October 2007 Hunting and Fishing Calendar Released
October 16, 2007
Checkout the dates below for important dates in October 2007 for Oklahoma hunting and fishing:
15: Hunter Education Home Study: Bass Pro Shops, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405) 218-5200.
16: Hunter Education Home Study: Bass Pro Shops, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405) 218-5200.
16: Hunter Education Home Study: Sportsman’s Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405)
302-4800.
16: Hunter Education Home Study: Tulsa Technology Center (Peoria Campus, Council
Oaks Room), Tulsa; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (918) 299-2334.
16: Safari Club International’s Oklahoma Chapter meeting. Anyone interested in
joining SCI is invited to share in an evening of fine rifles and great food at the
H&H Gun Range at 400 South Vermont, Suite 110, in Oklahoma City (the I-40 & Meridian
area, facing I-40). In addition to getting involved with SCI, this is a rare
opportunity to handle and shoot some of the most serious sporting rifles available.
Two current Oklahoma SCI members, Michael Engster, a German engineer and rifle
expert, and Mike Mistelske, one of SCI’s Oklahoma directors and an avid big-game
hunter, will bring a variety of high-grade European firearms, including double
rifles up to .500 NE, and anyone interested will be able to shoot these fine guns,
paying only for ammunition expended. A nice buffet dinner will be served at 6:15
p.m. (at a cost of $11/person). Shooting will start at approximately 6:45 and will
continue until approximately 8:30 p.m. Ear and eye protection will be provided by
H&H if you don’t have your own. Michael and Mike will bring the ammunition (cost per
round for the big doubles: .470/$10; .500/$13). For more information or to make a
reservation, please call or email Mike Mistelske, (918) 695-8556 or
mjmistelske@yahoo.com
1st).
16 & 18: Hunter Education: OSU Extension Bldg, Madill; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
17 & 18: Hunter Education: Francis Tuttle Tech Center, (12777 N Rockwell,
Construction and Trades Bldg. Room 101 South), OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
18: Hunter Education: Technology Center, Riverside (801 E 91st), Jenks; 8 a.m. - 5
p.m. (918) 299-2334.
18: Hunter Education Home Study: H&H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.; (405) 947-3888.
18: Hunter Education: Francis Tuttle Tech Center (12777 N Rockwell), OKC; 8 a.m. - 5
p.m.; (405) 521-4636
18-19: Bollenbach Wildlife Symposium and OK Chapter of the Wildlife Society joint
meeting to be held in Woodward, Oklahoma. Tours of the Selman Ranch and the Cooper
Wildlife Management Area will be included. Topics will cover quail, deer, turkey,
and grazing management in northwest Oklahoma. Anyone interested can find more
information at http://nrem.okstate.edu/Extension/ or by calling Dwayne Elmore at
(405) 744-9636.
19-21: The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance will hold its fall convention in Crowder. A
board meeting will be held on Friday evening with meetings and demos on Saturday and
Sunday. For more information contact John Weygandt at (918) 557-1282.
20: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Miscellaneous Sale. The sale will
be held at Lake Burtschi just west of Chickasha at Lake Maintenance Headquarters.
Log on to wildlifedepartment.com for a list of sale items and directions to the
sale.
20: The Polebenders and the Oklahoma City Chapter of ACATS (American Catfish Anglers
Tournament Series) will be hosting a Catfishing Tournament at Robert S. Kerr
Reservoir. The event will start and finish at the Sallisaw Creek Ramp. Anyone can
enter this tournament, as both clubs have waived the membership requirements for
this one. Entry Fee is $50 per team and there is an optional Big Fish Jackpot, which
costs $10. Participation in either club’s tournament season can qualify a person to
fish in the Cabela’s King Kat Classic, which will be held in the fall of 2008. The
2007 King Kat Classic, which was held in Kansas this year, was won by two members of
the Polebenders club. For more information on the tournament, contact Polebenders
Randy Jones at (918) 774-3898 or Kenny Reese at (918) 776-9183, or contact Mike
Strawn with ACATS at (405) 601-0770 or okc-acats@cox.net.
20 & 21: Hunter Education: Fairgrounds, Buffalo; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
22: Hunter Education Home Study: Bass Pro Shops, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405) 218-5200.
22 & 23: Hunter Education: Mid America Tech Center, Wayne; 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.;
(405) 521-4636.
23: Hunter Education Home Study: ODWC Jenks Office, Jenks; 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; (918)
299-2334.
25: Hunter Education Home Study: H&H Gun Range, OKC; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.; (405) 947-3888.
25: Hunter Education Home Study: Sportsman’s Warehouse, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405)
302-4800.
26: Oklahoma Section of the Society for Range Management (OKSRM) essay contest to
select two deserving individuals to attend the Society for Range Management (SRM)
annual meeting and participate in the High School Youth Forum (HSYF) as
representatives of the OKSRM. OKSRM pays for their trip with generous donations from
other sponsors. The two delegates would attend the SRM meeting Jan. 26-31 in
Louisville, Ky. Any Oklahoma high school student with an interest in rangelands is
eligible and must be able to miss a week of school January 26-31, 2008. Complete the
application form
a 1-2 page essay on the topic “What Rangelands Mean to Me.” Submit application and
essay to melissa.teague@ok.usda.gov
than October 26, 2007. Winners will be notified by November 15, 2007.
27: Hunter Education: Civic Center, Wagoner; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
27: Wildflower Walk. The program runs from 10:30-noon and is open to all ages. The
prairie grasses are taking on color. Along the edge and in the forest, the red of
Virginia Creeper vines stand out, while the red-maroon-purple of the ash tree is
more subtle. Join us at Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa to enjoy the color. Free, no
registration required. For more information, call (918) 669-6644 or
oxley@ci.tulsa.ok.us
29: Hunter Education Home Study: Bass Pro Shops, OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (405) 218-5200.
Oklahoma Fishing Reports - Oct 07
October 15, 2007
FISHING REPORTS AS OF OCTOBER 10, 2007
CENTRAL
Wes Watkins: Elevation 1 – 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 73-80 and very murky.
Catfish very good on fresh cut bait, chicken livers, shrimp, minnows and worms in
deeper waters around the dam tower area and back west around deeper waters of the
main lake channel. Crappie being caught around stumps and other structures on
minnows and jigs. White bass slow. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, worms,
sinkoes and other slow-sinking, soft plastic lures; some action on topwater lures
early morning and early evening. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory’s.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass and channel catfish slow.
Crappie good on jigs around the fishing dock. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game
warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Crappie fair around brush piles on
minnows at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers
County.
Carl Blackwell: Elevation normal, water 80 and murky. Crappie fair at 15-18 ft. on
small minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in
Payne County.
Chandler: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass and channel catfish slow.
Crappie fair off dam and around fishing dock. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game
warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Eucha: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 75 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and
minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth bass fair on
Carolina-rigged plastic baits. Catfish fair on juglines using cut shad. Report
submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.
Ft. Gibson: Elevation 2 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on
spinnerbaits and stinkbaits. Catfish good on cut baits and shad on juglines or
drifting. Crappie good on jigs and minnows at 15 ft. at structures and brush piles.
Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits,
spinnerbaits and worms. Catfish good on cut baits and punch baits on bottom. Crappie
fair on minnows and jigs at brush structure and fishing docks. Report submitted by
Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Keystone: Elevation ½ ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on
buzzbaits and spinnerbaits at 2-4 ft. at windy points. Smallmouth bass fair on jigs
and chunk baits at 6-10 ft. at 45 degrees of banks in coves. Spotted bass fair on
crankbaits, jigs and chunk baits at 5-8 ft. in main lake pockets. White bass good on
small spoons and rooster tails at 2-4 ft. at windy points. Striped bass good on
bucktails and sassy shad at 2-5 ft. below dam when generating. Channel catfish fair
on chicken liver and worms at 4-8 ft. in creeks and coves. Blue catfish good on cut
shad and punch baits at 6-10 ft. on flats along river channel. Flathead catfish slow
on goldfish and large shiners at 6-10 ft. in riprap areas. Crappie good on minnows
and Bobby Garland jigs at 8-15 ft. at ledges, brush piles and docks. Report
submitted by Woody’s Bait and Tackle.
Lower Illinois: Water 58 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on live bait, crankbaits
and spinners at 1-5 ft. along the shoreline. Spotted bass fair on live bait,
crankbaits, large rooster tails and spinners at 1-5 ft. along the shoreline. Striped
bass slow on live trout and red fin at 1-20 ft. in deep holes and wood piles.
Channel catfish good on cut shad and worms at 10-20 ft. in deep holes. Walleye good
on minnows, crankbaits and rattle traps at 5-10 ft. at night in deep holes. Saugeye
good on minnows and crankbaits at 5-10 ft at night in deep holes. Trout good on
power bait, wooly boogers and power eggs at 5-10 ft. in deep holes. Report submitted
by MarVal Family Camping Resort.
Oologah: Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs
around brush piles at 10-15 ft. Blue catfish good on shad around timber on north end
of the lake. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 5-8 ft. Report submitted by
Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Spavinaw: Elevation slightly above normal, water 76 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs
and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report
submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.
Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on jigs or live shad around the dam
when pumping in water and on topwater lures and sassy shad in the discharge channel.
Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: Elevation 23 ft. below normal, water 79-80. Largemouth bass slow with
some action in coves on topwater lures or slabs. Catfish fair on stinkbaits at 18-20
ft. with some action off windy points on cut baits. Sunfish fair on worms in coves
or docks. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
Webbers Falls: Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits,
spinnerbaits and plastic worms in riprap, brush structure and creek channels.
Catfish good on cut baits, sunfish and punch baits at mudflats. Crappie good on
minnows and jigs at brush structures and fishing docks. Report submitted by Lark
Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
NORTHWEST
Canton: Elevation normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids good trolling
crankbaits and drifting shad. Channel catfish good on shad. Report submitted by Mark
Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
SOUTHEAST
Blue River: Elevation normal, water 77 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on minnows
and flies. Channel catfish fair on worms, liver and stinkbaits. Report submitted by
Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: Water rising due to recent rains. Largemouth bass good flipping soft
plastic worms around brush, structure and off points. Channel catfish good on cut
bait or whole blue gill on trotlines or juglines. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game
warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits
off windy points and rocky areas. White bass good on slab spoons at 6-10 ft. on the
flats. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting deep flats. Crappie good on minnows
and jigs at 8-20 ft. around boat docks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden
stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: Elevation normal, water 79. Largemouth bass fair along drop-offs and channels.
Crappie fair on minnows. Catfish slow to fair on shad. Blue catfish and crappie slow
in the tailwater. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw
and Bryan counties.
Konawa: Water 82 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic worms
along points and road beds at 10-20 ft. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver in the
discharge canal at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in
Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout slow. Biting in Zone 2 very early in the morning;
set up quietly, and start out using a large streamer of some sort. When you are able
to see clearly, watch for insect activity, fish activity and riseforms. You may need
to switch to a small dry fly, or even a midge emerger. All three have been working
at times in Zone 2. In Zone 1, the new “red” area is usually fair. Report submitted
by Beavers Bend Fly Shop.
McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair
to good on soft plastic lures off rocky points and on shad-colored, shallow running
crankbaits on schooling fish. Crappie fair on minnows at 16-25 ft. over cedar brush.
Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: Elevation normal, water murky. Bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits
around points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around flooded timber. Catfish fair
on trotlines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden
stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair at 4-8
ft. using plastic baits fishing the weeds, rock and woody shorelines next to deeper
water. Crappie good at 8-10 ft. using minnows fishing the bends in the old submerged
creek channels. White bass fair at 8 ft. using shad imitation lures fishing the
riprap jetties from Webbers Falls dam to the Tamaha area. Blue catfish good at 3-8
ft. using fresh cut bait and stinkbaits fishing the windy shores with weed beds.
Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden for Haskell County.
Sardis Lake: Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good in flooded timber on
spinnerbaits. Catfish good on cut bait or live shad. Crappie good around bridges,
brush piles and dam tower on minnows. White bass good trolling the islands. Report
submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to
good on jig combinations at 10-20 ft. around the points. Striped and white bass fair
to good on live bait, slabs and surface lures at 5-20 ft. from Platter Flats south.
Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and commercial catfish
baits at 10-20 ft. in the Washita river arm. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at
5-10 ft. in Widow Moore and Kansas creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game
warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on topwater baits early
and late. Crappie fair on jigs and live minnows around timber. Channel catfish fair
on cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game Warden stationed in
LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: Elevation 8 1/2 ft. below normal. Fishing picking up a little more and
is slow to fair overall. Striped bass hybrids good in deep water. Channel and blue
catfish are being caught on juglines. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz
Mountain State Park.
Ellsworth: Elevation normal and murky. Crappie fair at Ralph’s Resort on minnows and
jigs. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Gates are open. Striped
bass hybrids fair on slabs. White bass fair. Catfish fair. Walleye, saugeye and bass
slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Waurika: Elevation normal, water 60 and murky. Blue catfish good in the spillway on
juglines. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson
County.
Youth deer gun season hunters have opportunity to harvest a buck and doe
October 13, 2007
Oklahoma’s 2007 youth deer gun season runs October 19-21, and while past
youth seasons have been open to antlerless hunting only, this year youth
can harvest both a buck and a doe.
“We hope that a lot of young Oklahoma hunters take advantage of the
youth deer gun season this year,” said Colin Berg, education supervisor
for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “To maximize
opportunity for youth participation, we tried to set the youth deer gun
season so it falls during the week of fall break for many schools.”
Youth are already talking about the building excitement that comes with
the youth deer gun season.
“Fall break starts Thursday, and I’m looking forward to participating in
this year’s youth deer season,” said Corbin Craycraft, who lives near
Cleveland. “I’ve been lucky enough to harvest a doe during two of the
last four youth seasons, but what I really want to do is harvest a buck
this year.”
Corbin has been hunting with his step-father, Colin Berg, since he was
nine, and has received a lot of mentoring from him.
“I’ve taken Corbin hunting during three of the past four youth deer
seasons, and I wouldn’t trade the time we’ve been able to spend together
for anything,” said Berg. “I am really glad I’ve had the opportunity to
pass what I know about deer hunting on to Corbin. He is 13 now and is
well on his way to becoming a really good hunter. I’d have to say the
most important part of our hunting together has been the shared memories
and the great father/son relationship that we have developed. We’ve had
some great hunts together. Corbin is a natural at everything he does.
Hunting isn’t any different. Last year I watched as he harvested a doe
opening morning of the youth deer gun season, and that very same evening
he harvested his first deer — another doe — with his bow. I told him he
accomplished something I never have — harvesting a deer with two
different methods during the same day.”
The youth deer gun season was created to encourage youth to head afield.
The youth season is open to kids under 18 years of age. Youth hunters
must be accompanied by a hunter 18 years or older (21 years or older for
apprentice hunters). Oklahoma kids under the age of 16 are exempt from
the purchase of a hunting license, and youth 16 or 17 years old can
purchase a combination youth hunting and fishing license for $9 or a
youth hunting license for $5. Unless they hold a lifetime hunting or
combination license, all youth participants must purchase a $10 youth
antlered deer gun license and/or a $10 youth antlerless deer gun license
if they want a chance to harvest a buck and a doe. Nonresident youth
hunters must purchase a nonresident deer gun antlered, antlerless or
combination license, and nonresident youth hunters ages 14-17 must also
purchase a fishing and hunting legacy permit. Youth hunters who do not
harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may use their unfilled
youth deer gun license during the regular deer gun season. Youth hunters
who do harvest a deer during the youth deer gun season may purchase
another youth deer gun license and harvest a deer during the regular gun
season. Deer taken by youth hunters participating in the youth deer gun
season are included in the hunter’s combined season limit.
Youth under the age of 16 must be hunter education certified to
participate in the youth deer gun season. However, due to a change in
the hunter education requirements, youth 16 and 17 years of age can hunt
with an apprentice-designated hunting license. For complete information
on the apprentice-designated hunting license, youth season regulations
and season dates, pick up a copy of the “2007-08 Oklahoma Hunting Guide”
or log onto wildlifedepartment.com.
For those youth who do not have their hunter education certification,
the Department is offering several courses before the season opens in
communities across the state, including Oklahoma City, Ardmore, Duncan,
Tulsa, Madill and Jenks. Some require pre-registration. Log on to
wildlifedepartment.com for more information on each available class.
Muzzleloader deer season slated for Oct. 27-Nov. 4
October 11, 2007
Oklahoma sportsmen who enjoy mixing their time afield with a little of
the “good old days” will be taking to the woods soon for the 2007 deer
muzzleloader season.
Spanning nine days (Oct. 27 - Nov. 4) deer muzzleloader season offers
hunters a chance to hunt deer weeks in advance of the popular deer gun
season (Nov. 17 - Dec. 2).
In recent years, participation in muzzleloader season has been on the
rise, as well as the hunter success rate. Last year, hunters set a new
muzzleloader harvest record with 29,519 deer taken.
“This year looks like it could be another good one statewide,” said
Jerry Shaw, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “After getting a lot of rain this past year, Oklahoma’s
deer herd looks healthy, and hunters should do well by hunting areas
that have proven successful in the past.”
From wide-open prairie to pine-covered mountains, Oklahomans are blessed
with a wide variety of terrain that whitetail deer call home. Many of
the wildlife management areas in the state are open for all or at least
a portion of the nine-day muzzleloader season. According to Shaw,
though, it is always a good idea to do some scouting before the season
no matter where you go.
“It can really pay to know the land you are hunting as well as something
about the deer that are moving in the area,” Shaw said.
Hunters can do a little virtual scouting and never leave the comfort of
home by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com. The Web site offers an
award-winning digital wildlife management area atlas. And best of all,
it is free. In addition to detailed maps, sportsmen can find information
such as camping locations and contacts for local biologists.
“Using some of these available resources may help some hunters harvest a
nice deer this year,” Shaw said.
Not only can hunters harvest a buck, but most of the state is open to
antlerless hunting every day during the muzzleloader season. New this
year, hunters can harvest three deer (one antlered and two antlerless)
during muzzleloader season and must have a deer license to hunt for
each, unless exempt. If hunters harvest two antlerless deer, at least
one of those antlerless deer must be taken in antlerless zone two (see
page 17 of the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide”).
In addition, resident muzzleloader hunters must carry an appropriate hunting license and a
fishing and hunting legacy permit, unless exempt. Nonresident
muzzleloader hunters must also carry a fishing and hunting legacy
permit. As an extra incentive for heading to the woods, hunters can
harvest a turkey with their muzzleloaders Nov. 3-4 in most of the state.
A fall turkey license is required, unless exempt. Fall turkey gun season
runs Nov. 3-16, and details on the season are available in the current
“Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”
For newcomers to the outdoors, going hunting during the muzzleloader
season may be easier than ever. New to this year’s hunting seasons is
Oklahoma’s apprentice-designated hunting license for certain individuals
who have not completed the Wildlife Department’s hunter education
course. Hunters age 16-35 who have not completed hunter education can
buy an apprentice-designated hunting license and hunt while accompanied
by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has completed the hunter
education course, or a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who is
otherwise exempt from hunter education (includes those 36 years old or
older, those honorably discharged or currently active in the Armed
Forces or members of the National Guard). Hunters under 16 years old
must complete a hunter education course to hunt big game or to buy any
big game hunting license.
For specific information regarding which areas are open to muzzleloader
season, licenses, bag limits, blaze orange clothing requirements or
legal firearms, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log onto
wildlifedepartment.com.