Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

January 11, 2008

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

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

Web site: wildlifedepartment.com

Small game offers chance to keep hunting

Eagle viewing opportunities abound statewide

Outdoor Calendar

Waterfowl Report

Fishing Report

Small game offers chance to keep hunting

Though some Oklahomans have put away their hunting gear until spring, there are still others who know that now is still a great time to be hunting almost anywhere in the state. Seasons such as quail, pheasant, rabbit and squirrel seasons are still open and offer endless hunting opportunities all over Oklahoma.

Quail season runs through Feb. 15, while pheasant season ends Jan. 31. Rabbit season remains open statewide until March 15, and squirrel until Jan. 31. Resident small game hunters only need a hunting license and a fishing and hunting legacy permit unless exempt, and residents age 15 and under are exempt from having to purchase a hunting license and fishing and hunting legacy permit.

Additionally, those age 16-35 who have not completed a hunter education course can hunt with a licensed adult hunter age 21 or older (or a licensed adult hunter age 21 years or older who is exempt from hunter education requirements) under certain conditions using the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s apprentice-designated hunting license.

For complete license information and guidelines regarding the apprentice-designated hunting license, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log on to wildlifedepartment.com. After obtaining the proper license, hunters only need a place to hunt. But when you consider that the Wildlife Department offers public hunting areas all across the state that often have minimal small game hunting pressure, finding a place to hunt is not a problem.

“Countless hunters have been introduced to the sport through small game hunting,” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “It gives them a great opportunity to learn about hunting safety and ethics and to hone their outdoor skills.”

For bag limits and regulations on small game, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons, so hunters should consult wildlife management area regulations in the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” before hunting. For more information on small game hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Eagle viewing opportunities abound statewide

Each winter as northern lakes freeze over, thousands of bald eagles migrate to warmer southern waters, providing Oklahomans the chance to view one of the magnificent birds at one of several areas across the state.

Oklahoma is visited by 750-1,500 eagles annually. According to the National Wildlife Federation, Oklahoma is one of the top 10 states in the nation for winter eagle viewing.

Events are hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, state parks, lake management offices and local conservation groups.

“This winter there are more than 60 viewing events all across the state,” said Lesley McNeff, wildlife diversity information specialist with the Wildlife Department. “That equals a lot of opportunities to catch a glimpse of a bald eagle.”

Most events are free or have a minimal charge and occur on weekends during January. Many begin with informative bald eagle programs led by naturalists and biologists. At all events, people will be on hand to assist visitors with viewing wild eagles.

“Not only is the bald eagle an American symbol, it’s also an endangered species success story, having recently been removed from the national threatened species list,” McNeff said.

When adopted as the nation’s symbol in 1782, eagles inhabited every large river and major concentration of lakes in North America. They nested in 45 of the lower 48 United States, but by the 1950s had been reduced to fewer than 400 nesting pairs. Due to nationwide concern and action, eagle numbers have increased seven-fold since the early 1970s.

View event descriptions, locations, dates and times by logging onto wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 522-3087 for more information.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JANUARY

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 Wildlife Department’s Winter Bird Survey Web site at okwinterbirds.com.

15: Last day of 2007-08 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.

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.

WATERFOWL REPORT FOR JANUARY 9, 2008

For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com

NORTHWEST

Canton: Lake level is 0.17 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair to poor. High water levels throughout the spring limited native forage growth in shallow portions of the lake. Winter wheat is in good condition. Row crop fields in the area are in good to excellent condition. Duck numbers are moderate, mostly divers and mergansers. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low, with moderate success. Significant movement of birds out of the area has occurred in the last week possibly due to the unusual spring-like weather conditions. The boat ramp west of the wildlife management area headquarters is usable as are all boat ramps on the south side of the lake. The highway across the dam is closed due to construction activities in the spillway area.

Ft. Supply: Lake level is 0.39 ft above normal. Habitat conditions around the lake are fair. Local wheat crops in the area range from fair to poor in condition. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low, with no reports of success. Bird movement in the area has been low recently.

SOUTHWEST

Ft. Cobb: Lake level is 0.86 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is poor due to high water level. Winter wheat is fair in the area. Peanut and corn residue is fair and being utilized. Duck numbers are good, with mostly mallards. Goose numbers are good, with a high number of snow geese. Hunting activity is high on the weekends. Hunters success is fair on ducks and lower on geese. Over the last month a large number of geese has moved into the area, along with a good group of mallards.

Hackberry: Refuge reservoir is approximately 4 foot below conservation pool, with around 500 acres of wetland units flooded. Habitat conditions are fair. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are good. Hunter activity is moderate. Hunter success is fair. Goose numbers continue to steadily increase. Hackberry Flat Waterfowl Refuge Portion is closed to all activity from October 15 to January 31.

Mtn. Park: Lake level is 0.82 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is fair due to water in shoreline vegetation. Winter wheat is poor in the area. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low. Ducks are currently using the cove west of the Wetland Development Unit, with a few ducks using the Wetland Development Unit on the east side.

Waurika: Lake level is normal. Lake habitat condition is poor. Winter wheat in the area is fair to poor. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are moderate. Hunter activity is low. Waterfowl have been observed on area ponds due to the poor habitat condition on the lake. All possible wetland units are flooded, but habitat condition on these units is only fair.

NORTHEAST

Copan: Lake level is 0.65 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair. Flooded native plants in the area are in fair condition, with cornfields on the wildlife management area in good condition. Plenty of flooded vegetation present to hold birds. Duck numbers are fair, with a lot of mallards using the moist soil units. Goose numbers are low. Most birds have been roosting on the main body of the lake. Hunting activity is light during the week and heavy on the weekends. Hunter success is fair, with mostly mallards and teal.

Eufaula: Lake level is 0.64 ft. below normal. Current habitat condition is very poor due to high summer lake levels that prevented planting of Japanese millet. Very little farming in the area. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low to moderate. Hunting success has been marginal. No bird movement has been observed in the past few days.

Ft. Gibson: Lake level is 2.16 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is good. Due to the extreme high water throughout summer and early fall, the vegetation is in poor shape. There are some agricultural crops in the area. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is moderate, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been slow, with warm weather over the weekend.

Hulah: Lake level is 2.55 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair. Wheat and soybean fields on the Wildlife Management Area are in good condition. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is light on weekdays, and heavy on weekends. Hunting success has been poor. Bird movement has been spread out across the lake, with most birds roosting on the main body of the lake.

Kaw: Lake level is 0.27 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair. No millet available in the area, but good native food available. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity is fair on weekends, with fair success. Bird movement has been slow in the area, with a fair number of waterfowl in the Bear Creek area.

Keystone: Lake level is 1.4 ft. above normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with almost no food available due to prolonged summer flooding on the lake. Both duck and goose numbers are low. Little migration has been seen in the past few days on the area. Hunting activity has been low on weekdays and moderate on the weekends. Hunting success in the area has been low. Hunters utilizing the area this year should be prepared for very deep mud. Caution should be taken, especially if hunting alone.

Oologah: Lake level is 3.21 ft. above normal. Current habitat conditions are poor to fair. No flooded millet or native vegetation on the lake. Ag fields have been re-planted due to flood conditions this summer and are currently in poor condition. Duck numbers are poor, with some gadwalls, common goldeneyes, shovelers, ring-necks and mallards present. Goose numbers are poor, with some Giant Canadas seen in the area on private lands. Bird movement decreased recently with warm weather. There is significant ice storm damage to the wildlife management area and to the wetland development units. Most if not all roads are un-accessible within the wildlife management area. Hunter’s should contact the Army Corp of Engineer’s Office at Oologah to see if boat ramps are clear or open to access the lake. Upper Verdigris Wetland Development Unit has a few Gadwalls, and both units are 90 percent capacity. Contact the area biologist for information.

Webbers Falls: Lake level is 3.97 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is good, with smartweed, barnyardgrass, bidens, cut soybeans, corn, milo and wheat in the area. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is moderate, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has slowed due to warm weather over the weekend.

SOUTHEAST

Grassy Slough: Duck numbers: mallard 224; green-wing teal 10. No geese observed in the area.

Hugo: Lake level is 2.36 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair. Very good acorn crop in the area for when water gets up in the river. Duck numbers are good and slowly increasing. Goose numbers are fair, with some snows on the main body of the lake. Bird movement in the area is heavy with the recent cold front. Hunting activity is very light on weekdays and fair on weekends. Hunting success is good. Best hunting is in the shallows and creeks as they flow into the river.

Little River National Wildlife Refuge: Lake level is good, with good food conditions. Duck numbers: wood duck 140; gadwall 300; mallard 150; wigeon 10; green-wing teal 8. No geese observed.

Red Slough: Duck numbers: shoveler 675; gadwall 450; green-wing teal 300; mallard 150; ring-neck 45; pintail 30. Goose numbers: white-fronted 8.

Texoma: Lake level is 1.01 ft. below normal. Due to high water levels that persisted throughout the growing season, no millet and very little native food is available. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low, with low success. Fair weather this last weekend has scattered what birds were on the area.

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge: Lake level is above normal. Food condtions are good. Duck numbers: pintail 64. Goose numbers: snow 6800; white-fronted 1843; Canada 1548.

Wister: Lake level is 2 ft. above normal. Habitat conditions are fair. Smartweed, sedges and acorns are present on the area. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity is low, with low success. Most of the birds have moved out of the area due to recent warm temperatures. All development units are currently at 100 percent for second half.

FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 9, 2008

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation slightly above normal, water 45-50 and semi-clear. Blue catfish good on cut shad at 20 ft. along northeast banks and deep parts of lake from morning to midday. Crappie fair to good on minnows at 8-9 ft. at south heated fishing dock evening to early morning. All other fishing fair. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 1-2 ft. below normal, water 43 and murky. Catfish fair to good on minnows, worms, fresh cut bait, chicken liver and cut bait in deeper waters along main channel and down by dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits in shallow waters. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory’s.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation normal, water lower 40s and clear. Crappie fair at 25-30 ft. around brush structures. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 43 and murky. Channel catfish good on rocky points on cut bait and shad in the evening. Crappie good around docks and brush piles at 15-20 ft. on minnows and jigs early morning and late evening. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in creeks and along shoreline. Catfish fair on cut baits and stinkbaits on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 16 ft. around docks. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Kaw: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 38 and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs over manmade brush piles in Kaw City area and McFadden marina area at 12-20 ft. Report submitted by Tracy Daniel, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: Elevation 1 3/5 ft. above normal, water clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on jigs, chunkbaits and crankbaits at 6-12 ft. in creeks. Smallmouth bass fair on jigs, chunkbaits and crankbaits at 6-12 ft. in deep coves. Spotted bass fair on jigs, chunkbaits and crankbaits at 6-12 ft. around bluff areas. White bass fair on minnows and jigging spoons at 10-15 ft. at mouths of coves and bridges. Striped bass good on bucktails and sassy shad at 3-6 ft. below dam. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver at 8-12 ft. in shallow coves and creeks. Blue catfish good on cut shad and punch baits at 15-20 ft. around ledges, humps and along river channel. Flathead catfish slow on live shad at 15-20 ft. in riprap and bluffs. Crappie good on jigs and minnows at 12-20 ft. around docks, ledges and brush piles. Walleye and saugeye fair on 3 in. grubs and large shiners at 4-8 ft. in holes downstream below dam. Report submitted by Woody’s Bait and Tackle.

Pawhuska Lake: Elevation normal, water lower 40s and clear. Trout good on power baits. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Skiatook: Elevation normal, water clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows at 20-30 ft. at brush structures. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: White bass and hybrid striped bass good in the discharge channel on sassy shad. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in riprap and creeks. Catfish good on cut baits while drift fishing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around bridges and structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

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

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 44-46 and stained. Crappie and white bass are being caught in creek channels, around drop-offs in mid-lake area on spoons. Bass are being caught in the same place on jigs and drop shot at 15-24 ft. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 51 and clear. Largemouth bass slow to fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on liver and worms. Trout good on power bait, roostertails, super dupers and mealworms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Largemouth bass good on spoons around islands and rocky points on topwater lures. Bass are schooling in the early morning or late evening. Channel catfish good on cut bait on juglines and trotlines. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass and white bass slow. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting deep creek channels at 15-30 ft. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 10-20 ft. around boat docks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 63. Crappie and blue catfish good below the dam. 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 and roadbeds. White bass and hybrid striped bass fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in discharge channel. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Zone 1 very good due to the recent stockings and relatively low fishing pressure. In zone 2, try very small flies and midge patterns. Zone 3 reports show little success. Flies of choice have mostly been very small or colorful egg patterns, and once in a while a woolly bugger will catch a few fish. Report submitted by Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation normal, water 51 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 good on jigs. Crappie good on jigs and minnows. Catfish excellent on liver and garlic punchbaits at the old bridge and at the spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 48 and murky. Largemouth bass slow at 8 ft. using plastic baits and jigs fishing the rocks and stumps next to the creek channels. Crappie good at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the old creek channels of Big Sans Bois and Dirty creek. White bass slow at 10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls and Kerr dams. Blue catfish fair at 8-10 ft. using fresh cut shad fishing the windy shorelines. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation above normal, water murky to clear. Largemouth bass fair on warm days around points and in deep channels. White bass and walleye slow. Channel catfish slow to fair on trotlines with cut bait or live shad. Crappie excellent on minnows from bridges and submerged brush piles. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 49 and clear. Striped and white bass fair on live bait at 10-20 ft. near the Islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on live bait at 10-20 ft. north of the Hwy 70 Bridge. Crappie fair on small jigs and minnows at 5-10 ft. at Widow Moore, Kansas and upper Rock creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1 ½ ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair to slow on black plastic worms. Crappie good below dam with minnows and jigs. Channel catfish and blue catfish good on cut shad below dam, fair to slow with liver on juglines in lake. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game Warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal and rising. Crappies slow to fair. Walleye fair. Trout good in river. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

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

Foss: Elevation normal, water 42 and clear. Striped bass hybrids and walleye slow. Crappie fair around edges with structure. Catfish slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Crappie fair around marina and boat slips. Catfish slow to fair on jugs and cut baits. Report submitted by James Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: Elevation above normal. Crappie good. White bass fair at the dam on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: Elevation normal, water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 20 ft. around brush. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.