Ouachita WMA – McCurtain & Tiak Unit covers 133,000 acres in central and southern McCurtain County in the southeast corner of the state. The WMA also includes an additional 221,559 acres which are part of the Ouachita WMA - Le Flore Unit. The Broken Bow Subunit is located north of Broken Bow, surrounding Broken Bow Lake and the Glover River. The Tiak Subunit is located southeast of Idabel surrounding the towns of Haworth and Tom.
Loblolly pine plantations and upland hardwood forests dominate the 111,000 acres found within the Broken Bow Unit. This area contains the Ouachita Mountains foothills and also surrounds the Lower Mountain Fork River. This portion of the WMA was acquired in 1997 from Weyerhaeuser as part of a Forest Service/Weyco land exchange. Within the 20,000 acre Tiak Unit, mixed loblolly pine/hardwood forests and mature, bottomland hardwood forests dominate the landscape.
U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center
From Broken Bow: 7 miles north on U.S. Hwy 259, center is at the south intersection with U.S. Hwy 259A.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in low numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Turkey: Eastern wild turkeys are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Rabbit: Both cottontails and swamp rabbits are present with cottontails being more common.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat, fox, beaver and raccoon are available.
- Bear: Present in low numbers.
- Bachman’s Sparrow: Present in low numbers on the Broken Bow Unit.
- Swainson’s Warbler: Present in very low numbers on the Tiak Unit.
- Bald Eagle: Eagles routinely winter on the upper and lower Mountain Fork River and on Broken Bow Lake.
Management efforts on both units are focused on improving habitat conditions within the managed pine and pine/hardwood stands. Timber harvest, prescribed burning, and midstory removal are the main tools used for habitat improvement. Approximately 50,000 acres within the Broken Bow Subunit is dedicated to shortleaf pine bluestem restoration and Red-cockaded Woodpecker recovery.
Camping in accordance with U.S Forest Service Regulations.
Fish for smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass along with sunfish within the Broken Bow Unit on the Glover, Mountain Fork, and Buffalo Creeks. There are no fishable ponds within the Broken Bow Unit. On the Tiak Unit, fish for bass, sunfish, and channel catfish within Kulli Pond, Hunter’s Pool (5 acres), Midway Store Pond (1 acre), and Compartment 48 Pond (1 acre).
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Waterfowl
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Special U.S. Forest Service regulations apply to this area, including rules on baiting, OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle)/ATV use and treestands. Go online to www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/ or a Forest Service visitor center for more information.
Camping is allowed in accordance with U.S. Forest Service regulations.
Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.
Allowed methods: rod and reel only.
Ouachita National Forest (USDA.gov)
Kiamichi Country Tourism
1-800-722-8180
Heavener Chamber of Commerce
501 West First St, Heavener 74937
(918) 653-4303
heavenercofc@leflorecounty.com
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Poteau Chamber of Commerce
200 South Broadway, Poteau 74953
(918) 647-9178
Talihina Chamber of Commerce and Ouachita National Forest Interpretive Association
900 Second St, Suite 12, Dept 03,
Talihina, OK 74571
(918) 567-3434
www.talihinacc.com
vera@talihinacc.com
Wintering Birds
When autumn finally releases its hold on winter, Oklahomans have to say goodbye to such things as fall colors and warm weather bird species, including purple martins, scissor-tailed flycatchers, and other avian summer residents. But winter is a time for greetings, and with the brisk north winds comes wintering birds.
