Page 12 - 2024MarApr

GAME WARDEN’S JOURNAL

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

This past fall, Wildlife Department personnel
installed new signage at Cherokee Public Hunting
Area. One sign was placed at the shooting range, and
others at the main entrances to the PHA just outside
of Tahlequah.
Unfortunately, on New Year’s Eve, somebody decid-
ed to run over a couple of the new signs over with a
vehicle. The signs were destroyed.
Game Wardens based
in Cherokee County are
asking for the public’s
help in identifying the
suspect(s). Information
leading to an arrest can
result in a cash reward. a state waterfowl stamp, hunting without a license, and
And citizens sharing infor- shooting before legal shooting hours.
mation can remain anon- Hunting regulations for migratory birds are imple-
ymous. Contact Game mented for several important reasons, primarily focused
Wardens Cody Young- on the conservation and sustainable management of bird
blood at (918) 431-2552 or populations. Waterfowl undertake extensive journeys
Matt Farris at (918) 431- between breeding grounds and wintering areas, often
2562 with any information. spanning multiple countries. Harvest regulations for
ducks and geese are critical components in responsible
wildlife management, aiming to balance the interests of
responsible hunters, the health of ecosystems, and the
conservation of these remarkable species.

While performing routine compliance checks, Lt.
Chad Strang, based in Cleveland County, and Game
Warden Mark Murray, based in Oklahoma/Canadian
Counties, checked a group of waterfowl hunters at a
pond in Canadian County. The Game Wardens observed
a large amount of corn scattered on the muddy bank of
the pond.
When questioned about the corn, the hunters (two
guides from a local outfitter along with their clients)
confirmed seeing the corn when they arrived for their
hunt that morning.
The guides and their hunters were cited for unlawfully
hunting migratory waterfowl over bait.
Charges are pending in Canadian County District
Court.
“Baiting” is the direct or indirect placing, exposing,
depositing, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or
Game Wardens Travis Garrett and Brandon Ful- other feed that could lure or attract waterfowl to the
ton, based in Rogers County, investigated a report of area where hunters are attempting to harvest waterfowl.
waterfowl hunters shooting firearms before the legally Both Oklahoma state law and federal law prohibits the
specified time in Rogers County. The investigation led hunting of waterfowl on or over any baited area where it
to multiple people being cited for hunting migratory is known, or reasonably should be known, that the area is
birds over a baited area, hunting migratory birds without or has been baited with salt, grain or other feed.

10 OFF THE BEATEN PATH