Members of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission heard good news about the results of the August roadside quail survey and pheasant survey during their regular meeting Oct. 7.

Upland game biologist Tell Judkins led commissioners through findings from August’s roadside quail survey, in which observations shot up from last year’s 2.23 birds per route to 6.52 quail per route. The increase in quail seen in August is 92.3% greater than the 10-year average of 3.39 per route. Pheasant survey results were up from last year, as well.

While the August surveys haven’t been the most reliable in predicting the coming hunting seasons, Judkins said the significant jump for quail is reason for higher expectations for more birds on the landscape this year. Another round of quail surveys will be conducted this month, which will produce a better picture ahead of the Nov. 9 quail season opener. Pheasant season will open Dec. 1.

Also, commissioners accepted several donations from conservation cooperators. National Wild Turkey Federation gave $23,725 for habitat projects on Canton and Okmulgee WMAs, an all-terrain vehicle for law enforcement, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s archery and shooting education programs. The Blue River Fly Fishers donated $13,434 for Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area management. And the Homesteaders Chapter and the Deep Fork Canadian Chapter of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever gave $3,400 and $1,810.25 respectively for a fire skid unit for Beaver WMA and an offset disk for Okmulgee/Deep Fork WMAs to assist in habitat management.

In other business, the commission:

• Recognized the teams and students from Locust Grove and Altus for this year’s outstanding accomplishments in the Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools (OKNASP) program and in national competitions. Scores of students attended the meeting and received praise from commissioners.
• Received an update from Kelly Boyer, coordinator of OKNASP for the Wildlife Department, on the program statewide, which now includes 816 programs — including more than 700 schools — making the state the fifth-highest in participation nationally and the third-highest in participation in national contests. Varsity Archery for high schools only now has 118 programs operating, which is the most of any state.
• Learned about the Wildlife Department’s cooperative shooting range project with the City of Altus to build the world-class Bitter Creek Shooting Sports Complex.
• Learned about the Oklahoma Youth Hunting Program from its president, Darrell Noblitt, who thanked the commission for its support. OYHP is set to take 67 youths and their parent or guardian on their first deer hunts this year.
• Recognized Wildlife Department employees with tenure awards: Gary Wilcox, game warden supervisor, 35 years; Larry Green, game warden district chief, 35 years; Chief Nels Rodefeld, communication and education division, 30 years; Damon Springer, senior communication and education specialist, 25 years.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.

The next regular Wildlife Commission meeting is set for Dec. 2, 2024, at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.