01-03-2007, 10:10 PM
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold public hearings in 12 communities across the state Jan. 8 and 9 to discuss a broad list of proposed fishing and hunting regulation changes. Citizens are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions on a number of proposals that affect Oklahoma hunters and anglers.
The list of proposals slated for discussion includes a range of topics. Several fisheries proposals are being considered, among them a proposal to increase the bag limit on black bass at Lake Arcadia from three fish per day to six. Also affecting black bass at Lake Arcadia is a proposal to reduce the 22-inch minimum size limit to 14 inches. Another proposal scheduled for discussion is a reduction of the 18-inch minimum size limit on walleye at Lake Altus-Lugert to 14 inches.<br />
Discussion also is slated for the proposal of special trout fishing regulations at the new Evening Hole/Lost Creek areas in the Lower Mountain Fork River trout stream as well as a portion of the Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area (from the USGS gauging station downstream to the gravel pit county road). The proposed regulations would include placing the areas under a one-fish-per-day bag limit and a 20-inch minimum size limit restriction on rainbow trout. Discussion will also include a proposal to restrict the areas to the use of artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks only. All of these regulations are currently effective in emergency status at the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas.<br />
Regarding hunting, some of the most notable proposals involve the state's deer hunting regulations and bag limits. One proposal seeks to reduce the state's combined annual antlered deer limit from three to two. Another proposal is to establish an Experimental Quality Deer Management Unit in southwest Oklahoma. The proposed combined annual deer bag limit for the unit would include no more than one antlered deer. Also on the table is a proposal to allow the harvest of a buck along with a doe during the youth gun season, resulting in a youth gun season bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer.<br />
Regulation changes typically originate from proposals by Department staff and citizens, and selected proposals advance toward further consideration. After first being considered by a review committee of Wildlife Department personnel, recommendations are scheduled for public hearings, where citizens have the opportunity to comment on proposed regulation changes. Public comments and recommendations are then brought before the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Department's governing board. The Commission can then make decisions to accept, amend or reject the recommendations.<br />
Those unable to attend the hearings are encouraged to send their comments by mail to: Attn: Proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes - Wildlife Department, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. All comments are weighted equally whether received in writing or delivered at the public hearings.
The following is a list of public hearing dates, times and locations:
Date: January 8, 2007<br />
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Durant - State Fish Hatchery, 2021 Caddo Hwy<br />
Lawton - Lawton Public Library, 110 SW 4th St.<br />
Okmulgee - East Central Electric, Public Meeting Room, 2001 South Wood Drive (Hwy 75)
Date: January 8, 2007<br />
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Muskogee - Northeastern State University Campus Auditorium, 2400 West Shawnee
Date: January 9, 2007<br />
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Ada - Pontotoc County Vo-Tech Center, 601 W. 33rd Street (Wildlife Hearing<br />
Only)<br />
Altus - Altus Public Library, 421 N. Hudson St.<br />
Broken Bow - Broken Bow Public Library, 404 N. Broadway<br />
Enid - Central Fire Station, 410 West Garriott<br />
Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Auditorium Tishomingo - Tishomingo Community Center, Fairgrounds, 816 E. 6th (Fisheries Hearing Only) Tulsa - Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus, Alliance and Conference Center Building, 801 E. 91st St., Aud. Rm A150
Date: January 9, 2007<br />
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Sallisaw - Indian Capital Vo-Tech, North Meeting Room, 401 Houser Ave.
The list of proposals slated for discussion includes a range of topics. Several fisheries proposals are being considered, among them a proposal to increase the bag limit on black bass at Lake Arcadia from three fish per day to six. Also affecting black bass at Lake Arcadia is a proposal to reduce the 22-inch minimum size limit to 14 inches. Another proposal scheduled for discussion is a reduction of the 18-inch minimum size limit on walleye at Lake Altus-Lugert to 14 inches.<br />
Discussion also is slated for the proposal of special trout fishing regulations at the new Evening Hole/Lost Creek areas in the Lower Mountain Fork River trout stream as well as a portion of the Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area (from the USGS gauging station downstream to the gravel pit county road). The proposed regulations would include placing the areas under a one-fish-per-day bag limit and a 20-inch minimum size limit restriction on rainbow trout. Discussion will also include a proposal to restrict the areas to the use of artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks only. All of these regulations are currently effective in emergency status at the Evening Hole and Lost Creek areas.<br />
Regarding hunting, some of the most notable proposals involve the state's deer hunting regulations and bag limits. One proposal seeks to reduce the state's combined annual antlered deer limit from three to two. Another proposal is to establish an Experimental Quality Deer Management Unit in southwest Oklahoma. The proposed combined annual deer bag limit for the unit would include no more than one antlered deer. Also on the table is a proposal to allow the harvest of a buck along with a doe during the youth gun season, resulting in a youth gun season bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer.<br />
Regulation changes typically originate from proposals by Department staff and citizens, and selected proposals advance toward further consideration. After first being considered by a review committee of Wildlife Department personnel, recommendations are scheduled for public hearings, where citizens have the opportunity to comment on proposed regulation changes. Public comments and recommendations are then brought before the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Department's governing board. The Commission can then make decisions to accept, amend or reject the recommendations.<br />
Those unable to attend the hearings are encouraged to send their comments by mail to: Attn: Proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes - Wildlife Department, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. All comments are weighted equally whether received in writing or delivered at the public hearings.
The following is a list of public hearing dates, times and locations:
Date: January 8, 2007<br />
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Durant - State Fish Hatchery, 2021 Caddo Hwy<br />
Lawton - Lawton Public Library, 110 SW 4th St.<br />
Okmulgee - East Central Electric, Public Meeting Room, 2001 South Wood Drive (Hwy 75)
Date: January 8, 2007<br />
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Muskogee - Northeastern State University Campus Auditorium, 2400 West Shawnee
Date: January 9, 2007<br />
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Ada - Pontotoc County Vo-Tech Center, 601 W. 33rd Street (Wildlife Hearing<br />
Only)<br />
Altus - Altus Public Library, 421 N. Hudson St.<br />
Broken Bow - Broken Bow Public Library, 404 N. Broadway<br />
Enid - Central Fire Station, 410 West Garriott<br />
Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Auditorium Tishomingo - Tishomingo Community Center, Fairgrounds, 816 E. 6th (Fisheries Hearing Only) Tulsa - Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus, Alliance and Conference Center Building, 801 E. 91st St., Aud. Rm A150
Date: January 9, 2007<br />
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Sallisaw - Indian Capital Vo-Tech, North Meeting Room, 401 Houser Ave.