Outdoor Oklahoma Journal
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!
OKC Zoo Tracks Monarchs on the Move
Twenty “first generation” Oklahoma monarchs were tagged with small solar-powered transmitters at the Oklahoma City Zoo to track their northbound migration. This incredible technology has tracked one Oklahoma monarch more than 200 miles!
Mountain Bluebird
The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a small thrush with a round head, thin bill, and brilliant bright blue plumage on the male of the species.
What is the OLAP, and How Can it Benefit Landowners?
If you own land in Oklahoma, you could be earning annual payments just by allowing public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Find out how the Oklahoma Land Access Program works and whether your property qualifies.
Shells that Tell: Photos Show Turtles' Staying Power
In 2018, Piedmont resident Thomas Hall rummaged in his pocket for his phone and snapped a picture directly above an ornate box turtle he had found in his backyard. He's since documented several turtles using the space, identifying individuals by their unique shell pattern.
Tackle the Basics: Zero Experience Required
ODWC's Tackle the Basics adult fishing clinics are taking place all summer. And with zero experience required, they are perfect for beginners.
Are Pure Grasslands Good for Quail?
Pure grassland sounds ideal, but quail need more than grass. A diverse mix of native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and flowering plants provides the food, cover, and habitat quail need to thrive. Diversity beats monoculture every time.
St. Jude Monitors Wildlife Disease to Safeguard Children
Medical research met wildlife disease surveillance this winter when a St. Jude disease researcher tested sediment samples at known whooping crane stopover sites in five states. This pilot project gave insights into the prevalence and detection rates of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Central Flyway.
Building the “Perfect” Farm Pond
Building a farm pond? Start with the right location, plan your depth, shape, and habitat carefully, and be patient. A good pond is a living system and investing in it right means great fishing ahead.
QUIZ: What Kind of Birder Are You?
Are you a fledgling birder, a yard bird, or a long-distance migrant? Take our bird watching quiz to find your birding style, then get tips for building skills and leveling up your birding experience.
Check Out ODWC's "Hidden Gems" of Fishing
Oklahoma offers some of the best fishing opportunities anywhere. The state is known for its huge reservoirs, but did you know the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) actually owns and manages its very own assortment of smaller fishing lakes?