Page 5 - Sept/Oct 2020 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

Off the Beaten Path

MIAMI, OK, MAN WINS ARGENTINA HUNT RAFFLE

John Weedn of Miami, Okla., was the lucky winner of a guid- will include round-trip economy airfare, gun rentals and
ed dove hunt in Argentina in a raffle conducted this past spring local transportation.
in conjunction with the Wildlife Department’s Controlled The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation was
Hunts Program. The formed in 2018 to
trip was donated by encourage private
the Oklahoma Wild- support for the Okla-
life Conservation homa Department
Foundation. of Wildlife Conser-
Weedn’s winning vation. The Foun-
ticket was one of the dation’s vision is to
1,827 tickets sold, www.okwildlifefoundation.org enable all outdoor
which raised a total enthusiasts to active-
of $33,500. All proceeds went to the Oklahoma Department of ly enjoy the state’s wildlife and wild spaces. The Foundation
Wildlife Conservation to help fund fish and wildlife conserva- is able to assist with Wildlife Department activities in a pro-
tion across the state. active way and oftentimes without institutional constraints
Weedn and three others of his choosing will enjoy a trip faced by many governmental agencies. For more informa-
of a lifetime that includes three nights at a five-star lodge tion or to support the Foundation and ODWC, go online to
near Cordoba, Argentina, and several dove hunts. The trip okwildlifefoundation.org.

OUTDOORS IS ALWAYS OPEN; NEW RULES THIS YEAR
FUN FISHING, FREE HUNTING RESTRICT CERVID IMPORTS

In these days of social distancing, facemasks and stay-home
guidelines, some folks are getting some major cases of cabin Oklahoma hunters who plan to hunt deer and elk in
fever. The Wildlife Department reminds everyone that The other states are reminded that new rules are in effect that
Outdoors Is Always Open! specify which parts of their harvested cervids they are
If you haven’t yet left the house with a fishing pole these past allowed to bring back into the state.
several months, it’s still a great time to head out to your favorite The new rules, passed by the Oklahoma Wildlife
stream or lake for some relaxing and fun times around the water. Conservation Commission in February, are designed
Fishing in Oklahoma can be good year-round. One option for to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD)
urban dwellers are the dozens of Close To Home Fishing areas entering the state. This always-fatal disease that affects
scattered across the state. These are local waters in and near deer, elk and other cervids has been found in every state
larger cities that are just a short drive away. And they are stocked surrounding Oklahoma, but has yet to be detected in any
regularly with fish that are ready to bite! For a list of these areas, wild Oklahoma cervid.
go to www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/wheretofish/cth. The following restrictions are effective for all 2020-21
Another great way to enjoy some outdoor recreation is the hunting seasons.
annual Oklahoma Free Hunting Days weekend, set this year No person shall import, transport, or possess any
on Sept. 5-6. On these two days, Oklahoma residents may cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass from outside
participate in open hunting seasons without having a state the boundaries of Oklahoma. The following items are
hunting license. the only exceptions:
These free days also provide a perfect chance for current hunters • Antlers or antlers attached to clean skull plate or
to gather up some folks who have never been hunting and give cleaned skulls (all tissue removed);
them an experience that might open a door for them, as well as • Animal quarters containing no spinal materials or
help continue a time-honored American tradition. meat with all parts of the spinal column removed;
This year, open hunting seasons during Free Hunting Days • Cleaned teeth;
include dove, squirrel, coyote, raccoon, beaver, striped skunk,
prairie dog, rail and gallinule. State Game Wardens will not check • Finished taxidermy products;
for state hunting licenses for residents on those days. • Hides or tanned products.
Those who will need a fishing or hunting license can get
them immediately online at license.gooutdoorsoklahoma.com/ For more information, including carcass disposal do’s
Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx or through the Go Outdoors and don’ts, go to www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/
Oklahoma mobile app. species/deer/cwd.

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