Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

August 31, 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

Second annual Wildlife Expo draws nearly 35,000 people

Department schedules pre-employment exam

Teal and resident Canada goose seasons open Sept. 9

Upcoming Hunter Education Classes

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Second annual Wildlife Expo draws nearly 35,000 people

Nearly 35,000 people participated in the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena just north of Oklahoma City last weekend.

"It was fantastic to see so many Oklahoma families having a great time together at the Wildlife Expo," said Greg Duffy, director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation who hosted the event.

According to Duffy, the success of the second annual event shows the passion that Oklahomans share for the outdoors.

"In Oklahoma we are blessed with so many different types of recreational opportunities and I think the Expo really showcased those activities from hunting and fishing, to mountain bike riding and bird watching," Duffy said.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation hosted the huge event which featured more than 200 hands-on activities. A wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies also participated in the event which was designed to promote the appreciation of Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of outdoor recreation. In addition, many Expo sponsors donated their time, manpower and financial resources to make the event an outstanding success. According to initial survey results, about 90 percent of Expo participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the Expo and said they attended the event with friends or family.

The 2007 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo will be held Aug. 24-26 at the Lazy E Arena.

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Department schedules pre-employment exam

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold a standardized pre-employment examination Friday, Sept. 29, at the Tom Steed Development Center Auditorium at Rose State College.

"If you have considered working for the Wildlife Department as a fisheries or wildlife biologist, technician, game warden, or hatchery manager, I would highly encourage you to take the test," said Kyle Eastham, human resources administrator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "This is the required first step in our hiring process. If you don't take the test you won't be considered for the positions."

Individuals may take the exam once in a 12-month period, and test scores are valid for 12 months from the test date. Applications for employment will be sent to individuals with the top 25 scores. Taking the exam does not guarantee employment, nor does the exam necessarily indicate the Department currently has openings. Interviews will be scheduled only when an opening is available.

"The rumor is that it's hard to get a job with the Wildlife Department. And it is competitive, but I anticipate some retirements and promotions so we will be doing some hiring," Eastham said.

The exam will cover state and federal wildlife laws and regulations, fisheries and wildlife management, Oklahoma geography and biological and environmental sciences relating to fish and wildlife.

The Tom Steed Development Center Auditorium is north of Interstate 40 at the intersection of I-40 and Hudiburg Rd. in Midwest City. The doors will close promptly at 10 a.m. Those arriving after 10 a.m. will not be permitted to take the exam. The free exam is open to anyone who meets the education requirements for the tested positions.

For more information about the exam or hiring process, contact the Wildlife Department's Human Resources office at (405) 521-4640 or check the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/employ.htm.

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Teal and resident Canada goose seasons open Sept. 9

Waterfowlers can soon get their first fix of duck and goose hunting action. Both the September teal and resident Canada goose seasons open statewide Sept. 9.

Hunters can venture afield in t-shirts and jeans during the teal season which runs from Sept. 9-24.

"Bluewing and greenwing teal are the first ducks to migrate through Oklahoma each fall," said Mike O'Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Biologists have reported very good teal breeding success in the northern prairies and that means that more teal will be moving through Oklahoma this Fall."

According to O'Meilia, teal prefer shallow water and rely on wetland vegetation and invertebrates to provide fuel for their long journey. Teal migration is triggered by decreasing day length as summer winds to a close. Large migrations can occur as northern cool fronts occur with increasing frequency in September.

As an added bonus, the resident goose season opens the same day as teal season. Sportsmen in the right place could have the chance at bagging both the largest and smallest waterfowl species in Oklahoma, all in the same day. The resident goose season closes Sept. 18.

To participate in the September teal season or resident Canada goose season, you need a resident or non-resident Oklahoma hunting license, an Oklahoma waterfowl hunting permit ($10) unless exempt, a federal duck stamp ($15 available at U.S. Post Offices and some retail outlets like Wal Mart), a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit ($3 or free at wildlifedepartment.com) and a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit ($5). For complete regulations, consult the "2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" or log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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UPCOMING HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES

Course locations are listed by town, followed by date, course location and time. If a phone number is listed, pre-registration is required. Courses are a minimum of 8 hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm

September

9: Hunter Education: Pawnee High School, Pawnee; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

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

9 & 23: Hunter Education: Silo Public School, Silo; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. both days.

9 & 10: Hunter Education: Seminole State College, Admin Bldg. room 504, Seminole; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. both days

9 & 10: Hunter Education: Covenant Community Church, Yukon; September 9 (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and September 10 (2 p.m. - 4 p.m.)

9 & 16: Hunter Education: Public School Cafeteria (Hwy 77 & 153), Thackerville; 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

9: First Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) Banquet at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom, located at 10918 East 41st. Tulsa, OK. Quality deer, increase harvests, food plots and their design, increased lease production, small plot impact and many other topics! Tickets, questions and/or donations can be arranged by calling Branch President Sam Myers 918-241-8878, Scott Thomas, 918-259-5383, Raymond Wallace 918-230-8099, or Heath Herje 405-880-7281.You can also email okqdma@hotmail.com for additional information. Please plan to reserve your tickets now; seating is limited. The dinner will start at 5:30 p.m.

9: Dog Training Seminar hosted by the Quail Forever Green country Chapter. You will have an opportunity to listen and learn from nationally known dog trainers with some of the best techniques and procedures for training your bird dog and house pets. Seminar fees are $60 for adults in advance and $75 the day of the event. Youth (15 and under includes youth membership) is $5. Dogs attending the seminar are limited to 20 by advance ticket only. The seminar will be held at Nedra Lane 337 S and E 71St St (9 miles east of Tulsa County Line Road) look for signs. For more information or to register call (918) 633-9554

9: Woman's Fun Shoot at Oklahoma City Gun Club, Arcadia Oklahoma. This shoot is intended to provide information and hands on instruction in the safe and proper handling of firearms. Registration fee is $10 for adults and $5 for those 18 and under. For more information contact Suzi Rouse in the Women's Division at (405) 842-8828.

9: The Eastern Oklahoma Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association's first-annual branch banquet. The EOB banquet will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom 10918 E. 41st street Tulsa, OK off HW 169. Tickets or questions can be directed to Sam Myers 918-241-8878 or Scott Thomas, 918-259-5383. You can email okqdma@hotmail.com for other info. Reserve your tickets now; seating is limited. You can learn more about the Eastern Oklahoma QDMA Branch by visiting: www.eastokqdma.org

9 & 16: Hunter Education: Public School Cafeteria (Hwy 77 & 153), Thackerville; 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

10 & 14: Bugling Elk Tours at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Tours will take participants into the Refuge's Special Use Area during the height of the elk mating season. Tours will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Refuge headquarters located on the west side of the Refuge approx. six miles from the visitor center. Registration is required and a $3 fee will be collected. Registrations will start August 28 and can be made by calling (580) 429-3222 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

12: Dutch Oven cooking at Sportsman's Warehouse (2301 West Memorial Rd, OKC). Dutch oven cooking for beginning or experience Dutch oven cooks. The class runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information contact Customer Service at (405) 302-4800.

13: Knife sharpening seminar at Sportsman's Warehouse (2301 West Memorial Rd, OKC). Seminar will cover basics on knife sharpening. The class runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Customer Service at (405) 302-4800.

15: Deadline to register for Oklahoma Master Naturalist Program. This is an educational program that certifies volunteers and offers them the knowledge and experience they need to become an Oklahoma Master Naturalist. After completing the training, participants will donate service hours by conducting programs at Oklahoma parks, leading nature walks, helping with outdoor education at schools, working in forests or many other opportunities. Participants will learn to identify trees, inspect wetlands, build bird blinds, clear nature trails, and become acquainted with all aspects of the native Oklahoma habitat. Training is scheduled for October 5, 12, 19, and 26 (all Thursdays). Cost is $100.00 per person or $150.00 per couple. Learn more by calling Nancy Ryan at 324-6045; OSU Extension Agent Ray Ridlen at 713-1125; or Tony Furrh at 722-1718. The enrollment form and more details can be found at the website: okmasternaturalist.org

16: Aquatic Education Clinic: Midwest City Youth Clinic, Soldier Creek J. Barnes Park. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Fran Gilles at (405) 739-1292.

For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar.

FISHING REPORT FOR AUGUST 30, 2006

CENTRAL

Hefner: Channel catfish being caught on the west side of the dam slip corking and tight lining with shrimp, cut bait and punch bait. Crappie being caught on the north side of the dam slip corking with small and medium minnows and small jigs. Report submitted by Bob Martin, Oklahoma City Fisheries Division.

Overholser: Channel catfish good on cut bait, minnows and punch bait. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: Elevation 7 ft. below normal and clear. White bass fair to good off points with medium-diving crankbaits, sassy shad or jigs. Crappie fair to good on minnows at 6-8 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 89. Largemouth bass slow on Carolina rigs around structure in deep water. Channel catfish fair on cut baits at 10-12 ft. Crappie slow with some action on minnows and jigs around the dam and deep structure. White bass and schooling fair on rattletraps and crankbaits all over the lake. All boat ramps are open. Report submitted by Ronnie Arganbright, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 75-87 and murky. Catfish very good on worms, night crawlers, chicken livers, shrimp and fresh cut bait in deep water of lake channels and feeder creeks. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure boat docks and brush piles. White bass fair trolling with some schooling in late afternoons at 8-10 ft. on lighter-chrome colored crankbaits. Largemouth bass slow with some action on Carolina rigging and assorted colored soft plastics with some action in the early morning and late afternoon on topwaters. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water mid-80's. Catfish fair on cut shad off windy points. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Eucha: Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water 77 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth fair on Carolina rigged plastic baits. Catfish fair using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 76 and turbid. Channel catfish good on worms, chicken liver and worms in feeder creeks and juglines. White bass good late evening surfacing in the mouth of Jackson Bay at 12-15 ft. on slabs and minnows in Grand River Channel. Largemouth bass fair early morning, soft plastic baits around drop-offs, shaded ledges and structure. Report submitted Don Cole, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Lake elevation below normal. Crappie biting fair around brush piles using minnows or jigs. Channel catfish fair in river channel. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwaters in the morning and evening. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and structure. Striped bass hybrids fair on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Kaw: August 28. Elevation 2 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass good around Pioneer Cove on crankbaits. Channel catfish good upper Arkansas River on stinkbait. White bass fair on points around Pioneer Cove on jigs. Crappie fair on jigs in 18-24 ft. around brush on jigs and minnows. Blue catfish good in Coon Creek on cut shad. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Keystone: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and rising. Water 80 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and dark plastic worms from the surface to 12 ft. in creeks, rocky points and brush piles in coves. Smallmouth bass slow on finesse jigs and crankbaits at 8-12 ft. off ledges and rock piles. Spotted bass fair on topwaters and crankbaits from the surface to 10 ft. off main lake bluffs. White bass good on white crankbaits and rooster tails at 4-8 ft. off main lake points. Striped bass below the dam fair on topwaters when there is no current and sassy shad when water is running from the surface to 4 ft. Striped bass fair on topwaters and swim baits at 4-8 ft. off main lake points. Channel catfish good on worms and stinkbaits at 4-8 ft. in creeks and shallow coves. Blue catfish fair on shad guts and punch baits at 8-15 ft. in the flats off the river channel. Flathead catfish slow on large minnows and goldfish at 8-15 ft. off steep rock banks. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. around brush piles and dock areas. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Skiatook: Elevation 8 1/3 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. Crappie fair on minnows at 15-25 ft. around docks, in creeks, around Highway 20 bridge and other structure. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits, rogues are working well. Largemouth bass fair but deep, suspended over deeper water around brush piles and other structures on jig and chunk and some plastics. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with large minnows or sunfish at lower end of lake, on rod and reel, try the flats and creeks at upper end of lake. Striped bass hybrids fair to good, on points and in back of creeks, early morning and late evening, on shad, very large minnows and pearl white sassy shad. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Spavinaw: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 78 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish fair using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 82. Largemouth bass slow with some action early and late on topwaters. Catfish good on stinkbaits on points at 17-21 ft. White bass slow with some action early and late mid-lake trolling deep running crankbaits or topwaters. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along shorelines and in creek channels. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 7-12 ft. around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 5 ft. below normal. White bass, striped bass hybrids and walleye good drifting shad and slabs. Channel catfish good on shad and crawdads. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 85. White bass slow. Crappie are being caught at 19 ft. on brush piles using small jigs. Bass fair to slow, fish the Hydrilla beds using watermelon worm, fishing at night still the best bet. Watch for hazards. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait and liver. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Elevation 3-4 ft. below normal, water in the high 80's and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwaters in the morning and evenings. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Todd Tobey, game warden stationed in Pittsburg County.

Eufaula: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits on Carolina rigging at 5-10 ft. off points. White bass good on spoons at 8-10 ft. off the flats. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 12-20 ft. around standing timber and under bridges. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: August 28. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 83 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Channel catfish fait on stinkbait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 87. Channel catfish good on chicken liver at 5-10 ft. along points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 86 and clear. Bass fair on soft plastic lures around rocky shoreline at 12-20 ft. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around cedar brush at 10-20 ft. Report submitted by Arthur Joe Young, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: Elevation slightly below normal and clear. Bass good on plastic worms Texas-rigged at 12-18 ft. and great on topwater baits late in the evening. Crappie fair on minnows around the old bridge. Catfish fair on night crawlers on pole and line. Overall fishing is picking up on the lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 5-6 ft. using plastic baits fishing the weed and rock cover next to deeper water. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the bends in the old creek channels. White bass fair from surface to 5 ft. using shad-imitation lures fishing the island areas in the Tamaha and Seq. Nat. wildlife refuge areas. Blue and flathead catfish fair at 20-25 ft. using live bait and fresh cut bait on trotlines and juglines. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. White bass and walleye fair trolling the islands. Blue and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait and shad. Crappie good on minnows around brush piles and under bridges. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal and falling. Water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass has been fair to good on topwater baits and crankbaits from the surface to 15 ft. near the creek. channels and underwater structures. Striped and white bass fair to good on topwater baits, slabs, sassy shad and live bait from the surface to 30 ft. and are scattered from one end of the lake to the other with the majority of fish being caught near the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut baits at 10-20 ft deep at Platter Flats north of the highway 70 bridge and south of Washita Point. Crappie and sunfish has been slow with some fish being caught in the coves at 5-10 ft. on minnows and jigs near the fishing docks and fish attractors. Boaters should use extreme caution both at the ramps and while operating on the lake due to the low lake elevation many new objects are exposed and some of the ramps are very shallow for launching. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 86 and murky. Fishing activity really dropped off this past week. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastics worked around structure at 4-10 ft. during the last couple of hours of daylight. All other fishing was slow. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer and LeFlore counties.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 33 ft. below normal. Current water depth ranges from 4-15 ft. Lake level is rising very slowly. Walleye, striped bass hybrids, white bass and catfish are being caught. The Main boat ramp has run out of cement. Boats are still being launched from the packed sand. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Foss: Elevation 3 1/2ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. White bass and catfish fair. Walleye, bass, crappie and striped bass hybrids slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.