Remembering Bill Horn (1952-2017)
Oklahoma's bird community lost a friend in Bill Horn in December, 2017. A talented photographer, Horn specialized in bird photography, sharing many stunning images and tips with the Wildlife Department.
Continue Horn's legacy with this clip from Outdoor Oklahoma.
Species Spotlight: Eastern Mole
Built for life underground, the eastern mole twists through tunnels shoveling dirt around its body with blocky front feet.
The pointed nose, tiny eyes and missing external ears are other indicators of a belowground lifestyle.
Learn more in the Wildlife Department's Field Guide
Nine Wildlife Plate Designs For Outdoor Enthusiasts
Thousands of Oklahomans have showcased their passion for the outdoors - and supported conservation - by tagging their ride with a wildlife conservation license plate.
More than half of the $38 fee ($36.50 for renewals) goes directly to the Wildlife Diversity Program, funding nongame conservation efforts across the state. The Wildlife Department does not receive any state tax appropriations, instead relying on hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts to help manage our state's wildlife resources.
Apply for a pre-numbered or personalized tag and help Oklahoma's wildlife today!
Oklahoma's Winter Birds Featured in New Book
Details of more than 250 Oklahoma bird species spotted during winter surveys have been shared in the newly released Oklahoma Winter Bird Atlas, revealing
information about the status of these birds in our state and providing bird
watchers trip planning ideas. Easy-to-read, the accounts offer information about the preferred habitat, distribution and typical behavior of the bird along with color photographs.
This atlas is the result of a five year survey of more than
550 blocks of land and provides maps of sightings and Oklahoma trends. Surveys
were funded in part by ODWC’s State Wildlife Grants Program Grant T-25-P-1.
The Oklahoma Winter
Bird Atlas and companion book, the Oklahoma
Breeding Bird Atlas, are available from the University of Oklahoma Press.
891 Beetles Captured
in Search of Endangered Species
Researchers with Oklahoma State University recently
completed their search for the American burying beetle, Oklahoma’s only
endangered insect. Twenty-seven American burying beetles, along with more than
850 burying beetles of related species, were captured and released as part of the project.
At least five species of burying beetles can be found in
Oklahoma but only one, the American burying beetle, has a bright orange marking just behind the head. These
colorful beetles have an even more colorful lifestyle; they rely on dead
rodents or small birds to reproduce, and then bury the carcass and their eggs
underground.
The research team set live beetle traps on seven Wildlife Management
Areas, three State Parks and two National Wildlife Refuges. American burying
beetles were captured and marked at five of these WMAs and one NWR, supporting the idea that
conservation efforts are likely to have more of a positive effect on the
beetles in “hot spots.”
Read the Full Report
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