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Watchable Wildlife
As the New Year begins, the Wildlife Department will bring new wildlife stories to citizens. See what’s outdoors in Oklahoma while sitting in your favorite chair this winter with Outdoor Oklahoma, the award-winning magazine and television show. These mediums are published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to give you breathtaking views of Oklahoma from your armchair.
The bi-monthly magazine is recognized as having some of the nation’s best outdoor photography. Each issue is filled from cover to cover with informative, award-winning articles.
“We strive to provide more and better information to wildlife enthusiasts each year,” said Michael Bergin, associate editor of Outdoor Oklahoma. “Whether you hunt and fish, simply enjoy watching unique wildlife in your backyard or through the lens of your camera, Outdoor Oklahoma will keep you up to date on the latest, well-rounded news in wildlife conservation.”
This is also a goal of the weekly television show as it begins its new season this January. Also named Outdoor Oklahoma, the television show airs Sundays at 8 a.m. on OETA. This program keeps citizens informed on outdoor recreation, policy and special programs of the Wildlife Department. Tune in and learn everything from wildlife art to the latest outdoor equipment to attract wildlife to your backyard.
Whichever outlet you choose, Outdoor Oklahoma has something for everyone.
New Year, New Stories on Outdoor Oklahoma
“We have a great time filming the show,” said Todd Craighead, host of Outdoor Oklahoma. “We’re able to educate Oklahomans about various wildlife skills and outings they may enjoy without having to leave the state.”
Check your local television listings for additional air times near you.
Subscribe Today!
Click on the magazine or call (800) 777-0019 toll free to order Outdoor Oklahoma. Outdoor StoreWildlife DiversityContact Us
Species Spotlight
Keep watch of telephone poles, trees and fence posts this winter as you drive along the highways. You might get a pleasant surprise and see one of many birds of prey that settle in Oklahoma.
“Most people assume these are all red-tailed hawks – Oklahoma’s most abundant hawk,” said Melynda Hickman, wildlife diversity biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Northern harrier (marsh hawk): Long, narrow wings held slightly upward in a "V" shape. It has a white rump and longer tail.
Identifying Raptors on the Roadside
Red-tailed hawk: Rusty–red tail on top; it has a paler red tail if viewed from underneath. Look for a dark head, contrasting with light breast and a dark belly band.
Rough-legged hawk: White tail with a dark band. The pale head will contrast with a darker back and dark belly band.
fws.gov
Ferruginous hawk: Orange legs contrast with whitish under parts. It will have a rusty back and shoulders contrasting a pale head.
Red-shouldered hawk: Finely barred, reddish under parts and narrow white bands on the dark tail. It has red shoulder patches.
American kestrel: Rusty back and two “whiskers” on each side of the face. It is a smaller falcon and frequently hovers.
wildlifedepartment.com
Bill Horn
Bill Horn
Bill Horn
Bill Horn
“But look again and you’ll notice that several species are present," said Hickman. "They seem similar at first glance, but with a little practice you can tell them apart.”
Plumage greatly varies on raptors; however, below are a few key characteristics to help you distinguish one from another when in flight. Keep in mind that these descriptions are for adult birds; juveniles are different.Outdoor StoreWildlife DiversityContact Us
Wildlife Support
Support Your Sport: 2012 Habitat Donor Patch
Approximately 97 percent of Oklahoma land is privately owned; creating a great need for more public land for wildlife enthusiasts and conservation efforts. Order the 2012 Wildlife Department habitat donor patch or hat today and donate to increase public lands.
The 2012 patch features the pronghorn antelope, found in the short and mixed grass prairies of Cimarron and Texas counties. The pronghorn is one of Oklahoma’s most unique creatures as it is a true American native and the only member of its family, Antilocapra.
Purchase the current donor patch collectible, as well as those available from previous years, in the Outdoor Store at wildlifedepartment.com, whether your sport is birding, hunting or fishing, and help Oklahoma’s ecosystems thrive. Proceeds go to the Wildlife Department’s Land Acquisition Fund, used to purchase, lease or acquire easements for property to be used by all outdoor enthusiasts.
Photo by Kelly AdamsOutdoor StoreWildlife DiversityContact Us
Our Mission
The Wildlife Diversity Program - a program of the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation - monitors, manages and promotes
rare, declining and endangered wildlife, as well as common wildlife not
fished or hunted. Oklahomans help fund the Wildlife Diversity Program
through the purchase of wildlife conservation specialty license plates,
product purchases, individual donations and an annual state income tax
check-off.
Please send comments to info@odwc.state.ok.us.
About Us
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Commission
Mike Bloodworth - Hugo - Chairman
M. David Riggs - Sand Springs -Vice Chairman
John Zelbst - Meers - Secretary
Ed Abel - Oklahoma City
John D. Groendyke - Enid
Bruce Mabrey - Okmulgee
Dan Robbins - Altus
Harland Stonecipher - Centrahoma
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Richard Hatcher - Director
Melinda Sturgess-Streich - Asst. Director of Administration and Finance
Wade Free - Assistant Director of Operations
Barry Bolton - Chief, Fisheries
Alan Peoples - Chief, Wildlife
Robert Fleenor - Chief, Law Enforcement
Nels Rodefeld - Chief, Information and Education
Editor Contributing Staff
Rachel Bradley Melynda Hickman, Russ Horton,
William “Buck” Ray, Curtis
Tackett, Mark Howery, Larry Weimers, Michael Bergin
Outdoor Calendar
January
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands on bluebird program including how to deal with the killer 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.
17: Vegetable Gardening Seminar at the Noble Foundation Kruse Auditorium. This evening seminar will get you started on the right foot to establish a productive vegetable garden. Seminar starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. No registration fee.
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at
(580) 224-6411 or
www.noble.org/AgEvents
CONGRATULATIONS!
Wildscape Certified Property:
#0458 Shelley Shoreland, McClain County
For more information on wildscapes contact:
mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us