The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold public hearings in 12 communities across the state Jan. 8 and 9 to discuss a broad list of proposed fishing and hunting regulation changes. Citizens are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions on a number of proposals that affect Oklahoma hunters and anglers.
The list of proposals slated for discussion includes a range of topics. Several fisheries proposals are being considered, among them a proposal to increase the bag limit on black bass at Lake Arcadia from three fish per day to six. Also affecting black bass at Lake Arcadia is a proposal to reduce the 22-inch minimum size limit to 14 inches. Another proposal scheduled for discussion is a reduction of the 18-inch minimum size limit on walleye at Lake Altus-Lugert to 14 inches.
Discussion also is slated for the proposal of special trout fishing regulations at the new Evening Hole/Lost Creek areas in the Lower Mountain Fork River trout stream as well as a portion of the Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area (from the USGS gauging station downstream to the gravel pit county road).
The proposed regulations would include placing the areas under a one-fish-per-day bag limit and a 20-inch minimum size limit restriction on rainbow trout. Discussion will also include a proposal to restrict the areas to the use of artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks only. All of these regulations are currently effective in emergency status at the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas.
Regarding hunting, some of the most notable proposals involve the state's deer hunting regulations and bag limits. One proposal seeks to reduce the state's combined annual antlered deer limit from three to two. Another proposal is to establish an Experimental Quality Deer Management Unit in southwest Oklahoma. The proposed combined annual deer bag limit for the unit would include no more than one antlered deer. Also on the table is a proposal to allow the harvest of a buck along with a doe during the youth gun season, resulting in a youth gun season bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer.
Date: January 8, 2007
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Durant - State Fish Hatchery, 2021 Caddo Hwy Lawton - Lawton Public Library, 110 SW 4th St.
Okmulgee - East Central Electric, Public Meeting Room, 2001 South Wood Drive (Hwy 75)
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Date: January 8, 2007
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Muskogee - Northeastern State University Campus Auditorium, 2400 West Shawnee
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Date: January 9, 2007
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Ada - Pontotoc County Vo-Tech Center, 601 W. 33rd Street (Wildlife Hearing
Only)
Altus - Altus Public Library, 421 N. Hudson St.
Broken Bow - Broken Bow Public Library, 404 N. Broadway Enid - Central Fire Station, 410 West Garriott Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N.
Lincoln Blvd., Auditorium
Tishomingo - Tishomingo Community Center, Fairgrounds, 816 E. 6th (Fisheries Hearing Only) Tulsa - Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus, Alliance and Conference Center Building, 801 E. 91st St., Aud. Rm A150
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Date: January 9, 2007
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Sallisaw - Indian Capital Vo-Tech, North Meeting Room, 401 Houser Ave.
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2007 Oklahoma Winter Bird Survey
In other ODWC news, bird watchers wishing to participate in the 19th annual Oklahoma Winter Bird Survey can help Department biologists by choosing any two days between Jan. 11-14 to count birds at their household feeders. The information gathered from participants can then be used to help track population trends in the state's winter birds.
For detailed instructions log on to wildlifedepartment.com and click on '2007 Winter Bird Survey'. Participants have until Feb. 12 to submit results.
