Page 5 - 2021 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

Game Warden’s Journal

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA

Two young tom turkeys were found near Whitesboro in Le Flore security camera video and the photo was posted on the Game
County, with the beards and breast meat removed. One of the young Wardens Facebook page. Thanks to conscientious citizens, the
Jake turkeys had button spurs and the other had 3/4-inch spurs. case didn’t take long to solve.
The carcasses were found discarded near a U.S. Forest Service
gate adjacent to a county road about 2.5 miles from Whitesboro.
Wardens believe the poaching happened the weekend of Feb. 6-7. On Jan. 13, Game Warden Brek Henry, based in Sequoyah
Anyone with information is asked to call one of these Game County, received information from a local hunter about a
Wardens: Clayton Kannady, (580) 513-0814; Thomas Gillham, vehicle in a closed area of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
(918) 429-3910; Terry Springwater, (918) 431-2559. Callers may near Vian. Suspecting illegal hunting activity, Henry went to
also use the Operation Game Thief hot line at (800) 522-8039. investigate and found the vehicle along with an elderly man who
In all cases, callers can choose to remain anonymous. had been missing since the early morning hours.
“The man had become disoriented and wasn’t sure of his
location, and drove down a closed and unmaintained road.
A case that involved dumping of waterfowl was closed in a few His vehicle had gotten stuck, but fortunately he stayed with the
hours with the help of social media, reported Game Wardens Lt. vehicle,” Henry said.
Paul Welch and Jeremy Bersche, both based in Osage County. Henry contacted the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, and
Ducks and geese were dumped in a trash bin behind a Ski- the man’s family was notified. The family had been searching
atook convenience for him since just after daylight and were very relieved that
store around 8 p.m. he was found before dark. “I’m very thankful the concerned
Jan. 22. Some of hunter called this in, or it could have ended differently,”
the birds had been Henry said.
cleaned and some He said the man was in good health and told him, “I got a
had not. Also, two long nap!”
freezer storage bags
with cleaned water- (Reports from the Oklahoma Game Wardens Facebook page.)
fowl breasts in them
were tossed with EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help make a difference! When violators
the carcasses. break the law, they steal fish and wildlife from you! Report violations
One of the cul- anonymously by calling Operation Game Thief at (800) 522-8039. You
prits was caught on could earn a cash reward.

IT’S THE LAW

Private landowners who own a pond should be aware of
fishing regulations that apply to them.
Private ponds are not bound to the daily bag limits, posses-
sion limits or length limits that apply to public waters.
Legal resident owners or tenants, their spouses, parents,
grandparents, children and their spouses, grandchildren and
their spouses who are fishing on land owned or leased by them beforehand. It is illegal to apply rotenone to any Oklahoma
are not required to purchase Oklahoma fishing licenses. Other waters without ODWC approval and supervision.
people angling in these waters must have a license, unless Fisheries biologists can provide information on stocking
exempt. Illegal angling methods such as electrofishing are pro- and technical assistance to pond owners who want to know
hibited in private ponds as well as public waters. more about managing their ponds. For more information
In addition, pond owners who want to kill out their ponds on pond management, go to www.wildlifedepartment.com/
due to stunted fish growth or other reasons by using the fish lands-and-minerals/farm-ponds.
toxin rotenone must contact the Game Warden in their county Smokey Solis, Communication Specialist

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