Page 41 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

KELLY ADAMS/ODWC

Hiking and wildlife offered for public users of Department-owned areas who decide they do not
watching are among
many “off-season” want hunting or fishing privileges. Since 2008, ODWC has used Conservation
outdoor pursuits Passport revenue to buy additional public access land.
visitors can enjoy
at areas like Sandy ODWC’s public hunting and fishing
Sanders WMA.
areas not only give people places to JOHN REMPE/ODWC
enjoy the outdoors, but they also con-
tribute to local economies. In some
cases, farmers and ranchers count on
public land leases to operate every year.
WMA users buy fuel, food, lodging and
gear when they visit the areas.
All in all, ODWC’s public lands
keep giving back in so many ways to
the people and the wildlife that call
Oklahoma home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Rempe
has served with the Oklahoma
A combine
Department of Wildlife Conservation for 25 years. He is an outdoor enthusiast harvests milo on a
WMA agricultural
who grew up on a family farm. Working the land, farming and ranching, and
lease area.
promoting wildlife habitat is a passion he enjoys daily. He’s currently a wildlife
biologist for the Copan, Hulah and Osage WMAs in northeastern Oklahoma.

CONTRIBUTING: ODWC Lands and Minerals Coordinator Kristen Gillman con-
tributed to this article.
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