Oklahoma Officials Eye First Statewide Elk Hunt in 2014
OutdoorHub Reporters 12.09.13
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) recently proposed a statewide elk hunt for next year. According to the Oklahoman, the proposal, if approved by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, would allow hunters to harvest one bull or cow elk to aid in controlling the increasing population.
Currently, elk hunting is closed on all DWC-owned and -managed lands. Only a small number of sportsmen are fortunate enough to be able to hunt on private land or participate in a controlled hunt.
One of the best hunting grounds for elk in the state remains the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. In 1966, the refuge opened up to elk hunters through a partnership between the DWC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a way to curb the local populations. Since then elk have been spotted in at least 33 of Oklahoma’s counties and farmers are reporting problems from the burgeoning herds.
“And almost everywhere they are, they are causing issues, primarily agricultural depredation issues,” said DWC wildlife division chief Alan Peoples.
An absence of natural predators means that the elk have free range over much of Oklahoma. Experts say that the herds found in the state now are primarily refugees from wildlife refuges such as Wichita Mountains, Pushmataha, Cookson Hills, Spavinaw, and Cherokee. According to the DWC, unmanaged elk may overpopulate their existing range and cause habitat damage if left unchecked.
The proposal must be approved by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission before the DWC can move forward. Regulations in wildlife refugees such as Wichita Mountains will not be affected.
