Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

August 17, 2007

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856

Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Dove season opens Sept. 1, a free hunting day

Department to hold second summer vehicle auction

Thousands join together for major outdoor event

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Dove season opens Sept. 1, a free hunting day

Dove hunters statewide should be counting their shotgun shells and arranging travel plans now for the start of dove season Sept. 1. But one thing Oklahoma residents can leave off their gear list for Sept. 1 and 2 is a hunting license.

Sept. 1-2 marks Oklahoma’s Free Hunting Days, where Oklahoma residents do not need a license to go afield. After Free Hunting Days, hunters need to have a hunting license, legacy permit and Harvest Information Permit (all available by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com) to hunt doves, unless exempt.

Dove season runs Sept. 1 - Oct. 30 statewide, and the state’s newly-established southwest zone will reopen to dove hunting Dec. 26 - Jan. 4 as well. Hunters can harvest 15 doves daily, except in the southwest zone, where the limit is 12 doves daily.

“This could be a great year for dove hunting because recent rains helped provide important food and water sources that doves use,” said Rod Smith, southwest region wildlife supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Pre-season scouting is going to be important this year because some agricultural crops were affected by earlier heavy rains.”

Smith said doves may be using some water holes that didn’t even exist last year, so hunters who scout areas before hunting will have an increased chance for success.

Dove hunting provides first class wingshooting, delicious tablefare and an easy way to introduce a friend or family member to the sport of hunting. A shotgun, an ample supply of shells and a place to go is all you really need to have a great day of dove hunting. And with thousands of acres of Wildlife Management Area land available to hunters, finding a place to go should be easy. In fact, some portions of WMA lands are managed specifically by the Wildlife Department for doves. Hunters do not have to travel far to find them. Cattle watering ponds on private lands also can be excellent places to hunt dove, particularly those adjacent to gravel roads.

To find out more about Wildlife Management Areas available for dove hunting, log onto wildlifedepartment.com and check out the free digital wildlife management area atlas. In addition to detailed maps, sportsmen can find information such as camping locations and contact information for local biologists.

For complete hunting license information and dove hunting regulations, be sure to pick up a copy of the “2007-08 Oklahoma Hunting Guide” at a sporting goods retailer or on wildlifedepartment.com.

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Department to hold second summer vehicle auction

Those who missed the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s public vehicle auction in June still have a chance to bid Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Department’s headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City.

“We’ve got more vehicles ready to go,” said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Wildlife Department. “Just like at the June auction, almost all the vehicles are four-wheel drive pickups.”

The auction vehicles may fit the needs of sportsman who need a new hunting or fishing truck, someone looking to replace their daily driver or even a parent searching for just the right first vehicle for their teenage drivers.

“These vehicles should be able to meet a lot of needs, from driving in and out of your favorite hunting spot to getting you to work in the morning,” Hill said.

Hill said there are several opportunities to learn about the vehicles before the auction.

“Once again, the mileages and pictures of these auction vehicles are available on the Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com,” Hill said. “All the money coming in from the sale of these vehicles will go right back into fish and wildlife conservation efforts.”

Potential bidders can log on to the Web site and see several photographs and specifications of the vehicles. There is also a designated time period before the auction where buyers can come inspect the vehicles.

A total of 24 vehicles will be available, among them several Ford and Chevrolet ½ ton and ¾ ton trucks in both regular and extended cab models.

Vehicles will be sold “as is” to the highest bidder and can be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Department headquarters. Bidder registration starts at 5 p.m., and the auction begins at 6 p.m.

For a complete list of auction vehicles, log on to wildlifedepartment.com, or for more information call (405) 521-4600.

****Photo*****

Editor’s note: Below is a link for an accompanying photo that is 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 <http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm> .

High resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...1607/v8high.jpg

Low resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...81607/v8low.jpg

Credit: wildlifedepartment.com

Caption: One of 24 vehicles that will be sold to the highest bidder at the Wildlife Department’s vehicle auction slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Wildlife Department headquarters in Oklahoma City.

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Thousands join together for major outdoor event

What do you get when you combine hundreds of volunteers, organizations and activities with thousands of Oklahoma outdoor enthusiasts and three days in September? You get the largest indoor and outdoor recreational event in Oklahoma history.

The third annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, slated for Sept. 28-30, will be the biggest and best Expo yet, with activities for young and old as well as avid and novice outdoorsmen.

During the three-day event, people from all over the state will converge on the grounds of the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City, for a weekend of shotgun shooting, archery, ATV rides, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife watching, music and opportunities to learn about hunting, wildlife management, sporting dog training, camping, and just about anything related to enjoying the outdoors in Oklahoma.

“Around 85,000 people attended the last two Expos,” said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. “This year we’re inviting all of them back, along with anyone who hasn’t seen this spectacular event. Plus, it’s absolutely free!”

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is partnering with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host this huge event. The Expo is designed to promote and perpetuate appreciation of Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.

“The Expo is designed to be entertaining and educational for both avid outdoor enthusiasts and those new to outdoor activities like hunting and fishing,” Rodefeld said. “Everyone who comes out to the Lazy E Arena during the Expo will find something that interests them, whether it’s live butterflies or sampling wild game meat. And besides all the free activities, you also have a chance to win prizes, like a John Deere Gator utility vehicle from P&K Equipment or one of several other prizes made possible by the Expo’s sponsors.”

To find out how to win a prize and to stay up on all the latest Expo news, log on to wildlifedepartment.com and pre-register for the event.

Expo hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

AUGUST

18: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic: Dolese Youth Park Pond, OKC Parks and Rec. To register, contact Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

18: The Oklahoma Predator Obsession team and a representative from Buck Gardener Game Calls will hold a predator calling seminar at 6:30 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow during the Hunting Classic. For more information contact Maranda Howell, Promotions Director at (918) 355-7600. The event is free and open to the public.

18 & 19: Backwoods Bowhunters 3-D Archery Shoots (located seven and a half miles west of Hwy 4 on Britton Rd. between Yukon and El Reno). Shoot start at 8 a.m. Books close at 2 p.m. Scores in by 4 p.m. Cost is $10. Contact Johnny Pappan at (405) 350-1551 or Pat Finnigan (405) 262- 7559. E-mail jnlpappan@sbcglobal.net <mailto:jnlpappan@sbcglobal.net> .

18: The Central Oklahoma Quail Forever 89er Chapter will hold its 2nd annual fundraising banquet at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, 1815 S Meridian, in Oklahoma City. Tickets and donations can be arranged by calling James Dietsch 405-721-9405, Chuck Robinson 621-5900 or Laura McIver 405-608-0544. Please reserve tickets now plus forward any donations and become a part of our commitment to keep Oklahoma one of the premier quail hunting states in the nation

21: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic: Arcadia Conservation Education Area. To register, contact Damon Springer at (405) 521-3855.

24 & 25: Hunter Education: Great Plains Tech Center, (4500 SW Lee) Room 300, Lawton. Aug. 24 (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) and Aug. 25 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.).

25: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic: Dolese Youth Park Pond, OKC Parks and Rec. To register, contact Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

28: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic at Arcadia Conservation Education Area. To register, contact Damon Springer at (405) 521-3855.

9 & 30: Hunter Education: Francis Tuttle Room 1400A (12777 N Rockwell), OKC; 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; (405) 521-4636.

FISHING REPORT FOR AUGUST 15, 2007

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation normal. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Flathead catfish good on sunfish. Crappie good on chartreuse and white jigs. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish good to excellent on stinkbait, cut bait and shrimp. Crappie good on minnows, worms and jigs around structure. Walleye fair trolling. Report submitted by Ron Comer, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Overholser: Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass and crappie being caught along the shoreline and docks on spinnerbaits and rubber worms. White bass and striped bass hybrids good below the dam on jigs and minnows. Channel catfish good on stinkbait, cut bait, shrimp and liver. Report submitted by Ron Comer, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 1-1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 84-88 and clear. Catfish very good on worms, minnows, chicken livers, shrimp and fresh cut bait in deeper waters of main channel. White bass good on deeper diving crankbaits; some smaller fish being caught with shallow diving crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around stumps and other deep water structures at 8-10 ft. Largemouth bass slow, with some being caught in deeper water. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory’s.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation normal and muddy. Largemouth bass good on plastics. Crappie good at night on jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: Elevation 7 1/2 ft. above normal, water 86. Largemouth bass good on plastics at 8-10 ft. Striped bass hybrids good early and late. Crappie fair on minnows at 12-16 ft. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Chandler: Elevation normal, water muddy. Bass good on plastics. Channel catfish fair on doughbait. Crappie good at night on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Eucha: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 88 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth bass fair on topwater baits early morning and late evening. Bluegill good on crickets and worms. Catfish good on juglines using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water 89 and clear. Largemouth bass good on saltcraws and worms. White bass good trolling bridges and man-made structure. Channel catfish good on cut bait and shad on juglines and trotlines. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Elevation above normal and clear. Channel catfish fair on juglines at 10 ft. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits along shoreline. Channel catfish good on cut bait along creek bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing dock. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation 5 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits. White bass good on small lures and slabs in early morning. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Kaw: Elevation 9 ft. above normal, water 88 and clear. Blue catfish fair on cut bait using jug lines. Noodling for flathead catfish is fair. Blue catfish good on fresh cut bait below Kaw Dam. White bass good on surface lures early and late in the day. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: Elevation 10 1/4 ft. above normal, water muddy. Largemouth bass fair on 10-inch plastic worms and spinnerbaits at 4-8 ft. on points. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and jigs at 6-12 ft. on points and riprap. Spotted bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. on steep banks. White bass fair on minnows and small spoons at 3-5 ft. below dam and around bridges. Striped bass good on bucktails and sassy shad at 3-5 ft. below dam and around bridges. Channel catfish fair on worms and shrimp at 3-5 ft. below dam. Blue catfish fair on cut shad at 5-10 ft. below dam and points. Flathead catfish fair on goldfish at 5-10 ft. below dam and along steep banks. Crappie fair on tube jigs and minnows at 4-8 ft. below dam. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody’s Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 6 ft. above normal and falling, water 70s to near 80 and murky. White bass fair trolling shad-colored lures on the main lake at 10-15 ft. early and late in the day. Channel catfish fair on livers and dough baits at 15 ft along rocky bank. White bass fair on jigs below the dam. Channel and blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Sooner: White bass good on topwaters. Striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and shad in deeper water. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Skiatook: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water lower 90s and clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on shad while drifting. Crappie fair on minnows in timber. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Spavinaw: Elevation 3/4 ft. below normal, water 89 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits at night. Catfish fair on juglines using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. above normal, water 87 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Carolina-rigged plastic worms in rocky structure. Catfish fair on stinkbaits off points at 21 ft. Sunfish good around docks or coves on night crawlers. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and worms in riprap. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait along flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Walleye good drifting night crawlers and drifting slabs. White bass and striped bass hybrids good drifting shad and slabs. Channel catfish fair on shad and shrimp. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Elevation normal, water clear. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits along dam. Channel catfish fair everywhere on lake. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 85 and stained. Channel catfish good on stinkbait. Crappie fair on marked brush piles using minnows and jigs. White bass are surfacing early and late in mid lake areas; use tiny torpedoes and white curly-tailed grubs. Bass good using crankbaits, shaky worms and Carolina-rigged. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 85 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on liver, worms and stinkbaits. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Elevation 6 1/2 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on 8-10 inch soft plastics, Carolina-or Texas-rigged, off points after dark. Channel catfish being caught on cut bait or shad. Walleye fair on deep running crankbaits around the islands. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and Carolina rigging at 6-10 ft. off points. White bass very good on topwaters early and late around bridges and on the main flats. Blue catfish slow. Crappie fair on minnows or jigs at 10-20 ft. around bridges and standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 18 ft. above normal, water 84 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows. Blue catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 95 and clear. Largemouth bass good early and late on topwater lures in weed beds at 4-8 ft. Channel catfish good on shad in south cove at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: The powerhouse has been quite active lately in the afternoon/evening hours. Expect them to generate every day beginning anytime between 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. The annual Hexagenia hatch is underway, and if you like night-time fishing, this is the hatch for you. Other opportunities are imitating smaller mayflies, caddis, midges and various terrestrial "bugs." Good flies have been grasshoppers, ants, Elk hair caddis, light cahills and various streamers. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures in flooded timber. White bass fair on shad-colored crank baits in open water. Crappie fair on minnows over cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: Elevation above normal, water 84. Bass good in early mornings and in the evenings on jerk baits and worms. White bass fair early mornings on topwaters. Channel catfish fair. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation normal and clear. Bass good on red shad-colored worms off points. Crappie fair on minnows. Catfish good on shrimp and cut shad on trotlines and juglines. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 89 and murky. Largemouth bass slow on plastic baits at 6-8 ft. fishing the weed, rock and woody areas next to deeper water. Crappie fair on small minnows at 10-12 ft. fishing the bends of the old submerged creek channels. White bass fair on jigs and crankbaits at 6-8 ft. fishing in the Applegate Cove and Kerr beach areas. Blue and flathead catfish fair on fresh cut bait and live bait at 5-15 ft. using juglines and trotlines. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden for Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 3-4 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits in flooded timber. Catfish good on cut bait or live shad. Crappie good on minnows around bridges, brush piles and dam tower. White bass good trolling the islands. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 10 ft. above normal, water 84 and mostly clear. Striped bass hybrids and white bass are being caught from the surface to 20 ft. from the intake to Platter Flats on topwater and live baits. Largemouth bass are being caught on topwaters and crankbaits from the surface to 10 ft. in the flooded creeks. Channel and blue catfish being caught on cut bait and live bait at 10-15 ft. from Little Glasses Creek to the railroad bridge. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. above normal and muddy. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows around timber. Channel catfish fair on cut baits with jugs and trotlines. Flathead catfish fair on live sunfish with trotline. Fishing excellent below the dam, and snagging is very productive. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 5 ft. below normal and dropping. Catfish are most active in the river above the low water bridge. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Ellsworth: Elevation normal. Catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie fair to good at Ralph’s Resort on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 1/4 ft. below normal, water 82. Striped bass hybrids slow in evenings on slabs. Walleye slow. White bass slow. Catfish fair in channels. Bass slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1/2 above normal and falling. Catfish slow to fair on juglines. Saugeye slow drifting or trolling. Report submitted by James Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: Elevation normal. Crappie and bass fair to good around the dam. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Waurika: Elevation 4 1/2-5 ft. above normal, water 75 and clear. White bass good on jigs in the spillway. Catfish good in the spillway and tailwaters on punch bait. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows at 23-30 ft. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.