineers camp grounds at Hugo and Pine Creek lakes. Food and lodging is also available in Idabel and Valliant, Oklahoma. No rifle range facilities exist at this project. 

Fishing Opportunities:
There is no fishing at Whitegrass Flats, however area lakes (Hugo, Pine Creek and Lake Raymond Gary) offer opportunities for bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish. In addition, two nearby scenic streams (Glover River and Little River) offer excellent light tackle opportunities for smallmouth bass and sunfish.

FOR A MAP OF THE AREA CLICK HERE.

For additional information and area attractions:
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
chamber@pine-net.com

Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce
200 South Broadway, Hugo OK 74743
(580) 326-7511
hugochamber@lstarnet.com
www.hugochamber.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.