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black-capped chickadee sits on white twig.
Backyard Bird Habitat

With just a few minor tweaks to your gardening plans throughout the year, you can cultivate a welcoming winter backyard bird habitat.

A tick sits on the edge of a leaf.
Prescribed Burning as a Tool Against Ticks?

The benefits of prescribed burning for wildlife have been well documented, especially when managing for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobwhite quail. Even more, prescribed burning continues to be one of the most cost-effective wildlife management tools available to land managers. The question is, can prescribed burning help to control tick infestations too?

standpipe cap
Spillway Screens: Does My Pond Need One?

Much like the grass carp, fish that are more likely to “escape” your pond originate from rivers. Examples of these “jailbreak prone” species include hybrid striped bass, common carp, white crappie, and green sunfish. These fish will go with the flow if you don’t “put them on lockdown”. 

Clearing eastern red cedar has helped turkey numbers rise on Malson’s land.
2024 Landowner Conservationist of the Year

Farmer-rancher Randy Malson of Roger Mills County was named the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s 2024 Landowner Conservationist of the Year.

Three mule deer are standing and grazing in a field.
What is Mule Deer Habitat?

The popularity of hunting mule deer has grown in Oklahoma. Learn what habitat mule deer prefer, what they like to eat and what they tend to avoid.

A photo taken from a trail camera of a small herd of deer within an ozark glade.
Habitat Highlight: Ozark Glades

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Ozark glades, their ecological importance, and the ongoing efforts to protect and restore these incredible natural spaces.

A gloved hand holding a young tilapia collected furing an electrofishing survey in NW Oklahoma.
Tilapia Stocking: Is it Worth it?

Are tilapia a viable food source for largemouth bass in private ponds? This question has become increasingly important for landowners looking to cultivate robust bass populations. The unique climate challenges in Oklahoma are something to consider when stocking your pond.

A group of dung beetles on top a pile of lung.
Down and Dirty with Dung Beetles

It’s hard to imagine anyone or anything searching far and wide for good poop, but that’s just what dung beetles do. And not just any dung will do, they seek to find the best.

A view of upland prairie during the sunset.
Textbook Upland Prairie Habitat for Deer, Quail and More

Upland prairie habitat is something land managers and biologists speak about quite a bit because of the importance of these habitats for wildlife. Upland prairies should contain a good mix of native grasses and flowering plants along with native shrubs and legumes.

A field covered in yellow flowers showing overgrazing.
How to Know if Your Pasture or Range is Overgrazed

A key point to understanding overgrazing is that it’s not a problem of overstocking – a function of number of head per acre – but a function of time. When a plant is not given adequate time between grazing events to rest and regrow, overgrazing can occur. Overstocking can lead to overutilization of forage, leading to overgrazing.