News Roundup: 12/27/2012

US Fish and Wildlife Service reports, " Of the 13.7 million hunters that took to the field in 2011, 11.6 million hunted big game, 4.5 million hunted small game, 2.6 million hunted migratory birds, and 2.2 million other animals."
From Wisconsin:
Gun deer hunters have one final opportunity this year to harvest a deer in the chronic wasting disease management zone of south central Wisconsin. The season, called the Holiday Hunt, runs Dec. 24 through the end of the ongoing late archery hunt, Jan. 6, 2013.
Hunters can fill unused antlerless tags, unused Gun or Archery Buck Carcass Tags or CWD Deer Carcass Tags. Bonus buck rules apply. Deer can be harvested with the use of any legal firearm, bow or crossbow. Archery hunters must meet legal blaze orange requirements during this open firearm season. This includes the wearing of at least 50 percent blaze orange outer clothing above the waste. The goal of the holiday hunt is to provide additional hunting opportunity as well as herd control.
From Michigan:
Michigan's Hunting Access Program (HAP) – a long-time Department of Natural Resources offering that provides hunters with more places to hunt – had been slipping into oblivion in recent years, but seems to have found a new lease on life. In fact, the latest news is pretty encouraging.
HAP, which began in the late 1970s as a way to give hunters access to private property in southern Michigan, at one time boasted more than 790 farms totaling 188,000 acres. In 2011, HAP included just 45 farms offering some 7,400 acres.
A year later, however, after the DNR decided to reinvigorate the program, HAP includes more than 150 farms that encompass 17,032-plus acres – and all of it accessible to Michigan hunters.
To learn more about the Hunting Access Program, visit www.michigan.gov/hap. To explore hunting opportunities and land resources available through the DNR, visit www.michigan.gov/hunting or www.michigan.gov/mihunt.

Missouri Conservation Commission set dates for 2013 turkey- and deer-hunting seasons

Conservation Commission sets 2013 turkey, deer season dates

Early action helps hunters who must plan vacation ahead of time.

JEFFERSON CITY–The Missouri Conservation Commission set dates for 2013 turkey- and deer-hunting seasons at its December meeting, giving hunters plenty of time to schedule vacation.

The Commission set the following dates for turkey hunting.

Ø  Youth season, April 6-7

Ø  Regular spring season, April 15-May 5

Ø  Fall firearms turkey season, Oct. 1-31

Bag limits and shooting hours remain the same as last year. Additional details, including spring managed turkey hunts and regulations for spring turkey hunting on conservation areas, will be published in the spring turkey hunting regulation guide in March.

The Commission set the following dates for 2013-2014 firearms deer hunting.

Ø  Urban portion, Oct. 11-14

Ø  Early youth portion, Nov. 2-3

Ø  November portion, Nov. 16-26

Ø  Antlerless portion, Nov. 27-Dec. 8

Ø  Alternative methods portion, Dec. 21-31

Ø  Late youth portion, Jan. 4-5

The Conservation Commission also simplified requirements for tagging harvested deer, effective June 1, 2013. Other deer-hunting regulations will be set in the spring of 2013. Details will be published in the fall deer and turkey hunting regulation guide.

Related articles

• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Hunters check 15,000 deer during antlerless season (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• November deer harvest biggest in four years (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Young hunters check 19,277 deer (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• The 161st nine-day deer hunt closes, but heritage continues through stories (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin's 2012 gun deer season opens Nov. 17 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Time is running out to apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt!

Seal of Michigan

Purchase unlimited $4 Pure Michigan Hunt applications for a chance to win the ultimate hunting prize package! Three lucky winners will be randomly selected mid-January 2013 and will receive an elk and bear license, crossbow package, hunting gear and much more!  The deadline to purchase an application is Dec. 31.  You can apply as many times as you like.  You can purchase a Pure Michigan Hunt application anywhere licenses are sold or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com (Item #300 under miscellaneous).

For more information on the Pure Michigan Hunt, including a full prize list, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt.

Related articles

• This Pure Michigan Hunt winner could be you - apply today for the hunt of a lifetime (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Kansas COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT DEADLINE JANUARY 1

Permits help conservation groups raise money
PRATT – Seven numbers will be drawn by Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners at their scheduled public meeting in January. The numbers will represent state conservation organizations that applied for the coveted Commission Big Game permits, which can be auctioned off to raise money for conservation projects.
Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply. Only one permit per organization will be awarded; however, individual chapters of the same organization may receive permits. A chapter or organization is eligible to receive only one Commission Big Game permit in a three-year period.
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners will conduct the drawing when they meet on January 10, 2013 at Butler County Community College in El Dorado. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 1, 2013.
To apply, organizations must submit an application that includes a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, and mission statement, as well as the organization’s preference for an elk, antelope or deer permit. Applications can be downloaded from KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com; enter “2013 Commission Big Game Permit” in the search box. Mail applications to Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.
Seven permits will be issued, which may include one elk, one antelope and up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations. Organizations that draw a permit must pay KDWPT the permit fee, and they will be issued a voucher. The final recipient must remit the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section to receive the big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.
Once an organization sells a permit, not less than 85 percent of the amount is returned to KDWPT to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects. The remaining 15 percent can be spent at the organization’s discretion. (If Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KFHFH) receives a permit, not less than 15 percent of the funds raised is remitted to KDWPT with 85 percent staying with KFHFH.)

Related articles

• Wildlife Checkpoint Planned in Southcentral Kansas (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Electronic Registration of Deer Available (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Firearm Deer Season Opens November 28 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Report Poachers Toll-free and Remain Anonymous (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Trail Camera Captures Mountain Lion in Stafford County (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• 15th ANNUAL PHEASANT HUNT FOR YOUTH (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• F.i.s.h. Pays Landowners to Allow Fishing Access (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

The SD GFP Commission held their December meeting last week in Pierre.

The Commission finalized the 2013 SD Spring Turkey Seasons and proposed the 2013 Bighorn Sheep Season.  To see a summary of the meeting or to listen to an audio recording of any of the meeting, click here.  To see the Bighorn Sheep proposal, click here.
To see video recordings of information items regarding bighorn sheep, the Legacy Projects that GFP has proposed or the new snowmobile trails smartphone application, click here.
To comment on the proposed Bighorn Sheep season, click here.  Please include your name and city of residence to be included into the public record.
The next GFP Commission meeting will be held at the Ft. Pierre Americinn on Jan. 10-11, beginning at 1 PM CST on Thursday, Jan 10.

Related articles

• South Dakota Fisheries Rule Changes Add Opportunity (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)

North Dakota Sign Up for Winter BOW

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is accepting registrations for a one-day winter workshop Jan. 26 at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Darling, and a three-day workshop Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau.

A darkhouse spearfishing class is offered for $50 at Upper Souris.

Classes at Lake Metigoshe include winter camping, making fish decoys, snowshoeing, winter survival, darkhouse spearfishing, and cross-country skiing. Cost of the workshop is $135.

Women interested in the workshops are encouraged to register online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Those interested should sign up immediately, as each class is limited to 12 participants. Preregistration with payment is required. Equipment will be provided.

More information is available by contacting Nancy Boldt at (701) 328-6312, Brittany Fish at (701) 527-3075, or email ndgf@nd.gov.

Related articles

• North Dakota: Mule Deer Production Remains Low (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Iowa’s Late Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins Dec. 17

An expected 30,000 hunters will be participating in Iowa’s late muzzleloader season which begins Dec. 17. Although hunters may see fewer deer as numbers have declined in eastern and southern Iowa, the season offers some excellent hunting opportunities.

Last year, 55 percent of the 8,950 deer reported during the late muzzleloader season were does. To avoid over-harvesting deer where they hunt, hunters are encouraged to work with landowners to determine if deer are at desirable levels, and base decisions on how they use the remaining antlerless tags on local herd conditions.

Success during this season depends on finding where deer are feeding and upon the weather. Look for corn or soybean fields that have been combined but not tilled under. Deer will search for waste grain in these areas. With the warm weather there are still some areas with some green grass, clover or cover crops such as winter wheat or winter rye that also would be very attractive. Cold weather will spur the deer to feed more heavily.

Party hunting is not allowed in the late muzzleloader season and hunters are required to wear blaze orange. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Hunters are also reminded that the statewide archery deer season resumes so they be sharing the woods with bow hunters. About 10 percent of the bow harvest occurs during this late portion of the season.

Deer must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is tagged. Hunters’ accurately reporting their harvest is an important component of Iowa’s deer management program and future hunting opportunities.

Hunters may report their harvest at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling 1-800-771-4692 or at any license vendor. For hunters with internet access, reporting the harvest online is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters preferring to donate their deer may do so through the Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) program, which provides needed meat to Iowans through the Food Bank of Iowa. Iowa has one of the largest programs in the nation.

 

Related articles

• Michigan's muzzleloader deer season begins (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa's Shotgun Deer Season Preview (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Hunters check 15,000 deer during antlerless season (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Iowa Deer Harvest Nears 60,000; Second Shotgun Season Begins Dec. 8 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Firearm Deer Season Opens November 28 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Michigan DNR finds 2012 firearm deer season successful, encourages hunters to share harvest information (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa Deer Hunters Encouraged to Hunt Safely (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

North Dakota Hunter Education Classes in 2013

Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2013 should know that most courses are offered early in the calendar year.

To register for a hunter education course, students need to sign up online at the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Many classes will be added over the next several weeks, and the rest will be added throughout the year as they are finalized.

To register, click on the online services tab, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required.

Those who do not have access to the Internet and want to sign up for a class can call the hunter education program in Bismarck at (701) 328-6615.

State law requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class at age 11.

Related articles

• The 161st nine-day deer hunt closes, but heritage continues through stories (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Michigan’s muzzleloader deer season begins

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the 2012 muzzleloader season for deer opens today in Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula) and Zone 3 (southern Michigan). The season runs for 10 days in the U.P. and 17 days in southern Michigan.

The 2012 muzzleloader season in Zone 2 (northern Lower Peninsula) runs from Dec. 14-23.

Hunters must possess appropriate licenses. Either a firearm deer license or combination deer license is required to take an antlered buck. An antlerless deer license is required to take antlerless deer. Antler point restrictions and baiting restrictions that applied in earlier seasons remain in effect.

A reminder for crossbow hunters: only hunters with a certified disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader season in the Upper Peninsula. This restriction applies to the Upper Peninsula only.

All deer hunters are required to wear hunter orange during muzzleloader season.

For information about hunting in Michigan, including regulations, season dates and bag limits, go to www.michigan.gov/hunting.

Michigan DNR finds 2012 firearm deer season successful, encourages hunters to share harvest information

The 2012 firearm deer season wrapped up late last week, and the Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunter reports from around the state have been mostly positive.
Into the first few days of the firearm season, the number of individuals that purchased a deer license was up 2 percent compared to the same point in 2011. Firearm season check station activity also increased this year in the Upper Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula, but was about the same in the northern Lower Peninsula. Check station data indicated deer were in good condition, with improvements to key measurements compared to 2011.
“Hunters coming to deer check stations have a great opportunity to contribute data that we use to manage the resources they care so much about,” said Dr. Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division chief.
Each year the DNR generates preliminary estimates of the firearm deer harvest shortly after the season closes on Nov. 30. Those estimates are replaced by a rigorous assessment of harvest and participation over all deer seasons using an annual hunter mail survey.
The 2012 firearm deer season harvest appears similar or up slightly compared to the 2011 season. Experiences can differ widely within regions. DNR biologists estimate the harvest, compared to 2011, was up perhaps as much as 10 percent across the Upper Peninsula and very similar to last year in the northern Lower Peninsula. Experiences in the southern Lower Peninsula varied widely, and harvest in that region is expected to be anywhere from 5 percent lower to 5 percent higher compared to 2011.
Impacts related to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral disease that affects Michigan deer but does not have human health concerns, appear to have been highly localized, but pronounced where they did occur. Data on hunter observations about the impacts of EHD collected at the check stations suggested these impacts were not widespread, but the DNR also has been getting input from unsuccessful hunters that did not have deer to bring to a check station.
“Some hunters in southern Michigan saw substantially fewer deer compared to last year,” said Brent Rudolph, DNR Wildlife Division Deer and Elk Program leader, “yet we had pretty good conditions for hunters to enjoy their time afield, and the overall attitudes of deer hunters around the state have been upbeat.”
Rudolph also stressed the importance of cooperation with the hunter harvest survey, which he called “another vital tool for Michigan’s deer program, and another way in which data provided by hunters contributes to our information base.”
Hunters that do not receive a survey in the mail but wish to provide their hunting and harvest information may visit www.michigan.gov/deer and select the Deer Harvest Reporting Form link. Hunters should only provide this information once they have completed all of their 2012 hunting activities, including seasons open through as late as Jan. 1, 2013.

This Pure Michigan Hunt winner could be you - apply today for the hunt of a lifetime

Brad Belcher, one of the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt winners, had a “bang up time” hunting opening morning at the St. Clair Flats Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area. Belcher took his son along on the coveted southern zone opener. John Darling and Harold Huber, local DNR staffers, gave a tour of the area, put the Belchers up for the night and played guide for them the next morning. The hunters were able to come home with a few less shells and, most importantly, some ducks to show for it.

Belcher was one of three hunters who won the Pure Michigan Hunt last year, which awarded him a prize package every hunter only dreams about. Each winner received licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer, and first pick on opening morning at any managed waterfowl area. In addition to the licenses, the three winners received an amazing hunter’s prize package of guns and gear.

Belcher was able to bag a 12-point buck during archery season with one of his Pure Michigan Hunt prizes, a complete Darton crossbow package. On opening morning of firearm deer season, he took an eight-point buck, and for the first time in a long time, he took two bucks.

With the December elk season coming up soon, Belcher is getting ready for his elk hunt and planning to take his entire family along. As a Pure Michigan Hunt winner, he was able to hunt elk in September, but could be choosy enough to opt out of harvesting an elk during that period. Unlike a normal elk license, a Pure Michigan Hunt elk license allows winners to hunt during all hunt periods until the elk is harvested.

Do you want to be the next Pure Michigan Hunt winner? Apply now!

Grab unlimited $4 applications online www.mdnr-elicense.com or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Applications must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2012. The three winners will be drawn, and drawing results will be posted online on Jan. 28, 2013.

This year’s prize package includes all limited-quota licenses and the following gear:
2012 Darton crossbow package
30.06 rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
12 GA shotgun from the Lake Effect Chapter of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association
Camouflage ground blind from Ameristep
Guided spring turkey hunt from East Lake Outfitters
Custom rear-window graphic from Steel Skinz Graphics
Gas cards and subscriptions from MUCC
Sitka camouflage clothing from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Camouflage vest, custom box call and patch from the National Wild Turkey Federation
Rapid River knife, duck decoy and membership from Ducks Unlimited
Herd monitoring kit and membership from the Quality Deer Management Association
National and local memberships from Safari Club International
Sweatshirt and hat from the Southwest Lake Erie chapter of Waterfowl USA

Iowa Deer Harvest Nears 60,000; Second Shotgun Season Begins Dec. 8

Second shotgun season is Dec. 8-16.

The Iowa deer harvest is running about the same as last year near the end of the first season, with nearly 60,000 deer reported to the harvest reporting system.

The first shotgun season ends Dec. 5.More seasonal weather is in the forecast beginning this weekend, to welcome the estimated 65,000 hunters who will be out for the second shotgun season.

Hunter safety should be discussed as part of the hunting plan to help prevent injuries. Hunters are encouraged to wear plenty of blaze orange to increase their visibility to other hunters.

Five hunters were injured during the first shotgun season, of which, two had self-inflicted injuries. There were no fatalities.


Shooting at running deer and identifying the target and what is beyond the target remain the two primary causes of hunter injury and property damage.

Indiana Special antlerless season from Dec. 26 - Jan. 6

This season is only in effect for counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four or more. Any legal firearm can be used in this season. Only antlerless deer can be harvested.

There are restrictions at certain DNR properties on the use of bonus antlerless licenses. This applies no matter which license you are using. Please refer to the hunting guide for details.

A bonus antlerless license, lifetime license, youth hunt/trap license, or deer license bundle can be used to harvest deer in this season. Read More

Nebraska: Big Game Public Meetings Scheduled for December

Hunters and landowners are invited to attend a series of public informational meetings to discuss deer issues during the month of December.
Meetings are scheduled across the state, with at least one meeting in each Game and Parks district.
During each meeting, biologists from Nebraska Game and Parks will discuss and take questions on a number of topics, including deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues may also be discussed.
The meeting schedule is:
Monday, Dec. 3 in McCook
Red Willow County Fairgrounds, 4-H building, 1400 W. 5th St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 in Norfolk
Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Ctr, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 10 in Kearney
Yanney Heritage Park, Environmental Resource Center Bldg., 2020 W. 11th, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in O'Neill
Cubby's, 204 E. U.S. Hwy. 20, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Gretna
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13 in York
Kilgore Memorial Library, 520 Nebraska Ave., 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 in Chadron
Chadron State College, Student Center, Scottsbluff Room, 1000 Main St., 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20 in Bridgeport
Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St., 7 p.m.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

A preliminary tally indicates hunters registered 243,739 deer during Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season, up 7.7 percent from 2011. The preliminary tally showed hunters harvested 114, 822 bucks and 128,917 antlerless deer. This compared to 2011 preliminary harvest figures of 102,837 bucks and 123,423 antlerless, for a 12 percent and 4 percent increase respectively.
There are additional opportunities to hunt deer in Wisconsin after the close of the nine-day season. The muzzleloader season is currently open through Dec. 5. The late archery season is also underway and continues until Jan. 6, 2013. There is also a statewide antlerless hunt Dec. 6-9, and a holiday hunt in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones of south central Wisconsin, which starts Dec. 24 and runs until Jan. 6, 2013. As a reminder, all hunters, except waterfowl hunters, are required to wear blaze orange through Dec. 9, and waterfowl hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange when travelling to and from blinds.
Due to the past week of cold weather, a large number of diving ducks – scaup, bufflehead, golden eye, red head and canvasback have moved into the lower areas of Mississippi River pool 11 and along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Many deer hunters also reported seeing lots of pheasants and turkeys, and with the relatively mild weather, hunting opportunities have been very good for both. The last of the pheasant releases will be taking place on state properties over the next week or two.
Skim ice has formed on many ponds and lakes in the north, with some areas reporting an inch or more of ice, but conservation wardens are reporting that there is no safe ice for ice fishing at this time, and with warm weather in the forecast for the weekend, what ice is there could get thinner or melt completely.
Some anglers continue to fish along Lake Michigan, with some success reported for brown trout and perch at Milwaukee, but action generally slow. Some walleyes were being caught on the Wisconsin River and Lake Wisconsin and a few anglers reported catching sauger near lock and dam 11 on the Mississippi River.
A Thanksgiving snowstorm dumped up to 12 inches of snow in areas of Ashland and Bayfield counties, but it was a light snow that compressed. Snow depths as of Thursday ranged from an inch or two to 6 to 8 inches across the northern portion of the state, with the heaviest amounts along the Lake Superior snowbelt. Snowmobilers are reminded that trails are not open until county snowmobile coordinators open them, and using trails before they are open is trespass and could result in the loss of important trail easements.
There continues to be an influx of winter finches from boreal Canada. Evening grosbeaks and Bohemian waxwings are visiting feeders and fruit trees, all the way south to the Illinois state line. Common redpolls as well as both white-winged and red crossbills also are being seeing statewide. Pine grosbeaks have invaded the Northwoods in large numbers and have trickled as far south as La Crosse and Milwaukee

Oklahoma Wildlife Department to open online public comment period for regulation changes Dec. 3

Starting Dec. 3, sportsmen have the opportunity to voice their thoughts online on a list of hunting and fishing related rule change proposals.
Most notable is a proposal to change the structure of the combined season deer harvest limit to include no more than two antlered deer, with only one antlered deer allowed during deer muzzleloader and gun seasons combined. Another proposal would prohibit transporting live bait from one body of water to another in the state.
"This public comment period is an important opportunity to comment on items that could lead to changes in our hunting and fishing regulations," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We feel strongly that our constituents should have every chance to provide their comments, which is why we are providing an online comment form for those wanting to be heard on these specific subjects. We encourage you to provide your comments through wildlifedepartment.com anytime during the open comment period."
To view a complete listing of proposed rule changes or to complete an online comment form, log on to wildlifedepartment.com beginning Dec. 3. The online comment period will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2013.
If comments cannot be made online, written comments will be accepted by mail until Jan. 11, 2013, at the Wildlife Department's main office in Oklahoma City (P.O. Box 53465, OKC, OK 73152).
The Wildlife Department also will be hosting a public hearing on proposed rule changes at 7 p.m., Jan. 8 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters auditorium in Oklahoma City (1801 N. Lincoln Blvd).