Page 4 - 2019 NOV/DEC Outdoor Oklahoma

Oklahoma Gov. J. Kevin Stitt Speaks

About Hunting, Angling, Outdoors

Recently the Governor went archery hunting for black bear in southeastern Oklahoma. Outdoor
Oklahoma was able to tag along and asked the governor some questions about hunting, fishing
and the great outdoors.

What are your thoughts about the state’s
wildlife diversity? Provided
As governor, I get the unique opportunity to travel
our state. So from the Panhandle, seeing bighorn sheep
out there, to southeast Oklahoma — I’m on a bear hunt
down here right now — it’s just beautiful. Our state is
so diverse. We’ve got so many different areas, different
wildlife habitats. It’s just a fantastic state. Just part of my
plan to be Top 10 in everything we do. We certainly are
going to be Top 10 in wildlife and everything outdoors.

Why is wildlife important to you, and why
should wildlife be important to all Oklahomans?
An appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors is part
of our fabric as Oklahomans. It is something that has
been passed down from generation to generation,
and we want to continue to preserve our wildlife and
way of life in Oklahoma. Being a fourth generation
Oklahoman, a love for the outdoors was passed on to
me by my father, and it is fun to pass that same passion
on to my children.

Were you surprised to learn about Oklahoma’s Wade Free/odWC
thriving bear population?
Yes! I think it’s really neat that in southeast Oklahoma
we have black bears. It speaks to the diversity of our
wildlife populations across the state.

What would you tell someone planning to hunt
black bear in Oklahoma?

Book out a week, and make sure you’re on target with
your bow!

Do you have any background in hunting?
As a kid, I grew up in Norman. And my dad’s hobby
was quail hunting. And so we always had some English
pointers. And I loved going with my dad and my
brothers and my uncles, and we would always go to
western Oklahoma to do quail hunting. And Dad would
walk me until I could hardly walk, and he would have to
carry me back to the truck. Those are fond memories. I
love quail hunting.
Back in high school, my buddies and I used to tube
in the ponds around Norman and fish, and I started A family friend holds a paddlefish as Gov. Stitt and son Drew look on.
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