What's going on out there? Nov. is BUSY
This week's quick hits and calendar items
A big Oklahoman dropped a big buck in the final minutes of the primitive (muzzleloader) season Nov. 1 and it could be a new state-record typical.
Kyle Rovig of McWhorter Custom Rifles in Doerun, Ga. and producers of Precision Hunting TV (or follow their Instagram page here) reported their friend, customer and hunting partner “Lil’ Dave” David Phillips (he’s 6’8” and 275 lbs) hit what could be a state record typical primitive season buck, although that precision rifle he used was anything but primitive. Heckuva firearm, that one.
On Oklahoma’s Cy Curtis records, Charles Tullis, 238 2/8-inch non-typical buck taken in Delaware County in 1998 remains safe but if Phillip’s western Oklahoma buck (which has insanely long brow tines) nets out as a typical over the 200-inch mark it could easily beat out the No. 1 typical muzzleloader buck in the Cy Curtis list. Noble Stanfield’s 176 3/8ths inch Seminole County buck has held that spot since 1999.
Rovig, McWhorter shop manager and son of custom rifle entrepreneur Allan Rovig, said the MCR 45 XML bullet-to-bore muzzleloader used by Phillips is “crazy accurate” out to 600 and 700 yards and blasts a 325-grain bullet across the landscape at over 3,000 feet per second.
Keep an eye on this one. I’ve got a message out to Lil’ Dave and hope to talk to him soon.
Nov. 7 waterfowl season is for youth AND veterans/active military
An update to Oklahoma’s waterfowl seasons for 2020 means Saturday’s special early opener for waterfowl (and Feb. 6) will be open to hunters 15 and younger as well as active and retired military. The early opener for Panhandle counties was Oct. 3. Youth-season hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or over. Adults are not allowed to hunt.
I’ve got some fair early field reports of migrations of some mallards here and there, northern pintails, northern shovelers, gadwalls and widgeons with the cold front that knocked out power and put snow on much of Oklahoma last week. Wood ducks and teal are around as well, but I know from personal experience that my reports are outdated soon as I get them this time of year, so get out there and scout!
This earlier date should offer mild weather and great opportunities to get youth and military hunters out into the field. Check the regulations and get out there!
ODWC guided youth waterfowl hunts available all season
Young hunters age 12 to 15 and adults looking for a mentor to help their kids get off to a good start should apply for a Wildlife Department sponsored guided youth hunt.
Hunters and their guides set the dates for these hunts, which take place at Fort Cobb State Park, Fort Gibson Lake, Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, Keystone Lake, Packsaddle WMA, Vann’s Lake and Wister Lake Refuge.
For information on the hunts contact Jeff Neal, migratory game bird technician, at 405-396-2503 or jeff.neal@odwc.ok.gov.
Mark your calendars
NOV. 7—Take the kids and head out to enjoy Sapulpa Parks and Recreation’s Let’s Go Fishing season opener trout derby 8 a.m. –Noon at Pretty Water Lake, 13801 W 86th St. S. Find out more at the parks Facebook page.
NOV. 7—Youth and Veterans hunt day. Also opening day (Nov. 7-29) for white-fronted geese, Canada geese and snow geese.
NOV. 9— Seasons for Rail (Sora and Virginia) and Gallinule close on this date after opening on Oct. 1 and Sept. 1, respectively. How many folks are aware of these lesser-known migratory bird seasons in Oklahoma? And how many of you can identify them on the wing over your gun barrel? Also open are seasons for Wilson’s (Common) Snipe, Oct. 1-Jan. 15 and Woodcock, Nov. 1-Dec. 15.
NOV. 14— Quail season opens Nov. 14-Feb. 15, 2021. The outlook for birds this year is similar to last season. (Pheasant, as always, opens Dec. 1)
NOV. 16 – Did you know crow season is still open (Oct. 10-Nov. 16)? Yeah, neither did I. Help out a pecan farmer and go pop some crows.
NOV 21—Get prepared because the biggest hunting season of the year, rifle season for white-tailed deer, is going to be here before you know it. Season runs Nov. 21-Dec. 6. Check ahead this year to make sure the meat processor you use is available to process venison this year. Many processors have been over-booked with beef and pork due to demand arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s rainbow season, get out there and cast a line
Trout are stocked and fishing is open at Oklahoma’s six seasonal trout fishing areas.
Break out your ultra-light tackle or fly rod and head to the Perry CCC/Lake Perry Park, Robbers Cave, Blue River, Lake Watonga, Sunset Lake or Medicine Park and hook some of the rainbows provided by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Fishing remains good at the state’s two year-round trout fisheries, at the Lower Illinois River and Lower Mt. Fork River as well, but be sure to check release schedules and river conditions before you go.
Locally, Veterans Park Pond in Jenks is stocked beginning Dec. 1 and the Trout Pond for Tulsa at The Gardens at LaFortune Park, sponsored by Trout Unlimited Chapter 420 and NatureWorks, is planned for stocking and to open for youth days at Christmas.