Finding a hunting spot just got a little easier.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission approved hunting regulations for two new areas in northeast Oklahoma that will be open for public hunting- the Ozark Plateau Wildlife Management Area and the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge. The properties are located side by side in Adair County near the Oklahoma/Arkansas line.
Currently the Wildlife Department owns 880 acres and is in negotiations for the purchase of 1,200 more acres from willing landowners. The Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge, which is owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, encompasses about 2,000 acres and will offer the same hunting opportunities as the WMA.
The properties, purchased with grants from the federal Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, will protect habitat for a pair of unique and federally endangered species, the Ozark big-eared bat and the Ozark cave crayfish. The hardwood forests and the many caves in the area will provide critical foraging and brood-rearing habitat for the bats. The area will also provide increased recreation opportunity for hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts.
The hunting seasons will be essentially the same as statewide season dates, although hunters may only take one tom turkey during the spring turkey season. Additionally, pursuit with hounds will be closed from opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season and during the spring turkey season. The new regulations will take effect immediately.
Also at its March meeting, the Commission voted to establish a new position within the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The lands/minerals coordinator will coordinate oil and gas exploration and mineral leases on Department-owned properties. The Wildlife Department owns approximately 288,000 acres across the state.
Also at the meeting, the Commission voted to increase the Department budget by $355,000. Among other things the increase will go to cover increased fuel prices and workers compensation rates.
In other business, Game Warden Shane Fields was recognized as the 2005 National Wild Turkey Federation Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
“Shane is a real asset to the Wildlife Department and to the sportsmen of the state,” Gary Purdy, senior regional director for the NWTF.
Fields, who is stationed in Pittsburg County, will compete for the title of National Officer of the Year later this month at the NWTF’s annual convention in Nashville, TN.
The Commission also recognized three Department employees for their outstanding service to the sportsmen of the state. Employees recognized were:
David Deckard, law enforcement training coordinator, for 20 years of service;
Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County, for 20 years of service;
Alan Stacey, wetland habitat biologist, for 20 years of service.
Also at the meeting, Commissioners met in executive session and upon returning to open session, the Commission voted to authorize the director to pursue land acquisition in Cleveland and Sequoyah counties.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is April 3 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters , at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.