Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News

[Phil Lilley]

Editor's Note: Please be advised that the information below on Oklahoma's quail season, specifically the opening day listed, contains an error. The article stated that quail season opens Nov. 12 but in fact it opens Sat., Nov. 11. We apologize for the error.

For Immediate Release

September 22, 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

Biologists, hunters banking on second quail hatch Opening day of deer archery season just days away Department to auction off surplus equipment including tractors, trucks and boats Wildlife Department accepts donation of six-wheeled utility vehicle Upcoming Hunter Education Classes Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report

Biologists, hunters banking on second quail hatch

August roadside surveys conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation show a statewide decrease of 55 percent over the 2005 survey. However, wildlife officials think a significant number of late nesting attempts could bring bird numbers back up to par by the time October counts are conducted.

"Results of the August survey generally don't include quail produced from late nesting attempts, which typically peak in late August. But we know from field reports that there are lots of young birds out there," said Doug Schoeling, upland bird biologist for the Wildlife Department. "The October counts should give us a better picture on this fall's quail population."

The statewide quail index is down 33 percent from the previous 16-year average.

"Late summer rains have provided some short-term relief from the drought in the northern portions of the state, but we just don't know yet how much these rains helped," Schoeling said.

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation biologists have conducted the roadside surveys during both August and October for the past 17 years. Observers count the number of quail seen to provide an index of quail abundance and reproductive success. There are 83 different 20-mile routes located throughout the state except for Tulsa and Oklahoma counties.

Running Nov. 11, 2006 - Feb.15, 2007, quail season is one of the most popular events in the state, drawing hunters from all over the nation to enjoy some of America's finest bird hunting. For complete August roadside survey data, log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com. Results from the October roadside surveys will be available in early November.

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Opening day of deer archery season just days away

Coming off a near-record setting archery season last year, deer hunters are looking forward to the possibilities of another great bow season when hunters take to the woods October 1.

"Deer movement has begun to pick up over the last couple of weeks. Despite the drought conditions, the deer herd appears to be in good shape across most of the state," said Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "With the dry conditions we've been experiencing it will likely be more important than ever for deer hunters to spend time scouting this year."

During the 2005 archery deer season, bowhunters harvested 14,624 whitetail deer, just 15 deer shy of the record set in 2004. The archery harvest was 14 percent of the total deer harvest.

"As a result of drought, deer may be moving more to find food and when deer are moving more it makes it them more visible," said Alan Peoples, wildlife chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "I've heard some hunters say that they think ag fields and producing acorn trees could be especially effective this year in hunting deer. In fact, I just talked to a hunter who was very excited because he had located an oak tree that was loaded with acorns and it was the only one around. Needless to say, he is expecting some great early season action."

Running from Oct. 1 to Jan. 15, deer archery season offers more than 100 days of hunting. The first of Oklahoma's big game seasons, the archery deer season attracted 82,635 Oklahoma hunters last year.

As a bonus turkey archery season also opens on the same day as deer archery season. Hunters who purchase a fall turkey license will be ready to take advantage of the situation if a turkey happens to walk by their tree stand. Archers should remember that turkeys may not be hunted within 100 yards of bait.

With few exceptions, the majority of Oklahoma's more than 75 public wildlife management areas are open to deer archery hunters for all or part of the season. For more information about the areas, log on to wildlifedepartment.com, where you can review regulations, view aerial maps, purchase a license and more.

Oklahomans must have an annual hunting or combination license, lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license, disabled veteran's lifetime license, senior citizen hunting or senior citizen combination license or proof of exemption. In addition, hunters must possess a deer archery license for each deer hunted, or proof of exemption.

Unless exempt, hunters must also possess a fishing and hunting legacy permit.

All nonresident deer hunters must possess a nonresident deer archery license for each deer hunted or proof of exemption. Holders of nonresident lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses are not exempt from purchasing deer licenses. Nonresident deer hunters are exempt from purchasing an annual nonresident hunting license. Nonresident hunters must also possess a fishing and hunting legacy permit unless exempt.

Upon successfully harvesting a deer, all license holders, including lifetime license holders, must immediately attach their name and license number to the carcass. What the hunter attaches can be anything, as long as it contains the hunter's name and hunting license number and remains securely attached to the animal until it is checked at a hunter check station or with an authorized Wildlife Department employee.

Annual license holders, upon harvesting a deer, must complete the Record of Game section on the back of the universal license. The information must be recorded on the license form prior to moving or field dressing the animal. To do this they must tear out one of the notches on the license and print in ink the time, date, type of game and method of harvest on the notched line in the appropriate columns. Lifetime license holders are not required to complete the Record of Game section on the back of the universal license.

All successful hunters must check their deer at the nearest hunter check station. A county by county listing of hunter check stations is provided in this year's hunting guide and the most up-to-date check station listing is available at wildlifedepartment.com.

Hunting hours during deer archery season are one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset.

For additional regulations, check station locations, season dates and a wealth of other information be sure to pick up a copy of the "2006-07 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" available at all license dealer locations or log on to the Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.

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Department to auction off surplus equipment including tractors, trucks and boats

Sportsman, farmers and auction enthusiasts will want to make plans to attend the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's surplus auction Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. at Lake Burtschi near Chickasha.

"There's something for everyone at this sale, from cameras to computer equipment to lawn mowers to larger items like farm equipment, vehicles and boats. I expect it will be one of our larger sales in recent years," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the first item will sell at 9:00. We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder."

More than 150 items will be available at the auction, including ATVs, boat motors and tires. For those looking for smaller items, there is also plenty to choose from including, spotting scopes, office supplies, computer hardware, and much more.

"We encourage folks to attend because it's not only a chance to pick up some good buys, it's a chance to support the Wildlife Department through your auction purchases," Hill added.

For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600. Pictures and a complete list of auction items will be available at wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 9 a.m. at the Lake Burtschi Wildlife Department office, located 11 miles west of Chickasha on SH 92. Items may be inspected Oct. 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In case of rain, the sale will be held Oct. 8, same time and same place.

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Wildlife Department accepts donation of six-wheeled utility vehicle

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently accepted a six-wheeled Polaris Ranger utility vehicle from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands Inc. The Wildlife Department was awarded the vehicle through the companies Operation Ranger program.

"It is one of our company's core values that we seek to give back to the communities in which our employees live and we do business," said James Macias, division manager of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands. "Our Operation Ranger program exists both to recognize the service of our nation's first responders and to provide a versatile vehicle that will enhance emergency response at a community level."

The vehicle will be used primarily in law enforcement efforts in central Oklahoma, but it will also be used by game wardens and biologists around the state.

"The Wildlife Department plans to use its new Polaris Ranger for wildlife law enforcement, environmental crime investigation and off-road search and rescue," said David Deckard, law enforcement training coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The Wildlife Department must be prepared for a wide variety of scenarios and this vehicle will help improve our response time immensely."

For more information about the Wildlife Department log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Editor's note: Below is a link for accompanying photos that are 300 DPI 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.

Photo Link***** http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ranger.htm Photo Link******

Cutline: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently accepted a six-wheeled Polaris Ranger utility vehicle from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands Inc. The Wildlife Department was awarded the vehicle through the companies Operation Ranger program.

Photo Link***** http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ranger2.htm Photo Link******

Cutline: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently accepted a six-wheeled Polaris Ranger utility vehicle from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands Inc. Picture is Wade Farrar, (right) Wildlife Department game warden stationed in Oklahoma County and James Macias (left), division manager of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands.