Welcome to the Oklahoma Chapter of Navhda

For Immediate Release
February 13, 2003
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856
Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Great spring fishing ahead
Hunters asked to help manage snow goose populations
Check line 34 for wildlife
Bobcat pelts bring higher prices
Outdoor Calendar
Hunter Education
Fishing Report

Great spring fishing ahead

If the early bird gets the worm, then the early angler gets the fish.
The first few months of the year are very productive for fishermen,
especially those who target big fish. If you need proof just check out the
record book 26 out of the 39 official Oklahoma rod and line record fish
were caught in the first five months of the year.
"Early spring is a great time to get outside and go fishing," said Barry
Bolton, assistant fisheries chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. "After the long winter, fish are becoming more active as
they build up their energy reserves in preparation for spawning."
Fishing is a great way to escape from the house and spend time enjoying
the spring weather and the beauty of Oklahoma's outdoors. Ponds, streams,
rivers and lakes provide Oklahoma's sportsmen ample opportunity for a
quality fishing experience.
"Farm ponds are a particularly good bet early in the year, but don't
forget to obtain permission to fish from the landowner. The fish are
responding to increasing water temperatures, which usually rise quicker
than they do in larger bodies of water. Of course, temperatures are also
rising slowly in many of our rivers and lakes, and fishing will only get
better as those temps continue to rise."
Farm ponds are not the only place where good fishing can be found.
"It won't be long until anglers will be seeking out their favorite spot
for the annual white bass (sand bass) run," Bolton said. "The spawning run
begins in early March and continues through April in Oklahoma. Most
creeks, streams and rivers that flow directly into a major reservoir are
good places to find white bass. Fishing can be fantastic during these
annual runs."
Early spring is also a great time to target crappie, one of the states
most sought after fish species.
"Crappie will soon begin moving into the shallows of lakes and reservoirs
around the state," Bolton said. "You can catch them from the bank or from
a boat, and crappie are hard to beat at a fish fry."
>From walleye to catfish, bass to bluegill, spring time is the right time
to go fishing.
"No matter what kind of fishing you like to do, just get out there and
go," Bolton said. "The state is blessed with thousands of acres of
fishable waters and you can enjoy some great fishing with very basic
equipment, so there isn't any reason not to get out and enjoy the
opportunity."
Before heading out, anglers should consult the "2003 Oklahoma
Fishing Guide" for specific species and area regulations as well as
license requirements. The guides are available at fishing and hunting
license vendors across the state or by logging on to the Department's Web
site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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Hunters asked to help manage snow goose populations

Once again, hunters are being called on to help manage the overpopulation
of snow geese. The Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS), which
takes effect February 17 and runs through March 30, is designed to reduce
the mid-continent light geese population.
Light geese, which include snow, blue and Ross' geese, have become so
numerous that they are causing severe habitat destruction to their Arctic
breeding grounds. Since 1999, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation has cooperated with the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service to establish the COLGS.
"Continued habitat destruction to fragile arctic and subarctic habitats
also affects a wide variety of other migratory bird species and arctic
animals," said Mike O'Meilia, migratory bird biologist for the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Hunters are always the first
conservationists to step up and support wildlife management efforts, and
the COLGS presents a unique opportunity for hunters to contribute to this
important conservation effort."
Due to land-use practices in the south-central U.S. which are beneficial
to light geese, adult survival rates have increased significantly. The
overpopulation of light geese continue to degrade Arctic habitat. Because
snow geese feed by grubbing and pulling out plants by the roots, large
numbers can literally destroy extensive areas of the tundra.
"Hunting is one of the most effective tools we have to manage the over
population of light geese," said O'Meilia. "The special COLGS regulations
are designed to maintain the long-term health and stability of light goose
populations."
The COLGS provides for certain special methods of take, including one-half
hour after sunset shooting hours, no bag limits, electronic calls and
unplugged shotguns. Even with the special regulations, the birds can be
very challenging to harvest in Oklahoma, according to O'Meilia.
"The majority of birds, once they leave their wintering grounds on the
Gulf Coast, will overfly our state, but the eastern half of the state is
where most light geese can be found," he said. "The spring distribution
however, can be very scattered, so successful hunters will have to be
diligent about their day to day scouting."
For more information and regulations on the COLGS, hunters should consult
the "2002-2003 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide," available at license
dealers across the state, or by logging on to the Department's Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Federal law requires that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
estimate the harvest of light geese during the Conservation Order Light
Goose Season. Hunters who plan to pursue snow, blue and Ross' geese during
the Conservation Order are asked to register with the Department and
provide their name, address and telephone number so a harvest survey can
be administered when the COLGS ends.
Hunters can register for the season by going to the Department's Web site:
www.wildlifedepartment.
com/Survey/COLGS/COLGS.htm
Or they can mail a letter or postcard to:
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Attn: COLGS; P.O. Box 53465;
Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

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Check line 34 for wildlife
Oklahomans concerned about wildlife conservation are urged to make a
refund donation from line 34 of their state tax form this year. Thanks to
tax form changes for 2002 it's now a two-step process, you must also go to
schedule 511-H to make your donation to this important program.
The refund check-off provides vital funding for the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation's Wildlife Diversity Program.
"For more than 18 years now, Oklahomans have been supporting the Wildlife
Diversity Program by donating a portion of their tax refund," said Ron
Suttles, natural resources coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "By
sharing their refund, they help protect our state's biological diversity.
This is an easy and very important way for Oklahomans to show they care
about wildlife."
The Wildlife Diversity Program funds and performs surveys of rare and
endangered species, produces a variety of wildlife-related brochures and
guides, coordinates wildlife-viewing events throughout the state, and
helps establish new places and opportunities through which the public can
enjoy wildlife.
Remember, to help fund activities like these, make a refund donation on
line 34 from line 1 of schedule 511-H of your state tax form this year, or
have your tax preparer do so for you. There have been several changes to
the 2002 tax forms, for questions regarding your donation to the Wildlife
Diversity Program call the Oklahoma Tax Commission at (800) 522-8165; ext:
13160.
Direct donations can also be made out to:
Wildlife Diversity Program, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
P.O. Box 53465, OKC, OK 73152.
Another way to support the Wildlife Diversity Program and show support for
wildlife is by purchasing a $25 Wildlife Conservation License Plate. Five
attractive designs of the popular license plates are available at your
local tag agent.
The Wildlife Department is funded by the sale of hunting and fishing
licenses, federal excise taxes placed on hunting and fishing equipment and
by private donations. The Department does not receive any general state
tax appropriations.
Contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at (405) 521-4616 for more
information about any of these activities or products, or visit the
Department's web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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Bobcat pelts bring higher prices

Fur buyers recently gathered in Chandler to attend the first of two fur
auctions hosted by the First Oklahoma Trappers and Predator Callers
Association.
Fur prices are on the rise this year, with bobcat pelts bringing an
average of $50 and a high of $110. Coyotes were also up with an average of
$15 and a high of $25. Grey fox averaged out at $11 with a high of $13.
Hunters and trappers will have one more chance to sell their bounty this
year. The second auction will be held Saturday, March 1 at the Creek
County Fairgrounds near Sapulpa at the intersection of Route 66 and SH 33.
The event will begin at 8 a.m., and the auction will start at 9 a.m. The
building will also be open the day before the sale from 2 - 5 p.m. for
dealer set-ups and for harvesters to store furs.
To participate in the auction, sellers must have a current Oklahoma
trapping and hunting license. Sellers must also be members of the First
Oklahoma Trappers and Predator Callers Association. Furs may be stretched
and dried or "green." All bobcat pelts must be affixed with an export tag
before they can be sold or shipped. Personnel from the Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation will be present to provide tags, if necessary.
In addition, sellers who bring furs that belong to another person must
possess that person's hunting and trapping license, as well as a letter
signed by that person authorizing the seller to sell his or her fur.
Likewise, fur buyers are required to possess an Oklahoma fur buyer's
permit in order to purchase unprocessed fur. For more information, contact
Bill Jackson or Dee Jackson at (918) 336-8154.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
22: Eagle viewing event at Beavers Bend State Park. Meet at the Nature
Center at 9 a.m. for eagle viewing along the Mountain Fork River. For more
information please call: (580) 494-6556.

21-23: Green Country Tackle & Hunting Show, Expo Center, Claremore.

21-23: Oklahoma Ducks Unlimited Dinner, Two Man Calling Contest Chapter.
Please check with James Keith: (918) 443-2292.

22: Eagle viewing event at Lake Wister State Park. Program starts at 9:30
a.m. Eagle viewing on the lake by pontoon boat, space limited so advanced
reservations are required, cost for boat tour is $5.00. For more
information, please call: (918) 655-7886.
22: Project WILD at OU-Norman from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. To sign-up contact
Debbie Hubbard (405) 325-1947. Workshops are six hours with a working
lunch where participants bring lunch and work on assignments as they eat.
26 & March 3: Project WILD at Mayo Demonstration School, Tulsa. To
sign-up contact Diana Stockton (918) 925-1500. 3-6 p.m. both days.
Workshops are six hours with a working lunch where participants bring
lunch and work on assignments as they eat.
28: Stars over the Wichitas sites tour at Wichita Mountains National
Wildlife Refuge meets at the Refuge Headquarters. Headquarters are located
on the west side of the refuge approx. six miles from the Visitor Center.
Star viewing program begins 30 minutes after sunset at Boulder Gate. Lawn
chair suggested. Program cost is $3. For more information and
reservations: (580) 429-3222.
27- March 2: Backwoods Hunting and Fishing Expo at the State Fairgrounds
Transportation Building, OKC. Thurs. 3-8 p.m., Fri and Sat. noon to 8 p.m.
and Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
MARCH
1 & 2: NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show and Sale at Tulsa Marriott Southern
Hills (1902 East 71st St.), Tulsa. March 1 (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.) and March 2
(11 a.m. - 5 p.m.). For more information contact NatureWorks at (918)
296-4ART or www.natureworks.org.
STATEWIDE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSES
Course locations are listed by town, followed by date, course location and
time. If a phone number is listed, pre-registration is required. Courses
are a minimum of 10 hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a
score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, contact
the Wildlife Department's Hunter Education Hotline at (405) 521-4650 or
check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm.

OKC: Feb. 20; Home Study, H&H Gun range; (405) 947-3888; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Tulsa: Feb 21 & 22; Parkview Baptist Church, (5805 S. Sheridan); (918)
492-4545; Feb. 21 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and Feb. 22 (8 a.m.- 4 p.m.).
Duncan: Feb 21 & 22; Stephens County Fairgrounds, Feb. 21 (6 p.m. - 10
p.m.) and Feb. 22 (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.).
Higgins: Feb. 22; ODWC Southeast Regional Office, Higgins; Register from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at (918) 297-0152; 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Owasso: March 1; Community Center, (301 S. Cedar); (918) 299-2334; 8
a.m. - 7 p.m.

FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2003
NORTHEAST
Birch: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 36 and clear. Hybrid
striped bass fair on crankbaits and live shad; crappie fair on minnows and
jigs, 12-20 ft. in creek channel drop-offs and around structure.
Copan: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal and clear. Crappie good near creek
channels and off rocky points and along the face of the dam on small jigs
and minnows at a depth of 8-10 ft.; black and white bass poor; catfish
poor below the dam, blues fair in the lake near the dam and on rocky
points on shad.
Eucha: Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water 38 and clear. Crappie good on
minnows and jigs around brush 18-20 ft. deep.
Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs
around fishing docks; catfish good on cut bait on bottom.
Hulah: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and clear. Crappie fair in deeper
water of creek channels and on the face of the dam on small tube jigs and
minnows at a depth of 6-8 ft.; black and white bass poor; catfish poor
below the dam and fair in the lake in river channels and near the dam on
live bait and shad.
Kaw: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 40 and clear. Crappie excellent
over sunken brushpiles along rip-rap on dark colored in jigs 1/16 oz. to
1/8 oz. in the brush at 15-20 ft.
Keystone: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and clear. Crappie fair around
brush piles in 12-16 ft. on minnows and jigs are excellent bait; striper
fair below dam during generation, in the evening. White feather jig and
cork or 3-inch pearl sassy shad and cork are excellent baits. Catfish fair
in the lake. A few blue cats are being caught in coves using cut bait.
Oologah: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 40 and clear. Crappie fair
on minnows around brush piles 25 ft.
Skiatook: Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal, water 41 and clear. Crappie
fair at 15-25 ft., at night, in docks, brush piles and under bridges with
live bait or jigs.
Spavinaw: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 42 and clear. Crappie good
on minnows and jigs around dam area 20-25 ft. deep.
Tenkiller: Elevation 6 ft. below normal and 40. Smallmouth and spotted
bass fair in brushpiles or docks on jigs; crappie fair in brush 20-25 ft.
or in docks 20-25 ft. on jigs; catfish fair on flip-flops with cutbait
25-50 ft.; sunfish good around docks 20-25 ft. with worms on small jigs or
hooks.
Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Catfish good on cut bait and
worms on bottom; crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 14-18 ft. around
brush structures and bridges.
NORTHWEST
Great Salt Plains: Lake murky and rivers clear. Saugeye good on topwater
lures. All fishing areas are accessible. The restrooms are still closed.
On the lake side good baits are chartreuse, lime green, bubble gum, and
pearl white and shad frozen or fresh shad.
SOUTHEAST
Eufaula: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 38 and clear. White bass good
below dam when running water; channel catfish good on fresh shad drifting
creek channels; crappie good at 16 ft. on minnows and jigs around boat
docks and brush piles.
Konawa: Elevation normal, water 53 and clear. Black bass good on
crankbaits at 5-10 ft. along road beds and points. Channel catfish fair on
chicken liver at 15 ft. in discharge channel.
Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair on fox squirrel nymph, gnat,
various soft hackled flies, and midge imitations. Zone 3 has been too high
to fish most of the time.
Murray: Elevation normal, water 36 and clear. Bass slow. Smallmouth bass
beginning to hit on minnow on bottom and around brush; crappie fair on
jigs and minnows around brush piles at indoor fishing dock; sunfish fair
on bottom around brush; carp beginning to move around on lake bottom.
Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 48 and murky. Catfish good on
fresh cut bait, 15-20 ft. fishing old creek channel around lake.
Sardis Lake: Elevation normal, water 42 and murky. Crappie fair on
minnows, 10-15 ft. around tower.
Texoma: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 46 and clear. Striped bass
fair on live shad, 15-25 ft. around islands and good on live shad 30 ft.
in the upper ends of the lake where the rivers come into the lake.
SOUTHWEST
Ellsworth: Elevation 9 ft. below normal. The only useable boat ramp is at
Ralph's Resort. Blue catfish fair on fresh cut shad around points.
Foss: Elevation normal, water 38 and clear. Gates closed. White bass fair;
hybrids fair; catfish good and saugeye and walleye fair.