Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

September 7, 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

National Hunting and Fishing Days celebrates 35 years

Sept. 23 marks duck blind drawings

Hunters urged to use caution in tree stands

Upcoming Hunter Education Classes

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

National Hunting and Fishing Days celebrates 35 years

Conservation-minded citizens across the United States will celebrate the 35th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 23.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. The day was first established by joint Congressional resolution and signed by the president in 1972 to be held on the fourth Saturday in September.

President George W. Bush explained the important of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

"This year we will observe the 35th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day, and the celebration will be based at Wonders of Wildlife, the National Fish and Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.The Museum is now working with the hunting and fishing industries, wildlife and conservation groups, shooting ranges, and rod and gun clubs around the country to promote the value of hunting and fishing in conservation, especially among our young people. I hope you will get involved in this worthy effort by taking part in one of the many family-oriented events that will occur nationwide," President Bush said

Repeating this year as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day is country music star Tracy Byrd.

"It was an honor and a natural fit for me to be the 2005 honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day. When I was asked to chair again in 2006, I couldn't say 'yes' fast enough. And, since we have a new home at Wonders of Wildlife, we'll be able to bring even more recognition to our cause. This opens more doors and gives us another opportunity to help folks understand that without hunters and anglers, conservation couldn't exist in our country," Byrd explained.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is headquartered at Wonders of Wildlife, the National Fish and Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Missouri. Wonders of Wildlife is a 92,000 square foot museum and aquarium that opened in 2001 at a cost of over $52-million. Wonders of Wildlife is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is a member of the Smithsonian Affiliates program.

For more information about National Hunting and Fishing Day log on to nhfday.org.

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Sept. 23 marks duck blind drawings

Drawings for permanent duck blinds on Fort Gibson, Eufaula, Webbers Falls Waurika and W.D. Mayo lakes will take place Sept. 23. Anyone wanting a permanent blind permit must be 16 years of age and must be present at the drawings.

Applicants must have an Oklahoma hunting or combination license and a valid state waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp, unless they are exempt. Additionally, they need a valid Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit.

Schedule for Duck Blind Drawings:

Waurika Lake duck blinds

Date: Saturday September 23, 2006,

Time: 9 a.m.

Location of drawing: Corps of Engineers office at the dam at Waurika Lake

W.D. Mayo Lake duck blinds

Date: Saturday September 23, 2006

Time: 10 a.m.

Location of drawing: Spiro City Council Chamber, 510 South Main Street, Spiro (located at the south end of main street)

Fort Gibson, Eufaula, Webbers Falls lakes duck blinds

Date: Saturday September 23, 2006

Location of drawing: Northeast Regional Office, 9097 W. 34th Street, Porter

Times:

7:00 am Register for Fort Gibson

8:00 am Drawing for Fort Gibson Lake

9:30 am Register for Eufaula Lake

10:30 am Drawing for Eufaula Lake

12:00 pm Register for Webber Falls

1:00 pm Drawing for Webber Falls

For more information about the duck blind drawings log on to the Wildlife Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/coeblind.htm.

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Hunters urged to use caution in tree stands

The cooler weather has many state hunters looking up - up into the trees to be exact.

"Most deer hunters, especially bow hunters spend some time in a tree stand during the hunting seasons. Hunting out of a tree stand can be a fun and effective way to hunt deer, but we want to remind everyone to take a few safety precautions when using any elevated stand," said Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Meek, along with state game wardens and volunteers spend their weekends conducting hunter education classes. At these clinics young and old students alike learn about safe gun handling, hunter ethics, wildlife identification - and tree stand safety.

"Hunting accidents are rare and the good news is that just about every tree stand accident can be prevented by following a few simple safety rules," Meek said.

Meek offered the following rules for hunters:

Once you get into the stand, always wear a safety harness.

"Good safety harnesses only cost about $30 - and they will save your life," Meek said.

Make sure your stand is attached securely.

"Whether it is a portable climbing stand or a ladder tree stand it is important to check and double check all the fittings and supports on your stand," Meek said. "Hunters need to be especially careful with homemade tree stands. In fact, I would not recommend using one at all."

Use a rope or haul line to raise and lower you bow or unloaded gun.

"When climbing up and down out of tree stand you need to be focused on the task at hand - not trying to hold on to your gun or bow at the same time. Using a haul rope will leave your hands free to climb the tree," he said.

Be cautious when installing your tree stand.

"Wear your harness whenever possible and always have at least one person with you," said Meek.

For a complete list of hunter education classes, sportsmen can call the Department's hunter education hotline 24 hours a day at (405) 521-4650 or log onto the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com. Hunters should pick up a copy of the "2006 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" for complete information on hunting seasons and hunter education requirements.

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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

15 & 16: Hunter Education: East Central University, Estep Room, Ada; September 15 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and September 16 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.).

16: Hunter Education: Community Center, Little Axe; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

16: Hunter Education: Elementary School, Pawhuska; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

16: Hunter Education: Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

16: Hunter Education: High Plains Tech Center, Woodward; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

18 & 19: Hunter Education: Canadian Valley Technology Center, Chickasha; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. both days.

18 & 19: Hunter Education: Tri County Technology Center, Bartlesville; 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. must attend both nights.

19: Hunter Education Home Study, ODWC Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (918) 299-2334.

19: Hunter Education Home Study, Sportsman's Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 302-4800.

20 & 21: Hunter Education: Blaine County Fairgrounds, Watonga; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. both nights.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

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.

16: Boating/water safety class at Sportsman's Warehouse (2301 West Memorial Rd, OKC). The Oklahoma Highway Patrol present boater education certification. The course covers navigation rules, equipment requirements, boating law and boating safety. The class runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for lunch. Class is limited to 25. For more information or to register contact Customer Service at (405) 302-4800.

16 & 17: 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.

16: First Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Wheelin's Sportsmen 3-D Archery Family Fun Shoot, Broken Arrow. Come out and challenge your skills on the Oil Capitol Rod and Gun Club's 3-D archery course. Entry fees are $25 per shooter lunch included. Entry is limited to the first 100 entrants. Pre-registration is required. The shoot will start at 8 a.m. for more information or to register contact Daniel Stewart at (918) 341-3786 or (918) 814-3842.

16: CAST for Kids at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. This is a great fishing opportunity for volunteer boaters and kids with physical and mental challenges. All gear is provided as well as lunch. If people are interested in assisting in the event contact Julie Tarver at (405) 321-4633.

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

FISHING REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 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. Walleye are being caught off the dam and lake points on jig and earthworm combination. There is an 18-inch minimum length limit for walleyes at city lakes. Report submitted by Bob Martin, Oklahoma City Fisheries Division.

Overholser: White bass being caught off points on spinnerbaits. Channel catfish being caught on punch bait and cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. 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 on medium-diving lures, jigs, sassy shad and in-line spinners. Crappie good around structure at 6-10 ft. on minnows and tube jigs. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 73-86 and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks, boat ramp areas and around structure at 6-8 ft. White bass fair on crankbaits while trolling. Catfish fair to good on fresh cut baits, shrimp, chicken liver, night crawlers and goldfish in deeper water of feeder creeks. Largemouth bass fair on assorted colored soft plastics, with some action on spinnerbaits around mossy bed and weed beds with some action in the early morning and early evening and right before sundown on topwaters. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation 3 1/2 - 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic lures. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game stationed in Lincoln County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 79 and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and structure. Striped bass hybrids fair on live bait. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: Elevation 3 1/2 - 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Eucha: Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water 69 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish fair using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and soft plastic baits in shallow around permanent structure. Report submitted Don Cole, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Greenleaf: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits on various baits and topwaters. Catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure and fishing docks. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits. White bass good on small lures in the upper end of the lake trolling. Channel catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Kaw: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. White bass good on crankbaits at 5-10 ft. in Sarge Creek. Channel catfish good on stinkbaits at 3-8 ft. in the Arkansas River around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on cut shad at 4-6 ft. in Coon Creek. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Keystone: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 75-80 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on buzzbaits and blue fleck worms from surface to 10 ft. off rocky points, in creeks and around brush piles. Smallmouth bass slow on finesse jigs and crankbaits at 6-12 ft. in deep coves with bluffs. Spotted bass fair on topwaters and small crankbaits from the surface to 8 ft. in the main lake around ledges and bluffs. White bass fair on rooster tails and white crankbaits from surface to 8 ft. with some schooling action. Striped bass below the dam are fair on topwaters and bucktails from surface to 4 ft. on topwaters when not generating and bucktails during generation. Striped bass fair on topwaters and swim baits from surface to 12 ft. with some schooling action. Channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbaits at 6-10 ft. in coves and creeks. Blue catfish fair on shad guts and punch bait at 10-15 ft. in river channel flats. Flathead catfish slow on live shad and goldfish at 12-18 ft. off steep rock banks. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-18 ft. around brush piles.

Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water in the 70's and clear. Crappie good on jigs around brush piles at 15-18 ft. Channel catfish fair on livers in creek channels at 20 ft. Largemouth bass on topwater baits early and late. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Spavinaw: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 74 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair using Carolina rigged plastic baits. Catfish fair on cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth bass slow with some action on topwaters early and late in the day. Catfish fair on stinkbaits at 17-20 ft. off the points. White bass fair on windy points or near the islands on spoons or spinners and trolling deep runners. Sunfish good in docks or along bluffs on night crawlers.

Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on various baits along riprap. Catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait in bottom. 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 and striped bass hybrids good drifting shad and slabs. Walleye fair drifting slabs and night crawlers. Channel catfish good on shad and stinkbait. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Broken Bow: Elevation 7-8 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater in the morning and evening in the mouths of creeks. Catfish are being caught trotlining in Holley Creek. Crappie fair on minnows in the upper end of the lake around structure and in the mouths of creeks. 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 and Carolina rigs off points. White bass good on slab spoons at 8-20 ft. in the shallow flats. Channel catfish slow. Crappie fair on minnows at 10-20 ft. around standing timber and under bridges. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 85 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation below normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 5-8 ft. in weed beds. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 84 and clear. Bass fair on soft plastic lures along rocky points at 10-20 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around submerged cedar trees at 10-20 ft. Channel catfish fair on commercial baits at 10-20 ft. Report submitted by Arthur Joe Young, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: Elevation normal and clear. Bass fair on crankbaits at 12-18 ft. Crappie fair on minnows around submerged timber. Catfish fair on night crawlers on trotline. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 79 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 4-6 ft using plastic baits and small shad imitation crankbaits fishing the weed and rock cover. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the old creek channels. White bass good from the surface to 5 ft. using shad imitation lures fishing in the island areas in the Sequoyah Nat. Wildlife Refuge and Tamaha. Blue and flathead catfish fair at 10-20 ft. using live bait and fresh cut bait fishing next to the old river channel. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Crappie good along structure on minnows and jigs and off bridges. Largemouth bass fair on shallow funning crankbaits and spinnerbaits running shallow. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 86 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on topwater baits and crankbaits from the surface to 15 ft. around underwater structures and drop-offs. Striped bass and white bass fair to good on topwater baits, slabs and live bait from the surface to 20 ft. scattered from one end of the lake to the other with the majority of the fish being caught near the Islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut shad at 10-20 ft. south of Washita point and near Platter Flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. on the upper end of the lake in places like Widow Moore creek and the south dike areas. Boaters should be extremely careful due to the low lake level more objects have appeared just under the surface as the lake level continues to fall. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 80 and murky. Largemouth bass good around the Poteau River arm of the lake on plastic worms worked in any available structure. Blue catfish fair on jugs at 10-15 ft with cut bait. 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. Walleye, striped bass hybrids and white bass are being caught daily. Catfish are also biting in good numbers. The Main boat ramp has run out of cement. Boats are still being launch from the packed sand. http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ALTU.lakepage.html" \o "http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ALTU.lakepage.htmlReport compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Ellsworth: Elevation 15 ft. below normal and murky. Catfish fair to poor. Blue catfish being caught off rocky points on cut bait. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 79 and clear. White bass and catfish fair. Crappie, bass, walleye and saugeye slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.