Weekly Wildlife Newsletter  

For Immediate Release:
October 2, 2008
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com
E-mail: info@odwc.state.ok.us

October brings in three hunting seasons
Veterans eligible for special hunt
Young outdoor writers to share their heritage, win trip of a lifetime
Outdoor Calendar
Fishing Report

October brings in three hunting seasons

The month of October means hunting, as evidenced by the Oct. 1 openers for deer archery, turkey fall archery and rabbit seasons in Oklahoma.

This year’s archery season will see some changes from previous years, particularly in the last 15 days of the season (Jan. 1-15) when harvest will no longer be limited to antlerless deer. Additionally, hunters will enjoy an increased archery season limit of six deer, of which two may be bucks.

Archery season in Oklahoma runs from Oct. 1-Jan. 15. Resident archery deer hunters must possess an Oklahoma hunting license, a fishing and hunting legacy permit and a deer archery license for each deer hunted or proof of exemption. All resident youth hunters under 18 years old may purchase a $10 youth deer archery license, and resident youth 16 or 17 years old must also purchase a hunting license, unless exempt.

Nonresident archery deer hunters are exempt from a hunting license, but they must possess a nonresident deer archery license for each deer hunted as well as a fishing and hunting legacy permit or proof of exemption. Nonresident lifetime license hunters are not exempt from purchasing deer licenses.

Upon harvesting a deer, all annual license holders are required to complete the “Record of Game” section on the license form. In addition, all hunters, including lifetime license holders, must immediately attach their name and hunting license number to the animal. The attached item can be anything, such as a business card, that will remain secure to the animal until checked at the nearest hunter check station.

All hunters who harvest a deer must check in their animal at the nearest open hunter check station or with an authorized Wildlife Department employee. A county-by-county listing of hunter check stations is available in the “2008-09 Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or at wildlifedepartment.com.

The archery deer season limit is six deer, of which no more than two may be antlered deer. Deer harvested during the archery season are included in the hunter’s combined season limit of no more than six deer, of which two may be antlered deer.

The turkey fall archery season runs Oct. 1-Jan. 15 as well. Hunters can harvest one bird, but it can be either a tom or a hen. Turkey fall archery season is the only time when a hen may be harvested, offering a unique opportunity for hunters. Fall archery turkey hunters must conspicuously wear either a head covering or an outer garment above the waistline that consists of hunter orange when hunting during any deer season that requires hunters to wear hunter orange.

Rabbit hunters have it good in Oklahoma, with a long season spanning Oct. 1, 2008-March 15, 2009 and a generous daily limit of 10 cottontail rabbits, three swamp rabbits and three jackrabbits. In Cimarron, Texas and Beaver counties, the limit on jackrabbit is 10 daily, and jackrabbits may only be harvested west of 1-35.

For more information about hunting seasons in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com

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Veterans eligible for special hunt

The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International will host two Oklahoma war veterans for a three-day guided hunting and fishing trip. The veterans will each get a chance to harvest a cow elk and lodging and meals will be provided.

“We here in the United States of America owe our many freedoms to the men and women of all generations who have served in our armed forces, giving their time, and in many cases their health or even their lives, to win and preserve our way of life. We thank all of these most honored citizens,” said Mike Mistelske, with the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International.

SCI’s Oklahoma Station Chapter has partnered with Wild Game Outfitters near Porum to organize this special three-day/four-night outing in January or February, 2009. Others contributing to the event thus far include Oklahoma fishing guide Hubert Sanders, Shannon Ostertag of Reflections Taxidermy, Jim Allgood and Keith Rayborn of Redneck Adventures TV Shows, Cabela’s, Tulsa Red Castle Gun Club, and members of the Oil Capital Rod & Gun Club.

Anyone who has received or been officially determined to be eligible for the “Afghanistan Campaign Medal,” the “Iraq Campaign Medal,” or the “Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,” is eligible to apply for this hunting and fishing adventure. Eligibility is open to veterans without or with disabilities. Many disabilities, including wheelchairs, can be accommodated.

Please submit your nominations for this special hunt by e-mail to Mike Mistelske at mjmistelske@yahoo.com no later than October 31st. Provide the name, age, and all contact information for the veteran; and provide your name and contact information. Please include a brief description of the veteran’s military service and combat experience, and please describe any physical limitation he or she may have. Two veterans will be selected at random from those nominated and confirmed to be eligible; SCI’s selection will be final.

Additional information, including how local organizations, businesses, or individuals can contribute to this veterans’ hunt or to an ongoing program of providing such hunts is available at SCI’s website, by clicking on Special Hunt for Oklahoma Veterans.

The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International offers support and funding to a number of sportsmen’s causes, especially local efforts that benefit the sportsmen and wildlife of Oklahoma. The chapter partners with the Wildlife Department to sponsor several important programs, including the Wildlife Expo and the Hunter's Against Hunger program, which oversees the distribution of hunter-harvested venison to needy families.

The organization also helped fund the purchase of an airboat used by the Wildlife Department on waterfowl surveys and other wetland management tasks, and they provided the Department with a 24-foot trailer for use in the Department's Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP). STEP introduces both youth and adults to shotgun shooting techniques and the proper handling of firearms. Additionally, the chapter purchased eight elk for introduction into an existing herd in southeast Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Station of the Safari Club International also partners with Wildlife Department to sponsor an annual youth essay contest. The contest gives youth the opportunity to share their feelings about Oklahoma’s outdoors and gives them the opportunity to win great prizes, including a guided pronghorn antelope hunt in New Mexico.

The Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI serves four basic purposes: protecting the freedom of sportsmen to hunt, offering education on the value of hunting as a valuable wildlife management tool, conserving wildlife to preserve the hunting heritage for future generations and providing humanitarian services.

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Young outdoor writers to share their heritage, win trip of a lifetime

Every year, young people across Oklahoma share their outdoor heritage by competing in a youth outdoor writing contest for a chance at a trip of a lifetime.

According to Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Wildlife Department, the essay contest is an ideal way for youth to show their love for the outdoors and, in the process, possibly win a vacation in the great outdoors. There are two age categories (11-14 and 15-17), and one girl and one boy winner are chosen from each one.

To participate, students must be 11-17 years of age and currently enrolled in any Oklahoma school or home school. Winners of the 2007 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline, which is Nov. 19, 2008. Students also must use the theme of “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage” or “Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting” or the concept of the theme to develop an expository essay or short story.

Winners in the 15-17 age category (one boy and one girl) will receive a guided antelope hunt in New Mexico, and winners in the 11-14 age category are competing for scholarship for the Apprentice Hunter Program at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. Safari Club International’s Apprentice Hunter Program is a unique, hands-on course designed for girls and boys aged 11-14. The program covers topics such as history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, tracking and interpreting sign, game cooking and the SCI Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. There are three sessions, each one week long, during the summer of 2009.

The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI newsletter “Safari Trails.” Publication qualifies the winning entries for the National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Several past national winners have come from Oklahoma.

One educator also will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International’s American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming, according to Berg.

The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an outdoor program for educators that concentrates on natural resource management. Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass usage, fly tying, shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping, white-water rafting, educational resources, how to implement outdoor education ideas and language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting.

Both the essay contest rules and teacher scholarship applications are available from the Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com/writingcomp.htm.

Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 19, or delivered by Nov. 19 in person to the Department of Wildlife’s Jenks Office at 201 Aquarium Drive, in Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Attn: Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, P.O. Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OCTOBER

1: Rabbit Season opens and runs until March 15. For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations.

1: Deer Archery Season opens and runs until Jan. 15. For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations.

1: Turkey fall archery season opens and runs through Jan. 15. For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations.

2: Tahlequah's Friends of the NRA banquet at the NSU Ballroom 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for youth fourteen and under. For more information contact Dr. Leonard Wilkins at (918) 207-7529 or email leonardwilkins@sbcglobal.net.

2: Claremore Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet. For more information contact John Williams at (918) 341-5757. Please check with the contact person as dates are subject to change.

2: Poteau Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet. For more information contact Ben Curtis at (918) 647-9191. Check with the contact person as dates are subject to change.

2, 4, 5, 9, 11 & 12: Bugling Elk Tour at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The tours will take participants into the Refuge's Special Use Area during the height of the elk mating season, thus, offering a unique opportunity for wildlife viewing. At this time of year the bull elk compete for available females to form their harems. To vent their feelings of frustration and aggression, the bull elk produces a high-pitched whistling sound. Tour participants have the opportunity to hear the bugling and to search for elk in their natural habitat. Other species of wildlife such as bison, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey are not uncommon during the tour although weather conditions make wildlife viewing opportunities unpredictable. Bugling Elk Tours will depart promptly at 5 p.m.. Each tour will last approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For reservations call which are required and may be made by telephoning the Visitor Center at (580) 429-3222. A $5.00 reservation fee per participant is collected prior to the program.

6: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Regular Meeting. Meetings are held monthly at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK at 9 a.m.

1: Sooner Retriever Club Training day. For more information contact Bill Blochowiak at labske@aol.com or (405) 279-1288.

11: Youth Outdoor Expo, Sayre.

11: Grove Waterfowl Hunters Party Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet. For more information contact Matt Petty at (918) 964-1529. Please check with the contact person as dates are subject to change.

16: Tulsa Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet. For more information contact Otto Emde at (918) 706-5995. Please check with the contact person as dates are subject to change.

17-19: Youth Deer Gun Season. For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations.

18: Tulsa Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited and Federation of FlyFishers outing to Table Rock Tailwater (a.k.a. Taneycomo) Branson, MO. For more information contact Billy Howard at (918) 259-5287 or (918) 282-7621.

18: Oklahoma C.A.T.S. tournament at Kaw lake.

18: The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance will hold its 2008 fall convention at the VFW hall on the NE side of McAlester, Okla. For more information contact John Weygandt at (918) 645-5667.

20: Registration deadline for National Wild Turkey Federation Women in the Outdoors at Tenkiller state Park, Vian. This women's event is open to ladies 14 and older. For more information contact Leann Bunn at (918) 489-5641 or by email at lbunn@oklahomaparks.com.

24 & 25: Stars Over the Wichitas Tour at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will be conducting "Stars Over The Wichitas," and the public is invited to participate in an evening with the stars. Participants will search and locate major constellations and other heavenly bodies with assistance from an amateur astronomer. Bring your own optics, or view the night skies through a 13" Dobsonian telescope. The two-hour program begins 30 minutes after sunset. Participants should meet at the Boulder/Lost Lake picnic area entrance gate. For reservations, which are required, call the Visitor Center at (580) 429-3222. A $5 reservation fee per participant is collected prior to the program.

25-Nov. 2: Deer Muzzleloader Season. Antlerless days vary by zone. For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations.

31-Nov. 2: National Wild Turkey Federation Women in the Outdoors at Tenkiller state Park, Vian.

FISHING REPORT

FISHING REPORT FOR OCTOBER 1, 2008

CENTRAL

Thunderbird: Elevation normal, water clear. Crappie good on minnows and small jigs at 6-8 ft. around structure. White bass and saugeye good on in-line spinnerbaits, sassy shad or medium-diving crankbaits at 8-10 ft. off points. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 73-79 and clear. Catfish good on shad, fresh cut bait, worms, chicken liver and stinkbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in deep water around structure, boat dock area and the dam tower area. White bass good at 23-25 ft. trolling north shoreline around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on assorted soft plastics around weedy and grassy beds on lighter colored spinnerbaits. Report submitted by M. Fowler.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation normal, water 76 and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on live shad at 15-20 ft. early and late on humps. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut shad and stinkbaits at 5-7 ft. Crappie good on minnows at 8-10 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Copan Lake: Elevation 1ft. above normal, water stained. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-14ft. near submerged structure. Channel catfish good on rod and reel and juglines on shad, stinkbait and worms. Flathead and channel catfish fair below the dam on fresh cut bait, live shad and worms. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 5 ft. above normal and dropping, water 78 and murky. Catfish good in the Snug Harbor area on juglines using sunfish. Largemouth bass and crappie are slow. White bass are being caught on rooster tails and rattletraps at 8-10 ft. in the Chouteau Bend area and the lower end of the lake and in the Taylor's Ferry area on the points and creek channels. Report submitted by Rick Stafford with 3riverguideservice.com.

Grand: Upper end: Elevation above normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass good on black angel jigs, peas and carrots with yum craw pappy trailers, 6-inch watermelon red sinkos and sebile swimbaits. Smallmouth bass good on spinnerbaits in the rivers. White bass good on Texas slab spoons around bluffs and drop-offs, on white jigs in shallow areas and trolling 1/4 ounce spoons or chrome rat-l-traps at 6 ft. All catfish good on shad, brooders, worms and secret seven dip bait at 40-50 ft. Crappie good on minnows, spinnerbaits and grandpa’s jigs in gray/hot pink/chartreuse and chartreuse/black/chartreuse at 15 ft. Paddlefish are starting to school mid-lake.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits along the shoreline and grass beds. Catfish fair on bottom with crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at fishing dock and brush piles. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hulah: Elevation normal, water clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-14 ft. near submerged structure. Channel catfish fair on cut shad. Blue, flathead and channel catfish fair below the dam on live or fresh cut shad. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water muddy. Blue catfish fair on juglines with cut shad at 10-20 ft. all over lake. Report submitted by Tracy Daniel, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Oologah: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal and rising. Water 80 and muddy. Blue catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with shad on the north end of the lake. Crappie fair around brush piles using minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Blue and channel catfish fair below the dam on shad. White bass and crappie fair below the dam on jigs. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water upper 70s and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. around stumps in the back of coves and creek channels. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastics over brush piles. Striped bass hybrids fair drifting live shad over open water. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Tenkiller: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and steady, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair with some action on topwater lures early and spinnerbaits at mid-day. White bass good trolling deep running lures in the mornings and good on spoons and jigs along shallow shorelines in the evenings at sundown. Sunfish good on night crawlers in coves, along bluffs and docks. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 2 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on stinkbaits in creek channels with riprap. Catfish good on crankbaits on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in brush structure and under bridges. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids excellent drifting shad and slabs or trolling crankbaits near drop-offs. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait near shore. Walleye good drifting night crawlers and trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 77 and clear. Some white bass surfacing late. Crappie slow. Channel catfish fair on baited holes. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Channel catfish good on stinkbait and crawfish. Smallmouth bass good on soft plastics and crankbaits around waterfalls. Spotted bass good on in-line spinnerbaits and topwater lures early in the morning. Flathead catfish slow on live sunfish. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on 10-12 inch worms, Texas or Carolina-rigged from daylight to evening in mouths of points and mouths of creeks. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines with cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits in rocky areas and on soft plastics around deeper points. White bass slow. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting the flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 6-18 ft. in standing timber and under bridges. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation above normal, water 79 and muddy. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits and topwater lures around the edges of creek channels. Catfish fair. Blue catfish good on cut shad, worms and stinkbaits below the dam. Crappie fair on minnows around brush piles. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan Counties.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 81 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 5-8 ft. in weed beds early and late. Channel catfish good on chicken liver at 15 ft. in discharge canal. All other fishing slow. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 79 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic craws and crawfish-colored crankbaits at 6-18 ft. along rocky points and on topwater lures early and late. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: Largemouth and smallmouth bass good early and late. White bass good at night. Channel catfish fair on stinkbaits, chicken liver and worms. Crappie good at night and fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around any type of structure, especially habitat buoys during the day. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation above normal, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits and soft plastics in the upper end of the lake. They are also schooling in the early morning where topwater baits do the trick. Crappie good on jigs and minnows at the old bridge. Catfish good on bait shrimp and cut shad. Report Submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation above normal, water 77 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures early and late and on plastic baits mid-day in the weed, rock and woody cover. Crappie fair on minnows fishing at 8 ft. over submerged structure. White bass fair on crankbaits and jigs at 6-8 ft. in the Applegate Cove areas. Blue catfish good on fresh cut bait at 5-15 ft. fishing the edge of the current in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water murky. Bass fair in creek channels feeding into the lake where the water is clearer. White bass and walleye being caught on plugs around islands. Catfish slow to fair on cut shad and live bait over flats. Crappie good to fair on live minnows and jigs in pink/black and chartreuse/black around brush piles and bridges. Report submitted by Alan Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on crankbaits in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, topwater lures and slabs from Platter Flats south. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, cut shad and worms north of the Hwy 70 Bridge. Crappie fair on minnows in Widow Moore Creek. Sunfish good on worms around the fish attractors. All other fishing is slow. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on 10-12-inch crawfish colored worms. Crappie good on small spinnerbaits and jigs at brush piles. Channel catfish good on juglines with earth worms, cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 16 1/2 ft. above normal. Crappie and walleye good. Bass are biting around the rocks on minnows. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Foss: Elevation normal, water 73 and clear. White bass good, surfacing in early evenings near buoy line. Striped bass hybrids fair on slabs. Catfish good in channels. Walleye slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Lawtonka: Elevation below normal, water clear. White bass fair on minnows at the pipeline. All other fishing slow. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.