Whatzup Outdoors (164)
Written by David Deaton
Girl's First Elk Hunt Yields New Cy Curtis State Record
Press release from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Thanks to a little kindness and understanding from a softball coach, Oklahoma now has a new record typical elk in its Cy Curtis Awards Program. And the record-holder is just 15 years old.
Olivia Parry of Camargo was just 14 and on her first elk hunt when she bagged the bull elk on private land in Dewey County on Oct. 16, 2016. After the mandatory drying period, the 5-by-5 rack was scored at 377 6/8, shattering the existing Cy Curtis record by 39 2/8.
Olivia and her father, Scott Parry, who is the Northwest Region Wildlife Supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, began the hunt the previous evening. Olivia said that is when she first saw the big elk that would become the focus of the hunt, but shooting hours closed soon after.
The next morning, father and daughter were in the field again, and it was a dusky morning, Olivia recalled. As the morning brightened, she began using binoculars to scan her surroundings.
“And we were just sitting there waiting around, and he popped out on our hillside.” Nothing to do but wait, she thought.
“I thought he was a really nice elk,” she said. But the animal was at least 300 yards away, too far to get a good shot. “I wanted to shoot, but I didn’t want to mess it up, scare him off.”
By this time, the morning had slipped into afternoon, without any chance to take a shot. So Olivia and her dad decided to take a break, allowing Olivia to attend softball practice in Laverne with her team. But the elk hunt was still on her mind.
“I asked the coach if I could leave a little early,” Olivia said. The coach agreed, and Olivia arrived back in the field about 5 p.m. And it wasn’t long before the big bull ambled into the open, and the Vici High School freshman lifted her .270-caliber rifle and squeezed the trigger.
“I started crying because I thought I’d missed him,” she recalled. But her shot hadn’t missed. As they looked over the trophy, Parry told his daughter it could well be a state (Cy Curtis) record. But Olivia said she could not comprehend what that meant at the time.
Later, when they delivered the bull elk to be processed, the processor remarked how big the rack was, and that it might be a new record. That’s when the magnitude struck her.
“It was then I was thinking, ‘This could really be it.’ I was so excited. I thought that was crazy that I could have the state record!”
The score qualifies Olivia’s elk as a Boone and Crockett Club All-Time Record and will forever be listed in Records of North American Big Game produced by that organization.
Even though she is a seasoned veteran of deer hunting – she bagged her first doe at age 11 – Olivia has now decided she enjoys elk hunting most of all. Still, she is fond of deer, turkey and dove hunting, too.
As for her Oklahoma Cy Curtis record elk, the mount is hanging in the barn. “He won’t fit in the house,” Olivia said. But that’s OK for now, she said, “as long as he stays clean.”
Written by David Deaton
Balancing yield and protein content in a wheat crop
By Leilana McKindra - Communications Specialist, Agricultural Communications Services, Oklahoma State University
STILLWATER, Okla. – With Oklahoma wheat producers heading into another growing season, the bottom line will be top of mind, as always, and for many, that means focusing squarely on yield, yield, yield.
However, doing what it takes to boost the bushels also can lead to other important things, like increasing the protein content of a crop.
In fact, the protein content of the Oklahoma wheat crop is garnering increased attention these days after two straight years of registering less than ideal levels.
“Low protein wheat can create pricing and marketing challenges for everyone in the supply chain,” said Brian Arnall, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension precision nutrient management specialist. “Perhaps even more concerning is that low protein is an indicator that nitrogen was limiting during grain fill and therefore, a field’s maximum yield potential wasn’t achieved.”
The happy news for proactive producers is this is a fixable concern.
Variety selection, growing environment and fertility all play major roles in driving up the protein content in a wheat crop.
While some varieties, on average, offer higher protein, the differences among varieties can be overshadowed by the environmental conditions at different locations, said David Marburger, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains specialist.
Ideally, during grain fill, optimal conditions would include cooler temperatures and ample available moisture, which could positively affect yield but negatively impact protein levels in the crop.
“We’ve seen that over the past couple years. We fertilized with our normal nitrogen rate to achieve our yield goal, and this usually provides an adequate protein content as well. But we’ve had better yields partly due to the better growing conditions, and therefore lower protein content,” Marburger said. “We can get the opposite, as well, especially with drought or other stresses, where there are less kernels and/or the kernels become small and shriveled. Now you have that same amount of nitrogen, but over less grain to put it in. So, you might actually have a higher protein content.”
That leaves fertility, or more specifically nitrogen, as the X factor.
Protein is a function of nitrogen concentration, Arnall said, and if the nitrogen concentration in grain is low, so is protein.
“If the nitrogen well is running dry at the end of the season, protein will be low,” he said. “We typically see low values if nitrogen rates were below crop need. Or, perhaps the nitrogen applied was lost through leaching or other mechanism, which is more likely to happen when all of the nitrogen is applied pre-plant.”
Bottom line? Managing nitrogen and maximizing yield come down to ensuring nitrogen is available to the plant at important growth periods.
“It’s always best to apply nitrogen when the plant needs it, which is right after tillering for grain-only. In dual purpose, we have a high need in the fall and again at tillering,” Arnall said.
Producers do not need to guess about the nitrogen levels in their fields either.
N-Rich strips, used in conjunction with GreenSeeker TM hand-held sensor technology, and a sensor-based nitrogen rate calculator, are key tools producers can use to guide them on nitrogen application.
Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the overall quality of the Oklahoma wheat crop, Marburger said.
“If we all work on improving protein and quality, in general, we’re going to raise the overall quality of the Oklahoma wheat crop and we’re going to have end-users who want to buy this grain first before any other,” he said.
For more information on nutrient management, download free of charge OSU Current Report CR-2277, “Applying Nitrogen Rich Strips,” and OSU Fact Sheet PSS-2258, “Evolution of Reference Strips in Oklahoma” at factsheets.okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; phone 405-744-5371; email: has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity. Any person (student, faculty, or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator 405-744-9154
Written by David Deaton
Youth Deer Hunters Get Earliest Chance With Firearms
Press release
Oklahoma’s archery hunters have had the chance to hunt deer since Oct. 1. But the first chance to harvest a deer with firearms belongs to the state’s youth hunters on Oct. 20-22.
The Youth Deer Gun Season is open to hunters age 17 and younger who are accompanied in the field by an adult at least 18 years old who is hunter education certified or exempt. The adult may archery hunt while accompanying the youth, but the adult may not hunt with a firearm.
“As wildlife managers, we try to give the most opportunity possible, and the youth season focuses on just that,” said Dallas Barber, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “We get the chance to introduce new young hunters to something that we as biologists and managers are passionate about.”
The three-day Youth Deer Gun Season allows participants to take either a buck and a doe, or two does. A deer license is required for each deer hunted.
Barber said this earlier season gets youngsters in the woods during a time when the weather is usually warmer than during traditional Deer Gun Season, which often creates a better hunting experience for them.
“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” he said. “If we can turn one of our youth hunters into a lifelong outdoorsman or woman, then the youth season is more than worth it.”
Bucks should still be following a pattern if weather conditions remain stable. “However, if we get a nice cold front coming through, we could see more deer movement,” Barber said.
As a bonus, youth deer hunters may also harvest a turkey in counties that have a fall gun turkey season, provided the hunter has the appropriate turkey license.
For complete information on Youth Deer Gun Season regulations and license requirements, consult the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide found online at wildlifedepartment.com, in the free OK Hunting and Fishing mobile app for Apple or Android users, or in print anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Written by David Deaton
Me-ouch: The impact of cats on native wildlife species
By Sean Hubbard, Communications Specialist - OSU Agricultural Communications Services
STILLWATER, Okla. – The internet supplies endless amounts of cute kitty videos. A kitten batting around a ball of yarn, a cat chasing a feather duster and fat, grumpy cats lying on their backs have generated many smiles from people throughout the world.
Those same animals, however, are decimating native wildlife populations. Free-ranging domestic cats, from feral cats to outdoor house cats, are linked to 63 wildlife extinctions spanning the globe, as they feast on birds, lizards, amphibians and small mammals.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University’s Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center recently came together to study how cats are impacting mainland wildlife populations.
Study authors Scott Loss, NREM assistant professor, and Pete Marra, director of SMBC, are studying the impact of cats on wildlife to support science-based conservation and cat population management. Their research findings, published in the latest issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, help fill in some gaps previously undiscovered through single studies.
“Our review shows overwhelming evidence that, beyond causing island extinctions, where there were no native predators, and massive numbers of mainland wildlife deaths, cats can exert multiple types of harmful impacts on mainland wildlife species that are reflected at the population level,” Loss said.
Based on their literature review, the researchers summarize two main direct effects and two main indirect effects of cats on wildlife populations. The first direct effect, predation, by which cats directly kill and remove individuals from the population, has some obvious evidence.
At least 14 observational studies show that cat predation is a substantial source of mortality at the population level for mainland wildlife. In addition, an experimental study in Australia compared two separate populations of small, native rodents for a two-year period. One population was fenced off, not allowing any feline predators. The other was open and fair game.
“This experimental study provides the most convincing evidence yet that cats can cause population declines for mainland wildlife,” Loss said. “In areas where cats could not access, the population persisted the whole two years of the study. For the areas where cats could access, the populations declined to extinction in both cases.”
The second main direct effect of cats on mainland wildlife populations flies a little more under the radar.
Toxoplasmosis, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. It is the motivation behind recommending pregnant women should not clean out litter boxes or garden, because it can be transmitted from infected cat feces, and can be deadly to humans and also to wildlife.
Direct mortality from Toxoplasma infection has led to population declines in some cases, especially for marsupials, marine mammals, such as sea otters, and tropical primates.
“Indirect effects of Toxoplasma infection are even more surprising. For example, past research in California showed that infected sea otters were more likely to be attacked by sharks,” Loss said. “This suggests the pathogen alters otter behavior in a way that makes them more vulnerable to predation, leading to additional mortality that could affect their population.”
Finally, cats also can inflict population impacts indirectly through fear. Just the presence of a predator alters prey species’ behavior, movements or reproduction in ways that affect wildlife populations. Notably, one population modeling study showed that fear-induced reduction of bird reproductive output is capable of significantly reducing bird populations, even with low levels of direct predation.
“Based on our comprehensive review of research from around the world, there is now overwhelming evidence that cats impact populations of mainland wildlife in several ways,” Marra said. “If we hope to protect native species globally, it is essential that we start implementing more effective management of cats, including keeping owned cats on a leash or indoors and removing unowned cats from outdoor environments.”
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; phone 405-744-5371; email: has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity. Any person (student, faculty, or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator 405-744-9154.
Written by David Deaton
CASC Vike@Nite 5k and Also A Kids Race Scheduled for October 26, 2017
Press release
The Carl Albert State College Annual Vike@Nite 5k is scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 6 p.m. In addition, there will be a kids race at 5:30 p.m. on the same evening.
According to Hali Repass, the run is designed to provide a fun, affordable event for the campus and the community, with all proceeds benefiting the CASC Alumni Association for the purpose of future scholarships.
Registration for the 5k will be on site at the CASC Poteau campus from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is $20 per participant. Repass explained that finisher’s medals will be awarded, but no age division awards or record keeping will take place. There will be gun timing only and participants are responsible for noting their own time as they cross the finish line.
Registration for the kids race is currently open on runsignup.com, and on site registration will also be open for the kids event from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Community State Bank will be grilling hot dogs post event, and Oldcastle will be providing the aid station at the halfway point in the event.
Written by David Deaton
EOSC Farm concludes 2017 Forage-Based Meat Goat Buck Test with Field Day
Press release from Tayler Richey, Office of Communications and Marketing
WILBURTON, OK (Oct. 5, 2017) – Eastern Oklahoma State College and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service recently conducted the 2017 Oklahoma Forage-Based Meat Goat Buck Test. This is the fifth year Eastern has hosted this event.
The objective of the test is to identify individual bucks, as well as their sires and dams, which carry genetics expressing desirable traits in commercial meat goat production. The test also allows producers to compare genetics within their herd to make better management decisions as to herd lines that will produce profitable offspring for future herds. Weights, FAMACHA scores and fecal egg counts of the 53 head of goats entered were taken on a regular basis throughout the test.
The test concluded with a Field Day and awards ceremony Sept. 29. Participants from across Oklahoma and 13 other states came to the Wilburton campus to learn how their bucks performed during the 80-day test that began July 7. In addition to naming the Top Herdsman Grand Champion and Top Herdsman Reserve Grand Champion, plaques and certificates were awarded in a variety of categories.
For his goat having the highest average daily weight gain (ADG) at .313 pounds, Randy Yoder of Georgia won Champion ADG. Reserve Champion ADG was presented to Matthew and Jennifer Cantrell of Kansas. Their goat gained an average of .269 pounds per day during the test.
Producers of the goats with the lowest fecal egg counts (FEC) were also recognized. John Weber of Illinois and Dwight Elmore of Kansas were both named Co-Champion FEC as their goats tied at 41.67. Patricia Larr of Indiana and Aaron Perkins of Oklahoma were named Co-Reserve Champion FEC. Both produces’ goats tied for second place at 58.33.
For his buck averaging the highest ADG and the lowest FEC, Randy Yoder was also named Top Herdsman Grand Champion. Coming in overall second place, Matthew and Jennifer Cantrell were also named Top Herdsman Reserve Grand Champion. Both Yoder and the Cantrell’s were presented with champion certificates and ribbons.
Reserve Grand Champion - Meat goat producers Matthew and Jennifer Cantrell were named Reserve Grand Champion ADG for their goat having the second highest average daily weight gain during the 2017 Oklahoma Forage-Based Meat Goat Buck Test.
Top Herdsman Reserve Grand Champion – The Cantrell’s were also named Top Herdsman Reserve Grand Champion for their buck averaging the second highest ADG and second lowest FEC during the Test.
Written by David Deaton
Wister teen to participate in CRRA Rodeo Finals
Trisha Walden, a 16-year-old Junior at Wister High School, will be participating in the Finals of the CRRA Rodeo next week, October 12-14, 2017, at Harper Stadium in Ft Smith, Arkansas.
The top 15 barrel racers will be competing. Walden placed 11th with earnings of $1920.14.
Other local barrel racers competing at the CRRA Finals include earnings leader, Paula Mercer of Monroe, Oklahoma; Bre Dunn of Greenwood, Arkansas; Darby Duncan of Cameron, Oklahoma and Susan Smith of Heavener, Oklahoma.
Plan to come out and support the contestants in the season finals.
The Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association, headquartered in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, is one of the largest regional rodeo associations in the country. The CRRA sanctions more rodeos in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas than any other professional rodeo association.
The association aims to strengthen the sport of rodeo in the territories it covers.
Written by David Deaton
Southeast area Lake Report for Oct 4th
A service of the Oklahoma Wildlife Department
Broken Bow: October 1. Elevation below normal, water 84. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, points and standing timber. Channel, blue and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait and worms in coves and river mouth. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: October 1. Elevation normal, water murky. Spotted bass excellent on in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures and spinnerbaits in coves, around rocks, sandbars and shallows. Striped bass good on cut bait, live shad, shad and topwater lures below the dam and along the dam. Blue and flathead catfish being caught on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, shad and stinkbait along channels, in coves and the main lake. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: October 1. Elevation normal, water stained. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, flukes and topwater lures around brush structure and points. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure, river channel and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and worms below the dam and along shallows. Report submitted by Jim Gillham, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: October 2. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits in the main lake, around points, river channel and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits, live shad and spoons in coves, inlet, main lake and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait and dough bait in coves, along creek channels, inlet and riprap. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: October 1. Elevation normal, water clear. Trout good on PowerBait, tube jigs and worms in the discharge and around rocks. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: October 1. Elevation below normal, water 77 and clear. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits and topwater lures around brush structure, points and rocks. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: October 1. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure and in coves. Channel catfish good on cut bait along creek channels and in the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: October 1. Elevation normal, water stained. Crappie excellent on electric chicken Bobby Garland jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits along shallows and weed beds. Blue catfish fair on live shad and punch bait along channels and sandbars. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: October 2. Elevation below normal, water 77 and clear. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and tube jigs around brush structure, points, rocks, shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad and sunfish along channels, flats, main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: October 2. Elevation above normal, water clearing. Striped bass good on buzz baits, flukes and topwater lures in coves, around points and along shorelines. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait and shad around points, riprap, river mouth and spillway. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Cody Jones, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: October 1. Elevation above normal, water 76 and stained. Largemouth bass fair on bill baits, crankbaits, jigs and plastic baits in the main lake and river channel. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait in the main lake. Crappie slow on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, main lake and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
Written by David Deaton
Southeast Area Lakes Fishing Report for September 27th
A Service of the Oklahoma Wildlife Department
Arbuckle: September 24. Elevation normal, water 79 and stained. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass slow on crankbaits, flukes, jigs and plastic baits in the main lake and around points. White bass slow on jigs and lipless baits and long Johns along creek channels and main lake. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: September 25. Elevation normal, water 72 and clear. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, dough bait and stinkbait around brush structure, rocks and deeper pools below obstructions in current; fishing is best in campground area. Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, points and rocks. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: September 24. Elevation below normal, water 84. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, points and standing timber. Channel, blue and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait and worms along channels, creek channels and river channel. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: September 24. Elevation below normal, water murky. Striped bass excellent on cut bait, live bait, live shad and topwater lures below the dam and along the dam. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on hair jigs, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, small lures and worms along channels, in the main lake, sandbars and shorelines. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on crawfish, dough bait, live bait, live shad and PowerBait along channels, creek channels, the dam and river mouth. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: September 24. Elevation normal, water 79. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs along creek channels and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish slow on cut bait, shrimp and shad below the dam. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: September 25. Elevation normal, water 86 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, jigs, plastic baits and topwater lures in the main lake, around points, river channel and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on crankbaits, live shad and spoons in coves, inlet, main lake and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait and dough bait in coves, inlet, main lake and along riprap. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: September 24. Elevation normal, water clear. Trout good on caddis flies, plastic baits, PowerBait, tube jigs and worms along channels, river channel and rocks. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Lower Mountain Fork: September 20. Stocked approximately 3,000 rainbow trout on September 19. Report submitted by April Drake, secretary at the southeast region office.
McGee Creek: September 24. Elevation below normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures along creek channels, points and standing timber. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Joe Young, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 24. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around points and standing timber. Channel catfish good on hotdogs and punch bait along channels and in the main lake. Crappie good on minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: September 24. Elevation normal, water 83 and stained. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs at 10-12 ft. along creek channels and standing timber. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and topwater lures along creek channels and weed beds. Blue catfish good on juglines baited with cut bait and shad along flats, main lake and river channel. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: September 25. Elevation normal, water 79. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, lipless baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, riprap, rocks, along shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, shad and sunfish along channels and main lake. Crappie fair on minnows, jigs and tube jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: September 25. Elevation normal, water clearing. Striped bass good on flukes, shad and topwater lures in coves, the main lake, around points and riprap. Blue catfish good on cut bait and shad in the main lake, around points and river mouth. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Cody Jones, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: September 24. Elevation above normal, water 78 and stained. Largemouth bass slow on buzz baits, crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits and spinnerbaits around brush structure and the main lake. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait along flats and the main lake. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, main lake and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
Written by David Deaton
Deer, Elk, Turkey Archery Seasons Among Those With Oct. 1 Openers
A service of the Oklahoma Wildlife Department
Opening day for many archery hunting opportunities will be Oct. 1. Those planning to hunt are reminded to make sure they are up-to-date on licenses and hunter education requirements, and are familiar with all rules and regulations including field tagging, E-Check and legal equipment.
Deer Archery Season: Oct. 1 to Jan. 15, 2018
Last year, hunters set a harvest record for deer archery season, reporting 26,151 animals taken. And this year holds promise to be another banner year.
The state saw rainy conditions during spring and early summer, which benefited wildlife, food sources and vegetation. With the healthy vegetation this year, the deer could be more difficult to spot. Hunters as always are encouraged to scout before heading out to take advantage of deer movement patterns.
Oklahoma has one of the more liberal season bag limits nationwide for archery deer hunters, allowing six deer (only two of which may be bucks). All deer taken during archery season count toward a hunter’s combined season bag limit, and hunters must always field tag and report their harvest using the online E-Check system.
And since turkey archery season is open too, it is common for many deer hunters to buy and carry a turkey license into the woods in case they get the chance to harvest a bird.
Elk Archery Season-Private Lands: Oct. 1 to Jan. 15, 2018* (Except Special SW Zone)
Archers pursuing elk on private lands need to be aware of the seven elk-hunting zones in Oklahoma and the regulations for each of them. Elk hunting is not permitted on any Department-managed public land except through the Controlled Hunts program.
Last year, archers took 51 elk from private lands in 12 counties. The combined season limit is two elk of either sex.
*Each zone has a specified number of elk that can be taken, and when that number is met, the zone will close to all elk hunting. All elk hunters must check wildlifedepartment.com before hunting to ensure the zone is still open for hunting. In the Special Southwest Zone (Caddo, Comanche and Kiowa counties), archery elk season runs from Oct. 7-11 and Dec. 9-13 and there is no zone quota for number of elk harvested. Elk hunters must have written landowner permission.
Turkey Archery Season: Oct. 1 to Jan. 15, 2018
Turkey hunters may hunt statewide and are limited to one bird whether taken with archery or firearms. Hunter orange requirements apply for certain dates during the fall season, which are listed in the current Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Guide. And all harvests must be reported online using the E-Check system. If hunting Jan. 1 or after, turkey hunters must possess the current year licenses, which will still be valid the next fall season if unfilled this season.
Pronghorn Archery Season: Oct. 1 to Oct. 14
The only open areas are Cimarron County and the part of Texas County west of State Highway 136. Written landowner permission is required, and hunter orange rules apply on certain dates. The archery limit is two animals, only one of which may be a buck. All pronghorn must be field-tagged and taken to the physical check station listed in the regulations guide.
Scouting and visiting with landowners are keys to pronghorn hunting success. Last year, archery hunters took 31 pronghorns, nearly double the number from the previous year. This indicates the pronghorn population is returning to good health after several years of drought in the Panhandle.
Black Bear Archery Season: Oct. 1 to Oct. 15
Last season, 53 bears were taken with archery equipment on public and private lands in Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties (the only areas where bear hunting is permitted). Even though baiting is prohibited on public lands, about one-fourth of the annual archery harvest usually comes from public lands.
Bear hunters must buy their license before the first day of the season; licenses will not be sold after the season starts. Hunters may harvest one bear combined for all seasons.
A good strategy is to locate a tree with falling acorns along with signs of bear activity. Bears tend to feed anytime of day during the fall, so the more-patient hunters are often rewarded. All bears must be field-tagged and immediately reported via phone to a number listed in the regulations guide.
One change in big game regulations this year is the ability to use leashed tracking dogs to help find downed game. Trackers must notify a game warden beforehand, and no trackers may possess any means of take while tracking.
Also opening Oct. 1 is rabbit season, which will run through March 15, 2018. Hunters must follow the hunter orange rules when afield during any big game firearms hunting season.
Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide season dates. Complete details and regulations for each season can be found in the current "Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Guide," available in the Wildlife Department’s free phone application, online at wildlifedepartment.com, or in print anywhere hunting licenses are sold.
To learn more about archery hunting in Oklahoma, go online to wildlifedepartment.com