Page 9 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023

GAME BAG program. I’m currently working with USDA
NRCA for participation in EQIP (Environ-
mental Quality Incentives Program). There’s
A COLLECTION OF LETTERS a marked difference between working with
TO THE WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT Kyle and working with the federal agency.
Kyle is responsive, positive, efficient, and
We’d like to hear from you! Send your letters to Outdoor insightful. A real pro.
Oklahoma Letters, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, Steve Kahn, President, AT&T
or send e-mail to donald.brown@odwc.ok.gov. Kyle Johnson

Dear Director J.D. Strong:
I would like to express my gratitude to ODWC and its Dear Wildlife Department,
employees for hosting the outstanding trapping workshop A quick word of thanks to Wildlife Biolo-
in January at Fort Gibson Waterfowl Refuge Portion. Senior gist Hayden Savage and Wildlife Technician
Wildlife Biologist JD Ridge and Wildlife Biologist Colby Far- Cody Crisswell for providing the opportu-
quhar have an enthusiasm for the sport that is truly contagious. nity for a great hunt at Beaver River Wildlife
They were very engaging and accommodating with the stu- Management Area on opening weekend
dents. Game Warden Jared Cramer came in on Sunday and of deer gun season. I was lucky enough to
graciously shared his wealth of knowledge on fleshing and help family friend Jacob Ceder taste suc-
preparing hides. Game Warden Cody Morris’ presentation on cess, thanks to your efforts. You guys made Hayden Savage
the applicable laws and regulations was quite informative. I this draw hunt a top-notch experience for
would also like to express a special thanks to Wildlife Biologist Jacob by sharing information and guiding
Brett Thompson and Wildlife Technician Zeke Hawkes for their us to a fantastic opportunity. On our ride
assistance with the class. I chose to take the class because my back downstate, Jacob was telling me how
14-year-old son has recently developed an interest in trapping. impressive it is that ODWC employees
We have searched for resources to provide him with the skills he invest so much of their time and effort into
needs to successfully trap, skin, and flesh an animal and have making this hunt so memorable. He was
found very little. The knowledge and skills that he obtained blown away that you would help get his deer
from the workshop far exceeded our expectations for it. We to the shop, help skin it, and help quarter it Cody Crisswell
look forward to taking more workshops like this in the future. up. I couldn’t agree more. Your efforts throughout the year resulted
Brad Wheeler in Jacob’s best buck to date. I want you guys to know how much your
daily, weekly, and seasonal work is appreciated.
Thank you both for hosting this memorable experience for a
young hunter!
Kurt Kuklinski

IT’S THE LAW:

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PASSPORT
JD Ridge Colby Farquhar Jared Cramer
Have you been wanting to explore some Wildlife
Department-owned areas when you aren’t hunting or
fishing? People using those areas for activities such
as birdwatching, hiking, or photography are required
to have either a Wildlife Conservation Passport or any
current hunting or fishing license issued by the Wildlife
Department to legally enter those areas. Exempt from
the passport are people younger than 16 at the start
Cody Morris Brett Thompson Zeke Hawkes of the calendar year, and students and instructors par-
ticipating in educational tours or activities approved
in advance by the Wildlife Department. The passport
Dear Director J.D. Strong, requirement is in keeping with the user-pay, user-ben-
Just a quick note to commend Senior Wildlife Biologist Kyle efit principle whereby hunter and angler license fees
Johnson. He helped me with my WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Improve- fund Department operations. Passports are available at
ment Program) project in 2021. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to partic- GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com.
ipate in ’22 (funding), but he’s already reached out about the 2023

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