Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge White-tailed Deer, Eastern Gray and Fox Squirrel, and Cottontail Rabbit Hunt Plan

May 2019

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge 16602 County Road465 Colcord, Oklahoma 74338-2215

Submitted By:

Refuge Manager

______Signature Date

Concurrence:

Refuge Supervisor

______Signature Date

Approved:

Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System

______Signature Date

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction ...... 1 II. Statement of Objectives ...... 4 III. Description of Hunting Program ...... 4 A. Areas to be Opened to Hunting ...... 5 B. to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access ...... 5 C. Hunter Permit Requirements (if applicable) ...... 12 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State/ Tribes ...... 12 E. Law Enforcement ...... 13 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements ...... 13 IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program ...... 14 A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures ...... 14 B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations ...... 14 C. Relevant State Regulations ...... 15 D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting ...... 15 V. Public Engagement ...... 16 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program ...... 16 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program ...... 16 C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations ...... 16 VI. Compatibility Determination ...... 16 References ...... 17

List of Figures

Figure 1. Sally Bull Hollow Unit Hunt Map ...... 11

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OZARK PLATEAU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WHITE-TAILED DEER, EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, FOX SQUIRREL, EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND FERAL HOG HUNTING PLAN

I. Introduction

National wildlife refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.

The refuge was established pursuant to authorities include:

• Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. subsection 1534, as amended) “...to conserve A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species...or (B) plants which are listed as endangered species or threatened species...” • Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended (16 U.S.C. 742(b)(1)) “...for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources …for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude.” • Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, as amended (16 U.S.C. 715d) “…for use as an inviolate sanctuary ...for any other management purposes ...for migratory birds.” • Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-691, Sec. 2, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4546.). • Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended U.S.C. 460l-4 through 11) (land acquisition fund source).

The primary purpose of the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/refuge) is to provide long-term habitat protection and management necessary to fulfill the Service’s responsibilities identified under the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Federal Register, Vol. 44, No. 232, Friday, November 30, 1979) gave the Service the responsibility to prevent extinction of federally listed threatened and endangered species and assure their recovery. Five eastern Oklahoma Ozark cave species are listed as federally threatened or endangered. These include:

● Gray (Myotis grisescens), listed as endangered on April 28, 1976; ● Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens), listed as endangered on November 30, 1979; ● Ozark ( rosae), listed as a threatened on December 3, 1984. 1

● Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), originally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of November 30, 1973; ● Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), listed as threatened on April 2, 2015.

The Service has developed recovery plans for four of these species. Each of these recovery plans identifies long-term habitat protection and management through acquisition of land and conservation easements as priority tasks necessary to recover these species. A recovery plan has not yet been developed for the northern long-eared bat.

Ozark Plateau NWR was officially established on April 1, 1986 as a satellite refuge of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Since the Southwest Region (Region 2) of the Service has the lead for recovering the Ozark big-eared bat, whose distribution is mostly in the Ozarks of eastern Oklahoma, establishment of the Ozark Plateau NWR was an important step towards recovery for the species.

In addition, the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act was passed in 1988 (Pub. L. 100-691, Sec. 2, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4546.). It indicated that the caves are threatened due to improper use, increased recreational demand, urban spread, and a lack of protection. The Act emphasized the need for partnering on a landscape level because it required the Service to secure, protect, and preserve significant caves and their natural resources and foster increased cooperation and exchange of information for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes.

Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge’s establishment was only possible through a joint effort of a number of partners including private individuals and landowners, private conservation and caving organizations, universities, tribes, and municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. These included The Nature Conservancy, National Speleological Society (and their local chapter - Tulsa Regional Oklahoma Grotto), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), the Cherokee Nation, The Conservation Fund, and a number of private landowners concerned about protecting natural resources in the Ozarks.

On February 9, 2005, the Service approved the NEPA compliance documents including an Environmental Assessment, Land Protection Plan, and Conceptual Management Plan to expand the Ozark Plateau NWR. These took into consideration comments from the public on the draft documents, public meetings, and a public hearing. Ozark Plateau NWR was approved to acquire additional land or easements from willing sellers and donors, up to 15,000 acres in Adair, Delaware, Ottawa, Cherokee, Craig, Mayes, and Sequoyah Counties, Oklahoma. These tracts will generally be forested tracts that will protect valuable foraging areas and movement corridors for the federally listed endangered , as well as watersheds and groundwater recharge areas important for maintaining surface and ground water quality for the federally listed threatened . In addition, sites will take into consideration appropriate geological formations including caves, springs, aquifers, losing and gaining streams, sinkholes, buffs, and talus cracks. Expansion of the refuge has also provided additional opportunities for various outdoor recreational activities, environmental education, interpretation, scientific research, and hunting. As of 2018, Ozark Plateau NWR consists of nine management units in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, and Ottawa Counties, totaling 3,588.9 acres. Management units of Ozark

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Plateau NWR are identified, acquired, and/or managed based upon impact to federally listed threatened or endangered Ozark cave species, including cave habitat, groundwater recharge areas, foraging areas, and movement corridors important to these species as well as other species of concern. In addition, Ozark Plateau NWR’s management units play a role in conserving continuous tracts of mature oak-hickory or oak-hickory-pine forest, beneficial to nesting and migrating Neotropical birds as well as cave species.

Ozark Plateau NWR finalized its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) on September 12, 2013 (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013). The CCP provides long-term guidance to the refuge’s management programs and activities. During public scoping for the development of the CCP, many members of the public and the ODWC expressed interest in having the refuge open up hunting of Oklahoma State game species (including deer, squirrels, and rabbits), in accordance with State regulations. The ODWC requested specifically that the refuge explore hunting opportunities on the Sally Bull Hollow Unit (SBH), adjacent to its Ozark Plateau Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is also open for hunting. Ozark Plateau NWR agreed that, as long as hunting would not affect the continuing existence and recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered cave species and the sustainability of other native wildlife populations, we would develop a Hunt Plan to allow walk-in only access of this wildlife- dependent use on the Sally Bull Hollow Unit adjacent to the state’s hunting area.

The purpose of this plan is to provide new public hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, eastern gray and fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and feral hog during designated hunting seasons on the refuge. The refuge will open a portion of the SBH Unit to hunting of these species, while maintaining some of this unit as closed to all entry. The following species are classified as game and were considered for hunting in this plan: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), fox squirrel (S. niger), and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus). Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are considered invasive animals in this plan.

The mission of the NWRS, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is:

“... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”

The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the System to (16 U.S.C. 668dd (a)(4):

• Provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the NWRS; • Ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the NWRS are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; • Ensure that the mission of the NWRS described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out;

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• Ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the States in which the units of the NWRS are located; • Assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the NWRS and the purposes of each refuge; • Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the NWRS through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; • Ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife- dependent recreational uses; and • Monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge.

Therefore, it is a priority of the Service to provide for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, when those opportunities are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

II. Statement of Objectives

The objectives of a big game (white-tailed deer), upland game (squirrel and rabbit), and feral hog hunting program on Ozark Plateau NWR are to:

• Provide the public with a recreational experience on refuge lands. • Provide opportunities for Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) of sportsmen and women conservationists (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2018). • Inform the public about the benefits of the use of hunting as a wildlife management tool. • Inform the public and neighboring landowners about the effects of overpopulated feral hog herds. • Increase biological diversity by increasing hunter/visitor policing and prevent poaching and illegal hunting. • Preserve biological diversity by reducing or eliminating the negative environmental impacts associated with feral hogs. • Allow access to areas adjacent to ODWC land as per agreement. • Improve deer herd health.

III. Description of Hunting Program The refuge hunting program is designed to provide quality hunting opportunities for the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of sportsmen and -women conservationists while minimizing impacts to federally-listed threatened and endangered cave species and species of concern that occur on the refuge.

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A. Areas to be Opened to Hunting

The portion of the SBH Unit that will be open to hunting includes all of the refuge land in Sections 23, 26, and 35, T. 15 N., R. 26 E., and the SE/4 of Section 34, T. 15 N., R. 26 E. (see Figure 1). This area comprises about 802 acres. The adjacent Ozark Plateau Wildlife Management Area that is already open to hunting occurs in three disjoined tracts that will now be connected through the portion of the refuge unit open to hunting.

B. Species to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access

Big Game

White-tailed deer

Archery hunting in the SBH Unit is in accordance with the statewide season dates (October 1 through January 15) and by state approved legal means of take for archery. The refuge anticipates 25 archery deer hunter visits per year. There is no restriction on the number of hunters participating in the hunt. Hunters are required to obtain and carry a signed current hunt tearsheet, which includes the annual public use regulations. The tearsheet is available free of charge and can be obtained from the refuge headquarters or website.

Feral Hog

There are no hunting programs specifically for taking feral hogs. This plan only provides for the incidental take of feral hogs by the public during established hunting seasons for other species (e.g., big game and upland game) with legal weapons and permits for the permitted hunt season.

Upland Game

Rabbit

Eastern cottontail rabbit hunting on the refuge will be permitted October 1 through March 15. The refuge anticipates approximately ten upland game hunt visits per year. There is no restriction on the number of hunters participating in the hunt. Hunters are required to obtain and carry a signed current hunt tearsheet, which includes the annual public use regulations. The tearsheet is available free of charge and can be obtained from the refuge headquarters or website. The legal methods of take are shotguns with approved non-toxic shot, .17/.22 caliber rimfire rifles, and archery equipment.

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Figure 1. Sally Bull Hollow Unit Hunt Map

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Squirrel

Eastern gray and fox squirrel hunting on the refuge will be in accordance with the statewide season dates (May 15 through January 31). The refuge anticipates ten upland game hunt visits per year. There is no restriction on the number of hunters participating in the hunt. Hunters are required to obtain and carry a signed current hunt tearsheet, which is includes the annual public use. The tearsheet is available free of charge and can be obtained from the refuge headquarters or website. The legal methods of take are shotguns with approved non-toxic shot, .17/.22 caliber rimfire rifle, and archery equipment.

Access

Access for all huntable species is the same. Hunting is by walk-in access only. Vehicles are confined to public access roads and designated parking areas. Horses and ATVs/UTVs are prohibited.

C. Hunter Permit Requirements (if applicable)

Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge tearsheet while in the field. The tearsheet is available free of charge at the refuge headquarters, at Sally Bull Hollow Unit parking area, and on our Web site, http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark_plateau/. The signed tearsheet indicates that the hunter has read and understands the rules and regulations of the hunt.

D. Consultation and Coordination with the State/ Tribes

National wildlife refuge managers in the state of Oklahoma met with ODWC personnel in January 2018 to discuss how refuges could provide additional hunting and fishing opportunities on Oklahoma national wildlife refuges. This meeting was a result of Secretarial Order 3356 (Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and Territories). The refuge manager for Sequoyah and Ozark Plateau presented a proposal to the ODWC to open the SBH Unit of the refuge to hunting of certain big game and upland game species. The ODWC accepted this proposal. The hunting opportunities implemented in this plan will honor agreements with the ODWC and provide the public with quality recreational hunting opportunities while still maintaining protection for threatened and endangered species and their habitats.

The hunting program will be reviewed on an annual basis by refuge staff in consultation with ODWC. Necessary changes and/or modifications to the hunt will be incorporated if populations, habitat, or hunter success rates significantly change or affect wildlife populations. The contents of the plan were formally discussed with an ODWC senior biologist on January 31, 2018. The Hunt Plan was reviewed by ODWC in xxx, 201x. Concurrence on the Hunt Plan was provided by ODWC in a letter dated xxxx, 2019.

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An invitation for consultation was sent out (January 17, 2019) to the Tribal governments that identified hunting and fishing opportunities that are being evaluated for each national wildlife refuge in Oklahoma beginning in the fall of 2019.

E. Law Enforcement

Ozark Plateau NWR currently has one full-time law enforcement officer that is shared with Sequoyah NWR. This officer, along with two state game wardens assigned to Adair County, will enforce State and Federal regulations and refuge-specific laws and rules. Law enforcement efforts will include field compliance checks for licenses, permits, location (portions of the refuge are not open to hunting), legal means and methods, and legal equipment.

The following methods would be used to control and enforce hunting regulations:

● Refuge and hunt area boundaries will be clearly posted; ● The refuge will provide a map or tearsheet that identifies the area open to hunting; ● Service and state law enforcement staff will check hunters for compliance with Federal and State laws as well as refuge-specific regulations pertinent to the hunt, including compatibility stipulations; ● Service law enforcement staff will coordinate with ODWC and other law enforcement agencies for all hunting issues on the refuge; and ● Information would be made available on the refuge website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark_plateau/).

F. Funding and Staffing Requirements

The refuge does not anticipate receiving any additional startup funding to implement the hunting program; existing refuge funding will be utilized. Anticipated expenses include staff salaries, development of a map, fuel, improvement of a parking area, and signage. The existing rough and uneven terrain does not allow for the development of an ADA compliant parking lot. The refuge will need a new sign at the parking area and signs within the refuge unit that designate which portion of the refuge is open to hunting. The total first year cost of the hunting program is estimated to be $7,900. After the first year, it is anticipated that the annual cost for the hunt program will be paid for out of our base funding. It is estimated that the hunt program’s annual cost will be about $3,900 primarily for staff salaries, boundary maintenance, fuel, and maintenance of the parking area.

Staffing is the most significant limiting factor for conducting the refuge hunting program. One law enforcement officer is tasked with addressing all enforcement needs of the public use program throughout the 20,800 acres of Sequoyah NWR and the 3,588.9 acres of Ozark Plateau NWR. Ozark Plateau NWR does not have an outdoor recreation planner to help administer the hunting program. All other refuge staff provides some support for public use programs such as hunting.

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Estimated Cost to Establish a Hunting Program Staff salaries $2,000.00 Map/Tearsheet $400.00 Fuel/Misc. $1,000.00 Parking lot improvements $2,500.00 Signage $2,000.00 Total $7,900.00

Estimated Annual Costs for the Refuge Hunt Program Staff salaries $2,000.00 Map/Tearsheet $200.00 Fuel/Misc. $1,000.00 Parking lot maintenance $500.00 Signage $200.00 Total $3,900.00

IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program

The conduct of the hunt is guided by refuge-specific hunting regulations as outlined in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations and state regulations.

A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures

Everyone participating in hunting is required to obtain and carry with them a signed annual refuge hunting tearsheet that indicates which portion of the SBH Unit is open to hunting. These brochures are free of charge and obtained by printing one from the Ozark Plateau NWR website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark_plateau/. A refuge brochure may also be mailed to them by calling the refuge office at (918) 326-0156.

B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations

Listed below are the proposed changes to the refuge-specific regulations that pertain to Ozark Plateau NWR as of the date of this plan. These regulations may be modified as conditions change or if refuge expansion occurs.

( ) Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge

(1) Migratory Bird Hunting (Reserved)

(2) Upland Game Hunting: We allow hunting of cottontail rabbit and gray and fox squirrel in designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge tearsheet.

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(ii) We prohibit falconry

(iii) We allow methods of take to include shotgun, 17/22 rimfire rifle, and archery equipment as defined by state regulations. We only allow the use of approved nontoxic shot.

(3) Big Game Hunting: We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated portions of the refuge. Incidental take of feral hogs is allowed during permitted refuge hunts. Big game hunting shall be in accordance with state and federal regulations subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge tearsheet.

(ii) We only allow the use of archery equipment.

(iii) We allow the use of portable type deer stands only. They must be removed from the refuge within two days of the last day of the season.

(iv) Incidental take of feral hogs may occur during deer, rabbit and squirrel hunting seasons.

C. Relevant State Regulations

• Hunters 30 and younger: Anyone who is not Hunter Education-certified may buy a hunting license that is apprentice-designated. Such hunters must abide by accompanying hunter requirements. • Accompanying hunter requirements: a person 18 or older who is licensed (unless exempt) and Hunter Education-certified (unless exempt). For big game hunting, an accompanying hunter must be within arm’s length of the apprentice hunter or close enough to take immediate control of the firearm of bow of the apprentice. For upland game hunting, the accompanying hunter must be within sight of and able to communicate with the apprentice in a normal voice without aid.

D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting

Generally, hunting will be in accordance with State regulations. • Equipment – Archery will be allowed for hunting of white-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrel, eastern cottontail rabbit, and feral hog. Shotguns, rimfire rifles (.22/.17), and state approved archery equipment may be used for upland game and feral hogs. For shotguns, only legal non-toxic shot is allowed and must be plugged and only capable of holding three shells. Baiting is prohibited. We require upland game hunters to follow state blaze-orange regulations. • License and Permits – Unless exempt, all hunters must possess a valid State of Oklahoma hunting license and any state required stamps or tags.

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V. Public Engagement

A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program Public scoping for the hunt program was initiated on September 12, 2018 to request input from the public about the development of a hunt plan for white-tailed deer, feral hogs, and upland game. A public notice was posted in public places in Stilwell, Oklahoma. It is anticipated that the hunting opportunities to be provided will be desirable and appreciated by the hunting community.

The refuge will use an initial press release to notify the public of these hunts. The Oklahoma hunting regulations book that is published each year contains information for game hunting on the refuge. Refuge specific information about the hunt is also available on the Ozark Plateau NWR website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark_plateau/.

B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program

Ozark Plateau NWR finalized its CCP on September 12, 2013. The CCP provides long-term guidance to the refuge’s management programs and activities. During public scoping for the development of the CCP, many members of the public and the ODWC expressed interest in having the refuge open up hunting of Oklahoma State game species (including deer, squirrels, and rabbits), in accordance with state regulations. The ODWC requested specifically that the refuge explore hunting opportunities on the SBH Unit, adjacent to its Ozark Plateau WMA, which is also open for hunting. The Service agreed that, as long as hunting would not affect the continuing existence and recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered cave species and the sustainability of other native wildlife populations, we would develop a hunt plan to allow walk-in only access of this wildlife-dependent use, on the SBH Unit adjacent to the state’s hunting area.

C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations General information regarding hunting and other public uses can be obtained on the Ozark Plateau NWR website (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ozark_plateau/), and by calling (918) 326- 0156, (918) 382-4520, or (918) 773-5251.

VI. Compatibility Determination

A draft compatibility determination has been completed in conjunction with this hunt plan and the Environmental Assessment. Hunting and all associated program activities proposed in this plan are expected to be found compatible with the purposes of the refuge.

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References

Beach, R. 1993. Depredation problems involving feral hogs. Pages 67-93 in C.W. Hanselka and J.F. Cadenhead, eds. Feral Swine: A compendium for resource managers. Texas Agric. Ext. Service, College Station, Tex.

Chapman J.A and G. Cephalos. 1990. The Cottontails. In J.A. Chapman and J.E.C. Flux (Eds.), Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan (pp. 95 - 110). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resource, and World Wildlife Fund. Gland, Switzerland.

Curtis, N.M. Jr and W.E. Ham. 1972. Geomorphic provinces of Oklahoma. P.3. IN: Johnson, K.S., C.C. Branson, N.M. Curtis Jr., W.E. Ham, W.E. Harrison, M.V. Marcher, and J.F. Roberts. 1972. Geology and Earth resources of Oklahoma. An atlas of Maps and Cross Sections. Oklahoma Geological Survey Education Publication Number 1. Norman, OK.

Fahey 2001 Fahey, B. 2001. "Sciurus niger" (On-line), Diversity Web. Accessed august 23, 2018 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Sciurus_niger/

Gee, K.L., M.D. Porter, S. Demarais, and F.C. Bryant (3rd ed.), White-tailed deer: Their foods and management in the Cross Timbers, Vol. NF-WF-11-02, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Publication, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA (2011).

Korschgen, L.J., W.R. Porath, and O. Torgerson. 1980. Spring and summer foods of deer in the Missouri Ozarks. Journal of Wildlife Management, 44(1): 89-97.

Lawniczak, M. 2002. "Sciurus carolinensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed August 23, 2018 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Sciurus_carolinensis/

Omernik, J.M. 1987. Ecoregions of the conterminous United States. Map (scale 1:7,500,000). Annals of the Association of American Geographers 77(1):118-125.

Stevens R.L., 1996. The feral hog in Oklahoma. Samuel Robert Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Swihart, R. K., and A. J. DeNicola. 1997. Public involvement, science, management, and the overabundance of deer: Can we avoid a hostage crisis? Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:382- 387. Tate, J. 1984. Techniques in controlling wild hogs in Great Smokey Mountains National Park; Proceedings of a workshop National Park Service Research/Resources Manage. Report SER-72, Nov. 1984.

Taylor, R. B. 2003. The feral hog in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife, Austin, Texas, USA. Unnumbered publication. Accessed online at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs.

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U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental assessment. Colcord, OK and Albuquerque, NM.

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Implementation Plan for Recommendations in S.O. 3347 (Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation). Washington D.C.

West, B. C., A. L. Cooper, and J. B. Armstrong. 2009. Managing wild pigs: A technical guide. Human-Wildlife Interactions Monograph 1:1–55.

Wood, G.W., and D.N. Roark. 1980. Food habits of feral hogs in coastal South Carolina. Journal of Wildlife Management 44:506-511.

Yarrow, G. K., and J. C. Kroll. 1989. Coexistence of white-tailed deer and feral hogs: management implications. Southeast Deer Study Group 12:13–14.

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