Page 2 - 2019 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma

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appy New Year! Here’s looking forward to a 2019 full still conducts in-person classroom hunter education statewide as
of great outdoor experiences! various times listed on the website.
As we contemplate our New Year’s resolutions, or ENDANGERED WOODPECKERS ARRIVE: A partnership
Hotherwise challenge ourselves to be better in 2019, we between the U.S. Forest Service, Louisiana Department of Wildlife
also take a moment to reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish. and Fisheries, and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
RENOVATED HEADQUARTERS OPENS: After 3.5 years has boosted the number of federally endangered red-cockaded wood-
of renovation, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s peckers in Oklahoma. Ten juvenile woodpeckers – five males and five
headquarters building re-opened to the public in mid-October. The females – were relocated to southeastern Oklahoma from Louisiana.
virtually new building a block south of the State Capitol is designed to Eight birds were released at the Wildlife Department’s McCurtain
better serve hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. It is a more County Wilderness Area and two were released in the nearby Ouachita
energy efficient, safe, leak-proof, technologically advanced, modern, National Forest. Fewer than 100 of the woodpeckers live in Oklahoma.
and fitness-oriented building. The renovation also brings the facility They roost and nest in mature pine forests.
into ADA compliance. STARS & STRIPES LICENSE PROJECT: A Wildlife
As with the original 1966 headquarters construction, the fund- Department program that provides hunting and fishing licenses
ing for this $16 million renovation project came from the revenues at no cost to military veterans and select survivors of veterans who
generated by hunting and fishing licenses. No state tax dollars were died while serving received a surge of support in September. The
spent, and license fees have not and will not be raised to pay for the Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter of Quail Forever and Oklahoma
building renovation. The entire project was funded without the Trout Unlimited and Indian Nations Council of Trout Unlimited
agency incurring any debt. It’s really something our license holders donated $8,000 altogether. Stars & Stripes is supported exclusively
can be proud of! by donations, and hundreds of licenses have been provided through
WILDLIFE FOUNDATION AND BLAKE SHELTON: an application and selection process. The Department receives no
The new Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation officially state-appropriated funding, so this project allows the Department
launched in July to give added support for the Wildlife Department and the public to show appreciation to veterans and their families
and its activities in managing the state’s fish and wildlife resources and while maintaining revenue to support important fish and wildlife
habitat. Wildlife departments in many other states have had similar conservation activities in the state.
charitable foundations assisting them for years. Country music star OKLAHOMA YOUTHS SHINE: Kiefer High School juniors
and native Oklahoman Blake Shelton serves on the Foundation’s Jeremy Tolle and Garrett Hale took home scholarship prizes of
board of directors. “Healthy fish and wildlife, and the opportunities $28,000 each to Bethel University after winning the 2018 The
to get outdoors, make Oklahoma a special place to live.” He said he Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) High School Fishing World Finals on
“can’t wait to help further conservation efforts here in our great state.” Alabama’s Pickwick Lake in July.
NBA STAR KEEPS KIDS FISHING: In October, Oklahoma Also, two Oklahoma student archers earned spots on the National
City Thunder All-Star forward Paul George met 50 fourth-grad- Archery in the Schools U.S. All-Star Team of just 16 members that
ers from Cesar Chavez Elementary School as a part of a class trip competed against the world’s best in the NASP® World All-Star
to experience the great outdoors. Last year, George signed on as Championships in Calgary, Alberta, in July. They are Matthew
a sponsor with the Wildlife Department’s OKFITS (Oklahoma Monroe, 11th grade, Locust Grove High School, and Jerod Aycox,
Fishing in the Schools) program and is continuing to give back to 7th grade, Zaneis School. To put these young archers into per-
Oklahoma youths by sharing his favorite pastime. OKFITS is part spective, they rose to the very top of some 2.2 million youths who
of the Wildlife Department’s suite of educational programs designed participated in NASP® during the previous year.
to introduce youths to various outdoor-related activities. George’s 2018! What a year! For 2019, let’s resolve now to get outdoors, take
foundation is sponsoring the participation of 13 local elementary someone along to share the experience with, and learn to appreciate
schools in OKFITS. more what nature provides in our amazing Outdoor Oklahoma!
HUNTER EDUCATION GOES TO NRA: The Wildlife
Department is partnering with the National Rifle Association to
offer an online hunter education course. The free course replaces
the Department’s previously offered online course. It allows the
Department to maintain high-quality hunter education training at Nels Rodefeld,
no cost to the Department or the state’s hunters. The Department Editor

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