Page 5 - Outdoor Oklahoma - May/June 2021 Issue

Game Warden’s Journal

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

On Jan. 16, a mature bald eagle carcass was found near His investigation led to the identification of a suspect claim-
Lane. The eagle had its head, tail, and talons removed before ing that the deer had been killed in Oklahoma at Kiamichi
the carcass was dumped in a creek. Atoka County Game War- Park, along with a mounted rattlesnake skin taken from the
dens need information leading to the person who desecrated same area months before. Moore contacted Potter, and further
this majestic bird and tossed the remains away to rot. If you investigation indicated the suspect did not have a valid deer
have information about this bald eagle, please contact Game hunting license at the time of harvest. Also, another person had
Warden Jay Harvey at (580) 513-0081 and Jim Gillham can reported the deer harvest to ODWC’s E-check and transported
be reached at (580) 513-4823 or call Operation Game Thief the carcass across state lines. All wardens involved worked
at (800) 522-8039. You can remain anonymous and a reward diligently to locate the second suspect and interview the coop-
of up to $500 may be received if your information leads to an erative suspects.
arrest/conviction. Wardens met at the state line to exchange seized evidence,
and to issue citations to the perpetrators. This case serves as a
reminder that taking game without a proper license, lending of
hunting or fishing licenses, and the transporting illegal game
across state lines is strictly prohibited.

Late on March 6, a message was received by an ODWC Game
Warden about two lost kayakers on the North Canadian River
above Canton Lake. The kayakers were in one of the most diffi-
cult-to-reach locations on Canton Wildlife Management Area.
The kayakers had a radio and kept in touch with other camp
members, who provided authorities with vital information.
Game Wardens learned the two men had built a fire and would
attempt to make it out to safety at first light. But they had left
their kayaks to try to walk or swim out of the area.
Oklahoma Game Wardens Andrew Potter, based in Choctaw The next day, with help from the area wildlife biologist and
County, and Jim Gillham, based in Atoka County, worked with technician, and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer, an
Game Warden Grant Moore of Lamar County, Texas, recently access point to the slough was found, and the Game Wardens
to recover an illegally harvested deer taken in December from used a canoe to try to reach the stranded men. Gusting winds
the Kiamichi Park area at Hugo Lake. made the trip across open water more difficult and dangerous
Moore received a complaint of an antlered deer head found in the lightweight canoe, but the Game Wardens were able to
decaying in a bucket at a Paris, Texas, apartment complex. reach the men and get them back to shore. Both kayakers were
very tired and hungry but in
good spirits.

(Reports from the Oklahoma
Game Wardens Facebook page.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help
make a difference! When viola-
tors break the law, they steal fish
and wildlife from you! Report
violations anonymously by call-
ing Operation Game Thief at
(800) 522-8039. You could earn
a cash reward.

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