Latest news with #OklahomaDepartmentofWildlifeConservation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
State offers cash bounty for invasive fish devastating Mississippi River: 'Recreational anglers ... are eligible'
State offers cash bounty for invasive fish devastating Mississippi River: 'Recreational anglers ... are eligible' Oklahoma will now pay $100 to anyone who catches a certain invasive fish within the state. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation announced the bounty for anyone who catches and reports a black carp, Fox 23 News reported. Anglers can claim the reward up to 10 times per month, but each catch will need to meet certain requirements. "Recreational anglers, including bowfishers, who happen to catch a black carp are eligible," Erika Sarvela, invasive carp biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said in a release. "They'll need to follow the correct procedure to ensure they receive payment for their catch." The bounty is part of the "Keep, Cool, Call" program, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It began in Illinois but has spread to several other states in the Mississippi River basin. Arkansas announced its own $100 bounty under the same program earlier this summer. Black carp were introduced to the United States in the 1970s to 1980s, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and are now one of four fish species known collectively as invasive carp. Just like other invasive species, black carp can spread quickly and use valuable resources that are needed by native plants and wildlife. They feed on mussels and snails, posing a threat to those local species. To claim the reward, anglers who catch a black carp in a "Keep, Cool, Call" state should humanely kill the fish and put it on ice, as transporting a live black carp is illegal in the state. They should note the exact location of the catch, as well as the type of gear used and conditions. That information, along with photos of the fish's head, mouth, and whole body, must then be sent to the proper state officials. And if anyone isn't sure whether the fish is a black carp, they should still report it to the proper authorities. "Although the reward is only for the black carp," Sarvela said, "we still want anglers to report details about any other invasive carp caught in the state." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure 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. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Summertime fishing is here, and Oklahoma lakes are stocked. Where to find these species
With Oklahomans in full-blown summer mode, it's time to grab your rod and reel, tackle box and head to your favorite fishing spot. Oklahoma offers a diverse range of fish for anglers to catch, along with numerous lakes, ponds, and rivers where they can be found. And the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is keeping Oklahoma waters stocked. Here's what to know about where fish have been stocked ahead of summer fishing in Oklahoma. More: Taking a dip in dirty water? Here's how to tell if Oklahoma rivers, lakes are safe to swim As mentioned in a TikTok video, the wildlife department "lovingly stocked" nearly 1 million fingerling Florida bass in bodies of water across the state at the end of May. A subspecies of largemouth bass, Florida bass will interbreed with native largemouth bass. The hybrids created grow rapidly and produce trophy-size fish, according to the department. Largemouth bass is the most sought-after game fish in Oklahoma. In 2024, more than 800,000 of the Florida bass were stocked in public Oklahoma waters. You can spot a largemouth bass by noting the following traits: The mouth hinge is well behind eye Most do not have a tooth patch on their tongue The first and second dorsal fins are barely connected. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a handful of lakes that were stocked in 2024. There were many smaller lakes stocked, as well as ponds and rivers. Lake Murray: 100,809 Florida largemouth bass Foss Lake: 1,100,000 walleye and 350 white bass Fort Supply Lake: 990,000 walleye Altus-Lugert Lake: 82,051 walleye Broken Bow Lake: 100,246 Florida largemouth bass Kaw Lake: 85,459 walleye Eufaula Lake: 119,963 Florida largemouth bass Oologah Lake: 147,300 walleye Skiatook Lake: 100,017 hybrid striped bass, 108,030 walleye and 2,000 Florida largemouth bass Lake of the Arbuckles: 100,138 Florida largemouth bass Canton Lake: 4,393,951 walleye In 2024, more than 10.1 million fish were stocked in public Oklahoma waters, plus 315,000 in private farm ponds. Here's the breakdown of fish species stocked in public waters in 2024: Bluegill: 240,225 Brown Trout: 20,008 Certified Florida Largemouth: 801,955 Channel Catfish: 150,693 Grass Carp: 6 Hybrid Striped Bass: 283,735 Hybrid Sunfish: 5,713 Rainbow Trout: 305,492 Redear Sunfish: 24,030 Saugeye: 1,211,489 Walleye: 7,074,791 White Bass: 350 This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lakes now stocked for summer fishing: See best spots
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mountain Lion Kittens Were Finally Photographed in Oklahoma. Skeptics Claim the Cats Have Been Breeding There All Along
Wildlife officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have confirmed two photographs of mountain lion kittens in the state. The trail-cam photos shared by the agency Tuesday were captured in October and December 2024 in two different counties. Officials say the photos are the first concrete evidence they've seen of mountain lions potentially breeding in Oklahoma. That two-word disclaimer, 'they've seen,' is notable, because mountain lion sightings have risen sharply in Oklahoma over the last few years. This has led many Oklahomans, including state legislators, to believe the cats are making a comeback. The governor even signed a new law in May that lays the groundwork for a future cougar hunting season should ODWC decide to establish one in the future. ODWC, however, has long maintained that the state does not have a breeding population of mountain lions, and that any big cats spotted in Oklahoma are likely transient animals that wandered in from Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nebraska. State wildlife biologists have said in years past that they simply haven't found enough physical evidence (in the form of scrapes, tracks, scent-marks, and the like) to support the existence of a 'viable local population' of cougars within state lines. Tuesday's photo release obviously changes that calculus, something social media users have been eager to point out. The comment section in ODWC's June 10 Facebook post includes many assertions that the agency has been 'gaslighting' its residents and 'pushing a lie' about the state's cougar populations. There are also dozens of claims by commenters about the other cougar kittens they've seen with their own eyes, to which the agency has generally and politely responded: Prove it. Read Next: Utah Mountain Lion Makes 1,000-Mile Journey to Colorado, Where It's Killed by Another Cougar 'What's the lie?' ODWC wrote in response to one commenter. 'This is the first time photographic evidence of kittens has been provided to us and reviewed by a biologist. Any previous sightings of kittens was not provided to us with documentation.' The agency says the photos of the cougar kittens were captured on trail cameras in two very different parts of the state and sent in by private landowners. The first photograph, taken in Osage County in October, shows an adult lion with two half-grown kittens following behind it. The second was taken at night in Cimarron County in December, and it shows an adult lion with three smaller kittens. Cimarron County is the westernmost county in the Oklahoma panhandle, and it abuts the border of New Mexico, which is home to a healthy population of well over 3,000 mountain lions. Osage County lies nearly 400 miles to the east and just south of Kansas, and it's where the majority of mountain lion sightings confirmed by ODWC in recent years have taken place. Looking broadly at this history, the agency says it's been able to verify 85 cougar sightings since 2002, with a noticeable increase in 2023, when there were around 20 sightings confirmed within the state. Officials noted in Tuesday's announcement that this increase in cougar sightings has coincided with the growing use of trail cameras in Oklahoma. They said the recent photographs of kittens could lead wildlife biologists to deploy more of those cameras and conduct additional research into local cougar populations. But they also stopped short of calling those photographs irrefutable proof of an established, breeding population of Oklahoma mountain lions. 'While exciting and interesting, these sightings are just one small piece of the puzzle needed to better understand this species,' ODWC furbearer biologist Jerrod Brown said in that announcement. 'It's our first piece of evidence that mountain lions may be breeding in Oklahoma, a key indicator the population is becoming established.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mountain lion kittens found in Oklahoma
CIMARRON COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, mountain lion kittens were seen in two counties in 2024, indicating a healthy ecosystem. Officials say photographs of an adult mountain lion and two half-grown kittens were taken in Osage County in October 2024. LOCAL NEWS: Edmond man finds Hammerhead Worm on Porch More photos were taken of an adult mountain lion and three kittens in Cimarron County in December 2024. 'While exciting and interesting, these sightings are just one small piece of the puzzle needed to better understand this species,' said Jerrod Davis, furbearer biologist for the Wildlife Department. 'It's our first piece of evidence that mountain lions may be breeding in Oklahoma, a key indicator the population is becoming established. That two female mountain lions have established at least part of their territories in Oklahoma is a direct reflection of a healthy ecosystem. 'It could open the door for potential research. Our first focus should be evaluating the abundance and distribution of mountain lions in the state. We've been confirming sightings through our online reporting process for more than 20 years and may deploy more intensive camera arrays. Depending on those surveys, further research may be possible.' LOCAL NEWS: Lincoln Co. family worried about more rain on the way after being stuck at home According to ODWC, these photos show that mountain lions may be reproducing in Oklahoma. The department has 85 confirmed sightings of individual mountain lions since 2002, with an uptick in sightings in 2023, although some sightings may be of the same mountain lion. Territories can fluctuate based on habitat conditions. ODWC says female mountain lions are thought to have a home range of up to 75 square miles, while males may be up to 275 square miles. Mountain lions are able to reproduce at around two years of age, and most females have kittens in alternate years with an average litter size of three. The kittens can be born during any month, but they're usually born in correspondence with that of ungulates, the base prey group. To learn more about ODWC or mountain lions sightings in Oklahoma, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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.
