Page 8 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

GAME WARDEN’S JOURNAL

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

issued five citations each, three deer were confis-
cated, and firearms were held as evidence. The men
were released. Total fines, costs, and restitution may
approach $14,000.

On Jan. 19, Game War-
den Larry Green, based
in Kay County, was alerted
about three duck hunters
whose boat had capsized
while on Kaw Lake. Green
immediately readied a
boat and requested an
ambulance. The weather
was becoming worse, with
wind gusting to 30 mph Game Warden Larry Green
and temperatures falling into the low 30s.
Green met with Corps of Engineers Ranger Aaron
Brown, and they launched the boat into waves up to
4 feet high. Green, recognized among ODWC’s most
accomplished boat operators, piloted the boat to reach
the three hunters, who were showing signs of hypother-
Game Warden Shane Fields with seized venison.
mia from being in the water for an extended period. The
In March, Game Warden Shane Fields, based in hunters were returned successfully to the boat ramp
Pittsburg County, received a call concerning some where the ambulance was waiting.
deer legs hanging on a skinning pole near Daisy in Green and Brown put their lives on the line by braving
southeastern Pittsburg County. Fields responded and the harsh conditions to rescue the three hunters.
found a vehicle parked at
IT’S THE LAW: a gate with an empty trail-
er attached. Nearby were On March 10, a sportsman’s tip led Game Wardens
PUBLIC LAND the carcasses of three to illegal snares on Fobb Bottom Wildlife Management
SHOOTING RANGES adult doe deer. Game Area. The snares had no stops and posed extreme risk to
Warden Jay Harvey, hunters or hounds. Wardens combed the area for other
Anyone using a firearm on any Wildlife Depart- based in Atoka County, a illegal snares to remove, but the presence of thick brush
ment management area is required to possess an Pittsburg County sheriff’s might have left some undiscovered.
Oklahoma hunting or combination hunting/fish- deputy, and a Choctaw Fobb Bottom WMA is only open to live box traps,
ing license (unless exempt). This includes anyone Tribe officer joined Fields dog-proof traps, and water sets. Anyone with information
using a WMA shooting range. Designated shoot- at the property. on these or other illegal snares is urged to contact Game
ing ranges exist at 11 Wildlife Management Areas. The officers heard sev- Warden Trey Hale, based in Marshall County, at (580)
The discharge of firearms on any WMA is permit- eral volleys of gunshots 320-2951or call anonymously to Operation Game Thief,
ted only for hunting and on from inside the property. (800) 522-8039.
designated shooting ranges. At dark, two men drove
Target shooting is not per- up on a utility vehicle. (Reports from the Oklahoma Game Wardens Face-
mitted on WMAs except at Officers secured four book page.)
designated shooting ranges. firearms from the vehi-
For more, scan the code. cle. The two men said EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help make a difference!
they were nonresidents, When violators break the law, they steal fish and
and they owned the property, and therefore could wildlife from you! Report violations anonymously by
hunt deer anytime. Officers quickly told the men they calling Operation Game Thief at (800) 522-8039. You
were in violation of Oklahoma law. The men were could earn a cash reward.

6 OFF THE BEATEN PATH

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