Published: November 08, 2009 12:01 pm      

Wildlife rules, new and old, underway

We’re through with muzzleloader season and back to bow season for deer, until the start of rifle season on Nov. 21, Rifle season will again be a 16-day season.

   It’s also fall turkey season, which has been underway for over a month for archery. The fall gun season for turkey, in the counties where it’s permitted, began Oct. 31 and runs through Nov. 20, with rifle season beginning for deer the next day.

   Remember that this year there is an online check station for deer, turkey, and elk. However, when I tried to look in on that section of the Wildlife Department’s website very early Saturday morning, that section of the site appeared to be down.

   Fall turkey season with a gun has traditionally left out our area of southeast Oklahoma, but some areas of the state are open. Check the hunting regulations before going afield.

   Speaking, well, writing, of regulations, the state’s first bear season ended Nov. 1. According to the Wildlife Department. 19 bears were harvested. I’ll admit I thought 20 would have been reached sooner, no later than on the first day of muzzleloader. Instead, it comes up one shy of the 20 maximum limit that had been set.

   Between this writing and the opening of rifle season for deer, another fall season opens in Oklahoma. That is quail season, which begins Nov. 14 and will run through Feb. 15.

   At their November meeting, the state’s Wildlife Commission adopted emergency paddlefish rules. The intent is to reduce harvest of the prehistoric-looking fish, and still provide substantial fishing opportunities for paddlefish, according to one wildlife official.

   Check out the Wildlife Department’s website if paddefishing is of interest to you: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Seasonal trout fisheries are open, as of Nov. 1, at a number of areas in the state, including in a part of Robbers Cave near Wilburton.

   Until next week, happy outdoors!

John Yates is the news director for McAlester Radio. Contact him at valstarr_hawkwind@yahoo.com.