Contacts
Wister WMA covers 35,500 acres of central Leflore and eastern Latimer Counties in southeastern Oklahoma. Located around the 7,000-acre Wister Reservoir, along either side of Hwy. 59 and 271 south, south of the towns of Wister and Heavener. The area is a mixture of river bottoms, upland and foothills. The bottomland consists mainly of Oaks and other hardwood species. Upland sites are a mixture of small fields of native grass, greenbrier, and sumac. Foothills consist of post oak, hickory, and pine. The Poteau and Fourche Maline Rivers run through the east and west portions of the area and offer a good example of a bottomland hardwoods floodplain. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 50 inches.
The Wister WRP can also be found in the area and provides an additional 1,000 acres.
Independence Entrance
From Heavener: 5 miles west on Independence Rd.
Conser Landing Entrance
From Hodgen: 5½ miles west on Conser Rd, 1 mile north on CR4695.
Potts Landing Entrance
From Wister: 2 miles east on U.S. Hwy 270, 2 miles south on Glendale Rd, 1 mile west on Potts Mt. Rd.
Britton Bottom Rd Entrance
From Wister: 2 miles east on U.S. Hwy 270, 1½ miles south on Glendale Rd, 1 mile west on Britton Bottom Rd.
Pocahontas Rd Entrance
From Wister: 2 miles west on U.S. Hwy 270, 1½ miles south on 295th Ave (CR149), 1 mile west on Pocahontas Rd, turn west at “Y” and continue ½ mile to WMA sign.
Cedar Creek Rd Entrance
From Wister: 9 miles west on U.S. Hwy 270 (½ mile west of Fanshawe), ¼ mile south on N4550.
Waits Ln Entrance
From Wister: 6 miles west on U.S. Hwy 270, 5.2 miles south on U.S. 271, at 4-way intersection go ½ mile east on CR154 to community of Summerfield, 2.7 miles south and east on Summerfield-Reichert Rd, north on Waits Ln. Rd at WMA sign.
Falls Hole Ln Entrance
From Wister: 6 miles west on U.S. Hwy 270, 5.2 miles south on U.S. Hwy 271, at 4-way intersection go east on CR154 for 1.2 miles to Falls Hole Lane and WMA sign.
- 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.
- Waterfowl: Ducks are usually present in good numbers during the annual migration.
- Rabbit: Cottontail and swamp rabbits are present in good numbers.
- Squirrel: Fox and gray squirrel are present in good numbers.
- Furbearers: Bobcats, coyotes, raccoon, beaver, skunk, opossum, river otter and fox are available.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in low numbers around agricultural fields.
- Dove: Dove may be present in small numbers during the annual migrations.
- Bear: Present, low numbers.
- Bald and Golden Eagles: Found on area during winter months (November - February).
Planned control burning of 2,000 acres annually, strip disc, food plots and brush hog 500 acres annually,14,000 acres control grazing operation. Management efforts focus on maintaining openings, controlling woody vegetation to improve existing habitat for wildlife species present.
Primitive camping sites are offered throughout the WMA. Two concrete boat ramps are available on the Poteau river portion of the WMA Modern camp sites and cabins are available at nearby Wister Lake State Park. Wister Lake State Park can be reached at (918) 655-7756.
Good fishing opportunities exist at the 7,000 acre Wister Lake, particularly for catfish and crappie. The Poteau River above Wister Lake is also a good area for springtime runs of white bass.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on both Coal Creek (Joe Johnson) and Fourche Maline WDU portions.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Gun
Open the first nine days only.
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Waterfowl
Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portions.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed within 50 yards of open roads.
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.
