Latest news with #OklahomaDepartmentofWildlifeConservation
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Radio-collared Pronghorn shot, left to rot in Oklahoma
BOISE CITY, Okla. (KSNW) — Authorities in Oklahoma are looking for whoever shot and killed a Pronghorn in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Oklahoma Game Wardens say a Pronghorn was shot with a high-powered rifle around 11 a.m. Monday. It happened in a field near the intersection of N0250 Road and E0150 Road, northwest of Boise City. Game wardens say the animal, sometimes referred to as the American Antelope, was shot, killed, and left to rot. Her dead twin fawns were found with her. Still no new judge for suspect in murdered moms case The doe was wearing a radio collar and was being monitored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Oklahoma State University. A cash reward is being offered to anyone who comes forward with information about who killed the doe. Callers can choose to remain anonymous. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Mike Baker, Game Warden, at 580-651-9135. The fastest land mammal in North America and the second fastest animal in the world, next to the cheetah, pronghorns are not related to deer or antelopes, but they are in the same family as giraffes. Although not directly considered endangered, their numbers have declined from historic levels. Two subspecies of pronghorn are listed as endangered: the Peninsular and Sonoran. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers advance bills aimed at increasing regulation of hunting on Oklahoma's public lands
Two bills would tighten regulations for guides and nonresidents hunting on Oklahoma public land. An Oklahoma game warden speaks with hunters. (Provided photo) OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers advanced two bills this week designed to tighten the state's hunting regulations on Oklahoma public lands by instituting new requirements for guides and nonresidents. Senate Bill 448 heads to the governor's desk after passing off the House floor with a nearly unanimous vote while Senate Bill 208 heads to the House floor moving through a committee Wednesday. The first, authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, would require nonresidents to schedule and obtain written permission before hunting at any refuge or wildlife management area operated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. A lottery system would be used, if necessary, to distribute permits to nonresidents to hunt. These permits would come at a cost of $100 and the lottery would be used to help ease overcrowding on public lands, Grego said. Micah Holmes, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said the agency supports the bill because it offers another tool to deal with overcrowding. The agency fields complaints of overcrowding on more 'popular' publicly managed lands, he said. Holmes said 'this is a good problem to have,' and it speaks to the 'excellent' land management done by the department. The agency is also looking into other options to monitor how many people are utilizing public lands, including electronic check-ins and road counters, he said. Senate Bill 208, authored by Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, would require the Wildlife Department to create a licensing and registration system for anyone providing 'guiding services' on public lands. Guides are trained professionals who help hunters locate game, navigate terrain and provide other services. The bill excludes 'commercial hunting facilities' and landowners that offer those services on private or leased property. The measure does not outline any fees or guidelines for implementation, but allows the department to create any rules necessary to carry out the legislation. Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, who voted against it, said he's concerned that the bill's language provided no enforcement authority to require these licenses and registration. This measure is eligible to be heard on the House floor. If approved and not amended on the full chamber, it will head to Stitt's desk. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former waste plant workers hit with felony charges after allegedly lying about years of troubling actions: 'There were some discrepancies'
Two former waste treatment plant employees are facing felony charges for the alleged dumping of raw untreated sewage outside of Oklahoma City. According to authorities, former Bethany-Warr Acres Waste Water Treatment Plant manager Glenn Brentnell and former employee Anthony Menzie are accused of lying to officials regarding how much fecal matter was dumped into surrounding waterways. Officials allege that as plant manager, Brentnell was aware of the plant's disrepair but failed to address any concerns. They also argue that Menzie knowingly altered lab reports to indicate a lower fecal count. As reported by KFOR, Menzie was arrested on March 28, 2025, and charged with five felonies including obtaining money, property, or signature under false pretenses, one charge of conspiracy to commit a felony, another of offering forged or false instruments for the record, and two of violating the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act. A felony warrant is out for Brentnell's arrest. As of April 6, 2025, no arrest record for Brentnell has been made available. Shellie Chard, Water Quality Division Director at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, spoke to KFOR regarding the department's lengthy investigation into the illegal dumping and the plant's overall conditions. "The treatment plant was in very much disrepair," Chard said. The plant's questionable conditions ultimately led to a complaint being filed in 2019. "We responded within 24 hours," Chard said. "Through a series of records reviews, there were some discrepancies. We had our inspectors go out and look at the facility and inspect the equipment. In doing that, some of the records were missing, and some of the tests weren't being completed." Although the yearslong investigation uncovered several issues, Chard noted that the illegal dumping of untreated raw sewage was perhaps the most concerning. The sewage was found in nearby fields and local water sources such as Bluff Creek and Liberty Lake. "It's a big lake. There's fishing and lots of activities. So, there was an impact there and to Bluff Creek." According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Liberty Lake is home to several fish species, including crappie, catfish, and bass. The lake is also an important water source for the nearby community. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
