October 27, 2011
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
Website: www.wildlifedepartment.com <http://www.wildlifedepartment.com>
E-mail: info@odwc.state.ok.us <mailto:info@odwc.state.ok.us>

Rare endangered birds traveling through Oklahoma now
Department to hold vehicle auction
Heavy waterfowl traffic expected this season; Zone 1 duck season opens Oct. 29
Oklahoma’s wildlife brings fun to Halloween
Outdoor Calendar
Fishing Report
Waterfowl Report


Rare endangered birds traveling through Oklahoma now
Through mid-November, a flock of one of North America’s rarest birds will pass right through Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is asking state residents to report sightings.
“Just over 300 Whooping Cranes are en route from Canada to their wintering location along the central Texas coast,” said Mark Howery, wildlife diversity biologist for the Wildlife Department.
By 1941, only 19 of the cranes were known to exist due to loss of wetland habitat and unregulated market hunting during the mid 1800s. Though the species has never been common, the five-foot-tall endangered birds are slowly developing into a conservation success story.
“Conservation measures such as the protection of breeding and wintering habitats have helped the small population grow fifteen-fold over the past 70 years,” said Howery. “In Oklahoma, the Wildlife Department asks that you report any whooping crane sightings to aid this effort.”
Howery said the birds tend to use shallow wetlands, marshes, river bottoms and partially flooded pastures and grain fields in the western half of the state.
“Whooping cranes typically migrate during the day in groups of one to six birds,” Howery said. “They can be identified by their large size, bold white plumage, black tips on their feathers, red and black markings on their heads, and their long legs that extend beyond their tail feathers while in flight and long, stretched neck during flight.”
Despite their distinct appearance, they are often confused with the white pelican (short legs with a large band of black feathers along the trailing edge of each wing — not just the tip), snow goose (short legs not visible beyond tail feathers, flies in large flocks of 30 or more birds), and great egret (no black feathers on its wings, holds its neck in an S-shape when in flight). Also, during low light or backlit conditions, whooping cranes and sandhill cranes will both appear dark and can look similar.
To report a whooping crane sighting in Oklahoma, contact Howery at (405) 424-2728. The Department requests to receive information such as the date, time, approximate location, number of birds and habitat they were using during the sighting during the report.

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Department to hold vehicle auction
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has 31 pick-up trucks that will be up for public auction Nov. 3 at the agency’s headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City.
"We've got a lot of great used trucks that will be up for auction,” said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Wildlife Department. “All the vehicles up for auction are four-wheel drive pickups, just in time for hunting season."
The auction vehicles may fit the needs of sportsman who need a new hunting or fishing truck, someone looking to replace their daily driver or even a parent searching for just the right first vehicle for their teenage drivers.
“They could be just right for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, or even those who want a different vehicle to drive when there is snow and ice on the ground,” Hill said, since all of the vehicles are four-wheel drive.
Most of the trucks available at the auction are ½ and ¾-ton Fords and Chevrolets, with one Dodge one-ton dump truck available as well. Information about the vehicles, including make, model, VIN and mileage, are available for viewing on the Wildlife Department’s website at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/other/vehiclesale.htm <http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/other/vehiclesale.htm> .
"There's also a designated time period before the auction where buyers can come inspect the vehicles,” Hill said.
Vehicles will be sold "as is" to the highest bidder and can be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Department headquarters. High bidders will be required to pay the balance in full at the time of sale, and titles will be furnished with cash & certified cashier’s check only. Personal checks will be accepted (out-of-state checks not accepted); however, titles will be held for 14 days.
For more information, call Johnny Hill at (405) 521-4600.

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Heavy waterfowl traffic expected this season; Zone 1 duck season opens Oct. 29
With North American waterfowl populations higher now than ever recorded, Oklahoma hunters who can find ample water supply this winter could be in for some outstanding hunting. Zone 1 waterfowl season kicks off Oct. 29, followed by the Zone 2 opener Nov. 5. Waterfowl season in the Panhandle opened Oct. 8.
Every year wildlife biologists conduct waterfowl breeding population counts in the northern United States and Canada, and this year the counts show the highest numbers of ducks ever recorded, thanks to ideal breeding ground conditions and decades of cooperative waterfowl and habitat management efforts by state wildlife agencies, the U.S. and Canandian Fish and Wildlife Services, and sportsmen’s groups.
Drought in Oklahoma combined with one of the hottest summers on record has caused many lakes and ponds to dry up. While recent rains have started to saturate the ground once again, finding significant amounts of water to hunt may be challenging for some hunters, according to Josh Richardson, migratory game bird biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“Many lakes have a 100-yard stretch or more of dried lakebed before you even get to the water, which makes it difficult to find a good spot to hide,” Richardson said. “Still, the duck numbers are high this year and hunters who position themselves well should have ample opportunities.”
Every year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes frameworks to states for structuring their waterfowl seasons and limits, and Oklahoma’s long season and generous harvest limits represent a liberal season framework for hunters to enjoy.
The daily limit of six ducks may include no more than: five mallards (only two may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two scaup, two pintails and one canvasback. The daily limit of mergansers is five, of which no more than two may be hooded mergansers, and the daily limit of coots is 15.
To hunt ducks in Oklahoma, hunters must possess a valid hunting license, an Oklahoma waterfowl stamp, a federal duck stamp and a Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit. More information and regulations — including information on goose and sandhill crane seasons — is available online at wildlifedepartment.com or in the current “Oklahoma Waterfowl Guide,” available free at locations where hunting licenses and duck stamps are sold.

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Oklahoma’s wildlife brings fun to Halloween
From snakes and spiders to bats and other night flyers, Oklahoma is home to an abundance of iconic Halloween-related wildlife. Oklahoma’s most iconic Halloween animal is the Mexican free-tail bat, declared the state flying mammal in 2006 by Governor Brad Henry.
“Oklahoma has 23 species and sub-species of bats,” said Melynda Hickman, wildlife diversity biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “The Mexican free-tail, cave myotis, Eastern red bat and big brown bat are among the most common bats in Oklahoma.”
While many people believe that bats are scary, dirty or that they carry diseases, they actually provide a valuable ecological and economic service to the state.
“It is estimated that bats in northwest Oklahoma may save farmers up to $3 million a year by consuming significant numbers of agricultural pests,” said Hickman.
At night, bats consume at least half their body weight in flying insects such as mosquitoes, moths, flying ants and beetles. The Mexican free-tailed bats that use the Selman Bat Cave in northwest Oklahoma each summer consume 20,000 pounds of flying insects each night. Many of these insects, such as corn earworms, damage crops.
Make plans next summer to attend a Selman Bat Watch tour guided by Hickman and see millions of bats fly over your head and off into the twilight sky at Alabaster Caverns State Park near Woodward. Subscribe to the Wildlife Department’s Wildside monthly e-newsletter to keep up to date with summer 2012 registration periods. Wildside is an electronic newsletter that provides information about wildlife-viewing events; common, declining and endangered wildlife species; citizen-participation opportunities; Wildilfe Department projects and more. To subscribe to the free newsletter, log http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wi...t/wildside.htm <http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlifemgmt/wildside.htm> .
Depending on the type of bat, Oklahoma bats not only use caves, but also trees, bridges and other human structures such as buildings for their daytime roosts.
Instead of having a pumpkin carving contest at your Halloween party, help bat conservation and build a bat house. Hickman said homemade bat houses can even be donated to the nearest state park or wildlife management area so the park naturalists and wildlife biologists can place the bat houses in the bats’ preferred locations. A 34-page Bathouse Builder’s Handbook is available through the Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Store on wildlifedepartment.com for $7.50. Additionally, the website provides more information on Oklahoma’s bats, owls, snakes and other Halloween icons.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OCTOBER

31: School land lease auction for Pawnee, Payne, Logan and Noble counties at Payne County Fairgrounds. For more information http://www.clo.ok.gov/REM/2011REMFal...onSchedule.pdf <http://www.clo.ok.gov/REM/2011REMFallAuctionSchedule.pdf> .

NOVEMBER

1: School land lease auction for Cleveland, Lincoln, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties Gordon Cooper Technology Center. For more information, log on to http://www.clo.ok.gov/REM/2011REMFal...onSchedule.pdf <http://www.clo.ok.gov/REM/2011REMFallAuctionSchedule.pdf> .

3: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation vehicle auction. The sale will start promptly at 6 p.m. in the parking lot, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. Registration begins at 5 p.m.

5: Sooner Retriever Club Training Day. For more information contact Bill Blochowiak at labske@aol.com <mailto:labske@aol.com> 5-27: Waterfowl days for Zone 2. Check regulations for zones and bag limits.

5: Sapulpa's Pretty Water Lake Trout Derby from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free for City of Sapulpa trout permit holders, $5 for non-permit holders. Prize is given every hour for largest trout caught. This event is sponsored by Sapulpa Parks and Recreation Dept. Pretty Water Lake is located just minutes from downtown Sapulpa off Highway 97 between Sapulpa and Sand Springs. Turn West off Hwy 97 onto 86th St.; after approximately two miles you’ll see the lake on the south side of 86th St. Visit Sahoma Lake Bait & Concession Store for all your fishing needs, snacks, cold beverages and clean restrooms. Sahoma Lake is located just ¼ mile west of Pretty Water Lake. For more information call the Sahoma Bait & Concession Store at (918) 227-1534.

5-6: National Wild Turkey Foundation Women in the Outdoors event at Tenkiller State Park and The Methodist Boys Ranch. There are 39 different classes being offered from Outdoor Survival Skills to Making River Cane Flutes. Fore more information contact Leann Bunn, naturalist and event coordinator at (918) 489-5641 or lbunn@oklahomaparks.com <mailto:lbunn@oklahomaparks.com> . For more information, log on to nwtf.org.

7: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK at 9 a.m.

12: Wheelin Sportsman Gun Bash Benefit at the McAlester Country Club, doors will open at 6 p.m. This Wheelin' Sportsmen benefits give you a chance to go home with one of 30 firearms that will be given away that night and have a great time with friends. Tell your friends. You do not have to be present to win. Ticket prices: one ticket for individuals not able to attend - $85; one ticket with meal for those who can attend - $100.00; 1 ticket with two meals for those who can attend - $120. You can purchase as many tickets has you want. To purchase a ticket, contact Gary Garman at (918) 470-8279 or Gary Brooks at (918) 421-0800 or Angie Grippando at (918) 470-7320.

12- Feb. 15, 2012: Quail Season. Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons. For more information consult the “2011-2012 Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available free online at wildlifedepartment.com.

19: Byron Hatchery Watchable Wildlife Area Nature Center will be open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The biologist on duty will be happy to visit with visitors about wildlife in the area or take a walk with you on the nature trail. For more information about these events, e-mail mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us or (405) 990-4977.

19-Dec. 4: Deer Gun Season (Antlerless days vary by zone). Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons. For more information, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available free online at wildlifedepartment.com.


FISHING REPORT FOR OCTOBER 26, 2011

CENTRAL

Hefner: October 24. Elevation below normal and rising, water 55-63 and murky. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits at 3-8 ft. in rocky areas. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on sassy shad, grubs and rooster tails at 2-8 ft. at the water inlet area. Channel catfish excellent on punchbait and cut bait at 5-10 ft. at the water inlet area and the dam. Blue catfish good on cut bait at 5-12 ft. at the water inlet and the dam. Crappie fair on jigs at 8-20 ft. at the dam. Walleye good on jerk baits and grubs at 2-8 ft. along rocky shores and the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

NORTHEAST

Eucha: October 25. Elevation 8 3/4 ft. below normal, water 61 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Ft. Gibson: October 23. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 70 and clear. White bass good on white spinnerbaits and sassy shad along the windy points while wading. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in shallow water and around structure. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in shallow water brush. Catfish excellent on shad drifting and juglines. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.

Greenleaf: October 24. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, bill baits and jig-and-worm around brush structure, shorelines, rocky points and creek channels. Catfish good on fresh cut bait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: October 24. Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, spinnerbaits and classic lizard baits around brush piles and stump areas. Blue catfish good on cut shad off the edge of river channels. Crappie good on small jigs and minnows at 6-8 ft. around brush piles. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.

Keystone: October 23. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 69. Largemouth bass good on jigs and crankbaits at 10-15 ft. Catfish good on cut bait at 10-15 ft. Crappie good at 15 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Oologah: October 23. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water mid 60s and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10 ft. around brush piles. White bass fair on jigs at 5-10 ft. off main lake points. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Sooner: October 25. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on ghost minnows and sassy shad in the discharge and fair on live shad and slabs in the lake. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait in channels and around points. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: October 25. Elevation slightly below normal, water 63 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Webbers Falls: October 24. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jig-and-worm along riprap, creek channels and brush structure. Catfish good on fresh cut bait drifting and on mudflats. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush structure and bridges. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: October 23. Elevation 9 ft. below normal, water stained. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on shad and slabs. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: October 24. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 69-70 and clear to stained up creek arms. Bass being caught on shaky head worms, Carolina-rigged creature baits and pearl flukes early morning hours. White bass being caught jigging spoons at 28-33 ft. along creek channels. Crappie being caught on chartreuse and white jigs on all brush piles and docks. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Broken Bow: October 23. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits around points, structure, mouths of creeks and ledges early and late. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: October 23. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits around rocky areas and deeper windy points. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting the shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 6-15 ft. around bridges, highway riprap and standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Konawa: October 24. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 70 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 5-10 ft. along points and road beds. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: October 23. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 71 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits and swim baits at 4-10 ft. and on topwater lures along the shorelines early and late. Crappie fair at 8-16 ft. around cedar brush just off of main creek channels. Channel catfish fair to good on juglines with sunfish for bait. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: October 23. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits near rocky outcroppings. Crappie good on spoons around deep structure. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: October 25. Elevation normal, water 68 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on soft crankbaits and spinnerbaits along shorelines. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with shad and cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles and standing timber. Report submitted by Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: October 23. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 76 and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and topwater lures. Channel catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. Walleye fair trolling. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: October 23. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water 72 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic combination baits, surface lures and crankbaits at 5-15 ft. in the upper creeks. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, surface lures, slabs and sassy shad at 10-15 ft. in the river channels. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and cut shad at 10-15 ft. from Platter Flats to the north. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around underwater brush. Sunfish fair to good on worms, shrimp and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around riprap and fish attractors. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: October 24. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures early and late. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut shad and liver, best on night crawlers. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: October 23. Elevation 27 3/4 ft. below normal and dropping. Catfish fair. Crappie fair to good on minnows, worms and shrimp. White bass fair to good on minnows and worms from the bank near the dam. Walleye good on minnows, worms and shrimp. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson.

Ellsworth: October 23. Elevation 10 ft. below normal, water murky. Catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Ft. Cobb: October 26. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 63 and clear. Only Sunset Boat Ramp and Lemon Hill still open. Catfish being caught on whole shad in White Catfish Cove early nights. Crappie slow on jigs around marina and boat slips in evenings. Report submitted by Sgt. Kevin Bean, park ranger at Ft. Cobb State Park.

Foss: October 26. Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal with gates closed, water high 60s and clear. Striped bass hybrids fair on live bait and slabs. Walleye slow to fair. Catfish good on cut shad. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Lawtonka: October 23. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water clear. Catfish good on cut bait drifting. Striped bass hybrids good on minnows, small spinnerbaits and jigs at the pipeline. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.


WATERFOWL REPORT FOR OCTOBER 26, 2011


Duck season is currently open for Panhandle Counties. Zone 1 opens Saturday October 29, and Zone 2 opens Saturday November 5. Youth Waterfowl opportunities October 29-30 for Zone 2, see regulations for details. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The next waterfowl report is scheduled for November 2.


NORTHWEST


Canton – Zone 1: Water level is 10 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, but none are flooded. Duck numbers are low, with mostly divers. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement has increased over the last week. Water levels are well below boat ramps.

Ft. Supply – Zone 1: Water level is 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low, with mostly coots. No geese were observed on the area. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light. The WMA portion of the lake is currently surrounded by approximately 100 yards or more of open shoreline, with no boat ramps open for use.

SOUTHWEST


Ft. Cobb – Zone 2: Water level is 4.22 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to water levels. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.


Hackberry – Zone 2: Water level is approximately 5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions in the area are poor, with some winter wheat. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light. All wetland units are dry.


Mtn. Park – Zone 2: Water level is 7.59 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. No reports of bird movement in the area.

Waurika – Zone 2: Water level is 5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor on the lake and on wetlands units. Some winter wheat has been planted but generally little is available for geese. Virtually no crops for ducks on surrounding private property. No ducks or geese observed. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Lake is very low due to drought. The lake is too low for wetland unit flooding.


NORTHEAST


Copan – Zone 2: Water level is 2 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, just need water. Duck numbers are low, with mostly teal. Goose numbers are low, with mostly resident birds. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.

Eufaula – Zone 2: Water level is 4.04 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at current lake elevation. Farming activity in the area is light. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with local resident birds present. No reports of hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.

Ft. Gibson – Zone 2: Water level is 1.04 feet below normal. Habitat condition is good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low. No geese were observed in the area. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.


Hulah – Zone 2: Water level is 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, just need water. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.


Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with a very abundant source of food, but no flooded food source. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports of hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.


Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 2.59 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair to good at current lake level. 550 to 600 acres seeded with Japanese millet, but not flooded at this time. Duck numbers are fair, with mostly blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and northern shoveler. Goose numbers are poor, with resident Canadians present. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been poor to fair, with most activity in the wetland units at Overcup Bottoms WDU. An increase in birds is expected over the next several weeks with each northern frontal passage.

Sooner – Zone 2: Water level 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Most of the winter wheat is in poor condition. Duck numbers are low, some wigeon, redhead and scaup. Goose numbers are low, some resident Canadians. No hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.

Webbers Falls – Zone 2: Water level is 2.73 feet below normal. Habitat condition is good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low. No geese were observed in the area. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light.


SOUTHEAST


Grassy Slough – Zone 2: Wetland units and slough dry. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. No reports of bird movement.

Hugo – Zone 2: Water level is 6 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. Bird movement in the area has been light. All wetland areas are currently dry at this time.

Red Slough – Zone 2: Reservoirs are low, with most soil units dry. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are low. No geese were observed on the area. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. No reports of bird movements on the area.

Texoma – Zone 2: Water level 7.06 feet below normal. Food conditions in the area are good, but water level needs to rise for in order for it to be flooded. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. No reports of bird movement in the area.

Wister-Zone 2: Water level is 2.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to low water level. Duck numbers are very low on lake. Duck numbers are low on WDU. No geese are present. No reports on hunter activity or success with season currently closed. No reports of bird movement in the area.


This program operates free from discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation, race, creed, color, gender, age, ancestry, marital status or disability. A person who feels he or she may have been discriminated against or would like further information should write: Director, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.