Page 5 - 2018 SEPT/OCT Outdoor Oklahoma

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PUBLIC LANDS’ VALUE IS OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED

(Editor’s Note: In a recent newsletter to members, John Bellah, president of the Central Oklahoma’ 89ers Chapter of Quail Forever,
wrote about the importance of Oklahoma’s public hunting areas. With his permission, we are sharing his article with you.)

It's hard for me to talk about so that every Oklahoman can carry out his or her constitutional
quail hunting in Oklahoma right to hunt and fish. Not only do these WMAs provide access
without talking about our to Oklahomans but also to many nonresident sportsmen who
wonderful public lands. I have come to our state, purchase licenses, and support the economies
hunted no less than 29 of our in towns like Beaver, Woodward, Mangum and many, many
Wildlife Management Areas more. These areas bring life to these small towns in the fall and
specifically for quail and have provide Oklahoma quail hunters with some of the finest quail
made many memories on those hunting in the nation. However, these areas provide much more
lands with friends and family. than hunting opportunities and an economic boost.
We are blessed as a state to Many of our WMAs are managed intensively for quail. Each
have such well-managed and of these areas provides an opportunity to showcase many of
accessible areas. the most up-to-date quail management practices available.
Each year, I hunt woodcock These areas become institutions of learning for landowners
with some of my Quail Forever in the region so that they can hopefully mimic the practices
brothers in Tennessee from the John Bellah used on those WMAs to provide habitat for quail on pri-
Mid-South Chapter out of Memphis. We hunt on a wildlife vate lands, which in turn support the stability of the overall
management area that is one of their quail focal areas for their quail population. These areas managed for quail also pro-
statewide quail initiative. Without being too critical, we are vide opportunities for extensive research by Oklahoma State
blessed in our state. I would rather hunt any WMA in Oklaho- University and Department biologists to better understand
ma for quail than to hunt that area. All that to say we are the the preferences and habits of quail. Much of the information
envy of almost all quail hunters east of Fort Smith, Ark. gathered through this research is used to improve lands for
After the legislative session this year, I have chosen the topic optimal quail production.
of “We Are Public Lands Proud” to explain how important our The ’89ers Chapter takes much pride in our WMAs and the
wildlife management areas are to the Quail Forever mission and habitat we have been able to provide through equipment pur-
to the overall management of quail in the state. I hope you will chases, seed and seedlings, and land acquisitions. We want to
enjoy, and if you enjoy please share. Thank you! make certain that future generations will be able to enjoy the
sport of quail hunting, and our public lands are vital for the
We Are Public Lands Proud future of quail. These lands are beneficial to all Oklahomans
In Oklahoma, we are blessed to have access to more than whether you hunt on them or not. We will continue to support
82 wildlife management areas (WMAs) totaling more than quail management on these lands, not only in the west but
1.3 million acres. These areas, owned and/or managed by the statewide, so that our children and grandchildren will not go
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, are provided through life without experiencing the thrill of the flush.

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