This is the Outdoor Oklahoma Journal, where we're all about helping you pursue and engage in Oklahoma's vibrant outdoor lifestyle. Follow us for great hunting and fishing stories, wildlife features, insider information about unique opportunities, and tangible details on how to go out and be a hunter, angler, and conservationist. The outdoors are always open, so don't miss out!
For One Survey Team, “Getting Skunked” Smells Like Success
Getting skunks on camera was a critical first step in an Oklahoma State University survey team’s effort to learn more about the Plains spotted skunk population in southeastern Oklahoma. The secretive and little-known skunk was detected at about half of the survey sites on the Ouachita National Forest.
The Oklahoma Fishing Trail
Not sure where to fish? The Oklahoma Fishing Trail has you covered.
The Benefits of CRP, Native Vegetation
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary incentive-based program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) that was started in 1985, initially to deal with soil erosion and stabilize commodity prices. This was quickly expanded to include enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Sanders Selected Landowner Conservationist of the Year
McCurtain County farmer John Sanders has been selected as the 2025 Landowner Conservationist of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting
Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.
Get the Most Out of Your Bird Feeder
We share four tips for getting the most out of your feeder.
Three Steps to Deer Tallow that You Can Make at Home
Don’t toss that deer fat—turn it into useful tallow for cooking, skincare, candles, and more. With a little time and care, you can honor your harvest and reduce waste.
Exploring the New Herron Family WMA
The new Herron Family WMA is more than 17,000 acres of hunting land, it is also adventure, access, conservation, and tradition. Thanks to a unique partnership, Oklahoma residents now have a new place to chase deer, call turkeys, hear quail, and pass on the outdoors to the next generation.
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Occupant
When I’m out talking to landowners, there is one phrase I hear quite often. “This place will look a whole lot better when I get it cleaned up.” Sometimes they are right; but often, when it comes to improvements for wildlife, they are mistaken.
Endangered Whooping Cranes to Move through Oklahoma
Whooping cranes to make 2,500-mile migration with stops in Oklahoma.