OKLAHOMA FARM & RANCH
AugustOKFR 2020 | www.okfronline.com | Volume 5 Issue 8
FinishingSteve the Miller Story FREE 2 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR Oklahoma Farm & Ranch OKFR letter from the editor publishing contribution
Publisher Contributing Writers Work hard; be JM Winter nice. A wise friend Andy Anderson Editor Everett Brazil III once shared her man- Savannah Magoteaux Ddee Haynes [email protected] tra for life with me, Summer McMillen andW the wisdom that Garrett Metcalf, DVM production Lacey Newlin comes with those Art Director Bryan Painter four words can’t be Kayla Jean Woolf Mike Porter [email protected] Janice Russell understated. Beth Watkins advertising executives In today’s so- Barry Whitworth ciety, it feels like Rosemary Stephens [email protected] Copy Editors people are rewarded Judy Wade for laziness, and are Ryndi Perkins Krista Lucas [email protected] distribution celebrated for snarky comments and sly Kathy Miller Manager [email protected] Kayla Jean Woolf remarks. I, for one, [email protected] Sherrie Nelson am never sure how [email protected] distributors to deal with people Pamala Black administration Pat Blackburn who believe it is Dylan Edwards cooler to hide from Brenda Bingham Tina Geurin [email protected] work, or believe a sarcastic word is the CONTACT US best way to handle any situation. Oklahoma Farm & Ranch magazine With all that said, I truly believe that Oklahomans are in- 200 Walnut St., Bowie, TX 76230 940-872-2076, www.okfronline.com herently hardworking and kind, and each time I see an act of kindness or an incredible display of work ethic from my fellow in association with Okies, I’m proud. Speaking of hard working, I can’t wait for you to read about the subject of this month’s profile. Steve Miller of Guthrie, Okla., grew up in as tough of an environment as one can imagine; in the logging industry of Montana. As a young
OKFR and Post Oak Media are not responsible for omissions or information that has man, he loved art, but believed he was destined for a life of been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from felling trees. Fate stepped in, and that young man became the publisher is prohibited. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily an exceptionally successful salesman, and was finally able reflect those of the magazine or its employees. to focus on his art for the first time, ever. His sculptures and paintings tell a story, and I hope I did an adequate job sharing ON THE COVER his passion with you. As always, we have a great group of writers who submitted OKLAHOMA FARM & RANCH Art has never been his stories this month, and I can’t wait for you to read each and career, but Steve Miller has every one of them. been painting and sculpting AugustOKFR 2020 | www.okfronline.com | Volume 5 Issue 8 I’m always looking for story ideas about our great state and his entire life. Now living in the people in it. If you have something in mind that would fit Guthrie, Okla., Miller’s life in the corporate fast lane in the pages of the magazine, please don’t hesitate to reach out has slowed down enough to me. You can reach me by e-mail at editor@OKFROnline. so that he can enjoy his com. passion. (Photo by Savannah Wishing you the best this August. Magoteaux) Finishing the Story Steve Miller Savannah Magoteaux FREE Savannah Magoteaux, Editor [email protected] www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 3 CONTENTS 7 12 17 29 35 Woody vs. Equine Gastric Western Get Out and Confessions Lumpy Ulcers Housewives Explore of a Hunter Woody tongue and Learn symptoms, Summer McMillen Oklahoma’s Learn how a nosey lumpy jaw are two diagnosis, and explains comparing numerous state parks cottonmouth added extra common infections in treatment of equine her love story to a provide R & R for excitement to a recent cattle. ulcers. corriente bull. everyone. bow fishing trip.
pg. 10 Oklahoma’s Leaders Show Support of Upstream Flood Control Dams pg. 16 Turnip Au Gratin
pg. 22 Steve Miller
pg. 32 Grilled: Another Way to Cook Fish
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Actinobacillosis (Woody Tongue) and Actinomycosis (Lumpy Jaw)
By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma
Actinobacillosis and Actinomycosis, both of which are better known as “woody tongue” and “lumpy jaw” respectively, are two com- mon infections seen in cattle. Occasionally, Aboth of the bacteria are seen in other animals such as sheep, pig, horses, and dogs. In cattle “woody tongue” is associated with the tongue, head and neck regions of cattle. “Lumpy jaw” is manifested as a bone infection in the upper and lower jaws or other bones in the head region of cattle. On rare occasions, both organisms may be found in other areas of the body and internal organs. There is a tendency by some to lump them together as one disease, but they are two separate diseases. The bacterium that causes “woody tongue” is called Actinobacillus lignieresii. The microorganism does not survive long in the environment. It can live around five days out- (Courtesy photo) side the animal host. A. Lignieresii is part of oral tissues includes erupting teeth. iodide has been shown to cause abortion in the normal flora of the oral cavity and upper Once A. bovis gains entry to the tissues in cattle, but this is a rare occurrence. Besides gastrointestinal tract of cattle. The bacterium the oral cavity, there is a low-grade inflamma- sodium iodide, many veterinarians will use gains entrance to tissue through abrasions tory reaction. This is followed by proliferation additional antibiotics to treat both conditions. or penetrating wounds. This may occur with of scar tissue and inflammatory cells that result For the best treatment advice, producers should abrasive feeds or hays. in a tumor-like mass. This mass invades the consult with their veterinarian. Actinobacillosis has two forms. One form is bony structures of the head. The most com- Producers need to be aware that both of small circular swellings scattered in the subcu- mon sites of infection are the upper and lower these conditions require multiple treatments taneous tissue or lymph nodes around the head, jawbones of cattle. The infected area may swell to have any chance of success, and treatment jaw and neck area. These swellings enlarge and and be very hard. There may be some abscesses failures with both conditions are common. form thick walled abscesses. If they rupture, associated with the lesions. Radiographs of the Once abscesses are found in the skin on lymph white or slightly greenish pus is discharged. infection reveal a honeycomb appearance of node with A. lignieresii, prognosis is poor. Unless treated, the disease will progress and the bone. The disease is chronic and is followed In cases of “lumpy jaw” with extensive bony be fatal. The other form is the classical “woody by anorexia and weight loss. Without treatment lesions, the best outcome possible is to stop tongue.” In this form the tongue is swollen and the animal will die. the development. The animal will still have a firm when palpated. The first thing a producer Diagnosis of Actinobacillosis and Actino- swollen jaw. may notice is excessive drooling. These cattle mycosis is usually based on clinical signs and There is no vaccine for A. lignieresii or A. have difficulty chewing, which may result in physical examination. Additional laboratory bovis, so producers should follow biosecurity rapid weight loss. The tongue may protrude test may be run to confirm the diagnosis. protocols. Sick animals should be isolated from the mouth. The standard therapy for both conditions until well. All feed and water troughs should Actinomyces bovis is the bacterium re- is sodium iodide repeated at seven to 10 day be cleaned and disinfected. If several animals sponsible for the disease “lumpy jaw.” The intervals until resolution of clinical signs. If the are infected, the source of the cause of abra- bacterium is a normal inhabitant of the oral treatment is started early in “wooden tongue,” sion in the mouth should be identified and cavity, upper respiratory tract and digestive two or three treatments are usually sufficient. eliminated. tract of animals. Similar to “woody tongue” “Lumpy jaw” may require more treatments. If cattle producers would like more informa- the organism gains entry to tissue through dam- Treatments can be continued until signs of tion about “woody tongue” and “lumpy jaw,” age to the oral cavity by sharp objects such as iodide toxicity. Signs of iodide toxicity are they should contact their local veterinarian or stickers, grass awns or foreign bodies. Another excessive tear production, anorexia and dan- Oklahoma State University County Agriculture avenue for the bacterium to gain entry to the druff. Producers need to be aware that sodium Extension Educator.
AUGUST 2020 | 7 What Happens Now? By Everett Brazil III For the past few seasons, Unit- ed States cotton and soybean growers have taken advantage of Xtendflex varieties, which feature threeF herbicide-tolerant traits, in- cluding glyphosate, or RoundUp, glufosinate, marketed as Liberty, and three new formulations of dicamba, in Enginia, FeXapan and Xtendimax. Producers relying on the new dicamba formulations will now have to face alternative options for weed control, at least temporarily, as the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals vacated registrations for those herbicides June 3, and as of July 31, are no longer available, either for sale or use in fields. A fourth formulation of di- camba, known as Tavium, was not included in the ban and is still available to producers for weed control. The ruling comes on the heels of numerous complaints of crop damage from the new dicamba herbicide formulations, especially in terms of labeling. “They said the EPA had not done their due diligence in reg- istering the product,” said Todd Baughman, Oklahoma State A cotton field near Hollis in Harmon County. (Photo courtesy of Everett Brazil III) University (OSU) Institute for especially in areas that had many had near the issues as other states, so it was a newer product.” Agricultural Biosciences weed acres of soybeans that were grow- and we’ve had a decrease in is- Dicamba has long been used science program support leader. ing, and not dicamba technology,” sues since they were introduced,” as an herbicide in grassy systems Monsanto, now part of Bayer Baughman said. “It was to provide Baughman said. like pasture or wheat. The active CropScience, released Bollgard II a safer product, but also to provide The Ninth District U.S. Court ingredient in the new formulations XtendFlex cotton and XtendFlex a market situation for manufactur- of Appeals finally vacated the hasn’t changed; it has simply been soybeans for production in 2016, ers for dicamba for soybeans and registrations June 3 due to contin- reformulated to reduce volatility. with EPA approval of the new cotton.” ued complaints. Tavium was not “The active ingredient, di- dicamba formulations for use in By the end of the 2017 season, included in the hearing, however camba, in the products has been 2017. The dicamba-tolerant trait however, reports of crop damage and is used as a premix with me- around a number of years, and has was added to offer a new herbicide were heard, and the EPA placed tolachlor. widely been in use for a number of option for cotton and soybeans, new restrictions on the products, “This product wasn’t impacted, years,” Baughman said. with the reformulation meant to including making them restricted and the majority opinion on why it The move only relates to the re- ease volatility problems of the use herbicides, which required wasn’t included was that it wasn’t formulations, and not to traditional product to reduce drift of the certified training to apply them registered at the same time of the dicamba products. However, those herbicide into other potentially for the 2018 season. Few com- other dicamba products,” said herbicides should not be used on susceptible fields. plaints were heard in Oklahoma Seth Byrd, OSU cotton extension XtendFlex cotton and soybeans, “These products were meant however. specialist. “It wasn’t out at the as only the four reformulations to lower the risk (of volatility), “In Oklahoma, we have not same time as the other products, are labeled for XtendFlex cotton
8 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR and soybeans. All other brands RoundUp and Liberty herbicides, are not. but focuses on 2,4-D instead of “This would be a violation of dicamba for weed control. There the label,” Baughman said. are concerns that 2,4-D could be The question many are asking reviewed for restrictions in the is, where do producers go moving future, along with many more forward, and whether there will pesticides. be enough Tavium available for “In the past, they’ve looked continued weed control, especially at other products as well, like as XtendFlex cotton and soybeans 2,4-D. Right now, there is nothing make up a large percentage of both safe from being reviewed,” Byrd crops across the country. said. “There could be a number of “The immediate impact is, we products that could be reviewed, can’t use three out of four dicamba especially those used over a lot of products approved for use. The crops or a lot of acres.” big picture is the (dicamba) trait As for the future of the three as a whole. We’re on a majority dicamba reformulations, it is XtendFlex system – not just for believed they will be available Oklahoma, but the United States,” for the next season, with a new Byrd said. “Is the Tavium enough label. to keep the crop going on its own? “The lawsuit was only affect- Is there enough to keep it alive?” ing labels, as they are currently There are also bigger impacts written. Those labels are set to outside of XtendFlex. An alter- expire in December of this year,” native system, Enlist cotton and Baughman said. “We should see soybeans, developed by Dow a new label, starting in 2021, for AgroSciences, also relies on each of those products.”
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 9 Oklahoma's State Leaders Show Support of Upstream Flood Control Dams By Bryan Painter, Communications Director for Okla. Conservation Commission and Okla. Natural Resources Conservation Service
Respect the past and look to the future. The Oklahoma legislature continues to rec- ognize the importance of the operation and maintenance of Oklahoma’s 2,107 upstream Rflood control dams. They understand what those flood control dams mean in terms of human safety and protection of property/ infrastructure. These are “when, not if situations” and the Oklahoma Legislature and Oklahoma Gover- nor J. Kevin Stitt continue to be proactive. Governor Stitt signed into law the gen- eral appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY'21). The FY2021 Budget includes $1 million for rural dam improvement. This will go toward the operation and maintenance of flood control dams. However, there’s also another form of sup- port that is also significant, and that was the passage of SB 1938, authorizing the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority for bond issu- ance in the amount of $17.5 million on behalf of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. This too received the Governor’s signature. These funds will be used for the repair and Oklahoma has 2,107 Upstream Flood Control Dams. (Courtesy photo) rehabilitation of high-hazard dams pursuant eration and maintenance of flood control dams, the future, then we can rehabilitate them. We to the Conservation District Act. Trey Lam, but it also provides a required step toward the have seen tremendous support for flood control Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conser- rehabilitation of dams that have reached or are dams at the federal level from those such as vation Commission explained, “These dams nearing their 50-year designed lifespan. U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas and the state are high-hazard dams, not because there’s “In Oklahoma, you can look back to May level from the legislature and the Governor. anything wrong with them, but because people 2019 as an example of the importance of this They acted in support of these structures before live below them.” Some of these are also water state’s flood control dams,” Lam said. “The the massive rains ever arrived.” supplies for communities. Also, in the case of storms brought with them loss of life, and Benefits of watershed projects the bonds, they will help to secure a 2:1 federal our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Watershed projects were based on the con- match in funding. those families. Those storms also brought servation principal of holding the raindrop high “I applaud our legislators for having the loss of property, which is tragic. We also in the watershed as close to where it strikes the foresight to commit to keeping Oklahomans saw flood control dams work as they should ground as possible. The watershed programs safe for decades to come,” Lam said. “The time to protect lives, and also property. Operation are a good example of federal, state and lo- to plan, construct, maintain and repair dams is and maintenance means keeping/maintain- cal partnerships coming together to address not after devastating floods. Oklahoma’s elect- ing the dams to a basic level, but you don’t natural resources issues. Watershed projects ed officials continue a long line of visionaries qualify for rehabilitation unless you perform are federal-assisted, not federally owned. dating back to the 1940s anticipating the need the operation and maintenance. So if we have NRCS provided funds to plan, design, and for infrastructure repair and maintenance.” these high-hazard dams, we’ve got to do the construct the dams. Project sponsors, typically Overall, the state has 2,107 such flood con- operation and maintenance before we can do local conservation districts, are responsible trol dams and those protect homes, businesses, the rehab. The ones that we’ve got scheduled, for operation and maintenance of the dams to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, as well we’ve done the maintenance on, this just keeps assure they continue to function as there were as crops, farmland, and ranch land. the operation and maintenance going on all our designed. Not only does this go directly toward the op- other dams so as projects become available in Oklahoma has 129 watershed projects in 64
10 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR counties. These projects include the 2,107 flood watershed projects in Oklahoma from storms evaluated life, it does not mean that it won't control dams and provide multiple benefits to that occurred in May of 2019. safely function as designed for many years citizens. Most of the 2,107 dams are located Oklahoma has been a national leader in longer if properly maintained. Still, funds are on private lands in rural areas and many people the United States Department of Agricul- critically needed to maintain these dams so don't even know they exist, let alone how much ture (USDA) Watershed program since the that they can function as designed and remain they affect their daily lives. Most people don't 1940s when Soil Conservation Service (SCS) safe. Watershed dams are an important part of know they were constructed for flood control. watershed authorizations were being deliber- the public infrastructure that must be attended How does that benefit agriculture producers as ated. The first of the 12,000 watershed dams to. If funds are not provided for maintenance, well as non-producers? The average benefits constructed in 47 states was built near Cordell, not only will devastating flooding return in the provided by Oklahoma's Watershed Projects Okla., in 1948. areas prior to the projects being constructed, is more than $96 million each year. The number of dams built each year peaked but lives will be at-risk. Nine out of 10 Oklahomans are living in 1965 when 157 dams were built. During Rehabilitation of these aging dams is a pri- within 20 miles of a flood control dam. Flood the decade of the 1960s, an average of two ority in Oklahoma, so that they can continue control dams are close to all Oklahomans who watershed dams were constructed each week. to protect people's lives, property, and natural live, work and play under their protection every Many of the watershed dams in Oklahoma resources for the next 100 years. To date, 54 day. Flood control makes modern Oklahoma are reaching the end of that 50-year designed rehabilitation projects have been authorized; life possible in many rural communities. lifespan. 38 of these projects have been completed to Again, look back to last year. A Natural Since most of the dams were designed with meet current safety and design standards. The Resources Conservation Service 'National a 50-year design life, during the decade of remainder are in various stages of design or Watershed Benefits' computer model estimates the 2010s, two dams came to the end of their construction. the daily monetary benefits resulting from evaluated life each week. So in addition to the Tammy Sawatzky, the OCC Conservation watershed projects for a specific storm. These 1,380 watershed dams that had reached the end Programs Division director, added that many benefits are essentially the damages that would of their evaluated life by 2019, an additional of these are old, but, “It doesn’t mean they are have occurred from that storm had the dams not 245 dams will reach that mark within the next unsafe. These dams were designed and built for been built. The report detailed more than $33.3 five years. a 50-year life and with rehabilitation, it will million in monetary benefits resulting from the However, just because a dam exceeds its extend it to a 100-year life.”
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Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome:
Symptoms, DiagnosisBy Dr. Garrett Metcalf, DVM and Treatment Just about every horse owner lead to risk for gastric ulceration. has heard of or had to deal with However, there are methods of gastric ulcers in a horse. The feeding horses differently to help topic comes up often between combat this risk. Jhorse owners and veterinarians Diagnosis almost daily, especially among The most reliable and proven high performing athletes. Gastric method to diagnose gastric ulcers ulcers in horses have long been is by visualizing the gastric lining an underlying performance hin- of the stomach with a gastroscope. dering issue for equine athletes This is a long endoscope that is for decades. With more research, passed up the horse’s nose into different feeding techniques and the esophagus and down to the good treatment options, gastric stomach. In order to see the major- ulcers can be well managed in the ity of the stomach the horse must majority of horses. be fasted off of feed and hay for Gastric ulcers are a very painful 12 hours and withheld from water sore or erosion of the protective for four hours before the exam is barrier to the very acidic gastric usually found. can lead to issues arising with gas- performed. Sedation is required secretions of the stomach. Many Nsaids such as phenylbutazone tric ulcers. Common symptoms of and usually the nose is twitched people with gastric ulcers experi- or flunixin meglumine use can put gastric ulcers are listed below: to pass the scope to the stomach. ence a prolonged burning sensa- a horse at risk of gastric ulcers. • Cinch pain or girth pain The scope is driven and pushed tion in the abdomen especially The longer the use and the higher • Biting at sides around in the stomach to visual- while eating, decreased appetite, the dose of Nsaids the greater • Not eating grain well, eating ize the inner lining of the stomach nausea, and bloating. There has the risk of ulcers will be. Nsaids grain slowly or refusing grain all and to grade ulceration when been a really well documented link also put horses at risk of colonic together identified. The grading scale is a to bacteria called Helicobacter ulcers, but this is a separate issue • Losing weight zero through four with zero being in humans to gastric ulcers, but and should not be confused with • Poor or dull hair coat normal and four having extensive no such link has been made in gastric ulcers. The treatment for • Decreased performance diffuse ulceration. horses. The anatomy of the horse’s gastric ulcers is not the same as • Attitude changes stomach also makes it unique the treatment for colonic ulcers • Loose feces Treatment and Prevention compared to other species and also and colonic ulcers can lead to • Low grade colic symptoms Options sets itself up to for gastric ulcers. more serious consequences for There can be many diseases or The gold standard of treatment The most commonly ulcerated the horse. conditions that can lead to these of gastric ulcers is with omepra- area of the horse stomach called symptoms so it takes thorough zole. The drug omeprazole, known the squamous region (upper part Symptoms of Gastric Ulcers history and previous treatments as Gastrogard, is the most superior of the stomach), which is lined For the most part, gastric ulcers to help sort out if these signs are treatment of gastric ulcers and with squamous epithelial cells can have very vague and subtle consistent with gastric ulcers. the only FDA approved drug for compared to the glandular region symptoms horse owners or even Horses are made to be continu- this condition. The drug binds to (lower part), which is the region veterinarians would write off as ous eaters and for convenience of the proton pump, which pumps that produces the gastric acid. not significant or miss them all the owners or horse caretakers, out the gastric acid and disables The squamous region is ulcerated together. A common scenario they are generally fed meals, espe- it permanently, but the stomach the most frequent because of the owners report about their horse cially stalled horses. This practice has a fast regenerative ability and lack of protective mechanisms it with gastric ulceration is the horse of feeding horses two to three quickly replaces the pump within has to the extreme acidic pH of not feeling well, not performing meals a day, which is consumed in 24 hours with a new proton pump. the gastric acid in comparison to well or not eating well. Whenever a matter of minutes, leads to a long Although the pump is replaced, the glandular region. A demarca- a horse is under more stress from period of time a horse’s stomach omeprazole effectively and quick- tion between these regions of the hauling frequently to events, under is empty and horses are continu- ly raises the pH of the gastric fluid stomach called the margo plicatus greater workload and is not getting ous producers of gastric acid. This to a more basic level. Depending is where the most ulceration is a very consistent steady diet, this meal style feeding practice can on the severity of the gastric ul-
12 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR ceration, the treatment course can Purina is called Outlast. vary from 14 to 45 days. In order Other methods to prevent gas- to get the ulcers to heal, the pH tric ulcers is to preventatively treat needs to be held a more basic level before, during and a few days after over a prolonged period of time. a stressful event such as hauling, Other drugs and home remedies competing or undergoing hospi- have been used to treat ulcers but talization. with very little success and with A lower dose of omeprazole no scientific proof. is the most effective prevention Feeding methods and chang- around these stressful events. This ing husbandry practices to mimic product is available as Ulcergard pasture grazing have been shown made by the same producers of to be helpful in decreasing the risk Gastrogard. Using the other meth- of ulcers and other problems such ods mentioned before can also as colic. Slow feeders that spread be used during stressful events the meals out over longer period of to further help prevent gastric time are the key to mimic pasture Gastric ulcers are a very painful sore or erosion of the protective barrier ulceration. grazing in a stall or dry lot set- to the very acidic gastric secretions of the stomach. (Courtesy photo) Gastric ulcers can be a per- ting. Other recommendations are vulnerable area of the stomach tives to help buffer the pH in the formance limiting issue in many to only exercise a horse on a full where ulcers occur. Therefore, stomach and lower the acidity for breeds and disciplines of horses, stomach preferably with alfalfa in having a hay bag with alfalfa or a short period of time. Since the but fortunately it is easily diag- their stomach. The higher calcium feeding alfalfa cubes before an horse is a constant producer of nosable and treatable condition. in alfalfa acts as a buffer and the event or a work out can be helpful gastric acid the buffering effects of By applying some of these tactics mechanical effects of roughage in in preventing gastric ulcers. these produces are very short lived to prevent gastric ulcers, you can the stomach keep the gastric acid There are several grain prod- but can be helpful. One particular help your horse avoid ulcers be- from splashing up on the more ucts currently that have addi- produce and feed additive made by fore they start.
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 13 His Father’s Son By Ddee Haynes I have often said you can tell a lot about a person by the way they walk, how they carry themselves and the biggest tell-tale sign is as how they handle hard situations, which brings Ime to my young friend Kooper Branum. On the outside, Branum looks pretty much like any typical 17-year-old young man. He is tall and lanky, wears pearl snap shirts, prefers to be horseback, has a quick wit, and is even quicker with a rope. If you look closer you will see so much more. What you will see is the shy smile, quiet yet confident walk and intelligent eyes that see the world more like a grown man than his 17 young years. Branum and his parents, Monty and Kelly, along with his 11-year-old brother Kutter make their home in Marlow, Okla. For 28 years, the Branum family has run a cow-calf operation and are the owners of Southwest Cattle Dis- patch. Through Southwest Cattle Dispatch, they haul cattle for cattle buyers and ranchers all over the United States. Both Kooper and Kutter help out on the ranch. When Kooper was just seven years old he started his own bucking bull business by Kutter, Monty, Kelly, and Kooper. (Photo courtesy of the Branum family) selling half interest in a bull he had raised to Gene Baker. Gene Baker, owner of Home- stead Genetics out of Anson, Texas, is well known for raising and training some of the best bucking bulls in the rodeo world. The bull Every father should remember that Kooper and Baker owned together did his job well and made it all the way to Las Vegas as one day his son will follow his example a derby bull. As the years progressed, Kooper’s passion for ranching and roping grew. Today, Kooper instead of his advice takes care of roughly 750 head of cattle on the ing him all his young 17-years. In addition it all, said there is still a 1 percent chance of family’s ranch and does day work for ranchers to the everyday decisions of running a ranch, some cell lurking around in there so we will both north and south of the Red River. Kooper Kooper has had to make even bigger decisions do a few more chemo treatments when he is a member of the Oklahoma High School for the ranch, decisions that could ultimately is well…doctor also said that the pathology Rodeo Association, team ropes, calf ropes, and affect his family’s income. Kooper has had to report was negative that cancer hadn’t spread rides cutting horses. In addition to competing decide when to sell calves off wheat, market anywhere else.” at high school rodeos, he competes at open their replacement pairs and even put together On June 13, 2020, Kelly posted another rodeos and ropings and is an avid horse trainer. a crew to drag calves. update: Kooper has a natural talent when it comes to While Kooper, along with Kutter’s help, “What a day of emotions... Monty called me horses. Over the years he has trained and sold has continued to make sure the ranch is taken Friday evening and said that he didn’t want to several team roping and calf horses. care of, Kelly has been a pillar of strength get my hopes up but that the doctors had men- This March, the Branum family was hit for her family. Kelly’s positive attitude and tioned he might get to come home Saturday. hard with news no one wants to hear or should strong faith has helped get her husband and Well, I couldn’t sleep at all that night just hop- ever have to hear. Monty was diagnosed with boys through the last few months. On June 8, ing and praying he was right... Early Saturday small bowel cancer. With this news, Kooper 2020, Monty went in for surgery. Per Kelly’s morning he calls and my prayers had been confidently stepped up to the plate following post on Facebook, “Monty did great! The answered. He was getting discharged and told the examples his dad Monty had been show- doctor is 99.99 percent positive that he got me to get up there quick before they change
14 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR their minds! (I think I made record and even a few butt chewings were timing getting to OKC). He’s laying the path for Kooper to be- home and doing wonderful! Get- come the responsible young man ting lots of rest and good food!!! he is today and will continue to be. We go back in two weeks for a Those examples allowed Kooper checkup...I will keep everyone to not only run the ranch success- posted on his recovery it’s going fully the last few months while to be long and hard but he’s such a his father fought another battle, strong man and I LOVE him more but to also set an example for his than he’ll ever know. I just know younger brother, Kutter. that he’s going to do great...He’s The Branum family has had to going to beat this and come back face a lot of unknowns and scary stronger than ever!” moments that last a few months. As of today, Monty is doing Those unknowns and scary mo- great. He is still working on get- ments have made each stronger ting his strength back due to the individually, and together as a evasive nature of the surgery, but family. Tough times can either I have no doubt he will soon be bring out the worst of a person running on all four cylinders and or the best. Looking through my working beside his boys once eyes, I believe Kooper, Monty, more. I know God has a plan for Kelly, and Kutter have shown all of us, and that plan has been their nature, and that nature is of laid out long before we were even a strong, solid and humble family. born. Little did Monty know, the Monty & Kooper discussing what needs to be done for the day. (Photo A family I feel blessed to call my last 17 years his work ethic, advice courtesy of the Branum family) friends. Until next time…
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 15 Turnip Lacey's PantryBy Lacey Newlin Au Gratin Servings: 8 | Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients a sharp knife to about 2 mm thick. • 4 large turnips 3. Put a layer of turnips on the bottom of the baking dish. • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded 4. Layer a third of the turnips into the greased dish and season with • 1 cup mozzarella or Gruyere Cheese shredded salt, pepper, and thyme. Season lightly with salt and pepper. You can • ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded also add fresh minced garlic. • 2 tbsp butter 5. Top with a third of the quantity of cheddar cheese, mozzarella. • 1 cup heavy cream Add a couple of butter on top. • 1 tsp fresh thyme 6. Repeat step five until you have formed three layers and top with • 2-3 cloves garlic minced, optional the remaining cheese. • salt and pepper to taste 7. Drizzle the heavy cream over the turnips and cheese. Instructions 8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and broil 1. Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C. Butter a baking dish and set for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and slightly brown. The turnips should aside. be fork tender. 2. Peel, trim and slice the turnips very thinly using a mandoline or 9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
16 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR By Summer McMillen My first summer in Oklahoma saying much. Nonetheless, I was was a hot one, which should come proud of him for doing so. That’s as no surprise to its residents. To when the fun really began. a native Texan who is used to dry He tied the bull to the back of Mheat and wind-blown skin, the my pick up while he stayed behind relentless humidity came as quite to offer the bull some encourage- a shock, but that’s another topic ment towards the pens. for another time. Honestly, I could After much hoopla we finally fill books with what I have to say arrived at the pens. I was hot, my about humidity. husband was hot and the bull re- What I also found out that mained cool as a cucumber ready summer is love and corriente to still fight as only ornery bulls bulls share a lot of similarities. can do. The next day he went My husband and his family kept to the sale and helped buy that around one ornery corriente bull month’s roping steer crop. so he could have fresh roping Since I’m comparing all this to steers every year. love you probably wonder what in As you may have figured out the world my relationship is like. for yourself already, fresh roping Stop and think about how love steers are next to Godliness in this fights, is stubborn and stays where part of the world. Cleanliness is it’s meant to be. definitely not next to Godliness. Ultimately love wins, which is See notes about humidity, something the corriente bull also but after a few too many nights managed to do by being sold to a spent chasing the bull out of the neighboring rancher with a whole neighbor’s cow pasture we finally bunch of corriente cows. decided the bull needed to go to We still talk about that day the sale barn. Not in a few weeks, from time to time, wondering how but right now. we all survived without a heat We had many attempts at stroke or a huge blow up fight. catching the bull. Sometimes we My favorite part about that day tried on horses; sometimes we is during the heat of the chase my tried on ATVs, but every time we grandmother called to ask how managed to fail. being a ranch wife was going. I After much contemplating my laughed and said right now it in- husband decided that enough was volves ropes and a corriente bull. enough and he was going to make She told me that there would his skinny, pen riding, newly wed be lots of hard and hot days, but wife drive the old standard feed (Photo taken by Skylar Jo Photography) the memories could be compared truck into the pasture with rope a colt on this venture. No sir, we lering, he roped the bull, which to none. in hand. pulled out all the stops for our last was no easy task in itself consider- She was right, and that’s why He of course was going to be bull catching crusade. ing the fact the bull’s horns were I’m happy to compare my love on his best horse. No time to ride After a lot of chasing and hol- as wide as I am long, which isn’t story to a corriente bull. www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 17 > Where the Paved Road Ends > It Was Bound to Happen... By Beth Watkins Not long ago, I realized I was not only over the hill, I was sliding down the other side. I am old. I have entered a new level of irri- Ntability I have never felt before. I am no longer able to sneeze, cough or jump on a trampoline without repercussions. The only reason you would ever see me running is because danger is on its way, and I guarantee you, you should start running too. My brain feels normal, and I am still processing memories like they were yesterday, but my body hurts. If I sit still too long, my bones start to ache; if I ride in the car too long, my ankles swell. When I get up in the morning it sounds like I just poured a bowl of snap, crackle and pop. I have a pill box marked with the days of the week, and it holds two weeks worth of medication. If a movie comes on after 8:00 pm, I will have to pass, because I will fall asleep before it is over. I would say I am in the late fall of my season in life. I made an appointment to see my doctor because I was concerned about some dark spots on my arm. I just knew the spots were skin cancer. After thoroughly examining the spots, my doctor assured me there was nothing that looked worrisome. (Photo courtesy of Beth Watkins) “They are commonly known as age spots due to overexposure of a homeopathic doctor, and I count my daughter, asked. for her moves. the sun,” the doctor said. my nail tech as my psychologist. “You know, does she have yarn “Grammy taught me, because My calendar also shows my age Instead of a social calendar, I own in her lap and makes something Grammy has amazing skills, but because all of the appointments I a clinical calendar. Even my five- with it?” Molly replied. Sam then that was before she got old,” have scheduled are something to year-old granddaughter notices I explained the word is crochet. Molly explained. She must be very do with a checkup. I see a neph- am old. not yarn. curious about aging people. After rologist, a urologist, an endocri- “Does Grammy yarn?” Molly One night Molly was doing listening to my sister complain nologist, a gynecologist, a chiro- asked her mommy. some fancy dancing with a hula about her gray hair, Molly leaned practor, a dentist, an optometrist, “What does that mean?” Sam, hoop, and her mommy praised her over to her daddy and said, “Aunt
18 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR Ghee is old: she might be ‘bout to After living life on my own for carried himself well. He was intel- Shortly after the first of the year, I make her trip to heaven.” a short while, it was clear I was not ligent and funny but was distracted started seeing ads on social media I remember visiting my grand- good at flying solo. I began to try by every other female in the room. for a t-shirt that said, “60 is Awe- ma and thinking how amazing my hand at dating. Middle aged Just when I was about to give up, some.” The shirt was modeled that in her old age she could still dating can be really weird. In my I met a smooth talking, what-you- by a woman who was a 10 on hang her clothes out on the clothes hay day, boys dressed to impress see-is-what-you-get kind of coun- the fitness scale. Clearly, she still > line. She even mowed her own the girls and worked very hard at try boy. I think he had me at hello, had her metabolism and probably yard with a push mower, and at minding their manners, opening but he lived two hours away and has never indulged in white flour night she put her teeth in a little doors and pulling out chairs in was a handful of years younger or sugar. pink box next to the bathroom hopes of getting a goodnight kiss than me. As it turned out he hung No other birthdays have really sink. Now that I think about it, before the porch light came on. the moon, so, here I am blissfully bothered me, except this last one she was probably close to the age It did not take me long to realize married, and far removed from because I am feeling a physical I am now. She was widowed at the majority of middle aged men shopping malls, sushi, Target, and change. I was expressing my age 53 and settled into a simple are single because they are gross. Reasors, but that is okay, because concern to my stud muffin of a life routine. I was widowed at 53 Either their mothers never taught happiness abounds. husband about how I am probably but have yet to settle into a simple them how to be gentlemen, or their I know God led me to my going to be slowing down in the life routine. ex-wives did not do a very good redneck Romeo at this stage in my next 10 years or so. It just so happened my late job at helping them be the best life because if it were not for him, “Do not worry about something husband was older than me, and they could be. I would probably be sedentary. as silly as that, we are in this to- had more experience in life, One blind date showed up Here at the end of this dirt road, I gether for the long haul, and if I which made me feel secure. We in shorts with black socks and help work cows and build fences ever need help taking care of you, navigated building a family and a sandals. Another blind date com- among other ranch related jobs. I’ll hire the best caregiver money life together and had anticipated plained about everything, the It is just the two of us navigating could buy: a beautiful big busted living out our happily ever after. food, the service and the weather life together, and most days are blonde,” he said. When he came We were a great team and raised all while chewing his food. One diamonds. to, I handed him an ice pack for some awesome human beings. gentleman was handsome and I turned 59 on December 30. the bump on his head.
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 19 20 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 21 FinishingSteve the Miller Story
22 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR FinishingSteve the Miller Story Strong arms and broad shoulders belie the image of a simple artist. Hands, while soft enough to make the minutest change to a delicate clay leg, have also fell towering trees. Guthrie’s Steve Miller wasn’t raised to be an artist or a successful salesman, but he became both. As a storyteller, recounting the narrative behind his art, he can’t be beat. Most things he says deserve quotation marks. Miller grew up as a fourth-generation logger in Kalispell, Mont., more accurately, the Flathead Valley. His earliest memories were of Slong days and even harder work. “Most people in the western industry don’t know that about me. I felled timber, set chokers, skidded logs, and loaded and drove logging trucks. I could do anything in that world and was a pretty good hand,” he shared. “It was just what you did. I always tell people that know me now that it was like being born in a coal mining town in the Appalachians.” Every summer vacation from the seventh grade on, Miller would do a man’s job in the woods with his father. The day he graduated high school, he applied and was hired for a job at a sawmill. Still, he always gravitated towards art. “I have loved it since I was a little kid. I would look at mountain scenery, at the deer, the elk, the horses, and I would always think, ‘How do you make that with a brush? How do you paint that? How do you get that color?’” He added, “Like all young artists, that’s what I wanted to do, but I had to go to work. I’ve worked my whole life and my art was always pushed to the back as a hobby, because I got into careers I owed a lot of time to, and there was not enough time left over.” While he recalls the work ethic he learned in his early years and his love of art, he remembers no aspirations of a better life. “You were just a logger. You didn’t have a choice, or, better said, you didn’t think of having a choice. There were no plans for higher education; you simply needed to get out of school and go to work. I’m lucky I finished high school, because there was that mentality, not only in the Valley, but even in my family, that you just quit school and go to work,” he shared. Looking back from where he is now, Miller contemplates how different life could have been. “I can’t believe how short-sighted I was. I take full responsibility for that. I had no clue in my 20s that I could have gone to college or that there was a whole different layer to the world,” he said. While a death-defying experience with grievous injuries doesn’t sound like a positive, Miller is adamant that an accident just prior to his 30th birthday was just that. “The best thing that ever happened to me was when I had a logging accident where a tree fell on me. I should have been killed, but I was limbing a big tree, and the one that fell on me knocked me off of that tree down to the ground. It landed on the big tree, and if I would have been limbing a smaller one, it probably wouldn’t have ended as well,” he said. The resulting broken back led to unemployment. “I couldn’t go back to work in the woods. I was on food stamps and had two kids to support. I remember thinking, ‘What the hell am I going to do?’” he recalled. In a twist of fate, Miller met a friend of his father’s who’d heard of his bad luck. The man offered to teach Miller how to be an audio metric technician. “That basically means you sell and fit hearing aids. I didn’t have a college degree, but he told me I didn’t have to, I just had to work under his supervision for a year,” Miller said. It only took a week of work for Miller to realize he had a talent for sales. Just two years later he had worked up to being the Regional Manager of the Miracle Ear Hearing Aid Company and was one of the top 12 sales representatives for in the nation. A few years after that, the National Sales Director job came open, and Miller applied. “I’ll be darned if I didn’t get the promotion,” he laughed. Soon he was living in Minneapolis, working out of a corner office on the seventh floor. While his career was thriving, Miller himself was dying on the vine. “I’m a team roper. I grew up in the country, but my horse was 50 miles away in a stable and I never got time to ride him. I took a Western Horseman magazine with me to work one day, made a list of every company that I might want to work for, wrote up a resume, and sent it out,” he said. “I got a call from Montana Silversmiths back in my home state. I interviewed for the job and got it.” Miller has worked for Montana Silversmiths for nearly 30 years. He started his career as the Vice President of National Sales and Mar- keting. While he’s handed over the reins for most of his duties, he’s still an Ambassador at Large for the company. “I think my biggest claim-to-fame there is that I put together one of the best sales rep forces in the industry, so much so that I was approached by other major western industry companies to help with their sales staff,” he shared. Continued on page 24 www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 23 FinishingSteve the Miller Story Continued from page 23 The Art Miller never pursued art as a career, but he couldn’t help indulging in his hobby. “I can’t even tell you how many pictures I’ve given away. Drawings, paintings, you name it,” he laughed. If you find him sitting still for more than a minute, he’s likely roughing something out. “I’ve spent several long conference calls doing sketches.” He had no formal training in art, but if he begins to question his ability, he reminds him- self of Charlie Russell, a well-known Ameri- can artist of the old American West. “Charlie Russell never had a lesson in his life, and he was able to do it. He’s my hero. I have read everything about him and know the names of most of his paintings. I was actually born on the same date he died, just different years, of course. I always say I hope I got a little piece of him,” Miller shared. For a long time, he wondered where his artistic streak had come from, but he recently found out that it came from his mother’s side of the family. “That family is Norwegian. My great grandfather came here from Norway in 1904. Because of social media, I’ve been in touch with that side of the family, and they all make their living as artists in tv, film, and painting,” he shared. “My son, Jason, is a better artist than I’ll ever be, really, so we got that from somewhere.” Miller began with acrylics, but found his talent lay in oil painting. “I feel like it’s easier for me to paint with and is much richer. My son got me into sculpting. I picked up some Miller with a recently commissioned piece of the 2019 Bob Feist Invitational Champions, Lane clay he sent me and took some coat hangers Siggins and Jr. Dees. (Photo by Savannah Magoteaux) and bent them up for armatures, and started a resin one for $200. It wound up being a very was not empty, and it certainly would not tame doing some sculpting, and wound up making successful line.” easily. This land was home to many tribes, more money on my sculptures than my paint- Miller began working on the sculptures, languages, and cultures of people. These were ings,” he said. which became the Steve Miller line that he an innocent and primitive people, open, and He did his first sculpture in the early 1990s, called “My Vision of the West.” The series even helpful to the culture that would soon and by later in the decade, his hobby and his consisted of nine pieces, concentrating primar- overwhelm them. These were a people who work finally collided. Montana Silversmiths ily on the people and times of the mid- to late did not work iron, copper, or steel, nor did they was hoping to expand into the lifestyle sector. 1800s. “It’s how I see the west. But the west know of the wheel, or write their language. But “They wanted to do sculptures that could be as we know it started with the discovery of they did know the land and how to live off its sold through Western stores at a reasonable the New World. The first Europeans entered a bounty. It provided all they needed, and they price so that anyone could own a gallery quality new land, a land that to them seemed an empty left it as they found it, unscarred and flourish- sculpture for their home,” he shared. “Instead wilderness to be settled and tamed. ing with animal life of every kind. The meeting of paying $10,000 for a bronze, they could buy “But the land they saw as empty wilderness Continued on page 26
24 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 25 FinishingSteve the Miller Story Continued from page 23 of these two cultures would soon become a violent collision,” Miller explained. “Of Stone and Steel” was the first in the line, showing a lone Indian curiously tapping his ar- row against the railroad tracks; something strange that appeared during his time away from home. “I have no idea where the ideas come from. I just saw something and wonder what it would be like to be this young man. You see, this man was a Cheyenne, but the territory stretches from southern Nebraska up to Montana. These kids would go visit relatives far away for a few years to find a wife before heading home. What would it be like for him to go find a wife, start riding home, and then there is this monstrous looking snake crossing the prairie? What would he be thinking? horse and rider are falling in the “I’d just be thinking about that, middle of this stampede. What and then pretty soon I’d doodle happens? Does the cowboy pay a picture and then make a sculp- the highest price? In the Crossing, ture,” he shared. does the rider make it to the other That same thought process shore, or the distant shore?” took him through the entire line. While the Steve Miller collec- The remaining pieces were named tion was exceptionally popular, His New Winchester, The Highest selling out quickly, his most prized Price for Beef, When Beef Was work did not make him a dime. He Wild, When Cowboys Take a did a series of sculptures of three Dare, the Houlihan, the Crossing, Cheyenne warriors killed in the When A Woman Knew Her Place, Battle of Little Bighorn, which and Sittin’ Pretty. was commissioned by the tribe to The title of the artwork is raise money to mark the Cheyenne important to Miller. “The stories deaths on the battlefield. behind the artwork make the piece, “The Cheyenne don’t refer to and I always said you can’t have it as Custer’s Battle. They refer a piece of artwork unless the title to it as the Battle of Greasy Grass. can tell you the story,” he shared. That battle, outside of Napoleon’s “It’s important to me that my work Battle of Waterloo, is the most Top Left: An oil painting of Miller’s friend, former PRCA Commissioner allows people to finish the story written about battle in history. Karl Stressman. (Courtesy Steve Miller) Top Right: Noisy Walking was for themselves. The person look- When I started the sculptures, the one of three sculptures of Cheyenne warriors killed in the Battle of Little ing at it has to decide how each only marker on the battlefield for Bighorn. Bottom: The Highest Price for Beef was one of nine pieces of those stories end. For example, a Native American was because a in the Steve Miller Montana Silversmiths line. (Photos by Savannah in the Highest Price for Beef the soldier had documented where he Magoteaux)
26 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR Left: One of the accomplishments Miller is most proud of is this certificate. “After 30 years of research, thousands of miles, and lots of dusty courthouses and genealogical societies, I was able to trace my family back to northern Ireland. They were Scottish immigrants in the English translation system to Northern Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1756 and my fourth great grandfather Benjamin Miller was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and spent the winter at Valley Forge under George Washington,” Miller said. Right: Miller painted a series of wildlife that could be found in Yellowstone National Park. (Photos courtesy of Steve Miller) had fallen,” Miller said. These days, Miller is focusing on his oil The three Native Americans Miller por- paintings, spending his time perfecting his trayed were Lame Whiteman, Limber Hand, technique. “I found I really enjoy doing por- and Noisy Walking, and all three men still have traits in oil and special projects for people, living relatives. “I roped with Dennis Limber- instead of just painting a picture and hoping hand, and that’s how I knew they were wanting someone likes it. I love doing commissioned to do this project. I made the sculptures, gave work.” them to Dennis, and he took them to the tribal Calling Oklahoma Home council,” he shared. Although Miller was born and raised in As with most of his works, Miller engrossed Montana, he has no wish to live anywhere himself in the project. He shared the story of other than Oklahoma. “I’ve been in Oklahoma Noisy Walking. “He was a 14-year-old boy. City more than any other city in the country His relatives told me he would have had four since I went to work for Montana Silversmiths. braids, because he hadn’t been in war yet. You With all the events in Oklahoma, I was always can see he has a stake with a loop on it, and here,” he shared. that’s because he was an Undefeated Warrior. When his wife, Sammi, was offered the The Native American’s don’t have a name job of Senior Director of Corporate Relations for a Suicide Warrior, like we would call it. for the National Reining Horse Association in When the battle started, they were required Oklahoma City, the decision was easy. “Sammi to put that loop around their ankle and drive A second photo in Miller’s series of Yellowstone grew up in Missouri and wanted to be closer wildlife. (Photo courtesy of Steve Miller) the stake into the ground. The only way they to her parents. She said we were moving, and could retreat was if another warrior pulled the to put markers on the battlefield, so it wasn’t I said okay,” he shared. stake or they were killed. The night before the something to make a profit on. It’s the work I’m The state has long felt like home. “I love the battle, him and about 14 other young men took proudest of,” he said. “I was able to help the people. They’re the nicest people you’ll ever be the undefeated pact, not knowing there would Cheyenne Indians put markers on the battle- around; it’s so friendly. I love that you get to be a battle the next morning,” he shared. He field where their family members died.” experience all four seasons but there’s nothing learned that Noisy Walking would have been In addition, Miller created the Miss Rodeo extreme. Everything we have planted grows armed only with a bow and arrow, and his America pageant’s perpetual award and did here. We’re in the middle of the country, which sculpture reflects that. a bronze of Bodacious with his son; both is great for my work. When we moved here, I He spent an incredible amount of time sculptures are in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. told Sammi I feel like I’ve found my home,” he researching each man, then donated all his He also created the bronze sculptures given said. “I’m not a native Oklahoman, but I love it work, including foundry costs for the originals to the Head and Heel Horses of the Bob Feist and don’t plan on going anywhere else. I plan and molds. “They were trying to raise money Invitational each year. to be right here until they plant me.” www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 27 28 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR Get Out and Explore By Savannah Magoteaux A state full of outdoor adven- tures await you at one of the many Oklahoma State Parks. You can explore countless cool caverns, Atake a dunk in an invigorating lake, or enjoy gigantic sand dunes. What- ever you’re looking for, now is the perfect time to venture out and witness the assorted and impressive natural resources and appreciate Oklahoma’s scenic beauty. Experience this picturesque network of public lands by visiting a state park and sample the state’s varied landscape. Get ready for fresh air and sunshine when you in- clude a state park in your journey. When most of the state’s recre- ational opportunities were quashed during the COVID-19 shutdown, the State Parks remained open. Getting out and exploring, while Oklahoma State Parks adhering to social distancing guide- The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation lines, is a great opportunity to learn Department’s Travel Promotion Division’s more about the state. website, TravelOK.com, is a great resource of During the height of the pan- events, attractions, and activities around the demic during the spring, hiking state, and included the following list of Oklahoma trails, picnic areas, boat ramps, and State Parks. fishing areas remained open. How- • Alabaster Caverns • Greenleaf ever, the restaurants and lodges did close to limit contact with • Arrowhead at Lake Eufaula • Hugo Lake guests. Other measures to combat • Beavers Bend • Keystone the spread of COVID-19 included • Black Mesa • Lake Eufaula online reservations. • Boiling Springs • Lake Murray The Park system recently began • Cherokee Landing • Lake Texoma charging a small parking pass fee • Clayton Lake • Lake Thunderbird for most parks. Oklahoma residents receive a discount, and there are • Fort Cobb • Lake Wister options to purchase annual passes • Foss • Little Sahara valid for all state parks. • Gloss Mountain • McGee Creek A new app, specifically for • Grand Lake: Bernice • Natural Falls Oklahoma State Parks, is worth • Grand Lake: Cherokee • Osage Hills downloading. It includes specific • Grand Lake: Disney • Raymond Gary information about each part, in- cluding events, trails, and deals. • Grand Lake: Honey Creek • Robbers Cave you can also book a campsite, tee • Grand Lake: Little Blue • Roman Nose time, or parking pass. • Grand Lake: Spavinaw • Sequoyah Resources • Grand Lake: Twin Bridges • Sequoyah Bay If you’re interested in visiting one of the TravelOK.com • Great Plains • Talimena StateParks.com Oklahoma State Parks, make sure to download • Great Salt Plains • Tenkiller the OK State Park app, available on iOS or TripAdvisor.com Android devices. www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 29 Kenton - Worth the Drive By Savannah Magoteaux In the far northwest corner of the state, just three miles from New Mexico and six miles from Colorado, sits the tiny town of IKenton. Situated among mesas formed by ancient lava flows in the Cimarron River Valley, Kenton is the only town in Oklahoma on Mountain Standard Time. Although small – a 2010 Cen- sus put the population at less than 20 – the town is rich with history and opportunities to explore. Kenton was founded in 1893. At the time Oklahoma became a state (on Nov. 16, 1907), it tempo- rarily served as the county seat for Cimarron County. The building now known as “The Merc” served as the temporary courthouse and held the county records. Unfortunately, the citizens of Cimarron County voted to move the seat to Boise City in June of 1908. Kenton citizens refused to give up their records, so a group from Boise City confiscated the documents. This started a local Top: The sign for the Kenton Unit- legend that Boise City stole the ed Methodist Church lists service courthouse. times in Mountain Standard Time. While the town is quiet now, The church was built by stonema- during its heyday, it boasted two son Lee Henley. Right: Looking west from Kenton, Okla. (Public car dealerships, a motel, a bank, domain photos) and two general stores. Guests to the town can stop by The nature preserve contains of the Kenton Museum, which was roughly 1,600 acres where visitors built of native rock in 1902 and can hike and enjoy 23 rare plants houses No Man’s Land artifacts, and eight rare animal species. photos, dinosaur track artifacts, Black Mesa State Park & Na- kitchen furnishings, antiques and ture Preserve are a birder’s para- household tools. dise with golden eagles, scaled The Museum is one of the old- quail, black-billed magpies, and est buildings in the town. pinyon jays frequently spotted. While in Kenton, visitors can Other wildlife in the area includes take a hike up Black Mesa, Okla- black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, homa’s highest point at 4,973 feet. mule deer, bighorn sheep and The trail head is east of Kenton at antelope. in the country. make a trip to see the dinosaur the Black Mesa Nature Preserve. In addition to being an excel- The dark skies draw countless tracks just down the road in a dry The nature preserve is operated lent location for wildlife watching, astronomy enthusiasts to the area creek bed. by the Oklahoma Tourism & Rec- Black Mesa State Park displays every year as they make star gaz- Located near Black Mesa, these reation Department in conjunc- some of the darkest nighttime ing ideal. legendary dinosaur tracks have tion with Black Mesa State Park. skies on publicly accessible land Dinosaur enthusiast should been preserved in a sandstone
30 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR strata next to Carrizo Creek. This dinosaur trackway was originally discovered in the 1980s and con- tained 47 footprints. Unfortunate- ly, due to erosion, only a third of those tracks are visible today. Although the exact species is not known, scientists have stated that the tracks came from a theropod, which is a scientific classification for bipedal carnivo- rous dinosaurs including Tyran- nosaurus rex. Be sure to walk down into the creek bed to see the two sets of prehistoric tracks. The dinosaur tracks are located on private prop- erty, but viewing is allowed during daylight hours. The town also features guest ranches and a B&B, which are perfect places to wind down after a long day of exploring.
Resources Enjoy the serenity at Black Mesa State Park, located in Kenton. The nature preserve consists of approximately TravelOK.com 1,600 acres where visitors can hike and enjoy 23 rare plants and eight rare animal species. (TravelOK.com Wikipedia.org photo)
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 31 Noble Learning: Grilled: Another Way to Cook Fish By Mike Porter, senior wildlife and fisheries consultant | [email protected] Most people in the South, prefers French’s) where I grew up, seem to prefer • Chef Paul Prudhommes’ fried fish. I like fried fish, but I like Blackened Redfish Magic sea- some fish even better when grilled, soning Mbaked, broiled or sautéed. • Crushed rosemary (optional) Grilling fish with the approach described in this article seems to COOKING SUPPLIES work best when either fillets or • Heavy-duty aluminum foil fish flesh attached to the spine (use one time and then discard) are 0.5 to 1.5 inches thick. For • Serving fork grilling, fillets of many fish spe- • No-stick grill spray (e.g., cies can have the skin and scales Pam, Crisco, etc.) attached (sometimes described as • 1-quart stainless steel sauce- “on the half shell”) or have the pan skin removed. Fresh fish is better • Basting brush than frozen fish, but both are good • 2 spatulas when cooked properly. • Grill Grilling works well with many • Serving platter fish species. I have successfully grilled freshwater species, such as DIRECTIONS largemouth bass, and channel and Step 1: Fold edges of a piece of blue catfish. Channel and blue cat- heavy-duty aluminum foil to fit all fish smaller than 1.5 pounds grill the fish and fit the available grill best when attached to the spine space (edges should be folded to without the skin. Larger channel the bottom). The doubled edges and blue catfish grill best as fillets strengthen the foil. Punch holes without the skin, but the fillets 1 to 2 inches apart throughout tend to draw up and curl. Fillets foil using the serving fork. Spray of crappies, bluegill, redear sun- top side of foil with no-stick grill fish and green sunfish do not grill Mike Porter with a 31 lb redfish. (Photo courtesy of Noble Research spray. well because they are relatively Institute LLC) Step 2: Prepare basting sauce delicate and crumble during grill- smaller than 28 inches, because shrimp or stuffed jalapeno. for two servings of fish by melt- ing; if grilled, their flesh should be fillets from larger fish can be ing approximately 4 tablespoons attached to the spine. course and chewy. Skin of spotted INGREDIENTS of butter or margarine in the I have successfully grilled at seatrout is too thin for the half- • 6 to 8 ounces of fish fillet per saucepan and mixing in about least 18 saltwater fish species. shell approach. person (could weigh more when 3 tablespoons of lemon or lime Examples include red snapper, I generally serve grilled fish skin or spine is attached) concentrate juice and no more than red drum, black drum, spotted with baked sweet or white potato; • Lemon or lime concentrate 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire seatrout and blacktip shark. Red a broiled green vegetable such as juice sauce. I often vary the relative drum should be smaller than 33 asparagus or green beans; and • Butter or margarine amounts of each ingredient to give inches, and black drum should be often with stuffed crab, stuffed • Worcestershire sauce (Mike the sauce a different flavor.
32 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR Step 3. Heat the grill For fish without skin Step 4: Place the aluminum foil on the grill and then place the fillets without skin onto the foil with the side filleted off the spine down first. This side absorbs the sauce better when the fillet is partially cooked and turned over. Place either side of a fish onto the foil when it has the spine in it. Noble Learning: Step 5. Use the basting brush and sauce to baste the top side of the fillets immediately before turning them when the fish is approxi- mately half-cooked (fish fillets start to turn white near the edges). Only turn the fish once while cooking. I use two spatulas to turn and move cooked fillets, because larger fish fillets tend to fall apart when using only one spatula. Baste the second side (the one facing up) after turning. Sprinkle blackened redfish seasoning Grilled red snapper on half-shell. (Photo courtesy of Noble Research Institute LLC) and optional crushed rosemary on top of the cooks quickly, requiring only a few minutes. the half shell requires more time than cooking second side after last basting before fish is For boneless fish with skin and scales (“on skinless fillets of the same thickness. Basting, completely cooked. the half shell”) seasoning and determining readiness are the Step 6: Place cooked fish on the platter, and Alternative Steps 4 and 5: same as for fillets or fish with spine in it. Use serve and eat immediately. Fish is ready to eat When cooking fish on the half shell, place skin a spatula to separate the cooked fillet from the when it flakes and turns white in the middle side down on the foil. Cook without turning, skin when serving. of the thickest portion. Do not overcook. Fish and baste only the top side. Cooking fish on Bon appetit!
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 33 Confessions of a
Nosey Cottonmouth By Andy Anderson The cottonmouth can be ag- a small tree on my right. I called gressive at times, chasing people, out to Tyler and scrambled to get climbing into boats of the un- an arrow nocked in my bow just as suspecting fisherman or casting it went below the waves. I turned Tabsolute fear into the hearts of the boat in the direction I saw the a swimmer in the water. I have gar last. Tyler came up a little never personally liked snakes, but closer to me on my left side. I tolerate them. Just then, the gar surfaced Since I started bowfishing again, like a whale taking a breath regularly, I often take my son, of air. Before I could say anything, Clay. I set him up with a bow he Tyler drew back and stuck the gar could draw back and took him out. perfectly. The fight was on as it We saw a lot of fish, and he took dove down and came along the several shots, but the bow was just right side of the boat, dragging too weak to even penetrate a fish; Tyler along with him. Tyler called the arrows would bounce right out to get another arrow in him. As off. I spoke with a good friend of Clay raised his crossbow to take mine about it, and he brought over a shot, the gar made a run pulling a customized crossbow pistol for Tyler with him and right into Clay. Clay to try. It didn’t take but one Just as Clay and Tyler were about practice shot to see Clay regain to get in the water with the gar, I his confidence and express his en- reached out, grabbing Clay at the thusiasm about going bowfishing neck of his life vest, picking him again, as soon as possible. up off his feet and moving him to It didn’t take long before the the center of the boat out of the opportunity came up for a trip Clay wasn’t sure at first what to make of a gar that was bigger than him. way. Tyler regained his balance (Photo courtesy Andy Anderson) out with his new crossbow. We continuing the fight to the back headed out to Bridgeport Lake to County Park. back and loaded it with a fishing of the boat. see what we could find. After all, We launched the boat in the dart, went over how to shoot it I got an arrow nocked and we just had a tornado hit the city water and headed out on a quick and reminded him about safety. I lined up for a shot. As I took aim, of Bowie with about nine inches boat ride to the first fishing spot. dropped the trolling motor in the I realized just how big this gar of rain in just a few hours. The No sooner than the boat began water, grabbed my bow to nock was. I let the arrow fly only to see area lakes were flooded and of to slow and the wake settled out, an arrow just as Clay came to my it bounce right off its back. The course dirty, so we headed out a Clay spotted two snakes in the wa- right side. Tyler was loaded and gar dove again; Tyler was fight- little early before the sunset to get ter close to the bank. I jumped up ready on my left side. ing it hard as it got up under the a look at things a little better. Clay on the deck, set my bow down and I started to look out across the boat motor. Tyler was on the left and I loaded the boat, hit the road started to get the trolling motor set water to find a path to take and side of the motor, I came around and met with a friend, Tyler, who up. Clay was quick to convince me identify obstacles. Just then, I saw to the right, and Clay; well, Clay is a bowfishing maniac at Wise to set his crossbow up. I cocked it a large gar breach the water next to was right there in the middle of it.
34 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR The gar showed its head for just a second, just The next morning, at about 9 a.m., I went enough time for Clay to aim and fire. Clay hit in to wake Clay for breakfast. He came to the that sucker dead center of its head, but the steel kitchen table, hair all messed up, clothes di- dart just bounced right off. sheveled; his eyes cracked open just enough to By this time, the gar had wrapped around see. I fixed him a plate with a cup of OJ and set the prop and Tyler was about to reach down it before him. He was slowly taking bites and to work out the tangle when I saw a cotton- chewing like an old cow on her cud. Clearly, he mouth right where he was reaching. I called was exhausted. Worried I might have pushed out in warning and started to kneel down to him too hard last night I asked him, “Clay, what help when I noticed the cottonmouth against do you think about that bow fishing now?” the boat trying to get in. Every time the gar Clay’s eyes opened fully, he swallowed his bite splashed it seemed to anger the snake, and it of food and turned to look right at me as he set would race to the gar and try to bite it and then his fork down on his plate. With his right hand turn to try and get in the boat. I grasped my resting on his thigh he began to speak. arrow and took a swat at it, I missed, and now “Dad, that was the single, most best thing it was really pissed. It opened its mouth and I have ever done, I had so much fun and I raced to the boat as I took another swat at it can’t wait to go again,” he said. He went on to and made contact. It rolled around the arrow, recap the story of the giant gar and the nosey wrapping itself up on it. I managed to sling it The cottonmouth encounter was just enough cottonmouth to his mother, at which time he off and went back to helping Tyler. danger and added excitement for Clay. (Photo solidified in me as a father, I’m at least doing Tyler managed to free the gar from the prop courtesy Andy Anderson) something right. just as I got a second arrow into it. Tyler and We fished the rest of the night until about 2 Even though that cottonmouth encounter I hoisted that thing into the boat, and the fight a.m. We shot quite a few gar and a few carp, was not preferred, it was just enough danger was over. It was still flopping around. Clay, not but that giant gar was the highlight of the trip and added excitement for Clay, and he will for- sure what to think as it was bigger than him, and a reinforced belief that the cottonmouth ever remember what happens when you stick backed up to give it some room. will be shown no quarter, ever. your nose in someone else’s business.
www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 35 Call Kathy at 940-872-2076 to place your ad today!
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Winding Roads Photograph by Janice Russell The winding back roads of southeastern Oklahoma are not only curvy but also filled with beautiful colors. This time of year the trees are getting ready to show off the gorgeous colors of fall. These are just Tbeginning to turn, but in another week this winding road will be full of beautiful colors.
38 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR www.okfronline.com AUGUST 2020 | 39 40 | AUGUST 2020 OKFR