Volume 4 • Issue 5 • May 2011

Join us for Hackberry Flat Day

Don't miss out on this fun filled day

On Saturday May 14, 2011 the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Friends of Hackberry Flat are offering a fun-filled day for the entire family from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hackberry Flat Center located near Frederick in southwest Oklahoma.

Activities at the event will include birding tours and wetland hayrides, in addition to opportunities to try archery and shotgun shooting. Activities inside the Center include viewing wetland “critters” in the wetland classroom, fishing simulator and experiencing an interactive exhibit about bats in Oklahoma. Registration is not required and visitors can come and go as they please.

All activities will begin at the Hackberry Flat Center, a facility that provides wetland classroom experiences for school groups, programs on wildlife and wildlife-related activities as well as meeting facilities for resource-oriented programs, workshops and meetings.

Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area is a 7,120 acre wildlife oasis located southeast of Frederick in southwest Oklahoma. With the help of many partners, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has restored this legendary wetland to provide refuge for prairie’s waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland-dependent birds and to provide recreation for people craving the outdoors.

For more information or to receive a booklet about the Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, call the Frederick Chamber of Commerce at (580) 335-2126 or Melynda Hickman, wildlife diversity biologist for the Wildlife Department, at (405) 990-4977.

For a complete a complete schedule of events go to
..\education\hackberry_flat_schedule.htm

Other events scheduled to be held at the Hackberry Flat Center

Saturday, June 11th – Center will be open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 – Hunter Education Class. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 – Monarch Watch and Dragonfly Hawks. More information coming soon!
Saturday, December 10 – Hackberry Flat: A Photographic Year-in-Review. A guest photographer will highlight his year at Hackberry Flat with an exhibit of images.
 

Watchable Wildlife Area Destination

Byron Hatchery WWA

Located adjacent to the Byron state fish hatchery, the watchable wildlife area showcases three different habitats in a 40-acre. Byron WWA includes a 1/2-mile self-guided trail through a cattail marsh, forested swamp and restored mid-grass prairie. The trail contains informational signs, observation blinds and piers to get visitors closer to wildlife. Other features designed to attract wildlife include bat houses, a chimney swift tower, a barn owl nest house and a bluebird trail.

The WWA is open for self-guided tours daily during sunlight hours; weekday visitors also can tour the fish hatchery from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

NEW this year! The Nature Center located at the Watchable Wildlife Area will be open on the 3rd Saturday of each month, except July and October. The biologist on duty will be happy to visit with visitors about wildlife in the area or take a walk with you on the nature trail. Hours will be 9 am to 3 pm. Dates are:

  • May 21st
  • August 20th
  • September 17th
  • November 19th
  • December 17th

Other events scheduled to be held at the Byron:

June 18th – Annual North American Butterfly Association Butterfly Count, 9 am – 3 pm. No cost but reservations required. To reserve a spot email Melynda Hickman at mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us Recommended that children be at least 12 years old. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and cookies are provided.

For more information about Byron Watchable Wildlife Area ..\wildlifemgmt\byron.htm

Take to the road to catch a glimpse of Oklahoma wildlife

Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma

From prairie chickens to "horny toads", scissortail flycatchers to elk, the private lands of Western Oklahoma are home to a diversity of unique and interesting wildlife species. The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma was developed to take advantage of Oklahoma’s small-town hospitality and showcase the many wildlife species that can be seen.

The Great Plains Trail covers 1,777 miles and includes 33 counties. The trail consists of 13 highway-based, driving loops that span the entire western portion of the state. Each loop guides travelers through areas with the best opportunities to view wildlife and includes designated stopping points on both public and private areas.

To explore the driving loop visit
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/greatplains/wildlifetrails.htm

 

Written by Kristen Gillman. Kristen is an Information Specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

What's Your Summer Trip?

Northwest Oklahoma has One of the Best

I would like to cordially invite you to enter the drawing for a one-of-a-kind trip.  The trip includes a one-night gathering with more than one million bats and other visitors.  Some of these visitors include deer, Texas horned lizards, rattlesnakes, coyotes and a multitude of owls, and humans! See this big group of Mexican free-tailed bats soar into the evening sky over Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area.  The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation be will host the trip.

This year the bat watches will take place the last four weekends in July.  The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children (12 & under).  Pre-registration is different this year with attendees being drawn lottery-style.  Given the popularity of this event, the Department is turning to a more equitable way for registering.   The specified registration period begins May 31st and ends June 7th.  To pre-register, print off the registration form beginning May 31st at 8 a.m.  Registration is by mail only and must be postmarked no later than June 7th to be included in the drawing. Much more information and details about the Selman Bat Watch can be found on the website.  Successful registrants will receive a confirmation packet by mail.  Unsuccessful registrants will receive their returned check or money order by mail.

Wildlife Diversity Donations

Memorial contributions made in the memory of Dr. Richard Ellis by:

Rooney and Patsy Koch

Dr. Brook Scott, Clay Scott and Shelby Scott

Leach, Sullivan, Sullivan and Watkins LLP

Duncan Gun Club

Angel and Mac Humphrey

Jere and Anne McKenny

We thank you for all of your support!

Certified Wildscapes

Mary Lane & Steve Davis OKC


Our Mission:

The WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM monitors and manages the state's wildlife and fish species that are not hunted or fished.