Oklahoma T I I I neWS AUGUST, 1956 ##c» •• k X $-«* y w •*% , Vi ?' tf?* ' 0 ,V':-« PS^TT • «. A.' I .".::- ••• • ^HHMH_»NI *A *• * .•:•--:,•: !_ I "•^:^:^:™' ^••--^g^ .* «£**-. • • •'• .. PUBLISHED MONTHLY Published Monthly By The OKLAHOMA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Room 118, State Capitol Oklahoma City, Oklahoma For Hunters. Fishermen, Trappers, Naturalists and Wildlife Conservationists. One dollar, fifty cents per year Single issue 15 cents 5 TATE Circulation, this issue 15,000 Second class mail privileges authorized at Oklahoma City. Okla. OKLAHOMA JUANITA MAHAFFEY Editor ALDEN KIMSEY MRS. LULA PROCTOR Staff Writer-Photographer Circulation Manager Page Dove, Deer Seasons Announced 3 6u,i Relauice £itate: Why GostA&we. 9t? Stubble Quail, A New Exotic 4 Kids' Fishing Derby 6-7 That Old Black Rascal, The Mudcat 8 Broken Bow Festival 10 Industrial Uses for McCurtain County's Water 11 HE MAJOR ASSETS of every Nation of this great world are its The Fly Eater 12-13 resource values: the human and the physical. The wealth and the Wanted: Fishermen 14 T Imported Minnows May Pose development of any country depend on the kind and supply of physical Problems 15 or natural resources, and the ability of her people to develop, manage They Work for Wildlife 21 and utilize them, wisely. Letters to the Eidtor 22 Arrests for June 23 Nature generally maintains an equilibrium between the land and the living things that it produces, whether animals, grass or trees. Man, VOL. XII by proper understanding of the capacities of the soil can utilize fully the No. 8 various crops. Periodic accounting or checks will determine the maxi­ mum utilization of the various organic resources. A game census, a FRONT COVER timber growth check, a grazing survey or water measurement will provide adequate facts for the periodic harvests. It is soon evident if TURNER FALLS, hot weather retreat for the owner is disregarding the land's resource potential. Several very outdoor Oklahomans. vivid examples in past civilizations, namely China and North Africa, have told their stories of over-use and land abuse. What is needed is a re-orientation of thinking, and a re-examination of the obligations of a citizen to his state. It would appear that at COMMISSIONERS times there has been a misunderstanding of the meaning of democracy. Raymond Lucas, Spiro Chairman It does not mean irresponsible freedom. It means a way of life in which George Schultz, Medford Vice-Chairman the freedom of the individual is secured by his unselfish support of the James W. McMahan, Okemah. Secretary Maurice Finklea, Warner Member whole group, that is, of the State. One of the most important functions Louis Burtschi, Chickasha Member of this support is the proper stewardship of natural resources by the Rev. C. C. Morgan, Fairfax Member individual for his own welfare and with others for the welfare of the Arthur Hall, Elk City Member Nation. However, nothing but chaos can result from the efforts of the Dan Tankersley, Oklahoma City Member Gov. Raymond Gary.. Ex-Officio Member various individuals working his or her separate scheme of resource utili­ zation. It requires, instead, full coordinationof efforts of all. This can be brought about by proper planning and education. ADMINSTRATIVE STAFF Dave Ware Director There is no question in my mind that the solution of o^r many Mutt Standefer.. ..Assistant Director problems in the field of conservation rests in the realm of education. Alph Stanphill Game Basically, the problems relate to a proper appreciation of our various John King Fisheries resource values in respect to our present and future needs. That apprecia­ O. L. Curtis _ -Federal-Aid Cloyse Bond Information-Education tion can best come through better understanding; it is a matter of Claude Goin Enforcement education of all the people and chiefly of our youth. The young people Coble Gambill _ Office Manager are usually responsive and will benefit most from the conservation Permission to reprint is granted provided proper measures. credit is given. Oklahoma pictures and contributions are welcome and will be published when possible. Address communications to Oklahoma Game and Fish So, the answer to the question is this: The rise and the fall of Department, Oklahoma City, Okla. certain Nations was closely correlated with the treatment accorded their natural resources. We have concrete evidence of outstanding develop­ ment on the North American continent during the past three centuries due to bountiful resources. The forecasts of population increases, public .VCVEI Member land-use trends and industrial expansion withm the next 20 years, Society of Associated Industrial Editors make it imperative that we conserve our Resource Estate, so we and Affiliated with our children may maintain the values and have the opportunity to International Council of Industrial Editors continue to enjoy our currently high level of civilization . Paul M. Dunn, Technical Director of Forestry, St. Regis Paper Co. Fifty-Day Dove Season Starts September 1 A 50-DAY DOVE season for Oklahoma starting Sept- tember 1 and ending October 20 has been announced by ber 9-18, in portions of Delaware, Mayes, Cherokee and the State Game and Fish Commission and the U. S. Fish Muskogee counties. and Wildlife Service. This was the earliest starting date A combined rifle and shotgun season is set for Nov­ that the State could select from within the framework of ember 21-24 inclusive in southeastern counties of Atoka, dates granted by the Service. Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pushmataha, and portions of Pittsburg and Haskell counties; and for November 22-24 Announced at the same time was the open season inclusive in Cimarron, Sequoyah, and portions of Chero­ on Rails and Gallinules, October 1-December 9 inclusive; kee and Adair counties. The remainder of the state will and a 40-day season for shooting Woodcock, beginning be open for the deer hunt also on November 22-24 with November 23 and ending January 1. shotguns only permitted as weapons. Game management A recent dove survey indicated that the 1956 dove areas, refuges and state parks are excluded for all deer breeding population is equal to that of 1955, and possibly hunting. larger. Thus in this area the Fish and Wildlife Service saw State residents will be required to pay the same fee fit to grant a 5-day extension of dove hunting over 1955. for deer hunting as in other recent years—$3 plus their Oklahoma dove hunting, however, usually loses its in­ regular 1956 hunting license. Non-resident fees are re­ tensity or stops altogether with the first cool spell in ciprocal with non-resident big-game hunting license fees September when the doves leave for the south. If the of hunter's home state, with a minimum of $15. Bag limits hunters get 10 good days of shooting, they usually are remain the same as in other years—one buck deer per ready to lay away their guns. hunter. Complete printed regulations with maps of the No changes in dove regulations other than the 5-day hunting areas for the 1956 deer hunt will be available soon extension of season were provided this year. The daily from the state game and fish department. bag and possession limit is 10. Shooting hours are one- half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shotguns and bow-and- arrow are legal weapons, rifles are prohibited. Shotguns must be incapable of holding more than three shells in the NEW "HUNTING-FISHING BY PERMISSION" magazine and chamber combined. Shooting over baited POSTERS DISTRIBUTED areas or from or across public highways, roads and railroad right-of-ways is forbidden. Permission of land owner is TIRED OF UNINVITED "guests" entering your prem­ required, and a state hunting license must be in possession ises to hunt or fish? The State Game and Fish Department of any hunter between the ages of 16-65 unless he be a has a happy solution—and it's all free. The department is farm resident hunting on his own land. The federal duck again offering its popular "Hunting and Fishing By Per­ stamp is not required for dove hunting. mission" signs to land and lake owners. Regulations for hunting of ducks, geese and coot will Introduced last year as a goodwill builder between not be issued until late August by the U. S. Fish and landholders and hunters, more than 20,000 of the free Wildlife Service. The Oklahoma Game and Fish Commis­ posters were distributed by sportsman clubs and game sion will at its September meeting then select this state's rangers. dates from within the framework of dates provided by the "They proved to be the most popular device we have Service. ever used," said Dave Ware, state game and fish director, Complete dove hunting regulations will be printed "in getting more private lands opened to sportsmen. Most and available at offices of the Game and Fish Department farmers don't mind sharing the game and fish on their in Oklahoma City, Chickasha, Fairview, McAlester and lands if the hunter or fisherman will just ask permission Pryor before the September 1 opening. Other migratory first, and of course not abuse private property when grant­ bird hunting regulations will be available on or about ed permission." October 1. The new posters printed in 9x12-inch size on white weather resistant stock, will be sent to any Oklahoma land or lake owner requesting them. Size and location of the farm, and number of signs required, should be stated. The NEW 1956 DEER HUNT signs read: "The Landholder—The Sportsman—Game RULES ANNOUNCED Department—It takes all three. Hunting or Fishing By Permission. Please apply at (blank space for farmer's name DATES AND REGULATIONS for the 1956 Oklahoma and address).