Resist Urge to “Rescue” Young Wildlife

Springtime in Oklahoma is when nature begins to renew itself from the winter. There’s lots of new life and new growth.

Unfortunately, though, well-meaning people want to “rescue” newborn and young animals that appear to be abandoned, unintentionally interrupting nature’s balance.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation urges citizens to resist the urge to do this. People who may see a hatchling bird or a young fawn are urged to move away from the area.

If you find newborn wildlife while in your yard or in the woods that appears to be alone, chances are an adult animal is nearby and is simply waiting for you to move along so they can take care of their young. It is common for fawns to remain in a safe place while does feed nearby, and interfering with that always causes more harm than good. It’s also best to leave birds, young squirrels, and other wildlife alone as well. The willingness among well-meaning sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts to want to help is a good thing, but choosing to allow nature to run its course is often the best help we can offer young wildlife.

Melinda Hickman, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation wildlife diversity biologist

It can often be more stressful on young wildlife if people interfere. Not only that, but it could also be illegal. There are laws in place in Oklahoma that protect most wildlife species, as well as prohibiting the handling, or “rescuing,” of wildlife.

Mountain Lion Killed After Preying on Sheep in Oklahoma

Cimmaron County

Saturday, April 1st, an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Wildlife Services officer killed a large mountain lion in western Cimmaron County. The lion had been observed killing sheep.

The mountain was reported to an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation game warden by a landowner. Because this was a situation of depredation or destruction of property, the game warden turned it over to the Wildlife Services Division of the Agriculture Department.

Officials from both departments said that protocol to deal with the situation worked well.  While most wild animals are not likely to harm humans, this particular cat was exhibiting behavior that was predatory near the house.

In the state of Oklahoma, there is no season on mountain lions. However, they can be taken year-round “when committing or about to commit depredation on any domesticated animal or when deemed an immediate safety hazard.” Those who kill a mountain lion must immediately contact a game warden. Within 24 hours of the kill, the carcass must be presented to a game warden for biological data collection, which may include the removal of teeth.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation asks that mountain lion sightings be reported by filling out a form on their website by clicking here.

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Springtime Fishing

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What do the fish above have in common? They are all state records in Oklahoma for their own species of bass. Also, they were all caught between April and June. Springtime is when most species of fish become more active. Check out the video below for more info.

Some very basic tips for springtime fishing:

• Think “shallow close to deep”
• Cover lots of water
• The warmer the weather, the shallower the fish
• Slow things down, especially before the warmth sets in

For the 2016-2017 Fishing Regulations from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, click here.

Special Opportunity for Youth Turkey Hunters

Youth turkey hunters in Oklahoma have the chance to participate in a turkey hunt that will take place on April 1 on private land in Love County.

Love County highlighted in red

10 youths will be selected to participate in the turkey hunt this year. To be eligible, applicants must have completed a hunter education course, must be 12-17 years old at the time of the hunt, and must have one adult (licensed or unlicensed) who is at least 21 years old to accompany them on the hunt. The youth and adult also must attend a mandatory orientation on March 31.

Food and overnight accommodations for selected applicants will be provided by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, a nonprofit headquartered in Ardmore that “conducts direct operations, including assisting farmers and ranchers, and conducting plant science research and agricultural programs, to enhance agricultural productivity regionally, nationally and internationally.”

This hunt is on private property and should provide young hunters a great opportunity to see some turkey as well as a chance to harvest a tom. The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has endorsed the youth hunt program, and we are thankful for the landowners’ willingness to allow these kids the opportunity to hunt on their property.

Bill Dinkiness, ODWC assistant chief of wildlife

To apply for this turkey hunt, click here.

ODWC 2017 Rule Changes

On Monday (February 6, 2017), the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission met to discuss the annual rule changes and additions that govern operations of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The changes were approved unanimously and will now be sent to the State Legislature and the governor for approval. If approved, they will become effective later this year.

Some of the most notable rule changes included:

• Allow deer hunters, without carrying any method of take, to use a leashed dog to recover downed deer, provided the hunter has notified a game warden before using the dog to track the downed deer.
• Add rules, regulations, and definitions for the new Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP) including exemption from written permission for hunting antelope and elk on actively enrolled OLAP properties.
• Add rules to allow landowners and their designee to shoot feral hogs at night on their property. This feral hog rule is currently in effect in emergency status.
• Close waters in the northeastern part of the state to snagging from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for the Neosho River snagging area at Miami City Park.
• Prohibit the stocking of any aquatic organisms into public waters of the state without permission from the Wildlife Department.

I wrote a little bit more on the feral hog rule in last week’s blog post.

The Commission also accepted a $22,250 donation from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation during the meeting. The money will go toward elk habitat management activities at Cookson and Cherokee Wildlife Management Areas.

 

To see the minutes from this meeting, click here.

ODWC Part of United Effort to Deal With Feral Swine

In recent years, feral swine have become quite an issue in Oklahoma. Despite being most prevalent in southern parts of Oklahoma, they have been detected in 70 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. The main reasons for concern are their increasing numbers and the damage they inflict to landscape. According to a recent news release from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), they are taking steps to address the feral swine situation.

As part of a concerted effort to deal with a growing problem with feral swine in Oklahoma, the Wildlife Department has made night-shooting exemptions available for registered properties. Upon registration, a permit is issued that grants landowners and their designees the ability to legally shoot feral pigs at night when they are most active.

ODWC’s website has many resources available for those that have problems with feral swine, as well as forms for obtaining an exemption so that landowners can legally shoot feral swine at night. That can all be found by clicking here. Exemptions are issued only to deed-holding landowners. The landowner shooting the feral swine at night must carry the exemption number on them.

In addition, the Oklahoma Feral Swine Control Association are taking to social media to help those with the problem.
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For those that are interested in building a trap, ODWC recommends building a corral trap. Instructions can be found on the ODWC website, or in the video below.