Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

June 1, 2006

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856

Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Department to hold vehicle auction

"Outdoor Oklahoma" television on demand

Sign up now to attend a Selman Bat Watch

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Department to hold vehicle auction

Are you in the market for a used vehicle? If so, you will want to head out to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's public vehicle auction. It will be held Thursday, June 8, at 6 p.m. at the Department's headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City.

"We have a good variety of Ford and Chevrolet trucks. All of them are four-wheel drive and many of them are extended cab models," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder."

A total of 25 vehicles will be available at the event, including a ¾ ton Chevrolet truck, a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1996 Dodge Caravan.

For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600 or for a complete list of auction vehicles, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and items may be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. the day of the sale.

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"Outdoor Oklahoma" television on demand

The Wildlife Department's weekly television show, "Outdoor Oklahoma," show is now available 24-hours a day over the internet and the best part about it, it's free!

Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasting's essence is about creating content (audio or video) for an audience that wants to listen or watch when they want, where they want, and how they want.

To learn more about "Outdoor Oklahoma" television show podcasts log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/oo_tv.htm.

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Sign up now to attend a Selman Bat Watch

Come watch over a million bats fly out of their cave, over your head, and off into the nighttime sky at a Selman Bat Watch. There are 12 opportunities in July to see the only public viewing of Mexican free-tailed bats in Oklahoma. The Bat Watch begins July 6 and occurs each Thursday, Friday and Saturday the rest of the month. Register by June 26 to attend. Download a registration form at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Every summer night, the bats leave their roost to dine on flying insects. They'll cruise right overhead according to Melynda Hickman, event organizer and biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

"From a distance, the flying columns of bats look like smoke. But when you're sitting right there, and the bats pass over your head, there's no doubt you're seeing and hearing bats. It's a unique experience," she said.

The bat flight is the highlight of the Bat Watch, but there's more to the evening than watching. There's also learning and exploring.

The Bat Watch begins at Alabaster Caverns State Park - 6 miles south of Freedom and 30 miles northeast of Woodward in northwestern Oklahoma. Buses take visitors from the state park to the Selman Wildlife Management Area, which is usually closed to the public. Once there, visitors learn facts about bats and the prairie community.

Since 1996, the Wildlife Department has managed the area because of its importance to the Mexican free-tailed bat. This is one of only five major sites in Oklahoma used by female free-tailed bats to raise their young.

The bats return to Oklahoma year after year from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They spend daylight hours inside the cave. Then, from dusk until dawn, they fly over the countryside consuming more than 10 tons of insects each night.

"If you like watching wildlife, or just want to experience something extraordinary, you'll want to check this out," Hickman said.

Sign up now through June 26 to see this amazing natural spectacle. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Seating is limited to 75 people per night and evenings fill quickly. Children must be 8 or older to attend a Friday or Saturday night, which run from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Thursday nights are shorter to accommodate children ages 3 - 7 and run from 7:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Check for open viewing dates, get a registration form, and find out more at www.wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 424-0099.

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*****Photo*****

Editor's note: Below is a link for accompanying photo and intended for newspaper publication. The ending link is .jpg for the photo. The photo will open in your browser. If you have a pc you should be able to right click, save picture as, choose the file type you want to save as and click save. The other way is on file in toolbar, save picture as, choosing the file type you want to save as and click save. Images can be viewed with the article at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm.

High resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...manbatwatch.jpg

Low resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...twatchsmall.jpg

Photo Caption: See more than one million bats spiral out into the evening sky at a Selman Bat Watch.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JUNE

6 & 8: Aquatic Education Clinic: ODWC Family Clinic, Casting Pond at ODWC, Jenks. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling ODWC- Jenks at (918) 299-2334.

8: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Vehicle Sale. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m.

9: Project WILD at Rogers County Conservation Education Reserve, Claremore. Class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. For more information or to enroll contact call Barbara Gibbs at (918) 260-8876.

10: Hunter Education Home Study: Midwest City Library, Midwest City; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; (405) 732-4828.

10: Aquatic Education Clinic: Metro Tech, OKC Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

10: Wildlife Tours at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Have an opportunity to view wildlife on a bus tour of Pinchot Loop in the Special Use Area. You may get to see young buffalo and longhorn calves. Reservation are required and $3 per person will be collected at the beginning of the tour. For more information or to make reservations contact the Refuge Headquarters at (580) 429-3222. Only one family reservation per phone call. Tour will start at the headquarters.

10: F.O.C.A.S. KIDS DAY. The Lake Tenkiller Chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society, Cookson is accepting reservations for this event. This annual event will be held at the Jimmy Houston Outdoors Store. Lunch will be provided for the children. The event is funded by the Jack Houston Memorial Bass Tournament. Children must be at least 5 years old and no older than 12 on June 10. Parents may sign up their children by calling (918) 457-5115 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteer sign-ups are also being taken. Reservations are required for this event which will be limited to 500 children.

10 & 11: 13th Annual Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour and Plant Sale presented by the Tulsa Audubon Society. Admission is $5 and children under 13 are free. For more information contact the Tulsa Audubon Society at (918) 446-2720.

10: Youth World Bowfishing Championship at Ft. Gibson/Toppers Boat Ramp. The Tournament starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Check-in time is 5:30 p.m. Legal fish one each of common carp, gar (any species), buffalo (any species) and drum. For more information contact Randy Woodward at (918) 486-4823.

10: The 34th annual Robert L Hutchins chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet and Auction will be held at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton, Oklahoma, beginning at 6 pm. This is the largest banquet and auction benefiting Ducks Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of wildlife habitat. Tickets at the door

11: Wildlife Tours at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Have an opportunity to view wildlife on a bus tour of Pinchot Loop in the Special Use Area. You may get to see young buffalo and longhorn calves. Reservation are required and $3 per person will be collected at the beginning of the tour. For more information or to make reservations contact the Refuge Headquarters at (580) 429-3222. Only one family reservation per phone call. Tour will start at the headquarters.

13: Oklahoma Station Chapter ¬ Safari Club International Membership Meeting at the Quail Creek Country Club in the Pheasant Room. The club is located at 3501 Quail Creek Road in Oklahoma City. From Hefner Parkway exit at 122nd Street, go east one block to Quail Creek Road, turn left (North) and proceed to the Country Club. The meetings are a great time of fellowship and good opportunity to get involved in Safari Club International. Paul Newsom will be speaking about game calling techniques and strategies.

The social begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins 6:00. Dinner (Lemon Grilled Chicken, Chicken Monterey, or Boneless Pork Chop) is $15 per person and dinner selections must be made by Friday, June 9 by calling Verilea Faust at (405) 721-7229, (800) 405-3580 or send an e-mail to faust4v@pldi/net

13: Aquatic Education Clinic at G.S.P. Pond, Greenleaf State Park. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Steven Evans at (918) 487-7125.

FISHING REPORT FOR MAY 31, 2006

CENTRAL

Hefner: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 76. Channel catfish are being caught at 4-8 ft. on the west side of the dam on cut shad. White bass are being caught on the north east side of the lake. OKC will be observing Free Fishing Days. Report submitted by Bob Martin, OKC Fisheries.

Thunderbird: Elevation 5 ft. below normal and clear. White bass good early mornings off points on minnows, jigs and spinners. Largemouth bass good in coves with structure at 3-5 ft. on tandem spinners, medium divers and plastic worms. Crappie have slowed down and moved to deeper water, but can still be caught on minnows and jigs at 5-7 ft. around structure. Saugeye fair to good early and late day on green jigs and medium divers off points. Catfish are starting to bite fair late evening and night time on stinkbait, minnows and cut baits. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 2-2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 74-82 and murky in creek areas and clear in the middle of the lake. Catfish good on chicken livers, worms, minnows and shrimp shallow. Crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs along Fishmarket roadbed area at 8-10 ft. around structures. White bass fair to good while trolling with diving crankbaits. Largemouth bass fair on assorted dark-colored soft plastics and tubes early morning and evening. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 71 and murky. White bass good on minnows and jigs off the fishing dock. Channel catfish good on stinkbait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Bell Cow: Water 80 and murky. Largemouth bass good. Channel catfish good in channels on doughbait. Crappie very good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by lake ranger.

Birch: Elevation lake is 1/2 ft. below normal lake level and clear. Crappie fair off the docks on minnows and jigs. Catfish good in the creek channel and near the flats on cut fish and shad. Striped bass hybrids good on live shad. Largemouth bass fair in the lake and in the creek on plastic baits. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits. Striped bass hybrids fair trolling with crankbaits. Channel catfish excellent on punch bait and cut bait around rock structure. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. Saugeye fair trolling with crankbaits. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Copan: Elevation normal and murky. Gates below the dam are closed. Catfish good on juglines or trotlines using cut shad. Crappie slow but still biting on minnows. Report submitted by Jason Cain, Copan Handi Mart.

Eucha: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 77 and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush and structure at 6-10 ft. Largemouth good on Carolina-rigged plastic baits off rocky points. Catfish good using shad and night crawlers. Bluegill good on crickets and worm in coves. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, doughbaits and soft baits in. flooded grass and timber. White bass good on spoons and white, silver, gray and chartreuse twister tails. Channel catfish good on cut bait, shad, worms and liver. Reported submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Muskogee and Wagoner counties.

Grand: Elevation normal and murky. Crappie fair to good at 10-15 ft around brush piles and fishing docks on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish fair in the river channel on cut or whole shad. White bass being caught around rocky gravel points and near mouth of lake tributaries. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinners and crankbaits along shore line. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing dock and brush structure. Catfish fair on shad and worms at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Hudson: Elevation normal and partly clear. White bass fair to good on small crankbaits trolling upper end of the lake. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Hulah: Elevation 1 ft. above normal lake level and murky. Catfish good in the lake on cut fish and shad. Crappie good off the dock at Wah-Sha-She State Park on minnows and jigs. Catfish good below the dam. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Kaw: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 78 and stained. Channel and blue catfish are good around riprap at 2-5 ft. on worms, shrimp, and stinkbait. Flathead catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait. White bass fair trolling crankbaits at 10-20 ft. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Oologah: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and falling, water in the 70 and murky to the south and muddy to the north. Channel and blue catfish fair on juglines baited with shad at 10-15 ft. Channel catfish fair on worms along rocky banks in the Winganon area. White bass fair trolling shad colored lures on flats at 10-15 ft. Channel and blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Sooner: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids good on live shad on mid-lake humps at 23-33 ft. Largemouth bass good using shad-colored soft baits on jigs.Report submitted by Paul Tennies, Pete's Place.

Sooner: Water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on buzzbaits early and late around weed beds and good on Carolina rigs in weed beds. Striped bass hybrids good in main lake on live shad at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Spavinaw: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish fair on cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 74 and clear. Largemouth bass slow some action on gravel points drop offs. Crappie fair around brush piles on tube jigs or roadrunner jigs midday. Catfish fair 15-18 ft. on points with stinkbaits and drifting the flats with cut baits. Sunfish good around docks on worms. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass at 6-8 ft. on spinnerbaits and plastic baits fishing the weed, rock and woody areas. Crappie good at 12 ft. using minnows fishing the old creek channels around the lake. White bass good at 10 ft. using jigs fishing and shad imitation crankbaits at the mouth of the Grand River. Blue catfish good at 3-5 ft. using fresh cut bait and goldfish fishing the rocky areas around the lake. Flathead catfish fair at 5-10 ft. using live bait fishing the rocky areas. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. Channel catfish excellent along the dam on live bait and stinkbait. Walleye good drifting night crawlers over submerged islands. White bass and striped bass hybrids good trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. Channel catfish good on liver and worms and stinkbait at 1-3 ft. in shallow water along the edges of the lake. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish excellent in main lake on trotlines baited with shad and blood bait. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish fair to good on trotlines using shad or grasshoppers and fair in the spillway area on shad and stinkbait. Flathead catfish are slow in the stilling basin using a cast master lure or storm shad lure. Report submitted by R. C. Wilson, Jr.

SOUTHEAST

Broken Bow: Elevation normal, water mid-70's and clear. Largemouth bass good on Carolina and Texas-rigged dark soft plastics along points. Crappie fair around the north end of the lake by Holly Creek on minnows and jigs around standing timber. Walleye good on Carolina rigged soft plastics between Egypt creek south to the dam midday and after dark on jigs. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits at 2-6 ft. along the rocks. White bass good on jigs at 4-10 ft. around bridges. Blue catfish good on shrimp at 2-6 ft. along rocks. Crappie fair on jigs at 8-15 ft. around brush. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 74 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 5 ft. in weed beds. Channel catfish good on shad in the south coves at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures and spinners at 2-6 ft. in upper end of lake around standing timber. Channel catfish fair on jugs with live bait along rocky points and riprap. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Water is clear and cool, the powerhouse has been active during most afternoons. The predominant insects have been midges, ants, grasshoppers, and a few caddis and mayflies. There have been some really massive midge hatches lately, and flies imitating these insects have been producing well, if you are capable of fishing tiny flies on fine leaders. Zone 2 continues to be a challenge, but there were some anglers who did quite well in that area of the river. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout in zone 1 is good with egg patterns and pheasant tail nymphs and light cahills. In zone 2 trout fair early and late on midges and light cahills on top. Zone 3 trout fair near the dam early morning on egg patterns, wooly buggers and black caddis. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.

Murray: Water 73 and clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and worms. White bass good on jigs and crankbaits. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation above normal and clear. Crappie good on jigs around submerged timber at 10-12 ft. Channel catfish good on night crawlers in the upper end of the lake in creek channels. Bass fair on crankbaits around rocky points and some success has been reported on "brush hog lures" around points as well. Sunfish are also becoming more active around the old bridge and in lower portion of the lake around the campgrounds on red worms. Report Submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair at 6-8 ft. using plastic baits and crankbaits fishing the riprap areas around the lake. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the edge of the old creek channels of Dirty, Sallisaw and Big San Bois creeks. White bass good at 10 ft. using jigs and crankbaits in the Applegate Cove area. Blue and flathead catfish good at 3-6 ft. using fresh cut bait and live bait fishing the rocky areas around the lake. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and slightly murky to the south. Catfish good on cut bait. Bass fair on weed beds. Crappie good around bridges on minnows. White bass good trolling. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastic baits at 10-15 ft. around points. White bass and striped bass good on sassy shad and live shad at 15-25 ft. at Burns Run. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut shad at 15-20 ft. above the highway 70 bridge and Washita River. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. East Burns Run and Rock Creek. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation normal, water 73 and murky. Channel and blue catfish good around the riprap areas on cut baits, whole shad or worms. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits worked at 4-10 ft. Flathead catfish good on trotlines baited with live sunfish and set at 8-15 ft. Crappie slow this week. White bass slow also. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 13 1/2 ft. below normal and murky. Lake level is dropping very slowly. North shore boat ramp is high and dry. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good. Catfish have been biting on shad. Walleye are fair to good. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Ellsworth: Elevation 10 ft. below normal, water 76 and murky. Catfish fair to good on cut bait at 12-19 ft. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: May Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 72 and clear. Striped bass hybrids good early in the morning and late evening on live bait. Walleye good in morning and evenings also on live bait. Crappie fair all day. Catfish good on dough bait. White bass fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation normal. Catfish fair on cut baits. Saugeye fair drifting night crawlers. Report submitted by James L. Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 70 and murky. White bass good on jigs and shad off windy points. Catfish good on juglines or trotlines baited with shad and goldfish. Striped bass hybrids excellent on shad and jigs in deep water. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.