Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners recognized Game Warden Jared Cramer, based in Adair County, as Oklahoma’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The annual award is presented by Shikar-Safari Club International after the winner is selected by a vote of his or her peers. Presenting the proclamation and trophy on behalf of the club were Suzie Brewster and Wildlife Commissioner Bill Brewster.
Also during Monday’s regular December meeting, Commissioners learned of a new cost-share program with conservation partner Quail Forever to improve wildlife habitat on Oklahoma Land Access Program properties. Wildlife Biologist Jeff Tibbits and Laura McIver, Oklahoma regional representative for Quail Forever, provided an overview of the program.
In other business:
- Commissioners were updated on the status of the quail and pheasant seasons by Upland Game Biologist Tell Judkins.
- Director J.D. Strong presented special recognition awards from the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to the Department’s Information and Education Division honoring the success of The Outdoors Are Always Open! campaign, and a second award to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department along with ODWC for the Oklahoma Fishing Trail campaign.
- Commissioners heard annual reports on the Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Audit and Fiscal Year 2020 Actuarial Valuation of the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan.
- Strong reported on Department activities since the previous meeting, including continued strong license sales and completion of the 2019-20 Game Harvest Survey that showed among its findings that 32 percent of active hunters used public lands to pursue game.
A video recording of the meeting is available at https://youtu.be/CaZ963zWZXc.
The next regular Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 11, 2021, at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City.