November 16, 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>

Current rut activity at a glance
Deer gun season at a glance
No hunter ed is no problem for most Oklahomans who still want to hunt this weekend
Hunters making a difference for the hungry
Outdoor Calendar
Fishing Report
Waterfowl Report


Current rut activity at a glance
Deer rifle season kicks off Saturday, Nov. 19, and promises as usual to be the biggest day of the year for hunting in Oklahoma.
With 63 percent of last year’s total deer harvest coming from Oklahoma’s rifle hunting seasons, it accounts for the greatest portion of deer taken by hunters. Surveys indicate that last year, more than 156,000 hunters took part in the 16-day regular deer gun season alone, and when taking into account the youth deer gun and holiday antlerless deer seasons, that number jumps to nearly 204,000.
Preliminary harvest numbers from muzzleloader season show that the current state harvest is similar to what it was this time last year, with physical deer check stations down slightly over 30 percent in the number of deer checked, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s online check station up by about 34 percent in the number of deer checked.
“We are on par with last season,” said Jerry Shaw, big game biologist for the Wildlife Department. “While many feel we are off to a slow start, we are tracking pretty closely with last year’s data.”
In anticipation for what is hopefully another great year for deer hunters, personnel with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are offering information just in time on current rutting activity in regions across the state. The rut, or deer breeding season, is a biological process that typically occurs around mid November. Deer activity during the rut picks up but the amount of activity can be influenced by a host of factors such as day length, temperatures, moon phase and herd condition.

NORTHWEST
The northwest region of Oklahoma is famed for its excellent deer hunting — not to mention big deer — and biologists believe opening weekend will be timed well with rutting activity.
Drought has had an impact on food and water availability in the region. All spring and summer food plot plantings on northwestern wildlife management areas failed, and water and food availability in the region is limited. However, fall food plots on WMAs and wheat fields in the area appear to have benefited from recent rains and are reportedly in fair condition.
According to Steve Conrady, northwest region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, rut activity in the northwest region is “fairly consistent” year to year, and most reports so far indicate that only the early stages of rutting activity have occurred. These signs include immature bucks sparring and chasing unreceptive does, and increased activity at scrapes.
“The general consensus is that the deer rut will be very near the peak by opening weekend of deer gun season,” Conrady said.
According to Eddie Wilson, Wildlife Department biologists stationed at Cooper and Ft. Supply WMAs, the deer rut in his area “usually kicks off somewhere between Nov. 15-20.”
“With the dark of the moon coinciding with opening weekend, hunting should be good,” Wilson said.
According to Weston Storer, biologist stationed at Beaver River, Optima, Rita Blanca and Schultz WMAs, the Panhandle has received some needed rain, but forage is limited. Storer said young bucks are showing early rutting activity.
“On Nov. 10, in the middle of the day, a buck destroyed both my archery targets in my backyard,” said Storer, who expects the rut to be in “full swing” by the opening weekend of gun season on Beaver River WMA.
According to bowhunters using Canton WMA during the weekend of Nov. 12-13, deer movement has continued to remain “very slow,” with most deer activity taking place during the last hour of legal shooting light. Kyle Johnson, biologist stationed at Canton, said rattling has drawn attention from young bucks, and scrapes are being actively visited after shooting hours.
“At this point, it looks favorable that at least the early part of the deer gun season should be very good for rut activity,” Johnson said.

NORTHEAST
Rutting activity in the northeast region may be more underway than in the northwest, with reports that bucks of all age classes “are chasing hard.” According to Craig Endicott, northeast region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, the rut may already be reaching its peak, but breeding activity will likely remain strong through the first week of rifle season.
“Movement of deer is on the rise, with bucks chasing does throughout the day,” Endicott said. “Most movements have been observed in areas with good food availability.”
Endicott expects deer activity to continue to pick up with the onset of coming cold fronts, rain and cooler temperatures.
“Hunters should be patient and stay in the woods as long as they can,” Endicott said. “Bucks will be cruising all day looking for that first receptive doe. Remember to scout. Look for good food sources, especially acorns, which can be in short supply. Locate some good trails to set up on that have seen very recent use.”
Endicott said successful public lands hunters are those who spend lots of time scouting.
“There is good hunting on the WMAs, but with the high usage associated with these areas, hunters need to scout for some less used corners and back areas. Try targeting bedding areas that will hold does and keep an eye out for signs of buck activity such as rubs and scrapes. Rutting on WMAs is really gearing up. Remember, be patient and spend time in the woods or on the stand. If you are hoping to harvest a mature buck, let the young ones pass.”

SOUTHEAST
“If it keeps going the way it is, gun season is going to hit it right on the nose,” said Joe Hemphill about the rut in southeast Oklahoma. Hemphill, southeast region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, said controlled hunts at McAlester Army Ammunition Plan have had smaller harvest numbers this year than in years past, and said there has yet to be much buck activity in the region.
Hemphill suspects the extended period of high heat at the end of the summer may have “backed everything off,” but he did say that despite the heat and drought, food sources are available.
“There are remarkably more acorns than you would think,” he said, adding that hunters who find acorns or good water sources may be in luck.
With opening day just days away, rutting activity may be timed just right for southeast region hunters.

SOUTHWEST
The rut is beginning to build in intensity, according to Rod Smith, southwest region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
“In the past few days, bucks apparently in search of does have been observed during daylight hours,” Smith said. “Since the deer rut appears on the upswing, we may experience near peak rut conditions during the opening week of deer gun season.”
Smith said availability of native food sources for deer have been abnormally low, but like in other regions, recent rains have increased the availability of certain fall food sources. Still, areas with agricultural crops may be a good place for hunters to start.
Deer have also been underweight compared to normal, which Smith said could be contributing to later-than-normal rutting activity, along with warmer weather during the first part of November.
“Because the rut is just now getting ‘into the swing,’ hunters should look for new scrapes and other sign that could appear at any time,” Smith said, adding that “hunters should revisit areas that may not have had much sign a week or two ago.”
With most of the region still in the “exceptional” or “extreme” drought category, Smith said deer distribution might appear different than in years when there is no drought. Recent rain has resulted in winter wheat germination and growth in food plots on WMAs in the region.

CENTRAL
Like in some other parts of the state, reports from hunters and Wildlife Department personnel in the central region indicate the rut is slightly behind the “normal” schedule.
“Rutting has picked up the second week of November, with some bucks seen chasing does and an increase in the number of road kill deer,” said Jeff Pennington, central region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “It appears that opening weekend of deer gun season will occur at or very near the peak of the rut.”
Pennington said 2011 drought conditions had a negative effect on food production in the region, but that overall deer activity has been higher this fall due to the associated nutritional stress.
“Despite the terribly dry conditions, patchy portions of the region produced a surprising number of acorns,” Pennington said. “Locations that still have good acorns will be prime hunting spots during gun season as drought-stressed deer try to replenish energy reserves. While the region is still in drought status, there have been sufficient fall rains in most areas to get wheat fields up and growing. In areas with no acorns, deer are already heavily using these fields.”
While drought is never considered good for wildlife, Pennington did say the drought limited the height of grasses and other vegetation, which could increase hunter visibility this year.
“If the weather cooperates, I look for the 2011 gun season to provide excellent hunting conditions in the central region due to the late peak of the rut, the limited food availability, and reduced cover,” Pennington said.

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Deer gun season at a glance
Deer gun season runs Nov. 19 through Dec. 4 — a full 16 days of long-awaited and long-celebrated tradition in which more than 156,000 hunters participate every fall, making it one of the largest sporting events in the state.
Since 1933, deer gun hunters have been making their way into the woods and fields of Oklahoma for hunting season, and this year looks to be no different. In the early part of the last century, when deer populations were down to just a few hundred animals, hunters and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation took up the call to once again have healthy deer populations across the state. Part of this conservation effort began with the historic deer trap-and-transplant projects of the mid-1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Today, Oklahoma can boast having deer in every county and a whitetail population in excess of 500,000 animals. Hunters have generous harvest limits and expansive opportunities statewide for hunting deer.
To hunt deer in Oklahoma, residents much have a hunting license or proof of exemption, as well as a deer gun license (antlered or antlerless) for each deer hunted or proof of exemption. Resident youth hunters 16 or 17 years old must purchase a hunting license but can purchase a youth deer gun license for each deer hunted that costs only $10. Nonresident deer hunters are exempt from a hunting license while hunting deer, but they must possess a nonresident deer gun license or proof of exemption. Holders of nonresident lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses are not exempt from purchasing deer licenses.
Antlerless deer may only be harvested on specified days and in zones open to antlerless harvest. A map showing the antlerless days and zones is available on page 25 of the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available online at wildlifedepartment.com.
The deer gun limit is one antlered and two antlerless deer (at least one antlerless deer must be harvested from Zone 2, 7 or 8). The harvest of antlerless mule deer is prohibited during deer gun season, and deer taken by hunters participating in deer gun season are included in the hunters’ combined season limit of six.
Resident hunters who do not harvest an antlered deer during deer gun season may use their unfilled deer gun antlered license to harvest an antlerless deer on the last day of the deer gun season, but they must still comply with the limit restriction of no more than two antlerless deer during deer gun season.
Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide season dates. For full details and regulations, consult the “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” online at wildlifedepartment.com.

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No hunter ed is no problem for most Oklahomans who still want to hunt this weekend
Four changes to the state’s hunter education requirements took effect in August, resulting in more opportunities for Oklahomans to try hunting while making hunting safer for the state’s youngest big game hunters.
Now in effect, anyone 31 years of age or older is exempt from hunter education requirements. Additionally, hunters ages 8-30 may purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license that allows them to go hunting without first completing a hunter education course, provided that they are accompanied by a licensed adult mentor who is at least 18 years old and hunter education certified (or exempt from license and hunter education requirements). In addition to making the apprentice-designated hunting license more accessible, one other change requires all hunters under the age of 10, whether hunter education certified or not, to be accompanied when hunting big game.
“These three changes simplify the requirements for responsible adult hunters to get involved in hunting while making the apprentice-designated license available to youth who are ready to start hunting under a mentor at a younger age,” said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Big game hunting is a safe and fun sport, and our state’s young hunters deserve to be introduced to the joys it offers. But they also deserve to be mentored and guided so that they are equipped to be safe, responsible hunters in the future. This is a reasonable change, and we are confident it is resulting in safer hunting situations for our young big game hunters.”
Most Oklahomans who want to hunt big game must be hunter education certified or exempt in order to hunt alone, or must possess an apprentice-designated hunting license and remain within arms reach of a qualifying mentor hunter. Exemptions from hunter education certification as of Aug. 26 include anyone 31 years of age or older, anyone honorably discharged from or currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and members of the National Guard.
Meek encourages new hunters to complete the Department’s hunter education course, and reminds hunters who plan to hunt in other states that completing a course may be required. The Wildlife Department’s hunter education class covers a variety of topics including firearms safety, wildlife identification, wildlife conservation and management, survival, archery, muzzleloading and hunter responsibility. It is available as a standard eight-hour course held in communities across the state, an Internet home study course and a workbook home study course. A full listing of course dates and locations can be found online at wildlifedepartment.com.
Additionally, resident hunters who are exempt from hunter education requirements in Oklahoma but who want to hunt in another state that requires certification are eligible to take a proficiency exam for certification without having to complete the course. For more information, call Meek at (405) 522-4572.
For more information about hunting in Oklahoma, log on to the Wildlife Department’s website at wildlifedepartment.com.

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Hunters making a difference for the hungry
Every year thousands of hungry Oklahomans reap the benefits of deer season through the Hunters Against Hunger program.
According to Becky Rouner, administrator of the Hunters Against Hunger program for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, hunters donated over 49,000 pounds of venison last year.
Through the program, hunters who legally harvest a deer during any of this year’s deer seasons can donate the meat to feed the hungry. All they have to do is deliver their harvested deer to the nearest participating meat processor after checking the deer at a hunter check station or online at wildlifedepartment.com. Sportsmen can also use wildlifedepartment.com to view a list of participating meat processors.
To help with processing charges, each hunter is requested to contribute a tax-deductable $10 to assist with the program.
The ground venison is then distributed to the needy through a network of qualified, charitable organizations. Participation by meat processors and hunters is critical in providing this meat source to Oklahoma’s hungry.
The Wildlife Department pays a special thanks to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of eastern Oklahoma for their participation in the Hunters Against Hunger program. Important donors to this program also include Tulsa-based conservation group NatureWorks, and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International. To learn more about NatureWorks, log on to natureworks.org. To learn more about the Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI, log on to oklahomastationsci.org.
To learn more about the Hunters Against Hunger program, contact the Wildlife Department at (405) 521-4660.

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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: 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.

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 16, 2011

CENTRAL

Hefner: November 14. Elevation below normal and rising, water 54-58 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 3-10 ft. in the weeds. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and jigs at 3-12 ft. in rocky areas. White bass good on sassy shad, grubs and rooster tails at 1-6 ft. in the water inlet area. Striped bass hybrids fair on sassy shad, grubs and rooster tails at 1-6 ft. in the water inlet area. Channel catfish good on cut bait at 5-10 ft. in the water inlet and the dam areas. Blue catfish good on cut bait at 5-20 ft. in the water inlet and the dam areas. Crappie fair on grubs and jigs at 10-15 ft. in the dam area. Walleye fair on sassy shad at 4-8 ft. around rocky points and the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

NORTHEAST

Birch: November 13. Elevation below normal, water 65. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Eucha: November 15. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60 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: November 13. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 5-15 ft. Catfish good on juglines and rod and reel drifting whole shad and sunfish in the main channel of the main lake. White bass fair on white rooster tails around the windy points. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.

Greenleaf: November 15. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bill baits along shorelines, creek channels and brush structure. Catfish good on fresh cut bait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing docks. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: November 13. Elevation normal. Blue catfish good on cut shad. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush pile areas. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.

Oologah: November 13. 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. 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 13. Elevation below normal. Trout good on Power Bait and small spinnerbaits. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Spavinaw: November 15. Elevation slightly below normal, water 57 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Tenkiller: November 14. Elevation normal, water 63. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and bass jigs. Crappie good on soft plastic jigs at 10-15 ft. in docks or brush. Sunfish good on night crawlers at 5-15 ft. in or near docks. Catfish fair on juglines or flip-flops baited with cut bait or sunfish at 20-25 ft. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: November 15. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along riprap, brush structure and creek channels. Catfish good on fresh cut bait in the mudflats. Crappie good under bridges and around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: November 13. Elevation 12 ft. below normal. Channel catfish good on shad and stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: November 12. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60 and very stained to muddy in areas. Crappie being caught on small chartreuse jigs and chrome spoons. White bass being caught on spoons at 25 ft. and on a 1/8 ounce jig or roadrunner type jig along windy banks. Bass being caught on jerk baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits in the stained water. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Broken Bow: November 13. 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 14. Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits in rocky areas. Blue catfish good on fresh shad drifting the shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in riprap under bridges and around standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Konawa: November 14. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 61 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 5-15 ft. around points and 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 13. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 67 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 13. 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.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water murky. Catfish fair on cut bait and shad. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: November 13. Elevation 1 1/2- 2 ft. below normal. Largemouth bass good on swim baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater lures and plastic worms early and late. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. Walleye fair trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: November 13. Elevation 7 3/4 ft. below normal and rising, water 64 and murky to the north and clear to the south. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic combination baits and crankbaits at 5-15 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 10-20 ft. around the points and in the river channels. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on worms, live bait and stinkbait at 5-10 ft. from the Hwy 70 Bridge to the north. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around underwater brush in the upper creek channels. Sunfish fair to good on worms, shrimp and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around the fish attractors. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: November 13. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish fair to good on juglines on cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: November 13. Elevation 27 1/3 ft. below normal and rising. 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 fair to good on minnows, worms and shrimp. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson.
Ellsworth: November 13. Elevation 10 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Catfish good on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.


WATERFOWL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 16, 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 November 23.

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 fair on ducks and low for 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 3.12 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Duck numbers are moderate. Goose numbers are moderate. Hunter activity has been high on weekends, with fair success on divers. Bird movement in the area has increased in the past week. 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 3.75 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor due to water levels. Peanuts around the area are currently being harvested and winter wheat being planted around the lake. Duck numbers are low, but rising. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is light, with good success on ducks and low success on geese. Observed increase in bird movement, with most birds using the shoreline around the WMA.

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 fair. Goose numbers are good. Hunting activity in the area has been low, with no reports of success. An increase in goose numbers has been seen with each frontal passage. All wetland units are dry.

Mtn. Park – Zone 2: Water level is 6.65 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor, with winter wheat currently being planted. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are fair, with most geese using the southwest side of the lake. Hunting activity has been low, with no reports on success. Bird movement in the area has increased, with most birds using the shoreline on the WMA side of the lake.

Waurika – Zone 2: Water level is 5.2 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor on the lake, but fair on the wetland units. Duck numbers are low, with mostly gadwalls. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been light, with no reports of success. A small increase in birds has been observed at 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 light, 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 2.38 feet and has been declining. Habitat conditions are good, with water present in ponds and sloughs on the area. Duck numbers: mallard 100; gadwall 100; wood duck 400. Goose numbers: Canada 100. 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.

Eufaula – Zone 2: Water level is 2.86 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair to 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 on hunter activity or success. No significant bird movement has been reported in the area.

Ft. Gibson – Zone 2: Water level is 1.07 feet above normal. Habitat condition is good, with a variety of vegetation present. Duck numbers are low to moderate. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been fair, with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been picking up.

Hulah – Zone 2: Water level is 1 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. No reports of any significant bird movement in the area.

Kaw – Zone 2: Water level is 0.91 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 fair success. Bird movement in the area has been light, with more activity expected with incoming cold fronts.

Keystone – Zone 2: Water level is 0.68 feet above normal. Habitat conditions are good, with an abundant supply of natural food resources. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been moderate with fair success. Bird movement in the area has been light. Recent rainfall has made a big improvement to the area, with most sloughs and potholes filled enough to provide habitat and hunting opportunity. Southern two units of Cottonwood Creek WDU are also now flooded.

Oologah – Zone 2: Water level is 1.8 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 poor to fair, with mostly gadwalls and a few mallards. Goose numbers are poor, with resident Canadians present. Hunter activity is low and success is poor-fair. 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. Goose numbers are low, with resident birds present. Hunting activity has been high, with fair success on ducks and low success on geese. Bird movement in the area has been light, with a variety of birds present.

Webbers Falls – Zone 2: Water level is 2.71 feet below 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 fair, 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, teal and coot present. Goose numbers are low, with 50 resident birds. Hunter activity has been light, with no reports of success. Bird movement in the area is picking up, but birds are not staying.

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 2,100 birds. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been light, with fair success. Good movement of gadwalls and some mallards into the area with recent cold front.

Texoma – Zone 2: Water level 7.34 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. Hunting activity has been light, with poor success. An increase in bird movement has been observed in the area, but birds are not staying.

Wister – Zone 2: Water level is normal. Habitat conditions are good on the lake and WDU’s. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity has been moderate, with poor success.




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