OKLAHOMA OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OUTDOOR CALENDAR
 
JANUARY
 
5-8: Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds, Oklahoma City.
 
5-8: Oklahoma Winter Bird Feeder Survey. Help the Wildlife Department track wintering birds at backyard feeders. For more information, log on to www.okwinterbirds.com<http://www.okwinterbirds.com/> .
 
9: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 
12: Tulsa Fly Fishers & Oklahoma Trout Unlimited Meeting with guest speaker is Kevin Calhoun of Just Fishin' Guides. The program will be How To Catch Smallmouth On The Fly. Kevin, will cover tackle (rods, reels, fly lines, and leaders), how to read the water (current seams, cover, etc.), fly presentations, flies and will share some of his favorite rivers to fish. Kevin has fished extensively from CO, NM, AR and WY for trout; TX, AR, KS for the basses, done saltwater fishing in FL, TX and Mexico and salmon in AK. Meetings are held at the Hardesty Public Library (8316 E. 93rd St. on the North side of the Creek Turnpike off Memorial Drive). Meetings are free and open to the public and beings at 6:30 p.m. For more information see www.tulsaflyfishers.org <http://www.tulsaflyfishers.org/> 
 
13: Eleventh annual OKC trout fishing clinic at Putnam City High School Gym (5300 NW 50th Warr Acres) for anyone interested in fishing for and catching rainbow trout. Program is free. To register call the H.B Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.
 
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Offices Closed.
 
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on bluebird program including how to deal with house sparrows at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the upstairs seminar room, is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information (918) 355-7600.
 
24: Predator Calling Seminar at 7 p.m. in the upstairs seminar room at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.. Scott Ruff will cover bobcat calling, and Travis Alzate will cover coyote calling. Both men are expert predator hunters, videographers and seminar presenters with many years of multi-state experience. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (918) 355-7600.
 
28: The Lawton Oklahoma Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a Waterfowl Hunters Party at the Great Plains Coliseum (Prairie Building) at 920 S. Sheridan Road, Lawton. Doors Open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, which includes a meal and Ducks Unlimited membership. Auction will be held for decoys and hunting equipment. Come out and enjoy a great evening of fun and fellowship. For more info and to purchase tickets contact Ricky Moore, Lawton Ducks Unlimited Chapter President, atmoore6395@sbcglobal.net or (580) 351-8824.
 
28: Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet of the Miami/Ottawa County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a banquet at the Buffalo Run Hotel and Casino in Miami. This will be one of the first opportunities for hunters to bid on 2012 limited edition DU 75th anniversary prints, guns, and equipment. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner and auction to follow. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple available at the door. For advance tickets, information, or sponsorships contact Jeff or Shannon White at(918) 961-1083
 
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Topics will range from legal considerations and techniques for managing fire to environmental considerations and developing prescribed burning plans. Weather permitting an afternoon demonstration burn will be conducted with an explanation of necessary equipment. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at (580) 224-6411 or log on to www.noble.org/AgEvents <http://www.noble.org/AgEvents> .

Related articles

• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for January 5, 2012

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Unseasonably mild weather is continuing, with much of the southern half of the state having no snow cover, and only far north central Wisconsin having enough snow for winter recreation. Most lakes across the state finally have some ice cover, but some of the larger lakes, like Mendota in Dane County and Lake Winnebago still have areas of open water.

Snowmobile trails are open in about a dozen northern counties, with conditions ranging from very good in Iron and Vilas counties, to good in Oneida, to only fair in Lincoln County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Very few state parks or forest have been able to groom cross-country ski trails, with the exception of the Northern Highland-American Legion and Flambeau River state forests and Copper Falls and Council Grounds state parks.

This weekend kicks off the candlelight ski and snowshoe hikes at Wisconsin state parks, forest and trails, but all six events scheduled this weekend are in southern or central areas without enough snow for skiing. As of Thursday, all events were going to be held as candlelight hikes, and with mild temperatures in the forecast for the weekend, conditions are looking excellent for winter hikes by candlelight. Hikes will be held at Blue Mound, Harrington Beach, Mirror Lake and Wildcat Mountain state parks, and the Chippewa Moraine Recreation area and Havenwoods State Forest.

Ice depths now range from 7 to 12 inches across much of northern Wisconsin, with less on flowages. Ice through central Wisconsin ranges 4 to 8 inches and southern lake range from open water to 4 to 6 inches. But with mild weather in the forecast, recreational safety specialists are urging extreme caution for anyone heading out on frozen waters. Some ice anglers have begun to take recreational vehicles and even some trucks on to frozen water, but wardens are recommending against it. One truck went through the ice this week. State law requires these vehicles to be removed right away, which is a very costly venture.

Early ice fishing reports have been mixed, with some good action for northern pike and panfish, but slower action for walleye. Ice has begun to form again on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay and Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, but not enough for travel. Strong winds in the last week have broken up much ice that forms. Anglers were still doing some open water fishing at Lake Michigan harbors and on the tributaries, with some action for brown and rainbow trout. Anglers were also open water fishing the Mississippi River, with little success for walleye and just some smaller sauger reported.

There were more reports of white-tail bucks shedding antlers this week. A reminder that the late archery, and Holiday and CWD management zone gun hunts run through this Sunday, Jan. 8. With mild weather, wardens report participation in the holiday and CWD hunts was up over the last week.

Recent waterfowl surveys have found unusually high numbers of waterfowl still being found in the state due to the mild weather and large amounts of open water. The surveys found good numbers of mallards, Canada geese, and various diving ducks like scaup, goldeneyes, ring-necked, and mergansers. They also still saw an occasional left-over wood duck, black duck, pintail or other puddle ducks not normally expected to be seen this time of the year. Other surveys found good numbers of eagles along the Mississippi River and about 300 eagles along the Fox River from Neenah to Wrightstown.

Related articles

• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for December 15, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for December 22, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Candlelight events scheduled at Wisconsin state parks, forests and trails (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Outdoor Report as of December 1, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

HUNTING AT MINES OF SPAIN (IOWA) TOPIC OF PUBLIC MEETING

DUBUQUE – Possible changes to hunting methods at Mines of Spain State Recreation Area will be the topic of a public meeting on Jan. 30. The DNR sponsored meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the EB Lyons Interpretive Center in the park.

The DNR would like to discuss and gather input on a proposal to discontinue shotgun hunting in Mines of Spain.  Archery hunting for deer, turkey and all other legal species would continue.

Since 1991, hunting with shotguns has been allowed in the park during specific seasons.  Archery hunting of all legal species is permitted in compliance with all open-season, license and possession limits. Shotgun and archery deer hunting has helped manage and control the deer population of the area. 

While the deer population has steadily decreased, park use for other activities has increased, including winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bird watching, photography and other winter activities.  The park hosts more than 250,000 visitors annually.

State park staff will be on hand to explain the proposal, answer questions and receive comments. The interpretive center is located at 8991 Bellevue Heights, just south of Dubuque on Hwy. 52 South. 

Written comments will also be accepted. Send comments to: C/O Hunting; Mines of Spain Recreation Area; 8991 Bellevue Hts.; Dubuque, Iowa  52003-9214 or via e-mail at Mines_of_Spain@dnr.iowa.gov. 

Related articles

• Second Shotgun Deer Season Opens December 10 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• 2011 Wisconsin archery deer season to be longest in state history (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Kansas Deer Hunters: MUZZLELOADER, YOUTH/DISABLED, ARCHERY DEER SEASONS ON TAP (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
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• Preliminary count shows hunters harvested 226,260 deer during the nine-day season (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

2011 SD Firearms Antlerless Season Closes Sunday

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PIERRE, S.D. - The 2011 East and West River Firearms Deer Seasons close Sunday, Jan. 8. The firearms seasons reopened on Dec. 31, 2011 for antlerless deer only.

The antlerless extension to the season is used as a management tool to allow for harvest of antlerless deer only. All antlerless permits issued for these two seasons are valid. In addition, all unfilled “any” deer tags or “any buck” tags convert to antlerless tags during this season.

Archery, youth and muzzleloader seasons remain open until Jan. 15, but for antlerless deer only.

Related articles

• South Dakota Deer Seasons Reopen for Antlerless Harvest (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Final Iowa Deer Season Begins Jan. 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• ND: Muzzleloader Season Opens Nov. 25 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa January Antlerless Deer Licenses on Sale Soon (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota: Firearms Antelope and West River Antlerless Deer Seasons Open (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Ohio's Statewide Muzzleloader Season Opens January 7-10

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Deer must be checked in by 11:30 p.m. the day of harvest

   
COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio's popular muzzleloader deer season is set to open statewide January 7-10 according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

The Division of Wildlife expects as many as 265,000 hunters will hunt deer during the muzzleloader season. Legal hunting hours this season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Ohio deer hunters must possess the proper permits. Regardless of zone, method of taking, or season, hunters may take only one antlered deer during the 2011-2012 deer hunting season. Deer must be checked in by 11:30 p.m. the day of harvest.

Hunters must still report their deer harvest, but are no longer required to take their deer to a check station for physical inspection. Instead, hunters have three options to complete the new automated game check:

• On the Internet at wildohio.com.
• By telephone at 1-877-TAG-ITOH (1-877-824-4864). This option is only available to those who are required to have a deer permit to hunt deer.
• At all license agents. A list of these agents can be found at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Ohio's small game, furbearer, and waterfowl seasons will also be open during the muzzleloader season. During those overlapping four days, small game hunters and deer hunters must wear a visible solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange coat, jacket, vest or coveralls.

The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay the processing fees of donated venison. Donations of extra deer will be accepted throughout the entire deer season. Hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and while funding for the effort is available. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Additional hunting regulations and maps of deer zones are contained in the 2011-2012 Ohio Hunting Regulations.

The 2011-2012 licenses are not printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women need to protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

Related articles

• Ohio's Coshocton County Leads State in Weekend Deer-Gun Harvest Numbers (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio Deer Hunters: Early Muzzleloader Season Results are Reported (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Muzzleloader harvest tops 15,000 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Deer-gun Hunting Continues December 17-18 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota Deer Seasons Reopen for Antlerless Harvest (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

FINAL IOWA DEER SEASON BEGINS JAN. 11

The January antlerless deer season begins Jan. 11, for 42 counties, mainly in southern Iowa, and is the final deer season of the year. Even though there may be licenses left for a county not all areas in these counties need to have extra does taken. Hunters are encouraged to work with landowners to determine desired local deer population level and adjust their doe harvest accordingly.

Hunters are reminded that they will need to have a 2012 hunting license and habitat fee to participate in the season. The January antlerless season allows hunters to use shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows.  In the southern two tiers of counties, hunters may also choose a centerfire rifle, .24 caliber or larger. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Party hunting is allowed during the January antlerless season. The season ends Jan. 29.

One concern voiced by hunters is that bucks that have shed their antlers are taken during this season. Hunters can avoid harvesting a shed antlered buck by passing up a shot at a lone deer and wait for does and fawns traveling together.

Hunters can use the HUSH program to donate any legally harvested deer to the Food Bank of Iowa, where the meat will help Iowans in need.

All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.  Accurately reporting the harvest is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities. 

For hunters with Internet access, the online harvest reporting is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters can report their deer online at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor. 

Related articles

• South Dakota Deer Seasons Reopen for Antlerless Harvest (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa: LICENSES ON SALE FOR NOVEMBER ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Holiday antlerless deer season brings Christmas cheer to hunters in Oklahoma (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa Late Muzzleloader Deer Season Preview (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa January Antlerless Deer Licenses on Sale Soon (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

OKLAHOMA OUTDOOR CALENDAR

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JANUARY
 
5-8: Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds, Oklahoma City.
 
5-8: Oklahoma Winter Bird Feeder Survey. Help the Wildlife Department track wintering birds at backyard feeders. For more information, log on to www.okwinterbirds.com<http://www.okwinterbirds.com/> .
 
9: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 
13: Eleventh annual OKC trout fishing clinic at Putnam City High School Gym (5300 NW 50th) for anyone interested in fishing for and catching rainbow trout. Program is free. To register call the H.B Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.
 
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Offices Closed.
 
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on bluebird program including how to deal with house sparrows at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the upstairs seminar room, is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information (918) 355-7600.
 
24: Predator Calling Seminar at 7 p.m. in the upstairs seminar room at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.. Scott Ruff will cover bobcat calling, and Travis Alzate will cover coyote calling. Both men are expert predator hunters, videographers and seminar presenters with many years of multi-state experience. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (918) 355-7600.
 
28: The Lawton Oklahoma Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a Waterfowl Hunters Party at the Great Plains Coliseum (Prairie Building) at 920 S. Sheridan Road, Lawton. Doors Open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, which includes a meal and Ducks Unlimited membership. Auction will be held for decoys and hunting equipment. Come out and enjoy a great evening of fun and fellowship. For more info and to purchase tickets contact Ricky Moore, Lawton Ducks Unlimited Chapter President, atmoore6395@sbcglobal.net or (580) 351-8824.
 
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Topics will range from legal considerations and techniques for managing fire to environmental considerations and developing prescribed burning plans. Weather permitting an afternoon demonstration burn will be conducted with an explanation of necessary equipment. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at (580) 224-6411 or log on to www.noble.org/AgEvents <http://www.noble.org/AgEvents> .

Related articles

• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Oklahoma Calling all citizen scientists to help conduct Wildlife Department's Winter Bird Feeder Survey (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Winter Fishing the Missouri Trout Parks (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Deer hunting plays important economic role in Oklahoma (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)