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Gobblers Active at Spring Season Start

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April 5, 2017-Oklahoma’s 2016 spring turkey hunting season will start a half-hour before sunrise April 6 in all areas except the Southeast Region. The general spring turkey hunting season will run through May 6. In the eight-county Southeast Region, youth spring turkey season will be April 15-16, and the general turkey season will be April 17 to May 6.

Based on field reports submitted in the past few days by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation personnel, habitat conditions are generally good to excellent in all regions, and bird numbers should offer some good hunting opportunities.

Warmer conditions earlier in the year have put turkeys in most areas ahead of normal for spring breeding activity. By region, here are some insights for turkey hunters this spring.

Northwest Region
Reported by Eddie Wilson, Northwest Region Senior Biologist

Current Gobbler Activity: Birds have broken up for the most part throughout the northwest counties. Panhandle birds are still reported to be in groups. Birds are gobbling, strutting and breeding with exception of the Panhandle. Bird activity slowed some last week with the cooler temperatures and rain, but it still seems to be ahead of normal.

Condition of Habitat: Habitat conditions are good. Most of the region experienced from 1 to 3 inches of rain last week, so everything is green. Winter wheat is in good condition, and there is plenty of nesting cover available on the WMAs. Recent wildfires have temporarily removed nesting cover on many acres of private land. Most roost trees did suffer at least some damage during the January ice storm.

Reports From Landowners and Scouting Hunters: Landowners are reporting slightly lower numbers this year, compared with the last couple of years. I did get a chance to talk with some youth hunters this past weekend, and several of them were successful in harvesting a bird.

Hunters struggled with cool, wet conditions but still got birds to respond to calling.

WMAs in the Region: Three of the most popular Northwest Region wildlife management areas for spring turkey hunting are Canton, Fort Supply and Cooper. But most every WMA in the region provides some turkey hunting opportunity. Be sure to check the regulations regarding the WMA you choose to hunt. A number of the wildlife management areas have a one-tom limit, and shooting hours close at 7 p.m. daily.

Best Tips:
1. Call less.
2. Stay in the woods longer than just the early morning hours.
3. Go deeper into the woods, especially on WMAs.

Biggest Mistakes:
1. Avoid being impatient; give the birds time to get to you.
2. Be sure to scout the area prior to the hunt, and know what to expect.
3. Be still; turkeys can pick up on the slightest movement.
Opening Day Expectations: The weather forecast for opening weekend looks to be good in the northwest. Bird numbers are down slightly in some areas, but there are still a good number of birds to hunt, and habitat and food sources are in good shape. Be prepared to encounter other hunters on Wildlife Management Areas throughout the Northwest Region. Based on the number of interested turkey hunter calls I have received this year, it may be busy. Good luck and hunt safe!

Southwest Region
Reported by Ron Smith, Southwest Region Senior Biologist

Current Gobbler Activity: Turkeys began moving away from winter roosting areas around March 10. Since that time, groups have begun to split into smaller units, with mature toms taking hen groups with them. Toms began to strut about March 20. Since that time, regular display and breeding activity has steadily increased.

Condition of Habitat: Overall habitat condition throughout the region is very good to excellent. Winter wheat is further along than it was in 2016. Two years of good moisture has greatly improved native range condition. Nesting cover will be adequate. Moisture to date in 2017 should encourage good brood-rearing habitat.

Reports From Landowners and Scouting Hunters: Landowners and early scouting hunters have reported steadily increasing activity. Many have noted turkeys in new areas and their absence in more historic places. This is likely the result of turkeys shifting around to new roosts following damage to roost trees.

WMAs in the Region: Turkey hunting destinations in the region include Packsaddle, Black Kettle, Sandy Sanders, Fort Cobb and Waurika WMAs.

Best Tips:
1. Spend as much time scouting as possible. Some of the traditional areas may have moved a bit from previous years.
2. Practice all different kinds of calling methods. The best way to learn is spending time in the field watching and listening to the birds’ social activities and understanding how this all fits into the breeding cycle.
3. As always, use great care while approaching the hunt area to maintain good concealment and minimize movement.

Biggest Mistakes:
1. Leaving the hunt area too early can take a hunter out of the game.
2. Turkeys will have patterns throughout the day that hunters may take advantage of.
3. This all goes back to thorough scouting and patience.
Opening Day Expectations: Hunters should expect a great time in the field. Turkey numbers throughout most of the region will provide ample opportunity. Breeding activity will likely be in full swing, so there will be plenty of action.

Central Region
Reported by Jeff Pennington, Central Region Wildlife Supervisor

Current Gobbler Activity: Current activity varies across the region but is about where you would expect it to be during the first part of April. Birds have broken up, and breeding activity has initiated.

Condition of Habitat: The region went through a dry spell this fall and winter, but recent rains have increased new growth in most of the region. Where moisture has been present, the spring green-up is ahead of “schedule.”
Reports From Landowners and Scouting Hunters: Varied reports: Some landowners and sportsmen report the breeding season is well under way, while others report the winter flock breakups have just occurred in their area.
WMAs in the Region: In north-central Oklahoma, Kaw and Deep Fork WMAs are good bets for turkey hunters. In south-central, Washita Arm and Hickory Creek WMAs provide ample opportunity to harvest a tom.

Best Tips:
1. Try for success around burned patches. Turkeys highly use areas that have been recently burned.
2. Hunt the afternoon, too. Often hunters go hard until midmorning, then give up. Toms may be “henned up” at that time, but may be more receptive later in the day.
3. Hunt late season. Much less competition after the first 10 days of the season.

Biggest Mistakes:
1. Be 100 percent certain of your target to avoid potential accidents.
2. Moving too quickly when you know there is a silent tom in the area.
3. Only hunting the early morning period.
Opening Day Expectations: There has been average reproduction the past four years in the region. Local numbers may vary, but on average hunters in the region should expect to see a balanced age structure. Breeding status and habitat is about where it should be for early April. As always in Oklahoma, weather conditions will play a big role on any individual day.

Northeast Region
Reported by Russell Perry, Biologist

Current Gobbler Activity: With the warm, wet weather we have been having, the winter flocks have broken up, and we are beginning to see breeding activity. Overall, activity is as much as two weeks ahead of what we expect to see this time of year.

Condition of Habitat: Early-onset spring this year has left the habitat in good to excellent condition. Everything is greening up quickly, and there are already lots of bugs available.
Reports From Landowners and Scouting Hunters: Birds have been gobbling in some areas since late February or early March, with some hens exhibiting what appears to be nesting behavior.

WMAs in the Region: All of the Northeast Region WMAs are open to turkey hunting and all share similar good to excellent habitat. Turkey numbers vary somewhat from one WMA to another, but all offer good opportunity.

Best Tips:
1. Scout the area and birds you intend to hunt and get to know them well.
2. Look for feeding areas; set up where the birds want to be.

Biggest Mistakes:
1. Don’t call too much! Listen to the birds and try to mimic their call frequency and volume.
2. Stay as still as possible. Turkeys have excellent eyesight, and it doesn’t take much movement to put them on alert or on the run.
Opening Day Expectations: Opening day/weekend is usually high volume for hunter numbers. Habitat conditions run from good to excellent, and bird numbers from fair to good. So barring any bad weather, it should be a good time to go hunting.

Southeast Region
Reported by Jack Waymire, Senior Biologist

Current Gobbler Activity: Mixed reports of observations of some single hens, single gobblers and gobblers with hens strutting. Gobbling activity early in the mornings but less during the day.

Condition of Habitat: The Southeast Region has experienced dry conditions from January through March. Good seed availability from last year with an increase in insects this past week. The weather forecast indicates some rain during the first week of April.

The Southeast Region experienced extreme drought conditions from 2004 through 2012 with poor reproduction. In 2013 we had good reproduction, 2014 fair reproduction, and 2015 and 2016 had poor reproduction due to flash flooding.

Reports From Landowners and Scouting Hunters: Reports of toms with hens strutting the past three weeks.
WMAs in the Region: McGee Creek WMA and Three Rivers WMA.

Best Tips:
1. Start scouting for turkeys where you found them last year.
2. Be patient.
3. Set up in a place that has the topography such that when the turkey comes into view, it is within shotgun range.

Biggest Mistakes:
1. Many hunters try to get too close; the turkey is usually not as far away as you think.
2. Do not set up in a place that will limit range of motion of your shotgun.
3. Turkeys will sometimes come in and then circle you looking for what he thinks is a hen.
Opening Day Expectations: Hunting pressure is always high on public lands but not on private property. If possible, try to get away and hunt during the week on public lands because weekends attract more hunters.
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The statewide season bag limit is three tom turkeys per hunter, but daily and season limits for individual counties and WMAs vary. To find out the bag limits for the area to be hunted along with field tagging, E-Check and other turkey hunting requirements, consult the 2016-17

“Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide” available online at wildlifedepartment.com, in print where fishing or hunting licenses are sold, or on “The Official OK Fish & Wildlife Guide” app for iPhone and Android.

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Adding years to the significantly important lives of Oklahoma’s Flood Control Dams

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Recentlylocal, state, and federal officials toured the Upper Elk Creek Site 23D Rehabilitation on the east edge of Elk City, Okla.

New life is being given to this flood control dam and the tour was a way to showcase those efforts along with the watershed project sponsor, North Fork of Red River Conservation District. Originally constructed in 1976 at a cost of $102,401 and classified as a significant hazard dam, this is now a high hazard dam. An increase in risk of loss of life and property damage due to a potential overtopping breach of the dam during an extreme flood event is the reason site 23D is undergoing this rehabilitation.

Although Site 23D is functioning as originally planned and providing downstream flood damage prevention, this rehabilitation means that in the future, Site 23D will reduce the potential of a dam breach and subsequent potential damage to downstream properties and infrastructure and will reduce the risk of loss of life. Additionally, the rehabilitation of site 23D allows for the service life of the dam to be extended for at least a century.

In this project, the top of dam elevation is being increased by 4.4 feet. Due to the raised top of dam elevation, the county road is being raised as well. A new 30-inch reinforced concrete pipe is being installed using a technique known as “jack and bore.” Articulated concrete blocks (ACBs) are being added to the exit channel of the spillway to provide erosion protection and prevent head cutting. The contractor for the rehabilitation construction is C-P Integrated Services, Inc., of Oklahoma City. The rehabilitation construction costs are $4.3 million, 65 percent of this cost is provided by the federal government while 35 percent is provided by the Conservation Commission on behalf of the watershed project sponsor, North Fork of Red River Conservation District.

The upstream flood control dams have received incredible support from Oklahoma’s congressional and state leaders.

One form of support that is significant was the passage of SB 1938, authorizing the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority for bond issuance in the amount of $17.5 million on behalf of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. These funds are being used for the repair and rehabilitation of high-hazard dams pursuant to the Conservation District Act.

Trey Lam, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, said, “This gathering captured a true picture of what created and has maintained the small watershed program for nearly 80 years.  The dedicated and visionary North Fork of the Red River Conservation District Board hosted Elk City officials, a Conservation Commissioner and staff, along with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur and State Representative Todd Russ, USDA-NRCS engineers and staff. We were also very honored to have Congressman Frank Lucas and his field staff join us. The Watershed Program works best as a partnership of local, state and federal entities with a common goal of preventing devastating flooding while putting conservation on the ground in the watershed.  The 2,107 flood control structures in Oklahoma would never have been built without such a strong partnership.  All the partners are just as dedicated to maintaining the level of flood protection today and for the next 100 years.”

During the tour, U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas, a native of western Oklahoma and a longtime champion of the upstream flood control program, said, “In conservation these are the good old days; all we have to do is continue to work together and there will be benefits for generations to come. Am I proud of what we have done together? You bet. Thank you to each of you for doing what you do and thank you for helping me do what I do. Together we are going to make such a difference that the people downstream will never know it happened. That’s the ultimate compliment when things work so well that people don’t even know what you’ve done.”

Chris Stoner, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Oklahoma State Conservation Engineer, said, “It was great to see the support from all different levels today with city, county, state and federal officials all in attendance. It was good for everyone to see a job that is under construction to show the scale and complexities of these rehabilitation projects.”

The 2,107 upstream flood control dams constructed in Oklahoma — the most of any state in the nation — have established a $2 billion infrastructure that provides benefits to thousands of citizens. In fact, it’s estimated that the dams and accompanying conservation practices in the watersheds provide approximately $96 million in benefits each year.  Not only do they provide flood and erosion control to over two million acres of agricultural land in downstream flood plains, but they also provide sources of water for livestock and irrigation and habitats for wildlife. There are 42 flood control dams that were constructed as multi-purpose structures, which provide municipal and rural water supplies and recreation areas for local communities.

Altogether, the flood control dams in Oklahoma protect 2,756 county and highway bridges; provide a reduction in flooding for 41,744 farms and ranches; trap 19 million tons of sediment each year, which would otherwise end up in major streams and lakes, and they create or enhance 90,979 acres of wetlands.

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THE FUTURE OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE AND REGENERATIVE RANCHING

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The idea of managing ranches with a focus on building healthy soils and implementing management that promotes healthy wildlife populations and their habitats, biologically diverse plant communities and livestock production is not a new concept. It is, however, a concept that depends on producers who are driven toward those outcomes.

As we look to the future, the external challenges facing U.S. producers will only become more intense. As the U.S. population grows toward a predicted 438 million people by 2050, the demand for food and land will increase.

Many questions are currently being asked. Do we continue to promote management that maximizes production on smaller acreages at the expense of land health, or are there alternative strategies that are productive and profitable while regenerating land?

The majority of our grazing lands are generally not well suited for cropland food production, yet they serve our planet by storing more than 30% of global soil organic carbon. Such intrinsic outcomes are called ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are the many and various benefits provided to humankind by healthy and functioning ecosystems.

Aldo Leopold once famously stated, “Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest.” Opportunities to compensate producers for the production of multiple ecosystem services are currently in development. Ecosystem services are often grouped into functional areas of soil, air, water, plants and animals.

Many of the questions around the production of ecosystem services are common to most emerging markets, and these questions are not lost on regenerative ranching. Largely, much of the research focus in the future will be placed on which metrics matter, how do we most aptly measure them, how are they influenced by management, and can they be monitored at scales that are relevant to producers?

One of the cornerstones of regenerative ranching is a focus on diversifying products, therefore the diversification of market opportunities will continue to be an option for producers interested in regenerating landscapes.

With more data comes more understanding of the value of ecosystem services: how they could be a potential revenue stream and how they impact increased health and function on existing production enterprises.

Managing regeneratively allows our living soil to sequester organic carbon, which aids in climate mitigation strategies. Increasing organic matter provides our soils a greater ability to build aggregation, which allows it to hold more water and further serve as a filter to increase water quality and quantity. Biodiversity is also an outcome, from the soil microbiome to more functional habitats for wildlife species. These are all services provided by regenerative producers that benefit society as a whole.

Regenerative ranching has a positive future. More and more producers are questioning their conventional methods, measuring their outcomes and defining goals that include regenerative solutions. These are and will continue to be positive developments for the agriculture industry and for society as a whole. The question we should all ask ourselves is, what would a future look like without regenerative ranching?

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Suzy Landess: Conservation carries history into the future

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Feeling a connection to the land you live on is special.

However, appreciating such a connection that stretches back in time 134 years is almost indescribable.

At any given time, Suzy Landess doesn’t have to look at her family tree to appreciate history. Instead she can gaze upon the plains of the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Landess lives and ranches southeast of Guymon on the very land her great-great-great grandparents settled in 1886. That’s why when explaining the present, she starts with the past.

“My ancestors designed this ranch for cattle to water out of the creeks,” said Landess, who lives on the land her grandmother, Pearl Vantine, was born on. “Pastures were set up for rotational grazing along the creeks where the trees also provided shade and shelter for cattle and wildlife.  As water in the creeks dwindled, my grandparents looked to windmills to provide a water source for livestock.”

Today, her family’s operation runs stocker cattle and commercial cow/calf pairs. 

“This area of Oklahoma has changed since it was settled by the pioneers in the late 1800s,” she said. “Creeks and rivers crisscrossed the Panhandle and provided a water source for buffalo, cattle and early settlers.  Today, water is a precious resource in the Panhandle.  We no longer have creeks and rivers flowing and we now rely strictly on the Ogallala Aquifer for water in this region.”

Conservation has always played a significant role in ensuring that history continues.

“Conservation has been a way of life for me,” she said. “I have always known that it was up to me to be a good steward of this land.  My grandmother always said that ‘This is God’s land and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the land.’ ”

She can’t remember a time when they didn’t use rotational grazing practices and they have tried to maintain a certain amount of forage growth in all of our pastures. Plus, they have placed dirt tanks near their stock tanks in hopes of catching run-off water for cattle to drink to take the strain off their stock wells.   

“Throughout the years, we have participated in many conservation programs through the FSA (Farm Service Agency) and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service),” Landess said. “With the assistance of NRCS, my grandparents built dams in low areas and ravines in hopes of catching run-off rain water for livestock to drink.  We converted abandoned irrigation wells into livestock wells.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) has helped them run water lines and drill new wells on the ranch to improve the water on the ranch.

In the 1980s, Landess’ grandparents enrolled their farmland in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and they still have ground in the program.  Too, they began participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) at the turn of the century.  Through the CSP program, they were able to improve their management practices and learn detailed information about the nutrition that their grass provided.

There are many examples on the ranch of adapting to fit present needs.

“My grandfather Mark Vantine placed large 41-foot tanks on the ranch to water livestock,” she said. “I used those tanks as a water source for two pastures by placing fence lines down the middle so cattle could water from the same tank on both sides of the fence.   As the windmills that my grandparents built started to need more and more repairs, I began to replace those windmills with solar pumps.  We practice rotational grazing which is similar to the native buffalo’s flash grazing or cell grazing.”

By these and other conservation practices, she says they are taking good care of the land, and in turn the land takes care of their family.   

In turn, Suzy and husband Bill Landess share their passion for conservation with others. Landess is a member of the Texas County Conservation Board and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. 

“I enjoy being a contributor to some of the boards that help producers in the Panhandle conserve our natural resources for future generations,” said Landess, who is also a member of the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. “I have great respect for others who realize the responsibility that we have to be good stewards of the land and water resources.  It is our duty to ensure that future generations have access to quality water sources and that they are able to carry on the legacy of American agriculture.”

Today, Landess son, Mark Landess, helps run the ranch.  They are continually looking for ways to improve the pasture, soil and water on the ranch.

“Just as we taught Mark to be a good steward of the land, he is now teaching his children to do the same,” she said.

At that point, she once again returns the conversation to the past to explain the importance of the present and future.

“My grandmother (Pearl Vantine) is my mentor,” Landess said. “She learned to swim in the Coldwater Creek just north of my house and they often ate fish that they caught in the creek.  She indoctrinated in me the importance of conserving our natural resources and persevering the land for future generations.”

 Editor’s Note: The Oklahoma Blue Thumb Calendar highlights important information about conservation, has a featured producer(s) in the months of February through October, and provides contact information for both Blue Thumb staff and Conservation Districts. Plus, this year’s project includes an in-depth producer(s) feature story, such as the one you just read. Landess is featured in April of the calendar. If you would like a copy of the free 2021 Blue Thumb Calendar, please contact Blue Thumb Program Director Rebecca Bond at [email protected].  

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