Page 10 - July/August 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

GAME BAG Dear Wildlife Department,
Has ODWC ever considered starting a share-lunk-
er program like Texas? If not, why? Would such a
A COLLECTION OF LETTERS program work to grow bigger bass in Oklahoma? Is
TO THE WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT it a cost issue? Texas calls it the Toyota Sharelunker
Program, so I assume Texas Parks and Wildlife has a
We’d like to hear from you! Send your letters to Outdoor Oklahoma corporate sponsor to pay for it?
Letters, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or send e-mail to Ed Godfrey
donald.brown@odwc.ok.gov.
Here is some back-
Dear Wildlife Department, ground about what’s
Due to the outstanding kindness offered by an been done to evaluate
ODWC employee this weekend, I felt compelled to such a program and what
share my experience with you. ODWC does to enhance
We have recently moved to a new area and were trophy genetics through-
looking for a place to take my son for the youth out Oklahoma. In 2008,
turkey hunt. On Friday before the hunt, I took my ODWC hired an indepen-
son to Atoka Wildlife Management Area to scout for dent contractor to con-
turkeys. Once we arrived, we encountered (ODWC duct a feasibility study for Ken Cunningham
Senior Biologist) Eric Suttles. He was extremely a “Share-a-Lunker”-style
Eric Suttles program. That study looked at the needed hatchery
helpful and provided us with a nice overview of the
area along with some helpful tips. On Saturday after and equipment upgrades, personnel needs, and the
our hunt, we again encountered Suttles. He was very associated operational costs. At that time, projected
interested in our experience and offered additional upgrade costs were $3.8 million, annual operation costs
tips and suggestions to make our hunt successful. were $280,000, and it would require five additional staff
I consider Suttles a fine asset to the ODWC and members at the Durant State Fish Hatchery.
appreciate his willingness to share his expertise with That program was determined to be cost-pro-
the youths of Oklahoma. He contributed much to a hibitive at the time. That was especially the case
great experience for my son and continued to foster when considering what ODWC was already doing
in him a love for the great Oklahoma outdoors! to enhance bass genetics. ODWC was, and still is,
Brad and Zachary Wheeler operating a Florida Largemouth Bass Stocking Pro-
gram. The goal of the program is to influence the
genetics of our largemouth bass populations and to
produce more bass over 8 pounds.
Dear Nels Rodefeld, Chief, Communication
and Education Division, This stocking program began in the 1970s, and we
The staff and I at Sequoyah National Wildlife Ref- currently stock on average 1.4 million Florida large-
uge would like to thank Kelly Adams and Sarah mouth bass each year. Stockings are done on a rotation
from a list of 45 eligible lakes that offer trophy potential.
Southerland from the C/E Division for their assis-
tance with the Oklahoma Junior Duck Stamp Pro- Brood stock used in our breeding program have
gram. They have been instrumental in helping the been obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
refuge promote this program across the state and and Texas Parks and Wildlife over the years. We cur-
build partnerships with other organizations along rently contract with Auburn University to genetically
the way. This partnership has greatly expanded the test our brood stock to ensure they are pure Florida
Kelly Adams bass before spawning them. We also conduct surveys
reach of the program and has reached more people
than our refuge could alone. This program benefits of stocked lakes to evaluate the genetics and growth
both your agency and ours through a better under- of our bass populations. All of these efforts have led
standing of waterfowl and wetlands, but the program to the trophy bass successes that we’ve had at lakes
also extends into the arts. Participants in our Junior including Arbuckle, Broken Bow, McGee Creek, and
Duck Stamp Program have also participated in the Cedar, just to name a few.
Ken Cunningham, Fisheries Division Chief, ODWC
Oklahoma Duck Stamp competition.
I have been a refuge manager in Oklahoma for
22 years, and I can attest to the great partnership CLARIFICATION: An article in the May/June 2022 issue
between our two agencies. We look forward to work- about a change in harvest rules for black bass should
ing with you and other ODWC employees on many have indicated that the new harvest rule will apply state-
Sarah Southerland wide unless otherwise listed in Special Area Regulations
future projects.
Darrin Unruh, National Wildlife Refuge Manager, in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service new rule will become effective in September 2022.

8 OFF THE BEATEN PATH

OutdoorOK-2022-July-August.indd 8 8 6/16/2022 3:15:10 PM
6/16/2022 3:15:10 PM
OutdoorOK-2022-July-August.indd