Oklahoma Wildlife Department Receives Monetary, Land Donations

At its February meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission accepted $2,000 from Whitetails of Oklahoma as well as 36.31 acres of land from a private donor, both of which will be used to support conservation activities in Oklahoma.

“Conservation in Oklahoma is funded by sportsmen through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses as well as special federal excise taxes on sporting goods, but donations like these really add to what the Wildlife Department can do to serve the outdoorsmen in the state,” said Greg Duffy, director of the Wildlife Department. “The Department appreciates the generosity of its supporters, and we recognize how much more we are able to do in conservation because of their support.”

The donation from Whitetails of Oklahoma will be used to help fund the Department’s 2008 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, the state’s largest indoor and outdoor recreational event featuring over 150 outdoor-related booths and activities. The Expo is hosted by the Wildlife Department in cooperation with a number of partners including other state agencies, conservation organizations, private individuals and sponsors and draws thousands of people each year to the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City, for three days of recreation and outdoor education.

Along with being an Expo sponsor, Whitetails of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization comprised of wildlife enthusiasts working to promote activities related to whitetail-deer, ranging from hunting wild deer to raising domestic herds. For more information, log on to whitetailsofoklahoma.com.

The land parcel donated to the Wildlife Department is located in Ellis and Roger Mills counties adjacent to the southern border of Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area along the South Canadian River.

The Commission also recognized Nick Woodard, game warden stationed in Grant Co., for 30 years of service to the Wildlife Department. Woodard is a game warden supervisor and has served in Grant Co. for 28 years. Frank Huebert, game warden stationed in Major Co., was also recognized for 30 years of service.

In other business, the Commission approved an emergency rule change to make portions of the Department’s rules consistent with current state law. The Wildlife Department has regulatory authority over native wildlife, while the USDA has certain regulatory authority over non-native exotic wildlife.

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.

Commissioners voted to set the next scheduled Commission meeting for 9 a.m., March 10, at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City. The regular April meeting will be held Tuesday, April 1, also in Oklahoma City.