November 23, 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>


Arbuckle Lake meeting to offer insight to anglers
From field to freezer the right way
Outdoor Calendar
Fishing Report
Waterfowl Report


Arbuckle Lake meeting to offer insight to anglers
Lake of the Arbuckles has been making a name for itself as a premier bass fishery in recent years, producing three largemouth bass weighing over 12 lbs. each since 2008 alone. One of those tipped the scales at 14-lb. 8-oz. The lake is also providing anglers with quality crappie and white bass fishing opportunities. In short, the lake is serving as an important fishing destination for anglers, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is keeping the public informed by providing an opportunity Dec. 6 to learn about a range of Lake Arbuckle fishing information.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area’s Travertine Nature Center Auditorium. Guests will receive informative updates from Department fisheries biologists on the status of the fishery and related issues. Biologists will address the biological and social aspects of fisheries management and regulations at the lake, and they will present the new Lake of the Arbuckle Five-Year Management Plan developed by the Wildlife Department. Visitors will have a chance to provide feedback on the plan as well as visit with biologists about fishing at the lake.
“Angler opinions are important when developing management plans,” said Matt Mauck, south central region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “We encourage the angling public to join us for an evening of informative discussions and input opportunities.”
Lake of the Arbuckles was impounded in 1967 as a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir. At close to 2,350 acres, the Murray Co. lake offers fishing for all types of anglers and has been an active lake in the Department’s lake record fish program. Current lake records include a largemouth bass over 14 lbs., flathead and blue catfish weighing over 50 lbs., channel catfish weighing nearly 20 lbs. and smallmouth bass tipping the scales at over 4 lbs.
Anglers can learn more about fishing at Lake of the Arbuckles by attending the public meeting and can find regulations and harvest limits in the current “Oklahoma Fishing Guide,” available online at wildlifedepartment.com. The site will also offer a draft copy of the lake’s new management plan prior to the Dec. 6 meeting.
A map to the Travertine Nature Center is available online at http://www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisi...Cmap1_2010.pdf <http://www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/upload/CHICmap1_2010.pdf> .

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From field to freezer the right way
A hunter will tell you that the freezer full of meat that a harvested deer provides throughout the year is one of the most rewarding aspects of the deer hunting experience. It’s not difficult to take a deer from the field to the freezer, but some care and effort is required.
First and foremost, hunters must be properly licensed. To hunt deer in Oklahoma, residents must possess an appropriate hunting license. Additionally, hunters must carry a valid deer license for each deer hunted. Nonresident deer hunters are exempt from a hunting license while hunting deer, but they must possess an appropriate nonresident deer license or proof of exemption. Holders of nonresident lifetime hunting and combination licenses are not exempt from purchasing deer licenses. Licenses are available online at wildlifedepartment.com or at sporting goods dealers and other businesses across the state.
Upon harvesting a deer, all hunters, including lifetime license holders, must immediately attach their name and hunting license number as well as the date and time of harvest to their deer. The attached item can be anything, such as a business card, as long as it contains the required information and remains attached to the carcass until it is checked. In addition, all annual license holders are required to complete the “Record of Game” section on their license form.
All deer must be checked at the nearest open hunter check station, with an authorized Wildlife Department employee or online at wildlifedepartment.com within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area. Once checked, the deer will be issued a carcass tag or online confirmation number, which must remain with the carcass to its final destination or through processing and storage at commercial processing or storage facilities.
Deer should be field-dressed, or “hog-dressed,” as soon as possible to prevent spoilage of the meat. After field dressing, hunters may opt to butcher their own deer or have a reputable meat processor prepare it for them. In either case, the meat should be kept clean, cool and dry until it reaches the freezer.
“The second you harvest that deer, the clock starts ticking,” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “You need to get it cleaned and cool as soon as possible. Dirt, heat and moisture are three things you’ll want to keep away from and off of your deer meat all the way through field dressing and processing. The better you care for your venison in the hours immediately after a harvest, the better it will taste throughout the coming year when you go to the freezer for a cut of venison for the dinner table.”
To learn more about deer hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Deer hunting plays important economic role in Oklahoma
According to Joanna Matthews of the Antlers Chamber of Commerce, deer hunting season has an important impact on the local southeast Oklahoma community.
“It is like Christmas,” she said. “The Friday before opening day of rifle season, the highways and stores are all packed with people coming in to hunt.”
With deer gun season underway, similar sentiments are shared in other communities across Oklahoma, including those in the far western region of the state. Steve Musick with the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce said the Rogers Mills Co. community booms during deer season. Motels and restaurants fill up, and local hunting guide businesses stay busy with clients.
Drawn by family tradition, the chance to be outdoors, or even the opportunity to harvest a trophy animal, deer hunters who are participating in the season are having far-reaching effects on the state’s economy. Hunting sustains jobs, draws in-state and out-of-state business and floods the economy with millions of dollars each year. The number of people who hunt in Oklahoma could fill both Oklahoma University’s Owen Field and Oklahoma State University’s Boone Pickens Stadium almost two times, and deer hunters make up a large portion of those hunters.
Original expenditures made by hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers generate rounds of additional spending throughout the economy. According to the most recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2006), the total economic effect of deer hunting activity in Oklahoma during 2006 was estimated at nearly $500 million, and the total economic effect from 2006 hunting activity in Oklahoma in general was estimated to be about $843 million.
Expenditures made for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching activities support jobs throughout the state. Many of these jobs are in companies that directly serve recreationists, such as retailers, restaurants, motels and more. Others are in companies that support the first companies and employees such as wholesalers, utilities, manufacturers, grocers and more. Total jobs — full and part time — supported in Oklahoma in 2006 from deer hunting-related activities was estimated at about 5,662.
Given that outdoor recreation dollars are often spent in rural or lightly populated areas, the economic contributions of fish and wildlife resources can be especially important to rural economies.
Deer season draws hunters to Oklahoma from across the country as well as the thousands of sportsmen who live and work in Oklahoma. These hunters purchase gear — some of which is made right here in Oklahoma — and they stay in small-town hotels and spend money at local grocery stores, restaurants, and other vendors. Hunting is big business in Oklahoma and an important part of the fabric of the state’s economy — a relatively healthy one compared to other parts of the country.
During hard economic times, families and friends are drawn closer together through hunting, and the fabric of Oklahoma’s economy is woven even tighter and stronger thanks to a pastime enjoyed by thousands and supported by Oklahoma’s rich natural resources.
Deer gun season runs through Dec. 4, and deer archery runs through Jan. 15, 2012. Additionally, the holiday antlerless deer gun season will run Dec. 16-25 in open areas (refer to antlerless deer hunting zones map on page 25 of the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide for open areas). To learn more about deer hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

5-27: Waterfowl season dates for Zone 2. Consult the current “Oklahoma Waterfowl Guide” at wildlifedepartment.com for zone boundaries and bag limits.

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.

DECEMBER

1: Pheasant Season. Only in open counties. For complete details and regulations, consult the “2011-2012 Hunting Guide.”

3: Sooner Retriever Club Training Day. For more information contact Bill Blochowiak at labske@aol.com <mailto:labske@aol.com> .

5: 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.

10: Hackberry Flat: A Photographic Year-in-Review. A guest photographer will be invited to highlight his year at Hackberry Flat with an exhibit of images. The exhibit will be held at the Hackberry Flat Center in Frederick.

10-January 22: Waterfowl days for Zone 1. For complete details and regulations, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”

10-January 29: Waterfowl days for Zone 2. For complete details and regulations, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”

16-25: Holiday Antlerless Season. Only in open zones Consult the 2011-2012 Hunting Regulations.

17: Byron Hatchery Watchable Wildlife Area Nature Center will be open from 9 am – 3 pm. 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 email mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us or 405-990-4977.

26 & 27: State Offices Closed.


FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2011

CENTRAL

Hefner: November 22. Elevation below normal and rising, water 52-56 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits at 6-15 ft. in the weeds. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and jigs at 6-20 ft. in rocky areas. White bass good on good on grubs and Gay Blades at 2-10 ft. along rocky shorelines. Striped bass hybrids fair on grubs and Gay Blades at 6-10 ft. along rocky shorelines. Channel catfish good on cut bait and punchbait at 5-25 ft. in the water inlet and the dam. Blue catfish good on cut bait and punchbait at 5-20 ft. in the water inlet and the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-15 ft. at the dam. Walleye good on jerk baits at 4-8 ft. along rocky points and the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

NORTHEAST

Eucha: November 22. Elevation 6 3/4 ft. below normal and rising, water 56 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 13-15 ft. around brush. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Ft. Gibson: November 21. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 50 and clear. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in the submerged brush and structure. White and largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 10 ft. along the banks. Catfish fair on juglines baited with sunfish. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.

Kaw: November 21. Catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait in shallow water at the north end of the lake and slow on juglines baited with fresh shad. Report by David Rempe, game warden in Grant and Kay counties.

Keystone: November 22. Elevation normal, water 58. Catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: November 21. Elevation normal, water 46 and murky. Largemouth bass slow on topwater lures in the weed beds and coves. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Trout good fly-fishing on the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom at Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.

Oologah: November 20. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water lower 60s and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on livers and shad at 10 ft. around standing timber in north end of the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Pawhuska: November 21. Elevation below normal. Trout good on Power Bait and small spinnerbaits. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: November 21. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on sassy shad and ghost minnows in the discharge. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: November 22. Elevation slightly below normal, water 57 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

NORTHWEST

Canton: November 21. Elevation 12 ft. below normal. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near deeper brush. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: November 20. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60 and clearing. White bass being caught on jigs and spoons at 20 ft. off bluffs and on spoons at mid-lake humps. Crappie being caught at 35 ft. around brush and around docks early morning. Bass being caught on crankbaits, brown jigs and jerk baits and on spinnerbaits in stained water. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: November 22. Water 46 and murky. Trout good on garlic scented Power Bait, gold super dupers and meal worms. Fly-fishing good on woolly buggers, San Juan worms and caddis flies. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on soft plastics in deeper pools around structure. Channel catfish good on chicken livers and minnows in large pools. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: November 21. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on jigs around brush piles and mouths of creeks. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: November 20. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear in the east and murky in the west. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits in rocky areas. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad in shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-15 ft. around boat docks, riprap and standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Konawa: November 21. Elevation normal, water 60 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic worms at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: November 20. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits and swim baits at 6-12 ft. Crappie fair at 10-20 ft. around cedar brush just off of main creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: November 19. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits near rocky outcroppings. Crappie good on spoons around any deep structure. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Sardis: November 21. Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, swim baits, worms and spinnerbaits. Catfish good on cut bait and live minnows. Walleye good on trolling at 14-16 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: November 20. Elevation 7 1/4 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear south and murky north. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms at 5-15 ft. around underwater brush and riprap. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 10-20 ft. in the river channels and the points. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and stinkbait at 5-15 ft. from Alberta Creek to the north. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around underwater brush and the upper creek channel. Sunfish fair to good on worms, shrimp and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around the fish attractors and riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: November 21. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish fair to good on juglines baited with cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: November 20. Elevation 27 1/3 ft. below normal and rising. Catfish fair. Crappie fair to good on minnows. White bass fair to good on minnows. White bass fair to good on minnows from the bank near the dam. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson.


WATERFOWL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Waterfowl season is currently open for all zones. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The next waterfowl report is scheduled for December 7.

NORTHWEST

Canton – Zone 1: Water level is 11.7 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, but none are flooded. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair, with mostly Canada’s present. Hunter activity has been high, especially on the weekends. Hunter success has been good on ducks and fair on geese. Bird movement has been light, with a majority of geese heading south west of the lake to feed on agricultural fields. Water levels are well below boat ramps.

Ft. Supply – Zone 1: Water level is 3.11 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are moderate. Goose numbers are low. No reports on hunter activity since area was close for first nine days of deer gun season. Bird movement in the area has increased in the past week with cold front. 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.

Salt Plains NWR – Zone 1: Water level is 1.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, but no wetlands are flooded. Duck numbers are poor and decreasing. Goose numbers are fair and increasing, with Canada's representing the majority. Sandhill crane numbers are high. Hunter activity has been low due to wetlands being dry. Bird movement is high, with geese heading southwest and southeast of the lake to feed on agricultural fields and sandhill cranes heading south, southeast, east and northeast onto agricultural fields.

SOUTHWEST

Ft. Cobb – Zone 2: Water level is 3.81 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to water levels. Peanuts around the area are currently being harvested and winter wheat is planted around the lake. Duck numbers are low, but rising. Goose numbers are good. Hunter activity is fair, with good success on ducks and low success on geese. Observed increase in bird movement, with most ducks using the shoreline around the WMA and geese using the west side of the lake on private land fields.

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 good. Goose numbers are excellent. Hunting activity in the area has been low, with no reports of success. An increase in bird numbers has been seen with each frontal passage. All wetland units are dry, but flooding of Teal and Red Head units has begun.

Mtn. Park – Zone 2: Water level is 6.67 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with winter wheat planted and growing. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are good. Hunting activity has been low, with no reports on success. Bird movement in the area has increased, with most ducks using the shoreline around the lake, and geese using the south west side of the lake on the WMA and private land.

Waurika – Zone 2: Water level is 5.4 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor on the lake, but fair on the wetland units. Winter wheat present on most area agricultural land. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are fair. Hunter activity has been light, with no reports of success. A small increase in ducks has been observed on the lake recently.

NORTHEAST

Copan – Zone 2: Water level is 0.5 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are excellent, but still need more water. Duck numbers are low, with mostly teal. Goose numbers are low, with mostly resident birds. Hunter activity has been high on the weekends and low during the weekdays, with poor success. Bird movement in the area has been light, but increasing with each northern frontal passage.

Deep Fork NWR – Zone 2: River elevation is at 1.65 feet and has been declining. Habitat conditions are good, with water present in ponds and sloughs on the area. Duck numbers: mallard 150; gadwall 200; wood duck 600. Goose numbers: Canada 200. No reports on hunter activity with season currently closed on area, refuge does not open until after the season split. An increase in bird movement has been seen in the area with recent cold front up north moving more birds into the area.

Eufaula – Zone 2: Water level is 2.72 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair at current lake elevation, but a rise in water level is needed to improve conditions. Farming activity in the area is light. Duck numbers are fair, with a mix of species present. Goose numbers are low, with local resident birds present. Hunting activity is moderate, with fair to good success. No significant bird movement has been reported in the area, but a small increase has been observed in the last week.

Ft. Gibson – Zone 2: Water level is 1.03 feet above normal. Habitat condition is good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are moderate. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been moderate, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been picking up.

Hulah – Zone 2: Water level is 0.5 foot below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with harvested soybeans and wheat present. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been light, with poor success. A small increase in ducks moving into the area was observed over the past week.

Kaw – Zone 2: Water level is 0.66 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been light, with good success. Bird movement in the area has been light, with more activity expected with incoming cold fronts.

Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 0.20 feet above normal. Habitat conditions are good, with an abundant supply of natural food resources. Duck numbers are moderate, with a good number of ducks seen on the Arkansas River mudflats south of Cleveland. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been moderate, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been increasing with each passing cold front. Recent rainfall has made a big improvement to the area, with most sloughs and potholes filled enough to provide habitat and hunting opportunity. Southern three units of Cottonwood Creek WDU are also now flooded.

Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 2.11 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 gadwall, northern pintail, mallard and northern shoveler present. Goose numbers are fair, with migrant birds moving into the area. Hunter activity is moderate, with fair success. An increase in birds is expected over the next several weeks with each northern frontal passage.

Sooner – Zone 2: Water level is 3 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, with mostly winter wheat in the area and submerged aquatic vegetation in lake. Duck numbers are fair, with mostly scaup, ring-neck and mallard present. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. Hunting activity has been fair, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been light, but an increase in mallards was observed.

Webbers Falls – Zone 2: Water level is 2.48 feet above normal. Habitat condition is good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low to moderate. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been moderate, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been increasing.

SOUTHEAST

Hugo – Zone 2: Water level is 6 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low, with mallard, wood duck, gadwall and coot present. Goose numbers are low, with 200 Canada’s present. Hunter activity has been light, with poor success. Increase in geese moving through the area notice in the last week. All outlying areas are dry with the only usable water on the lake.

Red Slough – Zone 2: All moist soil units are dry, with Unit 21 40% full and Teal Lake 50% full. Habitat conditions are poor, need water. Duck numbers are fair, with around 3,200 birds. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been light, with fair success. Good movement of gadwalls and some mallards observed in the last week.

Texoma – Zone 2: Water level 6.50 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 fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been light, with poor success. An increase in bird movement has been observed in the area with recent cold front.

Wister – Zone 2: Water level 8 feet above normal and rising quickly. Habitat conditions are good, with various food sources available. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been moderate, with poor success. No significant bird movement was observed 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.


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