Wildlife Legislation
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WEEKLY WILDLIFE
NEWS Wildlife Legislation |
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| WEEK OF MAY 8, 2008 | |||
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| About the Department | |||
New Three Rivers agreement
approved
At its May meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission
voted to accept a new land use agreement with Weyerhaeuser Company for the Three
Rivers Wildlife Management Area in McCurtain County.
Under the new three-year agreement, the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation will lease 250,190 acres at 50 cents per acre per year for
recreational public access as the Three Rivers WMA. As in the past, a Land
Access Permit will be required of users.
Beginning Aug. 1, the cost of that permit will increase to cover the
cost of the new lease.
Additionally, ATV use will only be allowed during deer season (Oct.
1 – Jan. 15) and only by licensed deer hunters. The following guidelines will
apply to ATV use on the area:
* Any hunter while operating an ATV/ORV at any time
must comply with daylight florescent orange requirements as required for deer
gun seasons. If a crash helmet is worn, only the fluorescent orange chest
covering is required.
* ATV/ORV use is restricted to WMA roads that are on the current Three Rivers
WMA map unless otherwise closed.
* Only unaltered standard manufactured ATV/ORVs with
a 700 cc motor displacement or less are allowed.
* ATV/ORV use shall be restricted to a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour.
* ATV/ORV operators and passengers under the age of 18 must wear a crash helmet
that complies with standards established by 49 C.F.R., Section 571.218.
* Passengers in addition to the operator are not allowed on ATV/ORVs
unless that ATV/ORV has been specifically designed by the manufacturer to carry
passengers in addition to the operator.
* Leaving any ATV/ORV unattended on Three Rivers WMA without the owner’s name
and address conspicuously attached is prohibited.
Use of ATV/ORVs off of delineated roads
for retrieval of lawfully taken and tagged deer is permissible only with the
following restrictions.
* ATV/ORVs shall not travel more than one half mile
from the nearest road.
* ATV/ORVs shall not cross rivers and streams unless
on a road with constructed stream crossing structures.
* ATV/ORVs used for deer retrieval shall not be used
in areas otherwise closed to the use of motor vehicles.
“For the past 10 years Weyerhaeuser, through an agreement with the
Wildlife Department, has allowed hunters and anglers to use our property;
however, that contract will expire this May,” said Matt Williams, Weyerhaeuser
timberland manager in Oklahoma and Arkansas. “Many things have changed in the
past 10 years, including the economies of timber production. Although this new
agreement will be much different than our previous one, we think it represents a
significant opportunity for hunters and anglers, with over 1,000 miles of
private roads, hundreds of streams and rivers for all types of outdoor
recreation.”
Williams said the company looks forward to building on the success
of the last 10 years, which has included both opportunities for sportsmen and
benefits for conservation.
“There’s been quality hunting and fishing experiences for the public
to enjoy. There’s been a reduced incidence of wildfire, unauthorized access and
dumping on the property that is critical to our continuing this agreement,”
Williams said.
Williams said the Department’s agreement with Weyerhaeuser involves
what may be the largest property in the country of its kind where a private
timberland company and public entity have entered into a cooperative agreement
to allow public access.
“Although we manage our properties primarily for timber production,
Weyerhaeuser is dedicated to enhancing fish and wildlife resources and we hope
to continue providing quality public recreation on a good portion of our
property,” Williams said. “This new agreement solution is positive for all
parties involved — Weyerhaeuser, the Wildlife Department and the sportsmen.”
Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation, said the encouraging thing about the new agreement is
that both the Wildlife Department and Weyerhaeuser are very committed to
maintaining the strong tradition of public hunting and fishing in the area.
“This area is a large contiguous area that will continue to allow us
to focus our resources and management efforts,” Hatcher said. “Every dollar
brought in from the land access permit goes right back into the area, whether to
pay the lease or manage the property.”
Though there are different terms and conditions with the new
agreement than there has been in previous agreements, Hatcher says it is
important for sportsmen to look at the big picture.
Located in
Composed primarily of pine and mixed oak forests, Three Rivers
supports large numbers of whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey, as well as
plentiful numbers of small game such as rabbits and squirrels. The area also
supports an abundance of non-game wildlife, particularly songbirds. Several
highland streams flow through both areas, offering excellent fishing
opportunities for a number of game species, particularly smallmouth bass.
Land access permit holders also have access to the nearby Honobia
Creek WMA, an additional 75,000 acres of land.
For more information about the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, log
on to wildlifedepartment.com.
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Southeast
At its May meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife
Conservation Commission voted to accept a new agreement between the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation and Weyerhaeuser Company for land use in the
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area in southern
The Department’s 10-year lease term with Weyerhaeuser is expiring in
May, and under the new agreement, just over 250,000 acres at a lease cost of 50
cents per acre will be included in a three-year lease.
Just as in the past, a Land Access Permit will be required of users.
The cost of that permit, however, will increase Aug. 1 to help cover the cost of
the new lease.
Additionally, ATV use will only be allowed during deer season and
only by licensed deer hunters and under certain regulations. A complete list of
the new ATV regulations can be viewed on the Wildlife Department’s Web site at
wildlifedepartment.com.
Although Weyerhaeuser manages its properties primarily for timber
production, officials with the company say its relationship with the Wildlife
Department has been beneficial to the Three Rivers WMA area, resulting in less
incidence of wildfire, unauthorized access and littering as well the opportunity
for quality hunting and fishing.
“This new agreement solution is positive for all parties involved —
Weyerhaeuser, the Wildlife Department and the sportsmen,” said Matt Williams,
Weyerhaeuser timberland manager in
Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation, said the encouraging thing about the new agreement is
that both the Wildlife Department and Weyerhaeuser are very committed to
maintaining the strong tradition of public hunting and fishing in the area.
“This area is a large contiguous area that will continue to allow us
to focus our resources and management efforts,” Hatcher said. “Every dollar
brought in from the Land Access Permit goes right back into the area, whether to
pay the lease or manage the property.”
Other business at the Commission’s May meeting involved elk hunting
in southwest
The Commission recognizes the free-ranging elk on lands east and
west of SH 115 in Kiowa, Comanche and Caddo counties as two independent elk
herds — the Granite herd to the west of the highway, and the Slick Hills herd to
the east of the highway. According to Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the
Wildlife Department, the Slick Hills elk herd has nearly doubled in recent
years, and suitable elk habitat in that area is limited.
The Commission proposed emergency rules to increase the bag limit on
elk that can be taken on private land in Caddo, Comanche, and Kiowa counties.
Last month, the Commission approved more days to hunt elk, whereas this month
they increased the season limit to two elk on lands east of SH 115, one of which
must be a cow elk. The decision also simplifies the licensing process for
hunters. Hunters can now purchase an elk license anywhere that sells hunting
licenses but still must carry written permission from the landowner while in the
field.
Peoples said at last month’s Commission meeting
that landowners in the affected counties revealed a desire to harvest
more elk and to limit depredation problems caused by elk in agricultural areas.
In other business, the Commission approved a resolution placing a
three-year moratorium on commercial turtle harvest in state waters.
“We feel we don’t have enough information about the impact of
commercial turtle harvest in public waters to justify the current system,” said
Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “This resolution
will give us time to better understand the impacts this practice could have on
the resource. In the meantime, turtle harvest for private use will continue
without a change in regulations.”
Commercial harvest will continue to be permitted on private land
waters, such as farm ponds.
The Commission also recognized Scott Webb, wildlife technician at
Sandy Sanders WMA, for 20 years of service to the Wildlife Department.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing
board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife
Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for
the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife
conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and
confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. June 2 at
the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium),
located at the southwest corner of 18th and
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Five-year hunting and fishing license to benefit sportsmen in 2009
Ask any Oklahoman how much money they spend on their favorite
pastime — whether it is golf, shopping, video games or another activity — and
you will quickly learn that hobbies can cost big bucks. Sportsmen are no
different, spending money on the latest gear, hunting leases, outdoor apparel
and gasoline and food for their outings. But starting in January 2009, Oklahoma
sportsmen will have the option of getting a great bargain by purchasing a
five-year hunting, fishing or combination license at a fraction of the cost of
buying an annual hunting and fishing license each year.
State Rep. Randy McDaniel (R) recently authored House Bill 2667,
which was recently signed into law by the governor, creating five-year hunting,
fishing or combination licenses that will be available to sportsmen in 2009.
Senator John Ford (R) was the Senate author.
“Hunting and fishing are great traditions in
Rep. McDaniel is the state’s District 83 representative (northwest
Oklahoma City) and serves on several House committees, including Tourism and
Recreation, for which he is vice chair; Industry and Labor; Arts and Culture;
Human Services; and Health. Sen. Ford represents District 29 (northeast
The bill sets the fee for these licenses at $88 for a five-year
fishing license, $88 for a five-year hunting license and $148 for a combination
license, which also includes the five-year fishing and hunting legacy permit.
Normally, hunters and anglers pay $5 each year for the legacy permit, or $25
over five years.
“For most sportsmen, five years of annual combination licenses and
fishing and hunting legacy permits comes to about $210, but for just $148
sportsmen can get a hunting and fishing license as well as a fishing and hunting
legacy permit that will last five years,” said Melinda Sturgess-Streich,
assistant director of administration for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “That is an enormous saving.”
Sportsmen who hold a five-year license will still be required to
purchase other applicable annual permits such deer and turkey licenses,
appropriate waterfowl stamps, land access permits and other permits where
required.
The five-year fishing, hunting or combination license will be
available in January 2009 at any sporting goods store or location that sells
hunting and fishing licenses, or online through the Wildlife Department’s Web
site at wildlifedepartment.com.
The Wildlife Department is the state agency charged with conserving
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As the weather continues to warm up,
families may be taking notice of all the fishing opportunities that surround
them, including the opportunity to learn about the popular sport. And there are
plenty of opportunities throughout the summer thanks to the Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation’s Aquatic Resources Education Program (AREP).
“There is a lot of great fishing in Oklahoma, but if you have never
been introduced to the sport, it can be beneficial to have some help,” said
Damon Springer, aquatic education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “One
of our family fishing clinics, held throughout the summer, is a great place to
start.”
Starting May 20, the aquatic education program will host the free
family fishing clinics from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday evening through
Aug. 12.
Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling (405)
521-3855.
The Aquatic Resources Education Program is the Department's means to
promote the sport of fishing and aquatic resource awareness as well as a way to
give youth, regardless of family situation, an opportunity to learn about
Developed in 1988, the program's objectives are to increase the
understanding, appreciation, and awareness of
These one-day events present information on such topics as fish
identification, knot-tying, fish cleaning and cooking, fishing tackle selection
and use, water safety, outdoor ethics and more.
Most clinics, including
Family fishing clinics are also available in the
For more information about the Aquatic Resources Education Program,
log on to the Department’s Web site at
wildlifedepartment.com.
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