Page 13 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

BOATERS: “CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY” TO STOP INVASIVE SPECIES

Clean, Drain, Dry is a simple three-
step process that boaters can follow every
time they move from one body of water to
another. When boaters take action every
time they leave the water, they can stop the
spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.
Cleaning removes visible plants, mud
and large-bodied organisms that are
attached to, or in, watercraft, trailers or
recreational equipment. Draining removes
water that hides small and nearly invisible
invasive organisms such as zebra mussel
larvae (veligers). Drying is necessary to
ensure that living biological material is not
being moved, as many organisms can sur-
vive in small amounts of standing water.
Together, these three steps are effective
at preventing the spread of aquatic inva-
sive species.

CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, ani-
mals, and mud from all equipment before
leaving water access
• Rinse equipment and boat hulls (with
high pressure, hot water when possible)
DRY everything for at least five days or wipe with a towel
• Rinse interior compartments of boats with low pressure, before reuse.
hot water (120°F)

• Flush motor with hot water (120°F) for 2 minutes (or If you are an angler, also DISPOSE of unwanted bait,
according to owner’s manual) worms and fish parts in the trash. When keeping live bait,
drain bait containers and replace with spring or dechlorinat-
DRAIN motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing ed tap water. Never dump live fish or other organisms from
devices before leaving water access. one water body into another.

HELP OKLAHOMA’S

WILDLIFE ON YOUR

STATE TAX RETURN!

Tax season is upon us, and this year’s
tax return can help our nongame wildlife!
Oklahomans who are getting a refund for
tax year 2018 may check the box on the form
to contribute some or all of their refund to
the Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Diver-
sity Fund. These donations can nearly tri-
ple in value when combined with federal
wildlife funds! Please consider donating for
wildlife this year.

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