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Outdoor Oklahoma Journal

This is the Outdoor Oklahoma Journal, where we're all about helping you pursue and engage in Oklahoma's vibrant outdoor lifestyle. Follow us for great hunting and fishing stories, wildlife features, insider information about unique opportunities, and tangible details on how to go out and be a hunter, angler, and conservationist. The outdoors are always open, so don't miss out!

Japanese millet growing on a mud flat.
ODWC Conducts Aerial Seeding For Waterfowl Benefit

This year, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation aerially applied Japanese millet seed to about 2,000 acres around four reservoirs.

An eastern bluebird perched on a winter twig.
From Grave to Recovery

Discover how simple bluebird nesting boxes helped bring eastern bluebirds back from steep population declines and how you can help support these iconic songbirds.

closeup of hands setting a trap
Modern Trapping: An Important Conservation Tool

Regulated wildlife trapping carries out essential roles in modern society by helping to keep animal populations at healthy levels while meeting societal needs. Understanding how regulated trapping works reveals its true value and clears up several common misunderstandings.

Two black bears explore a mock campsite from behind a glass wall.
Get BearWise: Camp Lessons from OKC Zoo Bears

In September, Woody and Maynard, two American black bears at the Oklahoma City Zoo, demonstrated how quickly they could find food in an imitation campsite and offered a valuable lesson for coexisting with wildlife. When visiting or living in bear country, anything that might tempt a bear — from pet food or this week’s trash to a full-blown picnic — should be properly stored at campsites and other outdoor spaces.

A fence separates grazing and grassland.
ODWC's Private Lands Program - We're Here to Help

Owning your own property for hunting is something wonderful, but sometimes simply having a place doesn’t mean the hunting opportunities abound. Oftentimes, a helping hand is needed in getting a piece of land to reach its full wildlife-related potential.

duck decoys on a pond
Guided Youth Hunts Open the Doors to Waterfowl Hunting

The ODWC guided youth waterfowl hunt program helps young hunters and their families discover a lifelong passion while making waterfowl hunting more accessible for beginners.

Girl with harvested doe in the field.
Youth Deer Gun Season Tips: A Guide for Youth & Parents

The full scoop on how to "go out and do" the youth deer gun season for kids and adult mentors.

A shooting range with two roof-covered benches and vehicles in the parking lot
Shooting Range Work Advances at Full Bore

ODWC is working to ensure hunters, along with recreational and competitive shooters, have safe, accessible places to enhance their skills through new shooting range construction and extensive renovations on Wildlife Management Areas.

A whitetail buck looking to the right.
Oklahoma Nonresident Hunters Must Obtain Deer Licenses in Advance

As part of an effort to discourage unlicensed deer hunting in Oklahoma, nonresident deer hunters will need to plan ahead.

A pond under a blue sky.
Enhancing the Habitat in your Pond

Improve your Oklahoma farm pond with simple, low-cost habitat enhancements. Learn how to add fish cover, spawning areas, gravel beds and more.