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GAME BAG protect infrastructure in our wildlife management area with WMA
Technician Adam Dreyer. Myself and Lewis Jennings fought the
wildfire and managed resources for our designated counties with
A COLLECTION OF LETTERS our fire departments.

TO THE WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT This 1 million-acre-plus wildfire gave us a lot to worry about, but
knowing we could leave our areas in the hands of this crew to focus
We’d like to hear from you! Send your letters to Outdoor on the task at hand is something each of us, our families, and our
Oklahoma Letters, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK communities are extremely thankful for.
73152, or send e-mail to donald.brown@odwc.ok.gov. Marcus Thibodeau, ODWC Wildlife Biologist

Dear Wade Free, ODWC Interim Director,
On behalf of myself and B.A.S.S., I want to thank you and your Dear Wildlife Department,
staff for all the help you provided at the recent Bassmaster Classic I just wanted to write in and say that I’ve really enjoyed utilizing
in Tulsa. Fish hauling from Tulsa to Keystone and Grand Lake is no the outdoor WMA gun ranges. I’ve been to a few across the state
easy chore, and we sincerely appreciate the time and effort your on many occasions and have never had a negative experience. I’m
agency put into the task. Returning the bass weighed on the Classic sure you all don’t hear it enough, but thanks for all that you do!
stage back to the lakes where they were caught is something that Ethan
the public expects, and it can only happen with the assistance of
our state agency partners like ODWC.
We also appreciate the loan of the projectors for our Conserva- Dear Don P. Brown, Associate Editor,
tion Summit. That may seem like a small thing, but given the crazy All I can say is wow and thanks! I was just inquiring (about when
rates for renting AV equipment, it really did help out and allowed my magazine subscription would start), and I know these things
us to provide amenities to the guests that would otherwise not take time to “get into the system.” However, you have gone well
be affordable. above expectations, and I thank you.
Please forward my thanks to all of the management and hatchery Just another reason to love our Oklahoma Department of Wild-
staff that were involved in both the fish hauling and Conservation life Conservation.
Summit. And don’t hesitate to let me know how B.A.S.S. can help Paul Waits, via email
you in the future.
Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. conservation director EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Waits placed his new subscription order just a
few days after the cut-off date for receiving the next magazine. We
confirmed his order status and gladly sent along a copy of the mag-
Dear Wildlife Department, azine he’d just missed. Subscribers who want to check their order
This shout-out goes to ODWC Wildlife Division employees Scott status or change their address or send a message are welcome to
Parry, Ron Smith, Scotty Webb, Brian Powell, Alex Cooper, go online to wildlifedepartment.com/outdoorok/magazine and use
Weston Storer, Jesse Groggin, Joe Nabonne, Thad Potts, and our Customer Service Portal. We extend our thanks to Mr. Waits,
Chase Kokajan. During the Smokehouse Creek Fire that came into and all of our subscribers, for supporting Outdoor Oklahoma and
Ellis and Roger Mills counties from Texas, these men showed up to wildlife conservation in Oklahoma.

ODWC SEEKS BUMBLE BEE SIGHTINGS IT’S THE LAW:

ODWC is asking Oklahomans to share sightings of the American bumble bee online at Noodling, the catching of fish
iNaturalist.org. The free online crowdsourcing platform allows wildlife enthusiasts to con- with the hands only, is permitted for
nect with biologists as well as a larger community all nongame fish including flathead
of naturalists. catfish. Oklahoma’s other two
As a pollinator, the American bumble bee species of catfish, blue and channel
plays an important role. These bees, along with ALEJANDRO SANTILLANA/CC0 catfish, are classified as game fish,
other native pollinators, help many plants, which but regulations allow only these
in turn ensure important food sources for many two game fish species to be
wildlife species. taken when noodling. Noodling
Oklahoma has at least 10 species of bumble is prohibited at all Wildlife
bees. But American bumble bees have three black Department fishing areas, but is
and two yellow bands. The first yellow band is just permitted in most public fishing
behind the eyes; the second band is in the middle areas. Consult the Special Area
of the abdomen. Regulations for the water body
Create a free iNaturalist account to share your where you intend to noodle.
American bumble bee sightings with ODWC. American bumble bee.

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