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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!

A grayish red bird with a large orange bill perches on a small branch.
QUIZ: What Kind of Birder Are You?

Are you a fledgling birder, a yard bird, or a long-distance migrant? Take our bird watching quiz to find your birding style, then get tips for building skills and leveling up your birding experience.

Angler fishing on bank at Lake Schooler in Choctaw County
Check Out ODWC's "Hidden Gems" of Fishing

Oklahoma offers some of the best fishing opportunities anywhere. The state is known for its huge reservoirs, but did you know the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) actually owns and manages its very own assortment of smaller fishing lakes?

A bird with a russet brown back and yellow and black throat sings while perched on a green stem.
Birding by Ear: Tips for Identifying Bird Songs

Identifying the songs and calls made by individual bird species, or birding by ear, is a great way to level up your nature experience and appreciate birds in a new way.

Wildlife viewer looking through binoculars.
Find Your Next Birding Hotspot

Oklahoma has a great mix of birds and bird habitats, making the state an epic place to begin or level up your bird watching journey. We share recs for where to go birding in Oklahoma, regardless of your birding style.

A group of invasive red cedars against a blue sky.
Redcedar Removal a Big First Step to Improving Habitat

Eastern redcedar trees are taking over Oklahoma's landscape and destroying wildlife habitat. Learn how redcedar removal can restore native plants, conserve water, and bring wildlife back to your property.

A whitetail buck stands in a green forest.
Increase Your Winning Odds for Controlled Hunts

Study last year's stats, stack preference points, and add extra hunt choices to maximize your odds at scoring one of Oklahoma's 5,000+ exclusive controlled hunt permits, including trophy elk, whitetail, and pronghorn opportunities.

Harvestmen on a leaf at Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Watchable Wildlife: Daddy Longlegs

Think you know the truth about daddy longlegs? The world's most venomous spider myth might be more complicated than you think — discover what these mysterious creatures really are, how they defend themselves, and why you might actually want them around.

Hunting do walking through field
Want a Great Hunting Partner? Start Now With Puppy School

Ask hunters why they hunt, and the answers are as varied as the seasons, a persistent pull that's hard to put into words. But ask one who hunts with a dog, and the answer comes without hesitation: "I love to see my dog work."

An Oklahoma black bear climbs over a log.
Black Bears Are Stirring After Winter Nap

While naturally shy of people and urban areas, black bears will sometimes travel many miles when searching for food, mates or new territory, and they can wind up in some unexpected places. Most bear sightings are in some way food-related and occur in spring and summer months.

4 Seasons Tree
Phenology

Phenology is an easy activity to help you become more attuned to the natural areas around you, including (maybe most importantly) your backyard! It’s as easy as marking dates on a calendar (either a virtual calendar on your mobile phone or a paper calendar).