Oklahoma T I I I neWS AUGUST, 1956

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• • •'• .. PUBLISHED MONTHLY Published Monthly By The OKLAHOMA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Room 118, State Capitol Oklahoma City, Oklahoma For Hunters. Fishermen, Trappers, Naturalists and Wildlife Conservationists. One dollar, fifty cents per year Single issue 15 cents 5 TATE Circulation, this issue 15,000 Second class mail privileges authorized at Oklahoma City. Okla.

OKLAHOMA JUANITA MAHAFFEY Editor ALDEN KIMSEY MRS. LULA PROCTOR Staff Writer-Photographer Circulation Manager

Page Dove, Deer Seasons Announced 3 6u,i Relauice £itate: Why GostA&we. 9t? Stubble Quail, A New Exotic 4 Kids' Fishing Derby 6-7 That Old Black Rascal, The Mudcat 8 Broken Bow Festival 10 Industrial Uses for McCurtain County's Water 11 HE MAJOR ASSETS of every Nation of this great world are its The Fly Eater 12-13 resource values: the human and the physical. The wealth and the Wanted: Fishermen 14 T Imported Minnows May Pose development of any country depend on the kind and supply of physical Problems 15 or natural resources, and the ability of her people to develop, manage They Work for Wildlife 21 and utilize them, wisely. Letters to the Eidtor 22 Arrests for June 23 Nature generally maintains an equilibrium between the land and the living things that it produces, whether animals, grass or trees. Man, VOL. XII by proper understanding of the capacities of the soil can utilize fully the No. 8 various crops. Periodic accounting or checks will determine the maxi­ mum utilization of the various organic resources. A game census, a FRONT COVER timber growth check, a grazing survey or water measurement will provide adequate facts for the periodic harvests. It is soon evident if TURNER FALLS, hot weather retreat for the owner is disregarding the land's resource potential. Several very outdoor Oklahomans. vivid examples in past civilizations, namely China and North Africa, have told their stories of over-use and land abuse. What is needed is a re-orientation of thinking, and a re-examination of the obligations of a citizen to his state. It would appear that at COMMISSIONERS times there has been a misunderstanding of the meaning of democracy. Raymond Lucas, Spiro Chairman It does not mean irresponsible freedom. It means a way of life in which George Schultz, Medford Vice-Chairman the freedom of the individual is secured by his unselfish support of the James W. McMahan, Okemah. Secretary Maurice Finklea, Warner Member whole group, that is, of the State. One of the most important functions Louis Burtschi, Chickasha Member of this support is the proper stewardship of natural resources by the Rev. C. C. Morgan, Fairfax Member individual for his own welfare and with others for the welfare of the Arthur Hall, Elk City Member Nation. However, nothing but chaos can result from the efforts of the Dan Tankersley, Oklahoma City Member Gov. Raymond Gary.. Ex-Officio Member various individuals working his or her separate scheme of resource utili­ zation. It requires, instead, full coordinationof efforts of all. This can be brought about by proper planning and education. ADMINSTRATIVE STAFF

Dave Ware Director There is no question in my mind that the solution of o^r many Mutt Standefer.. ..Assistant Director problems in the field of conservation rests in the realm of education. Alph Stanphill Game Basically, the problems relate to a proper appreciation of our various John King Fisheries resource values in respect to our present and future needs. That apprecia­ O. L. Curtis _ -Federal-Aid Cloyse Bond Information-Education tion can best come through better understanding; it is a matter of Claude Goin Enforcement education of all the people and chiefly of our youth. The young people Coble Gambill _ Office Manager are usually responsive and will benefit most from the conservation Permission to reprint is granted provided proper measures. credit is given. Oklahoma pictures and contributions are welcome and will be published when possible. Address communications to Oklahoma Game and Fish So, the answer to the question is this: The rise and the fall of Department, Oklahoma City, Okla. certain Nations was closely correlated with the treatment accorded their natural resources. We have concrete evidence of outstanding develop­ ment on the North American continent during the past three centuries due to bountiful resources. The forecasts of population increases, public .VCVEI Member land-use trends and industrial expansion withm the next 20 years, Society of Associated Industrial Editors make it imperative that we conserve our Resource Estate, so we and Affiliated with our children may maintain the values and have the opportunity to International Council of Industrial Editors continue to enjoy our currently high level of civilization . . . Paul M. Dunn, Technical Director of Forestry, St. Regis Paper Co. Fifty-Day Dove Season Starts September 1

A 50-DAY DOVE season for Oklahoma starting Sept- tember 1 and ending October 20 has been announced by ber 9-18, in portions of Delaware, Mayes, Cherokee and the State Game and Fish Commission and the U. S. Fish Muskogee counties. and Wildlife Service. This was the earliest starting date A combined rifle and shotgun season is set for Nov­ that the State could select from within the framework of ember 21-24 inclusive in southeastern counties of Atoka, dates granted by the Service. Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pushmataha, and portions of Pittsburg and Haskell counties; and for November 22-24 Announced at the same time was the open season inclusive in Cimarron, Sequoyah, and portions of Chero­ on Rails and Gallinules, October 1-December 9 inclusive; kee and Adair counties. The remainder of the state will and a 40-day season for shooting Woodcock, beginning be open for the deer hunt also on November 22-24 with November 23 and ending January 1. shotguns only permitted as weapons. Game management A recent dove survey indicated that the 1956 dove areas, refuges and state parks are excluded for all deer breeding population is equal to that of 1955, and possibly hunting. larger. Thus in this area the Fish and Wildlife Service saw State residents will be required to pay the same fee fit to grant a 5-day extension of dove hunting over 1955. for deer hunting as in other recent years—$3 plus their Oklahoma dove hunting, however, usually loses its in­ regular 1956 hunting license. Non-resident fees are re­ tensity or stops altogether with the first cool spell in ciprocal with non-resident big-game hunting license fees September when the doves leave for the south. If the of hunter's home state, with a minimum of $15. Bag limits hunters get 10 good days of shooting, they usually are remain the same as in other years—one buck deer per ready to lay away their guns. hunter. Complete printed regulations with maps of the No changes in dove regulations other than the 5-day hunting areas for the 1956 deer hunt will be available soon extension of season were provided this year. The daily from the state game and fish department. bag and possession limit is 10. Shooting hours are one- half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shotguns and bow-and- arrow are legal weapons, rifles are prohibited. Shotguns must be incapable of holding more than three shells in the NEW "HUNTING-FISHING BY PERMISSION" magazine and chamber combined. Shooting over baited POSTERS DISTRIBUTED areas or from or across public highways, roads and railroad right-of-ways is forbidden. Permission of land owner is TIRED OF UNINVITED "guests" entering your prem­ required, and a state hunting license must be in possession ises to hunt or fish? The State Game and Fish Department of any hunter between the ages of 16-65 unless he be a has a happy solution—and it's all free. The department is farm resident hunting on his own land. The federal duck again offering its popular "Hunting and Fishing By Per­ stamp is not required for dove hunting. mission" signs to land and lake owners. Regulations for hunting of ducks, geese and coot will Introduced last year as a goodwill builder between not be issued until late August by the U. S. Fish and landholders and hunters, more than 20,000 of the free Wildlife Service. The Oklahoma Game and Fish Commis­ posters were distributed by sportsman clubs and game sion will at its September meeting then select this state's rangers. dates from within the framework of dates provided by the "They proved to be the most popular device we have Service. ever used," said Dave Ware, state game and fish director, Complete dove hunting regulations will be printed "in getting more private lands opened to sportsmen. Most and available at offices of the Game and Fish Department farmers don't mind sharing the game and fish on their in Oklahoma City, Chickasha, Fairview, McAlester and lands if the hunter or fisherman will just ask permission Pryor before the September 1 opening. Other migratory first, and of course not abuse private property when grant­ bird hunting regulations will be available on or about ed permission." October 1. The new posters printed in 9x12-inch size on white weather resistant stock, will be sent to any Oklahoma land or lake owner requesting them. Size and location of the farm, and number of signs required, should be stated. The NEW 1956 DEER HUNT signs read: "The Landholder—The Sportsman—Game RULES ANNOUNCED Department—It takes all three. Hunting or Fishing By Permission. Please apply at (blank space for farmer's name DATES AND REGULATIONS for the 1956 Oklahoma and address). Hunting or Fishing on private lands is a deer season were announced in early July by the State privilege, not a right. DO NOT ABUSE IT". Address Game and Fish Commission. the State Game and Fish Department, Oklahoma City, or Bow hunters this year may stalk their deer in a much any of its regional offices at McAlester, Pryor, Fairview larger area of east and northeast Oklahoma than in any and Chickasha, if you wish to post an Oklahoma farm previous season. They will have a 10-day season, Novem­ with these signs.

Page 3 STUBBLE QUAIL-

A New Exotic

BY GEORGE B. WINT, Supt. El Reno State Game Farm

Stubble Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), male at left, female at right, from a painting by the author.

INCE EARLY settlement of Amer­ ar partridge of India has been liber­ exotic forms of birds which can sur­ S ica many exotic forms of wild­ ated in the rough semi-desert areas vive and reproduce under modern life have been imported and released, of the western states where other agricultural practices, or which will sometimes for their esthetic and senti­ native birds are absent or scarce. It inhabit types of habitat which our mental values, oftener to establish a appears that this excellent game bird native birds do not use. new species for hunting. The most has adopted these areas as home. Recently the Oklahoma Game and familiar and outstanding example of Several states have open season on Fish Commission became interested a successful introduction was that of chukars and they seem to withstand in such a species, the Coturnix quail, ringnecked pheasants in Oregon in shooting pressure and increase in pop­ scientifically referred to as Coturnix the period 1881-1891. The pheasant ulation while expanding their range. coturnix japonica or "Stubble" quail, found its new home much to his Some introductions were made for native to Japan and Australia. This liking and mushroomed in the ten- no particular reason other than that interesting little bird was imported year period from the initial release of the birds were beautiful and nice to by the Missouri Conservation Com­ 28 birds to a population which has have around. However, in recent mission under recommendation of M. continued to support intensive hunt­ times, hunting pressure has grown to O. Steen, chief of the fish and game ing. exceed the supply of native game. division. It was through Missouri's cooperative spirit that Oklahoma re­ The Hungarian partridge is anoth­ Cover and food or natural habitat ceived 50 pair of breeders for the er example of a European game bird have decreased in favor of extensive 1956 season. being established in the United States clean-farming and expanding civiliza­ and Canada. More recently the chuk­ tion. Game people are considering The Coturnix quail has a wide

Page 4 range in Europe and Asia, being re­ ble is about the size of a mourning sists of about five to seven speckled presented by several similar and re­ dove. Coloring is more grey than the and mottled umber color on a light lated forms, some of which are mig­ bobwhite and the sexes are not so olive background. There is much ratory. One of the first records of the variation in the egg coloring as some migratory form is found in the Old readily differentiated. The cocks have Testament, Exodus 16:13: "And it brown on the throat, while the hen are coated with a bluish haze, giving came to pass, that at even the quails has a cream color. Otherwise they specks and all a perfect camouflage. came up and covered the camps"; are very similar in marking. The call The eggs are very large in comparison Numbers 11:31, 32: "And there is a rippling rattle and would not be to the size of the bird. In measure­ went forth a wind from the Lord, associated with a bird when first ment the egg is almost identical to the and brought quails from the sea, and bobwhite quail egg. In Japan the let them fall by the camp, as it were heard. The sound is similar to that a day's journey on the other side, of frogs after a spring rain. eggs are sold for food and appear in the stores and Army PX. Many Ori­ around about the camp, and as it Interbreeding of the Stubble with were two cubits high upon the face ental people keep caged layers for eggs bobwhite is unlikely since the two of the earth . . . And the people stood and the meat. Pickling is employed species are not closely related. At­ up all that day and all that night and to preserve the egg in that country. all the next day and they gathered tempts to force-mate with bobwhite the quails. He that gathered least have failed. There is no evidence that Because of the short period of in­ gathered ten homers and they spread the two species are aggressive toward cubation, 16 days, as compared to 23 them all abroad for themselves round each other because they have been held days for bobwhite, several broods of about the camp." captive in the same pen without fight­ young may be expected in one season. The record in Exodus refers to the ing. The young mature rapidly and may large population of the birds, while start to lay at seven or eight weeks of Since the Stubble quail inhabits the Numbers reference gives more de­ age, while bobwhite mature at 16 more open grass and wheat land types tail. The quails came on a wind at weeks and do not reproduce until the of habitat, there should be little com­ night and crossed the Mediterranean following year. The hens are con­ Sea from south to north. They ar­ petition for food and cover between sistent in their long period of egg- rived in an exhausted condition, fly­ Coturnix and Bobwhite (Colinus vir- laying and it may be possible for a ing about two cubits off the ground. ginianus). Our native quail are limit­ The people scattered them about the third generation of offspring to be ed in their range by the amount of camp, which may have meant that produced in a single season. At least escape cover, while Stubble quail are the birds were dried in the sun, a on the game farm three generations not likely to be using timbered ra­ method of preservation in those or more are possible. A bird possess­ times.* vines and brushy fence rows. ing such high reproductive capacity Today migration flights occur by The Stubble quail is said to be a could, under favorable conditions, great numbers of quail in that area tricky target. He makes a fluttering become established in several years. and it is said that they have been known to sink small ships when they sound in flight which is more muf­ The Oklahoma Game and Fish alighted on the rigging to rest. They fled than the bobwhite's sharp whir- Department will handle all releases are harvested in large numbers today r-r-r. He seems to be a more uneven until suitable information has been also. flyer and resembles a "slider" baseball obtained to determine the value of Of course we see no possibility of pitch as compared to the straight fast the undertaking. Test areas are being such a buildup of birds in Oklahoma ball. Military servicemen who have selected and a large enough group of with the non-migratory Stubble hunted them in Japan speak well of birds will be planted in these release quail. Sportsmen should not allow this quail's flying ability. They tend sites to give the Stubble quail an op­ their enthusiasm to rise too high in to sit more tightly than our native regard to this new bird because the portunity to become established. The quail which often run away and leave odds are greater that the species will department hopes that the Stubble fail rather than become established. a dog on point. They may be found quail will become a desirable addition But if that one-in-a-thousand chance in groups but they do not flush as a to our gamebird sport, which will comes to pass, bobwhite hunters will covey like bobwhite. A covey rise supplement the bobwhite and help be anxious to know how the Stubble would be similar to working out bob- support some of the shooting pressure quail will affect the native quail pop­ white after the first flush. We are ulation. which bob now carries alone. told that the flesh of Stubble quail Of course the Stubble quail can In size the Stubble quail is smaller is light and delicious, which compares never be compared with the bobwhite than the bobwhite. It averages four favorably with our native bobs. in the mind of a "dyed-in-the-wool" and one-half ounces in weight while Coturnix have a tremendous re­ bobwhite quail hunter. In fact, there "Bob" averages six ounces. The Stub- productive capacity. They are very is no real shooting except bobwhite *Wm. Smith "Bible Dictionary" prolific. A natural clutch of eggs con­ hunting over a good dog.

Page 5 KID FISH DER

Photographs Courtesy of

BIG CANE POLES, manned by little boys, lined the banks at the State Fish Hatchery.

A FELLER GETS mighty thirsty at a fishing derby on a summer morn­ RIDAY THE 13TH (of June) was anything but unlucky for ing in Oklahoma. Overall-clad fisherman fills up at water bag pro­ F kids of the Durant area. On that day they realized a dream vided by National Guard as Jimmie Pigg, derby supervisor, looks on. that every fisherman must have dreamed at one time or another. They fished in a State Fish Hatchery, and the nation's largest one at that! Just about every civic group, city official, and citizen or­ ganization of Durant, as well as the State Game and Fish De­ partment, was behind the planning of the contest for kids that took place at the big hatchery at Armstrong, a few miles out of Durant. The Mayor, the National Guard, the Police Depart­ ment, the Kiwanis Club, the Boy Scouts, State Game Rangers, and Hatchery Superintendent John Murphree with his crew of hatchery helpers, linked their services to make it a grand occasion. Rangers Bruce Oakley, Earl Newton, Quinton Douglas and Cecil Crow even pooled their personal funds to provide cash prizes for a special 20-minute fishing contest for the mothers after the kids had their fun.

A TOO YOUNG to enter T fishing contest/ which was for children 7-13 years of age, little Pat Spettel looks over prizes in truck bed with friend Chuck Keene, cen­ ter, and big brother Mike Spettel, right. . JIMMIE PIGG, center, father of T the derby, holds spinning reel awarded to Bobby Rogers, left, in "largest fish" category- Boy's prize winning fish was 22-inch catfish. Jack White, right, won two rods for s* largest string, 77 fish. ING BY

Durant Daily Democrat

Merchants of Durant donated the 21 prizes awarded the youngsters in various categories. Murphree and his men stocked the big 20-acre pond with outsized perch, bass, crappie, and catfish for the event. Much credit for the success of the derby went to Jimmie Pigg, assistant football coach of Durant. His spearheading of the memorable fishing derby, is typical of Pigg's constant and tireless work with the youth of the community in many types of sports. There have been probably 50 or more kid fishing derbies staged in Oklahoma this summer, and each has been a big CLOSE UP of Bobby Rogers (photo above) affair for the youngsters. They provide fine opportunities for shows unmistakable grin of pride and joy just after he landed 22-inch catfish for first prize. teaching good sportsmanship, conservation, and a love of out­ doors and fishing. Many a youth has cast his first baited hook into the water through the auspices of these organized contests by sportsman clubs and civic groups. And many of these same boys and girls have no doubt become life-long devotees of the sport thereby. To be sure, it will be many a day before the kids of Bryan County forget the fishing fun they had at the Du- rant-Armstrong State Fish Hatchery last June 13 th .. . Juan­ ita Mahaffey.

SECOND LARGEST cat­ fish, 1 8 Vz-inches long, was caught by John Liv­ ingston, who holds prize winning fish in photo at right. Smaller lad is Don FIRST PRIZE bass is here displayed Skaggs displaying a A by Richard Wiggs who won a min­ good sized sunfish. W now bucket as award for the 17- inch fish. That Old Black Rascal — THE "MUDCAT ft

HY IS IT that any species of early June the males become pugnac­ their barbels. The parents will also W wildlife — finny, furry or ious. Many come out of battles with suck the eggs and the newly hatched feathered — that is common to the scarred heads where other males clamp­ fry into their mouths and blow them point of being just too, too plentiful ed down on them. The paired fish out again. As time goes on the adults' is usually unpopular, unwanted and then begin to construct saucer-like parental instincts begin to vanish maligned? Perhaps this works in re­ nests generally along the shore in when the tendency to suck the fry verse—maybe the fact that the spec­ water several inches to several feet into their mouths continues, but the ies is unwanted, etcetera, accounts for deep, or under stumps or logs. Some­ inclination to spit them out dimin­ its too, too plentiful status. times a cove may contain a number ishes. As the fry increase in size they Take the common bullhead cat­ of nests close to one another. If the have a tendency to congregate with fish. Maybe you call him "mudcat." nest site contains gravel this is carried other aggregations to form larger In New England they call him the away by mouth until the bottom is schools. "horned pout". Few of our 150-odd smooth. The mudcat is just plain "bull- fish species in Oklahoma reproduce so The female then lays her several headed" about refusing to give up life fast and so thoroughly, under such clusters of frog-like eggs in the de­ under circumstances that would put adverse conditions. Also this be- pression. These number anywhere most other fishes in their graves. Bull­ whiskered fellow doesn't grow to any from about 50 to 1,000 eggs per heads can live literally buried alive. impressive size, nor does he possess cluster, and may total 6,000 or more Ponds may dry up in the heat of other qualities that place him on the from one mamma bullhead. In 77 summer, but the bullhead lies dor­ angler's choice list. He doesn't fight degree or warmer water the eggs hatch mant in a clod of mud until softened much when hooked. He'll stab you in from 24 hours to five or more by the return of water. In winter with his sharp dorsal or pectoral fin days. they bury themselves in the deepest if you're not careful. And most fish There are good parents and poor ooze of the pond. are easier to prepare for the skillet parents, just like humans. In some Two members of the bullhead cat­ than is that old black rascal, the cases the female will guard the eggs fish family live in Oklahoma — the mudcat. and desert the nest when these hatch, black (Ameiurus melas) and the yel­ But there are some of us who like while the male takes over. In other low bullhead (Ameiurus natalis). Brother Bullhead just the same. We cases both guard the eggs and the Both are distributed statewide though like to catch him because he's easily hatched young. The newly hatched the black is more common. These caught. And his flesh is—well, just young remain on the bottom in dense dull, blundering fellows grow best plumb tasty, once you get him skin­ masses until they are about six days in the still waters, especially ponds. ned, "dehorned", and fried to a crisp old, when they begin to swim verti­ They seldom grow large, however. golden brown. We often cast a sly cally several inches and then fall back. About 12 inches is the maximum glance over our shoulder to see if Soon they are swimming actively in length for the black bullhead, 18 anyone's looking when we pull this dense schools. inches for the yellow. Seven to nine runt of the catfish family from the From the time of hatching the par­ inch specimens are the ones you'll water and string him up. And prob­ ents keep the fry agitated constantly most often see and catch. ably tote our catch home in a wet by a gentle fanning motion of lower Color of the bullhead is dark olive tow sack, making like we have crap­ fins and at intervals stir them with to black, above, and white yellowish pie, bass or channel catfish in its damp depths, should anyone ask. But you can bet your best rod and reel there are a powerful lot of bullhead catfish caught and eaten in Oklahoma anyway. There are few waters in this state that don't contain their quota of bull­ heads, despite the fact that they are not a hatchery-reared species. They've been with us always, and they are here to stay. So let's look in on the bullhead's habits and way of life. /_-k-«c< The breeding habits of this fish are interesting. Sometime in May or Black Bullhead

Page 8 Magazine Mail List Conversion Is Big Job

DID YOU WONDER why your copy of Oklahoma Game and Fish News was late last .nonth? The pictures above tell the story. After eleven and one-half years (in which the free circulation had grown to 31,500) this magazine went on a paid subscription basis, July 1.

FENCED IN by her work ,in photo at right, is Mrs. Lula Proctor, THE JOB of revising the mail list was a tremendous one. In circulation manager for Oklahoma Game and Fish News. Name plates phorograp! at left Bonnie Monkin, clerk-typist in the Information- of paid subscribers are being pulled from the old file and moved into Education division of the State Game and Fish Department, operates drawers that will compose the new mailing list . . . Photographs the Graphotype making address plates for new subscribers. by Alden Kimsey.

MUDCAT- (Continued) First Backlog Wildlife on the belly. The anal fin of the black bullhead is short and the fin rays number from 17 to 19. The Restoration Funds Allocated chin barbels or "whiskers" are black. OKLAHOMA WILL RECEIVE $47,268.79 as its apportionment of Pittman- The anal fin of the yellow bullhead Robertson federal aid in wildlife restoration funds resulting from the passage is longer and has 26 fin rays. Its chin last year of an act authorizing appropriation of the backlog $13J^ million in barbels are white or cream color. the federal aid to wildlife. There is no fork in the blunt tail of This is the first one-fifth of the backlog. The reserve accumulated from either the black or the yellow. 1939 to 1946 and particularly during World War II years when Congress did Bullheads live almost entirely upon not appropriate the full receipts annually from the 11 per cent excise tax on insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, small sporting arms and ammunition. crayfish, worms, and small fish. Oklahoma's share of the backlog They will feed eagerly on nearly any­ bait completely, so you needn't worry about losing the fish once he's hook­ funds is in addition to $205,587.42 thing available, either living or dead. apportioned to this state in P-R funds These fish have been known to eat ed, nor being johnny-on-the-spot when your reel sings. A pair of pliers as its fiscal year 1956 apporpriation. the eggs of other fishes, as well as to In addition, Oklahoma received in the feed extensively on minnows. The or a good hook disgorger is standard equipment in the bullhead fisher­ same year $105,290.79 in D-J fed­ fathead minnow is a favorite with eral aid to fisheries appropriation, the bullhead. man's tackle kit. A leather glove for your holding hand will help, too, to giving the Oklahoma Game and Fish If you like lazy fishing, Brother keep your skin intact and your dis­ Department a total of $358,147.00 Bullhead is your dish. Worms and position sweet. in federal aid for the year. The state nightcrawlers are good bait. Cast your must match the federal funds 25-cents lead-weighted line about 50-100 feet If you get into a hungry school of on the dollar from its hunting-fish­ straight out from shore, rest your bullheads, you can forget about the ing license moneys. All projects on pole or rod in a forked stick, sit back forked stick arrangement for your which the moneys are spent must be and relax. No float is necessary—bot­ fishing pole. The little pug-uglies initiated by the State, receive approval tom fishing is best, right down in will keep you busy pulling in, dis­ of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Ser­ the mud, or just inches from the mud. gorging hooks, and rebaiting your vice, and completed, before reimburse­ The bullhead usually swallows the hook . . . Juanita Mahaffey. ment is made by the federal Service.

Page 9 Broken Bow Forest Festival Encourages Countywide Conservation

DWN IN THE southeasternmost county of Oklahoma D the Broken Bow Jaycees held their Oklahoma Free Forest Festival in June again thjs year. It is an event that every one of the 77 counties of this state could well afford to copy, substituting perhaps the word "Conservation" for "Forest" and emphasizing all natural resources of the area. The festival was born four years ago, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce at Broken Bow. For one whole day each year the town suspends routine business operations and invites in the entire county for a day of good fellowship to pay homage to Nature's bountiful bless­ ings—the great forests, the beautiful mountain streams and scenery, the abundant wildlife that is McCurtain County's. As Paul C. Roeber, festival chairman and Jaycee of­ ficial, puts it, "This is a non-profit, trade promotion, award winning event. Eight of the Jaycees are foresters, five are spark plug, key men of the event." TWO THIRDS of McCurtain County is pine and hardwood timber The Oklahoma Free Forest Festival on June 9 at­ land. Scene here is in State Game Refuge north of Broken Bow, last tracted more than 4,000 people to the Saturday night open stand of virgin timber in the State . . . Photos by Alden Kimsey. air woods events. Power-saw contests drew many partici­ pants and onlookers. A new model 17 Homelite power- Indian Nation—a section of the state often called "The saw was given as one prize. Cash prizes totaling $1,045 Kiamish". This name derives from the Kiamichi mountains went to 32 winners in a field of 259 contestants in 13 and river which spread through two other counties—Le­ events. Flore and Pushmataha—to the north and northwest of Jaycees are young men of action for youth, Roeber McCurtain. points out. They have not overlooked the youth-potential The whole general area has many times been called for conservation in their planning for the annual forest Oklahoma's last wilderness stronghold, though the true festival. Schools all over the country this year were invited to participate in essay and oratory contests climaxed at the wilderness in its unspoiled, untouched state has shrunk to festival by judging and awards presentations. The theme: the 16,000-acre state game refuge north of Broken Bow, "How Can We Best Utilize The Resources of McCurtain owned and maintained by the Oklahoma Game and Fish County?" Student participants were permitted to break Department. Second largest county in the State, Mc­ down their subject material into categories of Water, Tim­ Curtain has an area of 1854 square miles. It's population ber, Wildlife, Parks, Soils, etc. Eight of the county's nine is 31,588. The city of Broken Bow, near the center, has high schools entered 365 contestants and $325 in cash prizes were handed to school and grand winners. a population of 1838. Idabel, 12 miles south-southwest is the county seat. "Next year," Roebler predicts, "our festival will be the biggest and best planned. Since 1957 is Oklahoma's With all the festivities being planned statewide for 50th birthday, we will plan the event as a mammoth 'birth­ Oklahoma's semi-centennial celebration in 1957—conser­ day party' for our forests. It will be a grand two day vation of natural resources could receive a tremendous boost celebration, fit and well prepared for all visitors to Okla­ if a hundred or more communities laid plans for a festival homa's big woods." such as the one Broken Bow Jaycees sponsor annually. McCurtain County lies in the southeast corner of Why not call it "Conservation Coronation" year and Oklahoma. Across Red River on the south lies Texas. To celebrate the tremendous influence that our natural re­ the east is Arkansas. Louisiana is a not too far distant sources have played in the building of this great state? neighbor from the point where the other three states meet. Much of the county is mountainous woodland with For truly on the continued preservation and wise use of pine and oak predominant. It is the only part of Oklahoma our forests, waters, soils, minerals and wildlife lies the where cypress is found. It is a part of the old Choctaw whole future of Oklahoma . . . Juanita Mahaffey.

Page 10 Industrial Uses For MCCURTAIN COUNTY'S WATER BY SANDRA MALIN Idabel, Oklahoma (First Prize Winner in countywide essay contest, Oklahoma Free Forest Festival sponsored by Broken Bow Jaycees)

•7* VEN THOUGH the work of science has progressed and Another good industry is a wood-treating plant. J*-** life has been made easier and better by new inventions Wood treating is when the wood is treated or processed and discoveries, it is still our natural resources which have with certain chemicals to prevent termites. This way the made these things possible. The people of McCurtain wood lasts longer. County are very fortunate in having an abundant supply of With our county's valuable limestone deposits there natural resources of which the is a chance of having a fertilizer mill or cement plant. greatest is probably water. Where there is water there can be industry, and we The water of McCurtain in McCurtain County need big industries. We need to County is purer and better than cultivate our natural resources. How can this come about? in most areas. Also there is so much water that with proper One way is to get the long hoped for upstream dams. With utilization there would be a these dams our water can be used most effectively, thus tremendous amount for produc­ using our other natural resources. tive use. Why can't we put our Yes, Oklahoma can make it, and McCurtain County water to work? can, too. Let us keep working for what we know will help Sandra Malin Our water can work for us by putting McCurtain County's timber to use. They are us and others, too. one million three hundred thousand acres in our county and two-thirds is pine and hardwood timber. Tree farming THE WATER of McCurtain County is purer and better than in most areas and supply is abundant. This is Mountain Fork famous for its could be practiced on a large scale if more of our timber float fishing. could be used. There is a better chance now than ever before for -. J__B*fv*_ ;* ' -~ \*„ .. : ! the building of pulp mills in the South. Pulp mills require i a lot of water, thus making our county an ideal place for such a mill. The city of Lufkin, Texas, makes the newsprint for the Daily Oklahoman of the same kind of timber that we have in McCurtain County. Why couldn't we do this or something similar? There would be a chance for a paper bag factory where all kinds of paper sacks and bags are made, or a place where pulp is made into celotex. McCurtain County has to ship most of its timber elsewhere to be manufactured, but why not build a furni­ ture factory or toy company here which would supply hundreds of men with work? Matches are made of pine trees, and our county has plenty of pine trees and is planting many more. Why not have a match factory? Then, especially with hardwood trees, there is a possibility of making charcoal. One man near here has already tried this. Men have now found that seventy per cent of a tree can be put into use. Even sawdust and the bark of a tree are being used. A new kind of wood is being made by pres­ sing sawdust and shavings together. A mill making this t - ji***£ _ kind of wood would be an ideal industry to place here. FRAMED BY TREES and cool creek GRAY STREAMER FLY and pork rind THIS HOOKED FISH gives up after hard fight. water, a fly fisherman makes his proved enticing to this green sunfish. Fly Shallow water and gravel bottom is typical of cast. An ability to use a fly rod and spinner combinations are ideal lure. spot a green sunfish chooses to lay eggs. in close quarters comes in handy.

THE GREEN SUNFISH, also called goggle-eye o of fly fishermen. A ten inch length is abo warriors. This sunfish was taken on black I Honey Creek located in the Arbuckle Mountain:

Photo Story by Alden Kimsey

THE GREEN SUNFISH comes in a trim, hair-trigger package. His sugar-scoop mouth gets unhinged at the twitch of a fly. He is at home in lake, pond or creek and never afflicted with choosy or jaded appetite. Never is he a bore on the other end of a fly line. Goggle-eye, black perch are common names bestowed on the green sunfish by folks who fish a dream world of sun dappled creeks. They use double tapered lines and pack a fly box in hip pocket. They wade usually, these creek fishermen. A hot summer day turns magi­ cally into a pleasant jaunt along an air conditioned waterway as they seek out the "fly eater" among sunken rocks, pebble-strewn riffles and in the opaque channels behind the limestone ledges.

LIMESTONE LEDGES dam up pools of water. Fisherman is wading to boat that will be used on large hole of water. Stream is Henry House Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains. K ** "

ONE HOLE of water was too deep to wade. Fish­ erman is using a cork and feather popper bug.

d black perch, is a favorite t maximum for the little DIAMOND-BACKED water snake, a harmless species, is captured ly-spinner combination in "just for fun". Most creek fishermen pass up such opportunities. of south-central Oklahoma.

END OF A PERFECT DAY comes with sunfish and tackle posed for picture. Wanted: FISHERMEN!

ANTED: Seven thousand fishermen to fish half-acre coves with rotenone in early April. The sampling W well managed central Oklahoma lake, easi­ revealed that there were about 51,250 fish weighing 3,950 ly accessible by automobile. Prefer 20 daily dur­ pounds in the lake at that time. Catchable sized fish in­ ing next 365 days. Shoreline good, plenty of cluded 8940 bluegill, 1560 bass, 2370 red ear, 600 green shallow wading, or bring your own boat for sunfish, 160 warmouth, and 120 black crappie—a grand choice spots on lake. Guarantee average of two total of 13,750 fish waiting to take your hook! or more good eating size fish per angler. NO Thus the fisheries men know by their assembly of CHARGE. scientific data that Lake Dahlgren can stand a lot more fishing than was applied in its first year—at least twice as If you're a fisherman and should see the above in the much. want ad section of your daily newspaper, you'd probably The lake was originally stocked with 20,000 bass fry grab the phone immediately to inquire where, how come, in the spring of 1953, followed in November by 2500 what's the catch? bluegill, 2500 red ear, and 5000 black crappie. Reproduc­ There is no catch. The location is 25-acre Lake tion of bluegill, bass and crappie was very successful in Dahlgren built for you, the fishermen of Oklahoma, on 1955 and growth of all fishes except the largemouth bass the Lexington Game Management area near the town of and green sunfish was above the state average. Slow growth the same name in Cleveland County. The time is now— of the bass after they reach 9-inch length is believed due and on through the remainder of 1956—and in fact all the to a lack of adequate forage fishes. Nevertheless their years to come. growth this summer should make some interesting bass Data to substantiate the fishing qualities of this lake catches at this time. were assembled by fisheries workers of the State Game So if you live in central Oklahoma and want a and Fish Department following impoundment and open­ pleasant short trip to a medium small lake where scientific ing of Lake Dahlgren (February, 1955). The lake was management is the key to good fishing—try lake Dahlgren the first of several constructed by the Department to create at the Lexington Game Management area. The 6,000- more fishing waters where there were none before. acre area is open also for hunting. If you want to combine a squirrel or dove hunt (doves on and after September 1), Following impoundment the lake became muddy, but take along both shotgun and fishing rod for a full day's was cleared by applying 8,000 pounds of commercial fun. fertilizer. A creel census was inaugurated by fisheries biolo­ gist Clay Wilson of Chickasha, and has been maintained by Earl Ingersoll, manager of the area. Based on a sample of about 25 percent of the fisher­ Super Sized Bass men (909 filled out census sheets) from February, 1955, through March, 1956, a total of 7,000 keeper fish were caught by 3,600 fishermen in 13,600 fisherman-hours. Principal fish caught were bluegill, red ear sunfish and black crappie. A few largemouth bass, green sunfish and warmouth were included in the take-home catch, and about 6,000 bass less than 10-inches in length were thrown back. Those bass by now should be good keeper size, and length restrictions have since been removed (April 12, 1956) statewide on all game fish. The Lake Dahlgren fish caught and kept averaged one-quarter pound each, and the total yield for the 14- month period was 70 pounds of sport fish per surface acre. Where did the Lake Dahlgren fishermen come from? The answer to that question is always good to know when the State invests your fishing-hunting license moneys in a lake project. It's good knowledge on which to base future investments of lake-building funds. Fifty percent of the fishermen came from Oklahoma City, 50 miles distant. Twenty-four percent were from Norman, 30 miles away. Others came from Purcell, Lexington, Moore, Shawnee, TWO BASS of bragging size that have come from Oklahoma waters this season are pictured above. At left is John Hornsburger, Chickasha, El Reno, Maysville, Spencer, Blanchard and Lindsay, displaying a 7-pound-2-ounce bass which he caught out of Noble. There also were sixteen out-of-state visitors. a farm pond last May 6 on a Lucky 1 3 plug. Studies to determine the size and condition of the fish left in the lake were initiated last February 1 6. The biolo­ ANOTHER MAY catch is pictured at right. This one weighed 7 pounds and came from Lake Carlton at Robbers Cave State Park gists used the marking and recapture (in wire traps) near Wilburton. Bill Tillman, Rt. 2, McAlester, pictured with his son, Billy, and daughter, Susan, made this lucky catch on a 66 Bunyan method during February and March, then sampled two lure.

Page 14 Canton Lake Fishermen Catch Nice Strings

CANTON LAKE in northwest Oklahoma has been producing some excellent white bass and channel cat fishing this summer. As evidence here are two photographs to make you want to try your luck at this 6,700-acre U.S. Army Engineer impoundment on .he North Cancdian River 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.

A FATHER-DAUGHTER fishing team (upper left) Albert Green and Diane, 11, of Blackwell caught 60 white bass in six hours fishing. The fish averaged 12-inches in length . . . Blackwell Journal-Tribune Photo.

A LOT OF GOOD eating is represented by the channel cat and white bass held by J. C. Ez II. El Reno, in photo at right. The stringer weight totals 25 pounds ... El Reno Daily Tribune Photo.

Imported Minnows May Pose Problems

BY BILL HEARD, Fisheries Biologist Wagoner, Oklahoma

OME NEW FINDINGS are being made regarding the con­ in our waters because of differences in climate and habitat. S troversial live bait situation in northeast Oklahoma. However, the same thing was said a few years ago about There has been considerable talk, both pro and con, about the banded tetra, a bait fish brought in from South Texas bait dealers bringing great quantities of Minnesota min­ and Mexico. This fish has now established itself and is re­ nows into Oklahoma. These imports mostly are fathead producing in Lake Texoma. Whether either of the two minnows. Recently, however, we have found some fishes Minnesota fishes would be a liability or an asset to our exotic to Oklahoma. Two such fishes are the brook stickle­ state waters is not for me to say. Oklahoma is blessed with back (Eucalia inconstans), and the Northern redbelly dace a wide variety of fishes and certainly we should be cautious (Chrosomius eos). This dace has an Oklahoma counter­ about letting accidental introductions occur. part, the Southern redbelly dace, while the stickleback re­ The foremost purpose of the bait business is of course presents an entire family of fishes unknown in Oklahoma. to supply the ever increasing army of anglers with their This means that another accidental fish introduction bait needs. And it may be necessary to have a certain into Oklahoma waters may be occurring. Either or both amount of imported bait to accomplish this. However, we of these two fishes possibly could not establish themselves certainly need some type of regulations on imported bait, for the protection of the Oklahoma bait dealers as well as Brook Stickleback, an unwelcome intruder? out native fish fauna. The picture at left is of a brook stickleback recently taken from a minnow vat on Fort Gibson Reservoir.

THE AMERICAN MARTIN is close kin to the famous Russian Sable.

THE MINK is merely a large weasel of somewhat specialized habits. He has a more robust build, is darker in color and semiaquatic in habits.

Page 15 A Deer Misjudges

HOW MANY DEER and other wildlife species die each year by accident in Oklahoma is anybody's guess. We commonly see many such deaths on the highways where automobiles are faster than the unwitting animals and birds.

l NOT SO COMMON, however, is the type of •Jr g •••••' . ;*;:.<*, accident pictured at left. A young buck deer ...* .*>». :v..-."'\ misjudged its leap over a barb-wire fence on the Jared Ranch seven miles east of Ada one day in early July. It became hopelessly en­ , *• •••.«<' '%&%! tangled and died a slow and painful death be­ III1-. 111 fore discovery. RANGER VIRGIL WILLIAMS of Roff views the young buck in dismay, as he was called to investigate. He found no evidence of gun wound or dogs having chased the deer . . . Ada Evening News Photo, courtesy George Gurley.

Lesser Prairie Chicken Study Continues; production, the prairie chicken population has dwindled Population at Very Low Ebb until it is now considered in grave danger of extinction. This study of the lesser prairie chicken's habits and CENSUS FIGURES from a study of the lesser prairie requirements was instituted by the Oklahoma Cooperative chicken in Ellis County, northwest Oklahoma, indicate Wildlife Research Unit, Oklahoma A8M College, Still­ that the prairie chicken population is at a very low ebb— water. The unit is partially supported by the Oklahoma probably an all-time low. The study was made by Farrell Game and Fish Department. In addition to Copelin's work Copelin, graduate student of the Cooperative Wildlife Re­ south of Arnett, the prairie chicken is being studied on two search Unit, Oklahoma ASM College. other Ellis County areas. A comparison of Copelin's findings with information available from Verne Davison's pioneering study of the prairie chicken in the 1930's shows only one chicken now present for every four existing in 1938 at virtually the "Showman Shooter'' Film Is New In Game same location. The present census was conducted nine Department Lending Library miles south and one mile east of Arnett, Oklahoma. Even WANT TO SHARPEN up on your shooting technique more astounding is the fact that in 1938 the population before opening of hunting seasons this fall? Then get was in the low phase of a cycle for the 1930's, there your sportsman club or civic group program chairman to being only 44 per cent as many chickens in 1938 as in order the film "Showman Shooter" from the State Game 1933, according to the Davison report. and Fish Department's free movie lending library. This population decrease, said Copelin, apparently Five prints of this 30-minute, 16mm color sound is widespread throughout northwest Oklahoma. Gene movie have been purchased by the Department to enlarge Summers, northwest regional biologist of the Oklahoma upon its visual-aid educational services. The movie was Game and Fish Department (until his resignation July 1, produced by Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation's Win­ 1956), reported from his spring survey that the prairie chester-Western Division and is released through Sound chicken population in northwest Oklahoma is far below Masters, Inc. of New York City. It features Herb Parsons that found in previous years. in a fine exhibition of expert gun handling and shooting. The lesser prairie chicken, like its close relative the The State Game and Fish Department has more than greater prairie chicken of north-central Oklahoma, is a 65 movie subjects available to schools and other groups bird that needs large blocks of good quality grassland for anywhere in Oklahoma. There is no charge providing the successful reproduction and survival. The current drouth, borrower returns all film promptly and in good condition. reported to be the worst on record for western Oklahoma, Address the Game and Fish Department in Oklahoma City, has severely limited grass production. Seemingly associated or regional offices at Chickasha, Fairview, McAlester, or with the decrease in vegetative cover and wild plant seed Pryor.

Page 1 6 New Nature-Conservation Book One of the greatest contributions we can make to the future of hunting is to become proficient in judging dis­ IN PREPARATION the past three years and sponsored tances, particularly those within the killing range of a by the National Audubon Society, the Creative Educational shotgun and thus eliminate a sizable percentage of the Society of Mankato, Minnesota, has recently released "The annual loss from cripples. This particularly applies to game Community of Living Things", a five-volume series of birds flying overhead, and over open water. Once we have picture-text books. established firmly in our own 'mind's eye' how large The series contains 600 pages of outstanding full-page various game birds appear at various distances, our trigger photographs taken by America's foremost nature photo­ fingers will act instinctively at the proper time. But until graphers. Opposite each photograph is a page of authentic we do become acquainted with various distances and know information, explaining the interrelationship and interde­ how to quickly judge them under different circumstances, pendence of all living things in a given habitat or area. All our game bird shooting is going to be a matter of catch- photographs are lithographed in nature tone. as-catch-can. This year try to put a little more thought in your shooting, shoot only at reasonable ranges and help Here, in a five-volume series, is the newest achievement reduce the number of cripples . . . Henry P. Davis, Rem­ in nature writing, art, and photography by America's ington News Letter. greatest authorities. In the study of natural science, con­ servation, botany, and zoology, these books provide the fresh and important approach of ecology with their bril­ liantly written texts accompanied by vivid life-like pictures. Information-Education Included in the series are: "Field and Meadow" by Specialist Named Etta Schneider Ress; "Fresh and Salt Water" by B. Bart- ram Cadbury; "City Parks and Home Gardens" by Robert ROBERT B. FANNING, 35, of Chickasha was appoint­ S. Lemmon; "Forest and Woodland" by Stephen Collins; ed recently as southwest Oklahoma regional information- and "The Desert" by Alexander B. Klots and Elsie Klots. education specialist. Fanning replaces Bill Schumacher, Chickasha, who resigned last May 15. The books may be purchased singly or collectively Born at Maysville, Oklahoma, Fanning lived there from the publishers, The Creative Educational Society of Mankato, Minnesota; or from The National Audubon until he was 15, when he moved with his parents to Cali­ Society, New York City. fornia. He finished high school at Needles, California, returning in 1941 to this state. After World War II Dove Hunters, Attention! service in the air force, he at­ Judging Distance Saves Cripples tended State Teachers College at Ada for a short time. He AN INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE of distances in relation then engaged in the auto­ to effective shotgun ranges is one of the most important mobile business at Marietta factors in successful wing shooting. A huge amount of where he sold out in 1948; sporting ammunition is wasted every season because many spent two years with the Ok­ shooters have never taken the trouble to learn to judge lahoma Department of Pub­ various distances. They think a game bird is within shoot­ lic Safety stationed at Chick­ ing range as long as they can identify it as such, and blast asha; and the past five years away until their guns are empty. Thousands of what has been associated with the would have been excellent chances are tossed away simply Buick Motor Company of Robert B. Fanning because the hunter is so impatient and excited that he can­ Chickasha, the last four as assistant manager. not wait. Or else he doesn't know any better. These fel­ Fanning holds a commercial pilot's license and, in lows are Spoil-Sports for the other fellow, for they not only shoot at impossible ranges, but, in so doing, ruin the addition to an avid interest in hunting, fishing and con­ chances of more experienced and efficient hunters who servation in general, he has done much aerial coyote hunt­ know enough to hold their fire until the game is well ing. within range. In his new job, Fanning will continue to work out Many of the 'misses' that disappoint these fellows of Chickasha, in public speaking assignments, classroom could well have been killing hits if these chaps hadn't tried lecture work, conservation demonstrations and exhibits, to 'strain their guns'. It is quite likely that they pointed and doing all types of public realtions work for the state properly and that their leads were correct, but the range game and fish department. was too great for the loads they were shooting. A large The new information-education specialist is married percentage of the cripples which occur each season are due not to the fact that they were struck with the edge of the to the former Ruth Liddell of Marietta, Oklahoma, and shot pattern or a so-called stray shot or two, but because the couple has two children, Elaine, 9, and Bob, Jr., 13. the shot which struck them had traveled so far that the shocking and penetrating powers necessary for a clean kill BADGER fur, while thick and handsome in color, is had been lost. rather coarse and is not valued very highly.

Page 1 7 ing the knees slightly will trap air in the boots and provide IF YOU FALL IN THE DRINK, buoyancy if you are paddling or swimming face down). DON'T GET PANICKY (3) Be careful of your breathing so you do not begin to choke. MANY HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN have asked them­ selves, "What if I should fall into deep water dressed in Above all, take it easy! Don't get panicky. heavy clothes and hip boots?" Their first thought is that the boots would fill, dragging them to the bottom. How­ ever, the boots would not weigh much beneath the water. NETTING, SEINING BANNED AT In Iowa, a physical education instructor determined TWO STATE LAKES to find out just what the chances for survival would be. NETS, SEINES and traps for taking fish from Ten­ Dressed in a sweatshirt, pair of pants, a hunting coat, and killer Lake and the Washita arm of Lake Texoma, were hip boots, Vern Bredow jumped feet first into a swim­ banned July 19, for a period of 60 days, by order of the ming pool seven feet deep, and came up with no difficulty. State Game and Fish Commission. Also forbidden in the The boots did not immediately fill with water. Turning Commission's order for the same period was the use of on his back he found the air trapped in the boot feet buoy­ trotlines by commercial fishermen. The proclamation, is­ ed his feet up. It was possible to swim on his back by sued by the Commission at its July 9 meeting, stated that gently kicking and sculling with his hands. In a vertical "the use of nets by commercial fishermen and others has position the boots fill with water but it was still possible created a nuisance and caused interference with fishing and to swim any stroke—crawl, side, breast, or back stroke. fish management and has created a hazard to the safety Is it possible to undress in the water? The coat can of anglers" in the waters involved. be shed with comparative ease. If you do not have anklefit boots or have the straps fastened around the calves, a couple of easy kicks will remove the pants and boots. With the Verdigris River Fish Studies Under Way boot straps fastened, however, it is impossible to get the JOE FlNNELL, fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma boots off nor is it possible to swim with one hand and Game and Fish Department, is currently leading a pre- slide the other inside the boot to unsnap the strap. The impoundment study of the Verdigris River at the Oolagah deck of the pool in which Bredow conducted the experi­ reservoir site. Cooperating are members of the U. S. Army ment was twelve inches above the water. With the water- Engineers. One important phase of the study is concerned filled boots he was unable to pull himself from deep water with obtaining an idea of fishing potential once the re­ unassisted, but as long as he stayed in the water he could servoir is completed. Such studies on other rivers in Okla­ swim with no great difficulty. homa where large U. S. Army Engineer impoundments Sportsmen must realize that this experiment was done have been created have aided greatly in future fish manage­ under ideal conditions—in water with no current or waves ment planning and policies. and which was not rough or icy. Even more important, there was no element of surprise which might create panic. JOE'S WIFE finally found him at his favorite fishing It was concluded that: (1) Hip boots will not "suck you spot. She took his rod and reel from him, swung and down" in deep water. (2) You can come to the surface tangled up a few times, and demanded, "How can you with no difficulty. (3) It is possible to swim with hunt­ bear to spend so many hours at such a horrible sport?" ing equipment and hip boots on. "You see, dear?" Joe cried. "And all the time you Some good advice is: (1) Keep your feet up. (Bend­ thought I was out having fun!"

BORN ON Memorial Day, May 30, the baby buffalo pictured here with Mama Memorial Day Arrival at El Reno Zoo and Papa Buffalo was six days old when photograph­ ed. The photographer was uncertain of the new arri­ val's sex because the proud mama was making all visi­ tors keep their distance at the time. THE NEW BABY was a welcome addition to El Reno's Adams Park Zoo which now has four buffalo, three deer and two Brahman bulls. The zoo got its start several years ago when the City purchased the buffalo to be eaten by Indians dur­ ing their annual pow-wow there. A soft hearted official decided beef would do and the buffalo should be kept for children to see, since El Reno lies in the heart of the Great Plains where these shaggy animals once roamed by the thousands ... El Reno Daily Tribune Photo.

Page 18 Captive Rearing Of Whooping Accepted In The Best Cranes Considered Social Circles AUTHORITIES ARE considering a plan whereby at least four Whooping Cranes would be established in captive confinement in a final desperate effort to save the rare birds. The proposal, which originated with Canadian con­ servationists, apparently developed from conflicting obser­ vations of pen-held whoopers. While mating of the giant birds in captivity seems possible on the basis of two such occurrences, ordinary precautions of such arrangements do not seem adequate since both efforts were marked by loss of young. Two birds conceived one young whooper at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Texas Gulf Coast) a few years ago but the baby crane disappeared mysteriously a few days later. Two whoopers were hatched at the New Orleans zoo this spring but one was missing shortly after­ wards, apparently the victim of a predator. The pen reared plan calls for capturing some of the few remaining birds and giving them maximum security, away from public and predators alike, under a career aviculturist. This proposal marks a new migration season when northern reports indicate that the whoopers are scattered from Saskatchewan to northwest territory with a yearling member of the main flock even summering on the Aransas refuge wintering grounds. Since the fight to save the Whooping Crane has be­ come symbolic of the public's interest in conservation of our natural resources, authorities consider it potentially • bad psychology not to exhaust every restorative effort. Said THE BABY SKUNKS pictured here with Ranger Bob Noyes of Howard D. Dodgen, executive secretary of the Texas Game Bartlesville are acceptable pets in the best social circles. A few days before the picture was made each of the ten little fellows had and Fish Commission recently: "This decision on pen undergone surgery to remove the "spray-gun defense mechanism" raised whoopers is one for the bird people to make. But with which skunks keep their enemies at bay. it all points up the common problem of improvising and THE UNUSUALLY LARGE litter was born April 27 at the AA planning to meet the ever increasing pitfalls for all wild­ Pet Farm southwest of Bartlesville, operated by Albert Morgan and life." Almeda Sheets. The farm operators say that in addition to being o- bout twice as large as the average litter this one was born unusually early.

PET FARMS and others who breed and raise wildlife species protected by state laws are required to obtain a game breeder's Want To Raise Your Own Fishing license from the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department and to report where, when, from whom and to whom any stock is acquired or Worms? Here's How disposed of. Native wildlife may not be captured for such enterprises in this state. MANY MORE HOURS of fishing can be enjoyed if everything is in readiness when the opportunity or urge for fishing presents itself. Often when the water and wea­ Earthworms may be raised indoors by using a galva­ ther are right, the ground will be dry and bait hard to nized wash tub or any watertight container placed in a find. For this reason it is extremely advantageous to have garage, basement or vacant room and filled with fertile a container for propagating fish worms. soil to a depth of 8 inches. After the soil is moistened, add A tight box, 36x60 and 18 inches deep, will serve 100 red worms. Next, take one pound of ground cornmeal very well for several hundred worms. The exterior should be painted with tar and the inside may be waterproofed by and one-half pound of any kind of fat that may have be­ painting with paraffin. Embed the box in the earth at a come rancid and can be salvaged. Mix this in the top two cool shady place that is well drained, allowing three inches inches of soil. A feeding is made and the soil moistened of the box to project above the surface. A cover should every two weeks. This should produce 3,500 to 6,000 extend several inches over the sides. earth worms a year. Fill the box with fertile soil that is damp, but not A more simple method is to make a compost heap wet. Stock with worms, and cover the soil with decayed leaves, composts, or fresh sod. In dry weather the soil with alternate layers of soil, garbage, leaves and grasses. should be moistened but not saturated. If dishwater is used The worms will flourish in the soil around its base and it will help feed the worms. may be had throughout the year with little attention.

Page 19 GIRL SCOUT ARTIST TOP AWARD WINNER Surplus Groin To Feed Ducks CONGRESS HAS formally invited wild ducks to peck away at its mountain of surplus grain. The invitation is in the form of a bill passed by both the House and Senate. It received the President's signature July 3 to be­ come official. The only obstacle in sight is from the ducks them­ selves. Will they turn up their bills at the grain nobody else wants and keep right on eating farmers' crops during their North and South migrations? The Fish and Wildlife Service plans to find out. The Service will spread grain along migratory routes, especially in wildlife refuges, in hopes of decoying the ducks to dine there instead of in farmers' fields. Wildlife Service officials say that migrating ducks and geese have become a tremendous pest to farms along migra­ tory routes. If they find growing grain and vegetables tasty, they stay for weeks instead of continuing their flight. Under the bill sent to the President, any community Miss Barbara Meadows receives the deer rifle she selected as her prize in a Hunting Safety Poster Design Contest from Richard F. bothered by the migratory fowl could get grain through Webster, Secretary of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manu­ the Secretary of the Interior, from the Commodity Credit facturers' Institute. Stewart Klonis, Executive Director of the Art Students League of New York, looks on. The winning poster (below) Corp. to use as a decoy. The Wildlife Service intends to will be made available to State Game Departments and sportsmen's supervise the program to guard against duck baiting, put­ clubs as part of the Institute's annual Hunting Safety Program. Presentation was made at New York's famed Abercrombie & Fitch. ting out grain to get ducks within shooting distance. The feeding experiment would last three years. Miss Barbara Meadows, an il­ lustrator for the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., has been declared winner of a hunting safety post­ er design contest sponsored by Good Catches Made At the Sporting Arms & Ammuni* tion Manufacturers' Institute Lake Hall Opening (SAAMI). The contest was conducted by MOST FISHERMEN who attended the opening of Lake The Art Students League of New York for SAAMI — the Arthur Hall nine miles west and one-half mile north of national trade association of Hollis in late June came away satisfied with their day's America's leading makers of sporting rifles, shotguns and catch. Ranger Clem Pattillo, Mangum, who helped patrol ammunition. Miss Meadows was the lake, estimated close to 3000 persons attended the day's one of nearly 4,000 League mem­ bers eligible, and was the only festivities and said between 2,000 and 3,000 fish were woman entrant. She was award­ taken. Not all the 3,000 attendants fished. The largest fish ed $500 and her choice of an American made sporting fire­ caught were bass and channel catfish weighing approxi­ arm. mately ~hYi pounds. Two arrests were made for fishing in Her winning effort:—a 12x18" the lake before the official opening hour, and one for poster in striking red and yel­ low on black—shows the muzzle fishing without license. Visitors came from Oklahoma end view of a double barrel shot­ City, Dallas, Fort Worth, Chickasha, Pampa, Borger, gun on which a scope sight reti­ cule is superimposed. The printed Childress, Wellington, Quanah, and all towns in the im­ message, based on the fact misidentification is one of the prime mediate vicinity of this southwest Oklahoma location. The causes of gun accidents afield, reminds sportsmen to "BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET . . . BEFORE YOU FIRE!" lake is one of several built by the Oklahoma Game and The poster will be made available this year to State Game and Fish Department with Federal-Aid and local sportsman Conservation Departments and interested sportsmen's groups at one-half actual cost as part of SAAMI's continuing hunter safety cooperation. program. Over 100,000 such safety placards are distributed annu­ ally by the organization for display in places where sportsmen are most likely to congregate. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Miss Meadows works in New York City for the Girl Scout national headquarters. Her free lance work Tagged Deer Killed By Auto has appeared in such leading magazines as THE NEW YORKER, A DOE DEER, heavy with fawn, was run down and WOMAN'S DAY and THE SATURDAY REVIEW OF LITERA­ TURE. She hopes to use her prize deer rifle this fall on a deer trip killed by an automobile near Armstrong in Bryan County, with her dad in her home state. near midnight last May 22. The driver of the automobile, Richard Snodell of Dallas, escaped injury, although his THE OTTER is a playful animal and one of the com­ vehicle was practically demolished, according to Ranger mon manifestations of this playfulness is the "otter-slide" Bruce K. Oakley of Durant, who was called to investigate. which is a steep slope down which the animals coast on Oakley discovered a metal tag in the doe's ear. Upon their breasts and bellies, with their forelegs bent backward inquiry to the State Game and Fish Department office, he out of the way. learned that the deer was one that had been live-trapped and transplanted by the department in March, 1956. FOXES HAVE several calls, the commonest being a Point of release was near Atoka, approximately 25 miles short, yapping bark. from the site of the accident.

Page 20 THEY WORK FOR WILDLIFE

mmT YMAN "BUCK" WOOLERY, Buck has on many occasions used WW game ranger of Ketchum, Ok­ his airplane for rescue work. He has lahoma, patrols Craig County to the been credited with saving one man's Kansas line, the same country where life. Last year a man disappeared and he was born and has spent his life. the family asked Buck if he would try to find him. "Ketchum is home for me," says Buck. "I was born here in 1908 and "I started scouting the countryside have lived here since. I ran a gara?e where I thought the man might be," Wyman "Buck" Woolery over in town for twenty years before says Buck. "I found his car in a Craig County Ranger I came to work for the game and couple of hours. It was parked out in A game ranger knows the lakes, fish department in February, 1953." a lonely spot and a man was standing streams and forests of his area as well by it. I was afraid then that the miss­ or perhaps better than any other in­ Around northeast Oklahoma Buck ing man had met with foul play. I dividual. So when someone loses is known as the "flying game ranger". got the license number and flew over stock or a valuable dog, they ask Buck He took flying lessons twelve years the Vinita police station and directed to keep his eye peeled while he is on ago and then bought his own air­ them to the scene. For awhile I figur­ patrol. Like all state game rangers plane, a Cessna 140. After entering ed the man I was searching for was Buck is always ready any time of day game law enforcement work, Buck dead. But it turned out he had shot or night to assist in emergencies. On found the plane useful for scouting himself in the side and had been sit­ more than one occasion Buck has out law violations. ting in his his car for three days and helped search for a drowned person in "If I just use that airplane or.ce a nights. They rushed him to the near-by Grand Lake, one of the month it helps reduce game law viola­ hospital and he eventually recovered. state's largest. tions," Buck says. "When a potential The doctor said that my finding him Fishing waters in Buck's area in­ violator sees an airplane or hears one, saved the man's life. I was pretty clude Grand Lake, Big Cabin Creek he stops to think and maybe he obeys happy about being able to help that the law." man and his family." and a part of the Neosho River. Deer hunting drew a lot of interest last J. E. KETCHUM, president of the Ketchum Sportsman Club, talks over his quail condi­ tioning pens with Ranger Woolery. The quail obtained from the state game farm will be year in the country around Ketchum. held in the pens until next spring and then released . . . Photos by Alden Kimsey. Buck and Ranger Sam Hall of Fair- land don't believe in waste when it comes to wildlife. So when they found a wounded deer that had escap­ ed from a hunter, they dressed it out and presented it to Eastern Oklahoma State Hospital at Vinita. The venison was used for Thanksgiving Day din­ ner. Buck belongs to the Vinita Coon Flunters and to the Big Cabin Creek, Vinita, and Langley Sportsman Clubs and takes an active part in club pro­ jects . . . Alden Kimsey.

THE WEASEL is so fearless and confident of its powers that it will not hesitate to attack animals many times its own size.

Page 21 LET TERS

TO THE ORGANIZE FFA JUNIOR SPORTSMAN CLUB Newkirk, Oklahoma EDITOR Route 2 I HAVE ENJOYED Oklahoma Game and Fish News since I first learned of it in our Agriculture We have organized a Newkirk FFA Junior SportsnTao Club and Llike it very much. I like quail hunting tjgat, but also hunt ducks, rabbits and squir­ WORKED W04__ rel. I fjjjSjji lot for channel cats. My dad and I fish witn stimnSait and big creek worms. I like anything Tahlequah, Oklahoma written about Lake Texoma because the Newkirk July 5, 1956 FFA went there last year and we really had a lot of ?ER SEASON around the bend—the Game and fun. fsh Commission is to be complimented on bringing FRED J. HOCINEK back a type of hunting via the game refuge route. Locally we have two such propagation sites—the Cookson Game refuge near Beaver mountain and GRATEFUL Cooksontown, and the Cherokee Game Management area at Zeb. These areas have worked wonders. Locust Grove, Oklahoma Ranchers and landowners cooperate for the most part. Rt. 1, Box 93 "SMOKEY" REA June 1, 1956 Tahlequah Star Citizen THANK YOU for such a fine magazine. It is very educational for children. I am glad to pay the COMMENDS CHANGE fee and glad you will put it out twelve months in­ stead of eleven. Wynnewood, Oklahoma July 5, 1956 BILLY MARTIN THE OKLAHOMA Game and Fish News is to be congratulated on the change that has been made in the method of financing the magazine. It is only NATIVE OKLAHOMA WRITES fair that those who receive the magazine and enjoy Jenks, Oklahoma it, help pay for it. Many people believe that any ser­ June 29, 1956 vice the Government provides comes for free. There was never a greater mistake. Any service anyone re­ THANK YOU for all the free magazines in past ceives from the Government costs. So, the action to years. Now we want to be among the first on the new ask subscriptions to the Game and Fish magazine is list. One thing I would like to see in the "News" is right in line with good state government policy. Most a list and prices of the booklets you have available. magazines of this type sell at twice the price. And they There is so much about Oklahoma we "native born" seldom contain material that is as interesting. Another need to know, and I like for our children to see good good thing about paying for the magazine is that it material. Keep up the good work. es that much of your fishing-hunting license ley to be used in field work. The Department MRS. C. W. BARTZFIELD BOX 393 finds it hard to make the available license money ^cover all the work you demand and expect. L. L. S. EDITOR'S NOTE : All printed booklets and leaf­ "Just Plugginq" lets of the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department Wynnewood Gazette are free. Each new one is announced in this magazine when printed. ENTY OF HORSE SENSE Alva, Oklahoma GOOD SPORTSMAN July 4, 1956 Chandler, Oklahoma THE PROPOSED PLAN of the Oklahoma Game 322 W. 3rd St. and Fish Commission to build a few public lakes in ^asy driving distance of people who are not situated I WAS BORN and reared on Baron Fork in Adair close to the big lakes to use resounds with plenty of County, have fished and hunted all my life. My horse sense. In some communities public fishing places first hunting license was issued when I was 16. I am i. are so few that a lot of people have considered it a now 30 and still follow your work with much waste of money to buy a license. In the next few years interest. Do hope that the recent legislation to take Wg=_think we are safe in saying there will be consider- your department out of politics was the correct pro le work done in behalf of the fishermen who ha e cedure to get the job done, so you might carry ou JO private lake available. The same is true of hunt­ plans that will insure good hunting and fishing fo ing. The Game and Fish Commission is going to all. I am also pleased that all size limits on fish we. , bgisfSf the man who is annually harassed with signs removed. I don't believe any water can be depl ^indicating he is not welcome to hunt wherever he by hook and line. Wish you would consider redu. iest-^tjere will be some public hunting grounds the quail bag limit. Overgrazing, lack the drought the past few years have cert the crop. Keep up the good work. We| E. M. BARKER fish and hunt are 100 per cent behin__ ts Spasms" ^Review Courier JACK H. Ro^^fe^f i

c-=2s*t_fcJ_? CONVICTION RECORD, GAME AND FISH VIOLATIONS, JUNE, 1956

County County In Which Defendant Address Charged With Amt. Fine, In Which Defendant Address Charged With Amt. Fine, Arrested Court Costs Arrested Court Costs

Atoka Willie Shoemaker.. Banning/on Poss'n Quail C osed seast$25, $8 cc Garvin Deep Rock Ref. Wynnewood Pollution.. __ -$100, $16.00 cc Blaine June Mack Hammon Fish'g w thout c $10, $10 cc Grady Robert Obenhaas — Okla. City Fish'g without lie ...$10, $9 cc -$10, $9.75 ce Bryan G. D. King Calera Fish'g w thout c ., $10, $8.75 cc Hughes R. A. Wilkerson Holdenville — Fish'g without lie thout -$10, $8.50 cc Edward Ganey ...Colbert Fish'g w c. $10, $8.75 cc Kay Robert Walker — Braman Fish'g without lie .-$10, $8.50 cc Robert New'on Duncan Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.50 cc thout Ted Frick Ponca City— ___. Fish'g without lie .-$10, $8.50 cc Richard Bonners Duncan Fish'g w c.. $3.50 cc James Tolar ..Ponca City.. Fish'g without lie .-$10, $8.50 cc thout c $10, $8.75 cc P. E. Lobb Cartwright Fish'g w Martin Ebert Blackwell Fish'g without lie _$10, $8.50 cc Mrs. John Wilson....Duncan Fish'g w thout c $3.00 cc thout Glen Collins Blackwell Fish'g without lie. .-$10, $8.50 cc Don Clark ..Ada Fish'g w c $10, $8.75 cc George Dunlap ?onca City Fish'g without lie. thout c $10, $8.75 cc -.$10, $9.50 cc Nathan Alien Ada Fish'g w thout -$10, $10 cc C. D. Trsty Seminole Fish'g w $10, $3.75 cc Kiowa Sam Rushins .Ardmore — Fish'g without lie thout ..$10, $10 cc Billie Trsty S.minole Fish'g w $10, $8.75 cc Lincoln Billy J. Lewis ~.kla. City -Fish'g without lie thout .$100, $14.30 cc John Wilson Duncan Fish'g w thout $10, $8.50 cc Rudolph Kubieck—Prague Fish'g without lie. I i!ey E. Bishop Ada Fish'g w c _ $10, $8.75 cc ..$10, $10 cc thout Logan Champlin Ref. Co. F.nid — Pollution - -$1, $8 cc Eddie Felder Ada Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc Major Noah Allen Enid— Fish'g without lie Lee P. Carter Ardmore Fish'g w c $10, $8.75 cc ..$50, $13 cc thout Marshall Nolan Coughey Colbert — Fish'g without lie _ -$50, $13 cc J. D. Hobbs Shawnee Fish'g w thout c. $10, $8.50 cc Clint Taylor Ardmore Catch'g fish by Tele.. Juanita Hobbs Shawnee _.. Fish'g w c. $3.50 cc -$50, $13 cc thout Earl F. Morris -Ardmore Catch'g fish by Tele.- -$50, $13 cc L. O. McMilan Tulsa Fish'g w c $10, $8.50 cc C. D. Johnson Ardmore -Catch'g fish by Tele. . thout -$50, $8 cc Hormer W. Phillips Atoka.- Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.50 cc J. E. Johnson Ardmore Catch'g fish by Tele.- Corine Leath Okla. City Fish'g w $3.50 cc F. B. Milson Nocona, Tex .Fish'g without li< -$50, $8 cc thout -$10, $8 cc W. B. Leath Okla. City . Fish'g w thout c. -$10, $8.50 cc S. L Milso" n Nocona, Tex. Fish'g without I I. E. Lott — Ardmore— Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc H H . Chrisman Edmond Fish'g without I -$10, $8 cc Dorothy Lott Ardmore Fish'g w thout c. $3.75 cc J. W. Doggett Dallas, Tex. Fish'g without I -$10, $8 cc John Brady Colbert.. Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc A W. Howie Dallas, Tex Fish'g without I -$10, $8 cc ~odger Lovell Duncan Fish'g w thout c — $10, $8.75 cc Billie J. Wagoner—Dallas, Tex Fish'g without I -$10, $8 cc cd Lovell . Duncan Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc Jim Ball Wynnewood Fish'g without I - $10, $8 cc Thomas A. Silbley.. Durant Fish'g w thout $10, $8.50 cc Bernard Dudley Ckla. City Fish'g without I Gaorge Weaver Durant Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc Loyd Vansell County Line Fish'g without I Fish'g w $10, $8 cc B. O. Fulson McAlester thout c $10, $8.75 cc Mayes W. G. Moore — Tulsa Violat'g Safety Zone Law $10, $7.50 cc R. A. Falls McAlester Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc Bill Wedester "^ulsa -Violat'g Safety Zone La $10, $7.55 cc J. E. White Shawnee Fish'g w thout c. ....$10, $8.75 cc McCrtain Bill Wages.. Broken Bow Nett'g out of season $25, $8.00 cc C. E. Buchanan Okla. City Fish'g w thout $10, $8.50 cc Ray Cunningham —Idabel Catch'g fish by Tele $25, $10 cc Alvin Davis Okla. City Fish'g w thout $10, $8.75 cc Mcintosh Jerry McBroom Ada Hunt'g without lie. $10, $10 cc George Hurst -Tulsa Fish'g w thout c $10, $8.75 cc Muskogee ^andell Purdy Muskogee Fish'g with illegal lie. $25, $8 cc Marvin Lovell .Duncan Fish'g w c $10; $8.75 cc Nowata Helen Tate— Nowata Fish'g without a lie. $10, $10.50 cc Caddo Stanolind Oil Co. Okla. City Pollution.. $100, $15.20 cc OklahomaM. C. Develbiss Okla. City _ Fish'g without a lie _ $10, $10 cc Little Nick Oil Co Ch ickasha _ Pol lution - $100, $15.20 cc " Austin Kelley Okla. City Fish'g without a lie $10, $10 cc Christie Steward Bill Banfill Nome, Alaska -—Fish'g without a lie $25, $10 cc Oil Co. Wichita Falls, Tex. Pollution $100, $15.20 cc Joe P. Davis Atlanta, Georgia Fish'g with improper lie. $10, $10 cc Bowen Oil Co Wichita Falls, Tex. Pollution $100, $13.90 cc John A. Bass — Okla. City Fish'g without lie. $10, $10 cc Carter Leay C. Neal ..Ardmore Fish'g without lie. . $10, $9 cc Elezor Rodriques Okla. City Fish'g without lie $10, $10 cc Carl Wimberly Okla. City Hunt'g without lie _ Raymond Wright Milo Fish'g without lie. $10, $9 cc $10, $10 cc lie. $10, $9 cc Robert Shavek Okla. City Hunt'g without lie. — $10, $10 cc E. B. Wright. Milo Fish'g without Bobby Corner -Mounds - Hunt'g without lie. Cherokee Earl Jacobs .Muskogee Fish'g without lie. $10, $8 cc Ottawa $10, $8.05 cc J. W. Spoon Joplin, Mo Fish'g with improper lie. $10, $10 cc Dale Futlea — Tulsa Fish'g without lie. $18 Payne '. A. Price — --Binger... Fish'g without lie. $10, $8.25 cc " John Park Tulsa Fish'g without lie 10, $8 cc Pittsburg Doyle Crafts McAlester Hunt'g without permissio Choctaw Grady Lumpkin Sawyer Illegal Fish'g- $10, $10 cc Dan Clemente Hartshorne —Fish'g without li( $10, $10 cc Coal Gene Mayear Allen Fish'g without lie. $10, no cc Pontotoc J. R. Goodwin Ada — Unlawful sale of $10, $10 cc " Jackson Phillips Hinton ___Hunt'g without lie. —10, $8 cc game fish ... $20, $26.05 cc ComanchiJames Geshman Cache Hunt'g without lie $10, $10 cc Progress Pet. Inc. . Houston, Tex. -Pollution $100, $23.90 cc James Huddleston...Apache Hunt'g without lie $10, $10 cc Pushmataha Lois Williams Antlers Hunt'g deer in Kenneth Rayon — Apache Hunt'g without lie $10, $10 i closed season $50, $8.75 cc George Tillman Cyril Fish'g without lie —.$10, $10 cc Rogers Lamoine Yates Tulsa Hunt'g without permissio $10, $8 cc Cotton Stanolind Oil & S-ephens Priddy & Granger Duncan Pollution — $16.75 cc Gas Co Duncan Pollution $100, $22.50 cc Tulsa Junior H. Cates — Tulsa Hunt'g without lie. $10, $13 cc Creek Sally Wilson— Sand Springs Fish'g without lie. $10, $11.25 cc Bob Scantling Tulsa— Hunt'g without lie. $10, $13 cc Sinclair Oil Co Bristow Pollution $100, $13.40 cc Alfred Bee WingfieWichita, Kan. Fish'g without lie. $50, $16.50 cc Garvin Fleet Drilling Co—Ada ._ Pollution $100, $16.00 cc Wagoner Perry Adney. Broken Bow Tak'g fish for commercial Deep Rock Ref.. .Wynnewood Pollution $100, $16.00 cc purpose on legal holiday $10, $7.50 cc Deep Rock Ref -Wynnewood Pollution $100, $16.00 cc WashingtonV. G. Chamberlin -Dewey Fish'g without lie $10, $8.75 cc

Gate-Closing Ceremony

A CEREMONY marking the closing of gates at Lake Raymond Gary near Fort Towson, Choctaw County, on July 15 marked the begin­ ning of another new public fishing and recrea­ tion ground provided by the State.

ASSISTANT STATE Game and Fish Director Mutt Standefer, fourth from right in photo­ graph, represented the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department as citizens of the southeast Oklahoma area looked on with satisfaction to achievement of their dreams of twenty years.

OTHERS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH, left to right, are: Larry Bailey, Otis Wallingsford, Horace Wells, Gary Meador, Norman Wells, O. B. Medford, Standefer, Arnold Gardner, Claude Collins, and Ezra LeFlore. THE NEW LAKE will cover 300 acres when filled. Gates Creek is the principal feeder stream. The state legislature of 1955 approp­ riated $125,000 from general revenue fo build the dam, and made it the mandatory duty of the Game and Fish Commission to carry out the project. The State Game and Fish Com­ mission has assumed responsibility for costs above the appropriated fund . . . Photo by E. E. Meggs.

Page 23 Return Postage Guaranteed Okla. Game and Fish Dept. Oklahoma City 5, Okla. office of ths Governor (P&jfr

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