Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

January 3, 2008

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

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

Web site: wildlifedepartment.com

2008 habitat donor patches available now

That time of year again — Outdoor Oklahoma readers’ photos wanted

Wildlife Department schedules public hearings

“2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guides” hitting shelves now

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

2008 habitat donor patches available now

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s 2008 habitat donor patch is now available to collectors, and by purchasing a patch, buyers help provide public land access for the future.

The 2008 habitat donor patch, displaying a Canada goose in flight, is now available through the Department’s Outdoor Store for $10.

To purchase a donor patch, visit the Department’s Outdoor Store by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com. Outdoor Store order forms also can be found in copies of “Outdoor Oklahoma” magazine. Additionally, patches can be purchased at the Wildlife Department headquarters in Oklahoma City office adjacent to the Oklahoma Aquarium.

All proceeds go to the Department’s Land Acquisition Fund, which is used to provide public hunting and fishing access. To view the new patches and those from previous years, log on to the Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com/habitat.htm.

"Habitat patches have been around for some time, and they keep getting better and better with each year," said Michelle Imel, license supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "They are a great collectable and provide another way for sportsmen to support conservation, which everyone can enjoy."

The colorful patches have displayed a different game or fish species every year since 1986, and collectors can purchase a patch from any year.

“The patches have showcased everything from fish to mammals to birds,” Imel said. “This year’s patch is unique in that it marks the first habitat donor patch of Oklahoma’s second century of statehood. The 2007 centennial patch was available in both trout and bobwhite quail designs, and both are still available to collectors.”

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

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That time of year again — Outdoor Oklahoma readers’ photos wanted

The editors of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine are once again calling on readers to step forward and submit their best outdoor images to the annual Reader’s Photography Showcase competition. Submissions are being accepted through March 31, and winners will have their work featured in the July/August 2008 issue of Outdoor Oklahoma.

The special summer issue gives both professional and amateur photographers the chance to have their digital photos displayed in a magazine nationally recognized for its photography.

Last year’s competition marked the first all digital Reader’s Photography Showcase.

“Last year’s Showcase was successful, and we expect this year’s showcase — also all digital — to be even better,” said Nels Rodefeld, editor of Outdoor Oklahoma. “Once again, we are asking readers to consider submitting their favorite digital images of people enjoying the outdoors, but as usual we enjoy and welcome any great outdoor images related to hunting and angling, wildlife, fish, insects, sunsets, storms, landscape and more in Oklahoma. The wide range of photo submissions we receive is what makes the Showcase such an entertaining, dynamic issue.”

Rodefeld said that although reader submissions usually include a variety of subjects, the magazine has been focusing on “faces in the outdoors” to show hunters, anglers, kids and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoying the outdoors.

“Sportsmen and other outdoor enthusiasts are the very individuals who help make conservation happen in our state when they purchase licenses and sporting goods and actually get out there and participate in the outdoors,” Rodefeld said. “So it only makes sense to capture and showcase what it’s all about, and that starts with those people.”

Each participant may submit up to five digital images. Each submission must include a description of the photo, including the location taken, names and hometowns of subjects and what it took to get just the right shot. Photos should be in sharp focus, and images should be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). The canvas size should be about 8 inches by 11 inches. Slides and print images will not be accepted.

Hopeful photographers can mail a disk to: "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine, Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Readers may also e-mail their entries to photoshowcase@odwc.state.ok.us.

Individuals can subscribe to “Outdoor Oklahoma” by calling 1-800-777-0019. Subscriptions are just $10 for one year, $18 for two years, or $25 for three years. You can also subscribe over the Internet by logging on to the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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Wildlife Department schedules public hearings

Public hearings held by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will kick off across the state Monday Jan. 7, 2008, to collect input on a slate of proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes. Hearings will be held through Jan. 10.

Sportsmen are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions on proposals, which range from certain deer hunting regulation changes to changes in size and daily limits on some fish.

Several of the proposals involve adjustments to deer seasons and deer bag limits both statewide and in designated areas. Specifically, one proposal would allow deer archery hunters to harvest a deer of either sex during the period from Jan. 1-15. Currently, only antlerless deer may be taken during that time period. Also involving deer archery season is a proposal to increase the number of deer that can be harvested by archers from four deer to six deer. Another proposal would open deer gun season to the same as statewide season dates on Broken Bow, Honobia Creek, Three Rivers and Ouachita wildlife management areas.

Among the fishing-related proposals is one to exempt spotted bass from length limits and to remove the bag limit on spotted bass statewide, except in certain streams. Another proposal would limit the harvest of alligator gar to one fish per angler per day statewide, except from April 1 - June 15, when fishing for alligator gar would be catch and release only.

Other fishing-related items are on the public hearing agenda as well, such as tightening restrictions on dealing with invasive aquatic species, adjusting definitions related to limbline angling and making permanent a currently established emergency rule requiring paddlefish anglers to carry a free paddlefish permit.

Other hunting-related proposals include the following:

* Changing the deer gun season limits and muzzleloader season limits on Keystone and Skiatook WMAs so that the limit on each season would be one antlered and one antlerless deer.

* Changing the muzzleloader season at Lexington WMA to allow for the harvest of antlerless deer the second Saturday and Sunday of the season. Currently, deer muzzleloader season on Lexington WMA is limited to antlered deer only.

* Allowing those persons certified to use a crossbow to use a device that permits a bow to be held mechanically at full or partial draw for archery hunting.

* Clarifying that persons with disabilities and youth hunters are eligible to draw more than one controlled hunt per year and clarifying permit requirements (nonambulatory or motor vehicle permits) for those applying for the Deer Hunts for Persons with Disabilities category of the Controlled Hunts program.

A slate of other wildlife, hunting and fishing-related items will be open for discussion during the public hearings across the state, including allowing the use of poison to control prairie dogs on public land, establishing rules regarding the nuisance control programs for beaver and coyote and the Feral Hog Depredation Program and others. To view the complete agenda for the public hearings, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

Those unable to attend the hearings are encouraged to send their comments by mail to: Attn: Proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes – Wildlife Department, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. All comments are weighted equally whether received in writing or delivered at the public hearings. Comments will be accepted at this address until 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 25.

The following is a list of public hearing dates, times and locations. The public is encouraged to attend.

Date: Jan. 7, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Ada – Pontotoc County Technology Center, 601 W. 33rd

Jenks – Tulsa Technology Center, 801 E. 91st St.

Lawton – Lawton Public Library, 110 SW 4th

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Auditorium – 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Date: Jan. 8, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Clinton – City Hall, 415 Gary Blvd.

Durant – Durant Fish Hatchery Meeting Room, 2021 Caddo Hwy

Enid – Central Fire Station, 410 W. Garriot

Date: Jan. 9, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Miami – Miami Civic Center, 129 5th Ave NW

Date: Jan. 10, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Guymon – OSU Extension Center, 301 N. Main

Hugo – Kiamichi Tech Center, 107 South 15th St.

Okmulgee – East Central Electric Co-op, 2001 S. Wood Dr. (U.S. Hwy 75)

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“2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” hitting shelves now

The “2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guide,” produced and published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, is available now and hitting shelves at fishing and hunting license dealers across the state.

The full-color guide provides regulations for fishing in Oklahoma and well as a wide range of fishing-related articles and other helpful information such as contacts for Department lakes, “Close to Home” fishing locations, game warden phone numbers, license fees and fish identification tips.

“It may be cold outside now, but you can still catch plenty of fish, and before long the peak of angling season will be right in front of us,” said Barry Bolton, fisheries chief for the Wildlife Department. “Having a copy of the new ‘Oklahoma Fishing Guide’ is a vital part of a successful year of fishing. Without it, you’ll miss some great information as well as important regulations that help anglers stay in the know on the state’s fishing laws.”

Anglers also can find the “2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” online by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com. Additionally, the Department’s Web site provides a weekly fishing report where anglers can find out how some of the state's most popular game fish are biting and what baits are working best at different fishing locations. Compiled by Wildlife Department personnel and independent reporters, the reports even include techniques and locations to increase angler success. To sign up for the weekly electronic news release, which also includes the weekly fishing report, log on to wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm.

Anglers fishing for trout this time of year will find that the Fishing Guide, weekly fishing report and wildlifedepartment.com are a useful combination for improving their success. Articles with fishing tips and outlines of each of the state’s trout fishing areas can be found in the Fishing Guide, while the weekly fishing report details the current conditions of several trout waters. The Department’s trout stocking schedule is also available to anglers when they log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

The Department Web site also provides the most recent “Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” online hunting and fishing license sales and all kinds of information about conservation, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other recreational opportunities across the state. Additionally, wildlifedepartment.com features online brochures, outdoor news reports, information on non-game species and digital interactive maps that allow hunters to do some virtual scouting on wildlife management areas across the state, all while never putting a single mile on a vehicle. Log on to wildlifedepartment.com/wmas2.htm to view the maps, which include a wealth of information such as topography and aerial photos.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JANUARY

1-15: Antlerless Archery Deer Season. For all season regulations, including those pertaining to public lands, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

1- Feb. 29: Dolese Youth Park Pond trout season begins.

10-13: Winter Bird Survey Challenge. Choose any two days during this time to watch and record the birds at your backyard winter feeders. For more information check out the Web site www.okwinterbirds.com.

11: Aquatic Education Clinic: Dolese Trout Clinic, Putnam City High School Gym. To register, contact Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

19 & 26: Flying WILD for College Credit at Tulsa Community College, Tulsa. To enroll call (918) 595-8126. Class runs 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and must attend both days.

31: Last day of 2007-08 squirrel season. For all season regulations, including those pertaining to public lands, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 2, 2008

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation normal, water 40. Channel catfish being caught on cut shad. Crappie being caught on white jigs, white and red jigs and minnows at 10 ft. at heated docks. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden station in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: Elevation normal, water 43. White bass being caught on 2-inch white grubs. Channel catfish being caught on cut shad. Crappie being caught on jigs at 15 ft. above dam. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden station in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: Elevation above normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids being caught on 2-inch. white curly tails. Channel catfish being caught on cut shad. Crappie being caught on chartreuse and white jigs at docks. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden station in Oklahoma County.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation normal, water lower 40s and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 15-30 ft. Blue catfish good on cut shad fishing flats near the creek channels at 30 ft. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Copan: Elevation slightly above normal. Crappie good around the dam on the lakeside on jigs. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Channel catfish good on cut bait and shad around drop offs in deep water. Crappie good on jig and minnows around brush piles, docks and structure at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Hulah: Water level is slightly above normal. Crappie are good below the dam on hair and tube jigs when the dam gates are closed. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal and clear. Crappie good on chartreuse and black jigs at 15-20 ft. around manmade brush piles in the Washunga Bay Area and Kaw City area. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: Elevation 2 1/3 ft. above normal, water clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs and chunk baits at 8-12 ft. in coves and creeks. Smallmouth bass fair on finesse jigs at 8-12 ft. around points. Spotted bass fair on finesse jigs at 8-12 ft. around bluffs. White bass fair on minnows, spoons and vertical jigging at 10-15 ft. around mouths of deep coves and creeks. Striped bass good on sassy shads, bucktails and jerk baits at 3-6 ft. below dam in early morning. Channel catfish fair on chicken livers and worms at 8-12 ft. in coves and creeks. Blue catfish good on live shad, cut shad and punch baits at 12-20 ft. around mouths of coves and creeks. Flathead catfish slow on live shad at 12-20 ft. in riprap and bluffs. Crappie good on jigs and minnows at 12-18 ft. around docks, brush piles and ledges. Walleye fair on grubs and large shiners at 4-8 ft. in downstream holes below dam. Report submitted by Woody’s Bait and Tackle.

Pawhuska Lake: Elevation normal, water in the upper 30s and clear. Trout excellent on power bait and woolly buggers and fair trolling super dupers at 10-20 ft. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. Crappie good on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 46 and stained. Crappie and white bass being caught on jigging spoon off creek channel and drop-off in mid-lake at 34-46 ft. Bass also being caught at same place on Carolina rigs, crankbaits and drop-shot. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Broken Bow: Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on jig and pig and deep-running crankbaits around points and islands. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with sunfish. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass slow. White bass slow. Blue catfish fair on shad at 10-25 ft. in creek channels. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 8-20 ft. around boat docks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 54. Crappie fair on minnows along brush. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 48 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits at 5-10 ft. off points. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on minnows and jigs in the discharge canal at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Fishing has been very good in zone 1 due to recent stockings and relatively low fishing pressure. Zone 2 has been pretty slow. Flies of choice mostly have been very small or colorful egg patterns, and once in a while a Woolly Bugger will catch a few fish. Recent productive flies in sizes around #18-#22 (and smaller) have been Griffiths Gnat, Prismatic emerger, Zebra Midge and UFO. Report submitted by Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation normal, water 52, and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures at 12-20 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 16-25 ft. over cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: Elevation below normal and falling, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits. Crappie good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on liver and garlic punch bait. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass slow in coves. White bass and walleye slow. Blue catfish good to fair deep on cut bait near channels. Crappie excellent on minnows around brush piles and bridges. Flathead catfish slow. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 58 and clear. Striped bass fair on live bait at 15-20 ft. near the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait and minnows at 10-20 ft. in the Washita River. Crappie fair on small minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. at Widow Moore, Kansas and upper Rock creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 7 ft. below normal. Trout fishing very good in river. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 3/4 ft. above normal. Catfish slow to fair on cut baits and jugs. Crappie slow to fair around marina and boat slips. Report submitted by James Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.