Page 6 - November/December 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

GAME WARDEN’S JOURNAL

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH
AND WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA

cited for hunting with-
out a valid archery deer
license as well as the ille-
gal possession of a white-
tailed deer. He faces a
minimum of $6,500 in
fines and restitution, as
well as forfeiture of his
archery equipment.

Game Wardens Jim Gillham, based in Atoka County, Game Wardens Jaylen
and Andrew Potter, based in Choctaw County, received Flynn, based in Carter
information about a boat tied up at Hugo Lake that County, Dylan King, based
appeared to have electroshocking equipment in open in Oklahoma County, and
view. Wardens waited for the operator to show up. Inves- Mark Murray, based in
tigation and interviews led to the seizure of multiple Oklahoma/Canadian coun-
shocking devices, wire lead sets, and catfish. The suspect ties, combined efforts
was charged with possession of shocking devices on or during the opening week
near waters of the state, taking of game fish by illegal of archery deer season to
Jim Gillham Jaylen Flynn
means, and possession of wildlife not legally taken. track down an Oklahoma
County suspect believed
to have illegally harvested
Game Wardens conducted a hunter’s education class a large buck before buying
for Murray, Garvin and Carter counties in September at an archery deer license.
the Murray County Expo. Kerr Pumps sponsored the The deer and com-
event and donated a lifetime combination hunting and pound bow were seized
fishing license as a prize at the end of the class. The as evidence in the case.
winner was Kade Hillis from Carter County. The person was cited
Andrew Potter for hunting without an Dylan King
archery deer license and taking wildlife illegally.
Game Warden Blake Cottrill, based in Garfield Coun-
ty, checked an Alabama hunter Oct. 11, after his investi-
gation found that the hunter did not buy a license until
after the buck had been dead several hours.
During an interview, the hunter admitted he didn’t
have a deer license while chasing the buck and bought
one only after the deer was harvested. The hunter was

Blake Cottrill

(Reports from the Oklahoma Game Wardens Face-
book page.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help make a difference!
When violators break the law, they steal fish and
wildlife from you! Report violations anonymously by
calling Operation Game Thief at (800) 522-8039. You
could earn a cash reward.

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