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January 2019 Oklahoma Wildlife Management Association Newsletter

You are receiving this newsletter because you are an active member or a friend of the Oklahoma Wildlife Management Association (OWMA).

We hope you have a happy, healthy and productive 2019.

We had a busy and productive 2018. We sponsored a legislative reception-spring meeting-wild game banquet, a bass fishing tournament, a sporting clay shoot, co-sponsored youth doe hunts and a youth turkey hunt, worked on several legislative issues, rebuilt the website, updated the Facebook page, created LinkedIn and Instagram pages, and held nine board meetings. Information about several of these activities is provided in the following pages.

OWMA Legislative Reception, Spring Meeting and Wild Game Banquet:

Our 11th annual Legislative Reception, Spring Meeting and Wild Game Banquet was held at Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City on April 2. Jimmy J’s Catering and D. Allen Wint Catering prepared and served several wild game dishes to participants using white-tailed deer, elk, red deer, wild hog, ducks, geese, crappie and other species provided by our Board members. Beverly Stevens prepared and provided common persimmon cookies and fruit tart desserts. Michael Bodenchuk, Director of USDA Texas Wildlife Services gave a presentation about feral hog toxicants and other feral hog control technologies. Many state senators and representatives as well as administrators from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, USDA Oklahoma Wildlife Services, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, and other agencies participated in the event. Legislators who won hunts during drawings included Leslie Osborn who won a deer hunt donated by Hoffmann Ranch donated by Bill Hoffmann, Jr., John Pfeiffer who won a duck hunt donated by Stuart Ranch Outfitters donated by Clay Forst, and Tommy Hardin who won a turkey hunt donated by Bill and Suzie Brewster. Whitetails of Oklahoma co-sponsored the event with OWMA. Additional financial sponsors of the event:

  • Kimbell Ranch (via Stan Kimbell)

  • No Fences Land Company (via Richie Nye)

  • Chapman Ranch Wildlife Enterprises (via Scott Chapman)

  • Tim Ashley

  • Brewster and Associates (via Karel Brewster)

  • C3 Chapman Capital Consulting (via Colin Chapman)

  • Clean Cut Land Services (via Rick Kutz)

  • Financial Management Inc. (via Allen Bynum)

  • Mike and Nancy Porter

  • Potts Land Company (via Trevor Potts)

  • The State Bank of Wynnewood (via Jim Waters)

  • XTO Energy

Caption for the figures at the top of the newsletter: Wildlife Advocate of the Year awards being presented to Senator Casey Murdock and Representative John Pfeiffer by OWMA Legislative Committee Chairman and past President Scott Chapman and Whitetails of Oklahoma President Skip West during the Legislative Reception (photo source: Karel Brewster).

OWMA Bass Fishing Tournament:

Everyone who participated in the third annual Bass Fishing Tournament on May 5 had a great time. Twenty-four anglers competed in the tournament. The team of Tom Brandt and Bridge Cox placed first in the tournament and won the $1,000 first prize with the largest five-bass stringer having a total of 103.25 inches. The team of Trevor Potts and Ted Clark placed second and received $500 with a five-bass stringer of 99.75 inches. The team of Keith Crites and David Potts placed third and received $250 with a five bass stringer of 92 inches. Tom Brandt received another $250 prize for catching the largest bass, which was 22.5 inches long. Oklahoma Ag Credit provided and cooked hamburgers and sausage for the event and provided chips, cookies and condiments. Beverly Stevens prepared and provided homemade cookies.

Financial sponsors of the event:

  • First National Bank and Trust Company of Ardmore (via Hayden Coffey)

  • Potts Land Company (via Trevor Potts)

  • The State Bank of Wynnewood (via Jim Waters)

  • Stuart Ranch Outfitters (via Clay Forst)

Figure caption. Tom Brandt and Bridge Cox receiving their checks for largest stringer during the May 5 Bass Fishing Tournament from OWMA President Mike Porter (photo source: Trevor Potts).

OWMA Sporting Clay Shoot:

The seventh annual Sporting Clay Shoot on June 23 at the Side X Side Ranch was our largest sporting clay shoot thus far. Seventy-one individuals competed in the shoot plus additional family members and OWMA members watched or worked the event. The team of Bill Brewster, Bobby Davidson, Garrett Davidson and Sean McLelland had the highest team score and each received $100 gift cards. Greg Petty won a $250 gift certificate for the highest overall score after a shoot-off with Sean McLelland to break their tie. Derrick Jolley won an over and under 28-gauge shotgun during a drawing, which was donated by Bill and Suzie Brewster. Several other participants won prizes including Sean McLelland for second highest overall score, Beverly Bradley for highest scoring woman, Bobby Davidson for third highest overall score, Garrett Davidson for fourth highest overall score, Jack Choate for median score, Luke Chapman for second to median score, Sarah Hostettler for her score, Court Waters for highest youth score, and Bobby Davidson won an RTIC ice chest during a drawing, which was donated by Scott Chapman. Six-time sporting clay world champion Scott Robertson provided a shooting demonstration with amazing examples of marksmanship and trick shooting. Special thanks are extended to Side X Side Ranch owner and OWMA member Scott Robertson who hosted the event. Financial sponsors of the event:

  • Side X Side Ranch (via Scott Robertson)

  • The State Bank of Wynnewood (via Jim Waters)

  • First National Bank and Trust Company of Ardmore (via Hayden Coffey)

  • Bill and Suzie Brewster

  • Henry Roberts Express Pharmacy (via Henry Roberts)

  • Jerry’s Gun Shop (via Stephen Harris)

  • Chapman Ranch Wildlife Enterprises (via Scott Chapman)

  • Clay and Veazey Optometrists (via Garland Clay and Sarah Veazey)

  • Scott Andrews Attorney at Law PC (via Scott Andrews)

  • Lay Properties (via Rob Lay)

  • Oklahoma Station Safari Club International (via Hubert Bereman)

  • Potts Land Company (via Trevor Potts)

  • Quail Creek Bank (via Bryan Petty)

  • Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch (via Gary Polito)

  • Texas Recovery Inc. (via James Porter)

  • Beverly Stevens

Figure caption: Competitors participating in the Sporting Clay Shoot at one of the stations with a hit! (photo source: Trevor Killblane)

Youth Hunts:

The October 18-19 Youth Doe Hunt was primarily sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), Noble Research Institute (NRI), and Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association with OWMA providing some guides for the 12 youth hunters who participated in the event. The Oklahoma Wildlife Management Foundation (OWMF) provided a 1-year ODWC Outdoor Oklahoma subscription to each youth hunter.

OWMA was one of the primary sponsors of the December 6-7 Youth Doe Hunt, providing some of the hunting locations and guides. We want to express our thanks to Ken Swan, Toby Thomas, Ryan Duininck, Rob Lay, and Ed Strate for making their properties and blinds available for the youth hunt. Special thanks are extended to Ken Swan and his Bayou Creek Ranch who provided hunting opportunities and blinds for most of the youth hunters, as well as providing three of the guides. OWMF provided a deer grunt call to each youth hunter. Hunter success was higher during this hunt than during any previous youth hunt involving NRI with 12 of the 14 youth hunters harvesting does. The other two youth also had doe harvest opportunities, but things happened which prevented harvest.

Figure caption. Twelve-year old Micah Magnes and his grandfather Robert Kashwer with the doe that Micah harvested during the December 7 Youth Doe Hunt (photo source: Greg French).

The April 12-13 Youth Turkey Hunt was primarily sponsored by ODWC, NRI and Limbhangers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation with OWMA providing some hunting locations and seven OWMA members serving as guides for the 14 youth hunters who participated in the event. Five youth harvested turkeys despite storms and high winds during the hunt.

Figure caption. Twelve-year old Flint Martin with the gobbler that he harvested during the April 13 Youth Turkey Hunt, which was his first turkey hunt (photo source: Mike Porter).

During all the youth hunts, ODWC advertised the hunts, received the applications, selected youth hunters via drawings, communicated with youth hunters and guardians, and provided game wardens to manage midday shotgun shooting. NRI provided meeting locations; lodging for youth hunters and guardians; meals, snacks and drinks for youth hunters, guardians, guides and workers; some of the guides; orientation, safety, shot selection and game processing presentations; archery equipment and targets for midday archery activity; clay pigeon thrower, clay pigeons, safety glasses, ear plugs and shotgun shells for midday shotgun shooting; air rifles, ammunition and targets for midday air rifle shooting; table games for midday activities; staff to manage several of these activities and serve the meals; and gift bags and hats for the youth.

For those who have property in or live in Carter, Love, southern Murray, eastern Johnson, or eastern Marshall Counties, OWMA welcomes you to help with a February 1-2 youth waterfowl hunt and a March 29-30 youth turkey hunt. Contact Mike Porter (580-224-6444) if you can provide a good quality hunting location or serve as a guide.

Legislative Issues:

OWMA lobbyist Karel Brewster and Legislative Committee Chairman Scott Chapman worked on several legislative issues for OWMA. They worked to create and successfully move HB 3370 and HB 3416 through committees, the house, the senate and the governor’s office during 2018. HB 3370 increased the range of trespass fines to $750 to $2,000 and affirmed the court’s duty to order restitution for actual damages incurred. HB 3416 reduced liability for farmers and ranchers who lease their land for recreation by removing the per acre income limit for farmer and rancher liability protection. They also worked to defeat HB 2761 during 2018, which would have imposed a 7% tax on hunting lease income, which would have been an additional tax to existing farm and personal taxes on this income.

Social Media:

OWMA hired Trevor Killblane to build a new OWMA website, update the OWMA Facebook page, and create LinkedIn and Instagram pages. Scott Chapman, Bill and Suzie Brewster, Stan Kimbell and OWMA funded this effort. Trevor did excellent work on these projects and gave more effort than we paid for. Please check out the OWMA website: www.ok-wildlife.com, the OWMA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JoinOWMA, Instagram page at www.instagram.com/ok_wildlife/, and the OWMA LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/company/oklahoma-wildlife-management-association/.

Membership Renewal Reminder:

For those who are annual members, our membership year runs January 1 through December 31, so annual 2019 OWMA dues are due by January 1 or soon thereafter. Annual membership dues are normally $100 per year for an individual membership or $500 per year for an organizational membership (called corporate membership), but a $35 per year individual membership dues option is available for students and first-year adult members. A founding membership is available for $5,000 (it also serves as a lifetime membership) and a lifetime membership is available for $2,500. Please remember to renew your membership in a timely fashion because membership dues are one of our primary income sources and helps accomplish the work and mission of OWMA. To join OWMA or renew your membership, contact OWMA Secretary Kimberly Sanders at 405-820-0885 or OWMA.OWMF@gmail.com.

Founding and Lifetime OWMA members:

  • Lisa Addison

  • Bill Brewster

  • Karel Brewster

  • Suzie Brewster

  • Bob Burlingame

  • Mike Bynum

  • Ralph Chain

  • Bill Chapman

  • Eric Chapman

  • Fred Chapman

  • Richard Chapman

  • Scott Chapman

  • Byron Christie

  • Bill Goddard

  • Brian Healey

  • Bill Hoffmann

  • Newley Hutchison

  • Stan Kimbell

  • Jerry Mills

  • Larry Rhodes

  • Leroy Ussery

  • Jim Waters

  • Glen Winters

  • John Zelbst

OWMA 2019 Events:

The following events are scheduled for 2019—please mark your calendar and plan to participate.

  • March 25 Legislative Reception, Annual Spring Meeting, and Wild Game Banquet at Harn Homestead, 1721 North Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City—the meeting should start about 3 PM.

  • April 27 Bass Fishing Tournament—registration deadline will be 4 PM April 26; the tournament will start 6 AM on April 27 with check-in, judging, meal, and awards occurring at the NRI Pavilion, 2715 Sam Noble Parkway in Ardmore at 4 PM.

  • June 15 Sporting Clay Shoot at Scott Robertson’s Side X Side Ranch, 41998 East County Road 1600, Wynnewood, OK—registration probably will start about 8:30 AM.

Educational Opportunities:

We encourage OWMA members and friends to participate in the following 2019 worthwhile educational events sponsored by some of our partner conservation organizations:

  • February 20-22 Oklahoma Natural Resources Conference sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Oklahoma Chapter of American Fisheries Society, Oklahoma Section Society of Range Management, Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, and Oklahoma Prescribed Fire Council at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 7037 South Zurich Avenue, Tulsa, OK http://www.oknrc.com/schedule-2019/

  • May 20 Learning about the Snakes of Oklahoma by NRI during 6-7:30 PM at Southern Tech, 2610 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK

  • May 23 Managing Your Pond for Recreation by NRI during 1-7:30 PM at NRI Pavilion, 2715 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK

  • June 11 Managing Brush with Proper Techniques by NRI at NRI Coffey Ranch, 16877 State Highway 32 near Marietta, OK

  • Late summer or early fall White-tailed Deer Management Seminar by NRI (dates and location to be determined)

  • Late summer or early fall Using Grazing to Manage Wildlife Habitat by NRI (date and location to be determined)

  • September 28-29 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo by ODWC at Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, OK

  • October 15 Introduction to Land Stewardship by NRI during 8 AM to 5 PM at NRI Kruse Auditorium, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK

  • December 12 How to Get Your Wild Game From Field to Table by NRI at NRI Pavilion, 2715 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK

OWMA Officers and Board:

OWMA selected and hired a new Secretary, Kimberly Hawkins Sanders, during April 2019. Many thanks are extended to our out-going Secretary Beverly Stevens who served us well and remains an active Board member.

Officers and new board members normally are elected during the Annual Spring Meeting, which will occur on March 25, 2019. If you would like to run for an office or serve as a Board member, please contact Mike Porter at mdporter@noble.org.

Current officers:

  • President: Mike Porter

  • First Vice-president: Suzie Brewster

  • Second Vice-president: Sam Munhollon

  • Secretary: Kimberly Sanders

  • Treasurer: Trevor Potts

Current board members:

  • Brett Addison

  • Lisa Addison

  • Tim Ashley

  • Bill Brewster

  • Karel Brewster

  • Suzie Brewster

  • Allen Bynum

  • Mike Bynum

  • Colin Chapman

  • Eric Chapman

  • Luke Chapman

  • Scott Chapman

  • Haden Coffey

  • Seth Coffey

  • Byron Christie

  • Tim Diehl

  • Clay Forst

  • Brian Healey

  • Bill Hoffmann

  • Newley Hutchison

  • Stan Kimbell

  • Sam Munhollon

  • Richie Nye

  • Mike Porter

  • Trevor Potts

  • Dan Robbins

  • Dillon Sparks

  • Aaron Spells

  • Beverly Stevens

  • Russell Stevens

  • Leroy Ussery

  • Jim Waters

  • Glen Winters

Historical officers:

Presidents:

  • Scott Chapman 2007-2010

  • Allen Bynum 2010-2016

  • Mike Porter 2016-2019

Vice Presidents:

  • Allen Bynum 2007-2010

  • Brett Addison 2010-2014

  • Clay Forst 2014-2017

  • Suzie Brewster 2017-2019

  • Sam Munhollon 2017-2019

Secretaries:

  • Lisa Addison 2007-2015

  • Beverly Stevens 2015-2018

  • Kimberly Sanders 2018-2019

Treasurers:

  • Kenneth Walker 2007-2008

  • Mike Porter 2008-2016

  • Trevor Potts 2016-2019

OWMA Purpose:

The principal objectives of the Association are to enhance the wildlife resources of Oklahoma for the benefit of all through the preservation and improvement of wildlife habitat, sensible management practices, appropriate legislative action, and education of the public concerning the needs of wildlife and the importance of this great resource to all citizens. We strongly support the hunting rights and our incredible hunting heritage.

OWMA Accomplishments During Its First 11 Years:

(The following summary addresses OWMA accomplishments during its first 11 years of existence--these are things that your membership supports)

  • OWMA established a website in 2007 and completely revised it during 2018

  • Established OWMF, a tax exempt organization, during 2007 to support conservation education

  • OWMA established a Facebook page in 2011 and LinkedIn and Instagram pages in 2018

OWMA Sponsored Events:

  • Held annual spring meetings and legislative receptions at Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City usually in conjunction with a wild game dinner during late March or early April each year during 2008 through 2018

  • Provided educational programs during 2008-2018 annual spring meetings (speakers and topics are listed below):

  • Oklahoma State University Department of Integrative Biology Associate Professor Dr. Kristen Baum discussed pollinators and their habitats

  • USDA Texas Wildlife Services Director Michael Bodenchuk discussed feral hog toxicants and other feral hog control techniques

  • Texas Wildlife Association Chief Executive Officer Kirby Brown discussed successes and development of the Texas Wildlife Association

  • Oklahoma Agritourism Director Abby Cash discussed Oklahoma agritourism

  • ODWC Director Greg Duffy discussed Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

  • Oklahoma State University Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Professor and Bollenbach Endowed Chair in Wildlife Extension Dr. Dwayne Elmore discussed status of northern bobwhite

  • Oklahoma State University Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Regents Professor and Oklahoma Water Resources Center Director Dr. Dave Engle discussed patch burning and grazing

  • ODWC Assistant Director Wade Free addressed Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation quail research

  • NRI Wildlife and Range Consultant Josh Gaskamp discussed the BoarBuster hog trapping system

  • NRI Wildlife Researcher Kenneth Gee discussed white-tailed deer antler growth

  • ODWC Wildlife Commissioner and Groendyke Transport Chief Executive Officer John Groendyke discussed the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission

  • Bramlett Agency Insurance Agent Leslie Kutz discussed prescribed fire liability insurance

  • ODWC Game Division Chief Alan Peoples discussed Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Division

  • NRI Wildlife and Fisheries Senior Consultant Michael Porter discussed sport fish management in ponds

  • Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch Executive Director and Texas AgriLife Professor and Wildlife Extension Specialist Dr. Dale Rollins discussed quail decline in the Rolling Plains

  • NRI Wildlife and Range Consultant and Consulting Team Manager Russell Stevens discussed prescribed fire in Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma Water Resources Board Director J.D. Strong discussed water for 2060

  • ODWC Director J.D. Strong discussed Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation plans and accomplishments

  • Oklahoma State University Associate Extension Specialist John Weir discussed history and perspective of fire

  • Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association Governmental Affairs Vice-president Jeff Wilson discussed mineral versus surface rights for landowners

  • Arranged legislator deer hunts on Hoffmann Ranch, legislator duck hunts on Stuart Ranch, and legislator wild turkey hunts on Brewster Ranch, which were awarded via drawings during annual legislative receptions

  • Held sporting clay event for members and guests at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports or Scott Robertson’s Side X Side Ranch on a Saturday during summers of 2012 through 2018

  • Sponsored annual statewide bass fishing tournaments on a Saturday during May 2016 through 2018 awarding $2,000 in cash prizes each year

  • Sponsored a holiday celebration for OWMA members hosted by Bill and Suzie Brewster at their Trophy Room in Marietta on December 5, 2017

  • Sponsored a Wounded Warrior Project Hunt for two wounded veterans during March 2014 and 2017 (included other co-sponsors too)

  • Held three annual statewide Oklahoma Big Buck Contests during 2013-2015 deer-hunting seasons (we discontinued the event because costs were projected to exceed income)

  • Held fall meetings, legislative receptions and 2-day dove hunts headquartered at Quartz Mountain Resort near Altus during mid-September to late October of 2008 through 2010 (they were popular, well-attended events, but were discontinued due to inconsistent dove abundances, challenges associated with arranging hunting locations, and liability concerns)

  • Held first annual spring meeting at Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City on March 23, 2007 and held first legislative reception and wild game dinner in Oklahoma City on April 23, 2007 (the events were combined into one event starting 2008)

Participation in Events Organized by and in Support of Other Organizations:

  • Co-sponsored a Youth Doe Hunt with ODWC and NRI involving 14 youth hunters during December 6-7, 2018

  • Co-sponsored a Youth Turkey Hunt with ODWC, NRI and Limbhangers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation involving 14 youth hunters during April 12-13, 2018.

  • Worked with several organizations to develop prescribed burning liability insurance for landowners; accomplished during 2015 through Bramlett Agency (this specific policy no longer exists because too few purchased the policy)

  • Managed a booth demonstrating/teaching wildlife sounds and increasing awareness of OWMA mission during the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie for 3 days during late September of 2007 through 2012, and 2014 (Oklahoma Wildlife Expo was not held during 2013)

  • Managed a booth advertising the Oklahoma Big Buck Contest and increasing awareness of OWMA mission during the Crossings Community Church Beast Feast in Oklahoma City during late July 2013 and 2014

  • Managed a booth advertising the Oklahoma Big Buck Contest and increasing awareness of OWMA mission during the March 1-3, 2013 Backwoods Show in Oklahoma City

  • Helped fund the Oklahoma State University publication, A Practical Guide to Food Plots in the Southern Great Plains during 2013

  • Co-sponsored five hunter education courses in Ardmore during 2009-2012

  • Co-sponsored a statewide Youth Hunting and Shooting Program deer hunt involving 46 hunters during October 19-21, 2012

  • Co-sponsored a Youth Hunting and Shooting Program turkey hunt involving 21 hunters during March 31 through April 1, 2012

  • Co-sponsored a Combat Marine Outdoors hunt involving 2 severely wounded soldiers during December 9-11, 2011

  • Co-sponsored a NRA Women on Target doe hunt during 2010

  • Conducted breakout sessions with educational presentations addressing “Managing your Wildlife Resources for Profit” and “Maximizing Wildlife Resources on Your Property” during July 2009 and 2010 Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Annual Conventions in Oklahoma City

  • Hosted the Oklahoma Game Wardens Association annual summer retreat on June 5, 2010

  • Managed a booth increasing awareness of OWMA mission at an Expo in Woodward during early 2010

  • Managed a booth increasing awareness of OWMA mission at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Annual Convention in Oklahoma City for 2-3 days during late July to early August of 2007 through 2009

  • Managed a booth increasing awareness of OWMA mission at Jackson County OSU Alumni Association Cowboy Caravan on June 19, 2009

  • Managed a booth increasing awareness of OWMA mission at the Southern Plains Beef Symposium in Ardmore on August 11, 2007

Other OWMA Projects:

  • Designed and made available embroidered OWMA shirts for members during July 2017 and one additional time during the early years of the organization

  • Prepared a fact sheet with John Weir at Oklahoma State University that provided important fire information to Oklahoma legislators during January 2015

  • Created three news releases that were distributed statewide during November 2007, December 2009 and November 2011 to increase awareness about illegal hunting and trespass activities inhibiting wildlife management on private land

  • Developed and distributed vanity license plates that said “Got Habitat”

Legislative Accomplishments:

  • Awarded Wildlife Advocate of the Year awards to two to three legislators each year, including at least one State Senator and at least one State Representative during legislative receptions

  • Helped develop and pass HB 3370 during 2018 (increased penalties for trespassing)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 3416 during 2018 (reduced liability for farmers and ranchers who lease their land for recreation)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 1462 during 2015 and HB 2646 during 2016 (allow landowners to implement prescribed fire during County Commissioner Burn Bans when certain requirements are met— fire is a very important land management process and relatively few days exist with optimal burning conditions; these conditions sometimes occur during County Commissioner Burn Bans)

  • Helped develop and pass SB 708 during 2014 (increases penalties for cutting or damaging fences)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 2573 during 2012 (increases penalties for fishing and hunting without permission)

  • Helped develop and pass SB 828 during 2011 (increases penalties for trespass violations involving firearm use)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 1474 during 2011 (increases penalties for trespassing on commercial hunting or deer farming facilities)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 2154 during 2009 (increases penalties for illegally harvesting wildlife from, or damaging property on, a commercial hunting facility)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 2158 during 2009 (allows control of depredating animals, such as feral hogs, via aircraft on big game commercial hunting areas)

  • Helped develop and pass SB 1734 during 2008 (increases penalties for trespassing on commercial hunting or deer farming facilities)

  • Helped develop and pass SB 1735 during 2008 (requires permission to enter onto farm, ranch or forestry land)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 2111 during 2008 (increases penalties for trespassing on farm, ranch or forestry land)

  • Helped develop and pass HB 1914 during 2007 (created the feral swine control act regulated by State Board of Agriculture)

  • Helped defeat HB2761 during 2018 (would have imposed a 7% tax on hunting lease income additional to existing farm and personal taxes)

  • Helped defeat SB 1142 and SB 419 during 2016 (would have allowed spotlighting, thermal imaging equipment, and or night vision equipment to be used at night to kill feral hogs without game warden notification and would have limited game warden ability to enforce Oklahoma laws on private land; we support landowners’ ability to remove feral hogs at night while using these techniques, either from a vehicle or not, but we believe prior game warden notification is appropriate to minimize the ability of poachers to use these techniques for illegal harvest of white-tailed deer and livestock; most wildlife occurs on private land and we support game warden enforcement of poachers and law breakers who threaten wildlife resources)

OWMF Accomplishments:

(Although OWMF is a separate organization and no OWMA dues support OWMF, OWMA takes pride in OWMF accomplishments because OWMA members initiated OWMF)

  • Purchased duck calls for an upcoming February 2019 youth duck hunt

  • Purchased deer grunt calls for the 14 participants in the December 2018 youth doe hunt

  • Purchased “Outdoor Oklahoma” gift subscriptions for 12-18 participants in the October 2015, 2016 and 2018 youth doe hunts conducted by ODWC, NRI and Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association

  • Purchased a target during September 2015 for the Greenville School System Archery in the Schools program

  • Helped bring Jim Phitzer’s live performance program “Aldo Leopold: A Standard of Change” to three locations in Oklahoma on three dates during April 2015

  • Purchased 5 ground blinds during August 2014 for conservation education/philanthropic purposes such as youth hunts, wounded warrior hunts, and physically challenged hunts

  • Helped develop and participate in a memorandum of understanding during August 2014 among Oklahoma State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, and OWMF to share 36 ground blinds among their organizations for charitable conservation education/philanthropic purposes such as youth hunts, wounded warrior hunts, and physically challenged hunts

  • Purchased candy prizes for educational contests conducted at Oklahoma Wildlife Expos during 2007 through 2014

  • Purchased refreshments for participants of full-day hunter education courses in Ardmore during 2009-2012

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