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Weekly Fishing Report

 

CENTRAL
Hefner: October 29. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 60-65 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits at 3-6 ft. around jetties and the dam. White and hybrid bass fair on jigs and gay blades at 2-10 ft. along the dam and wading points. Channel catfish good slip corking punch bait at 15-20 ft. along the north dam area. Blue catfish fair on cut bait at 15-20 ft. along the north dam area. Crappie fair on minnows and chartreuse jigs at 15-20 ft. along dam. Walleye fair on grubs, gay blades and jerk baits at 2-12 ft. wading points and around the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
Overholser: October 29. Elevation below normal. Crappie fair on jigs around floating dock. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
NORTHEAST
Eucha: October 30. Elevation 11 1/2 ft. below normal, water 56 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnow and jigs at 14-16 ft. around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: October 27. Elevation normal, water 70 and clear. Catfish excellent on shad at 15 ft. with juglines and rod-and-reel. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and Biffle Bugs at 5-15 ft. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.
Kaw: October 29. Elevation normal, water 55 and clear. Blue catfish and crappie good at 20 ft. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Keystone: October 30. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 61. Catfish good on cut bait. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastics. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: October 29. Elevation normal, water 49 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on sink baits at 1-3 ft. in coves and around the bridge. White bass slow on jigs at 1-4 ft. all along the river. Striped bass slow on trout and shad at 1-4 ft. in mouth of river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on the bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs at 1-4 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: October 29. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water upper 60s to low 70s and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-12 ft. around brush piles and standing timber. Blue catfish fair on shad and liver around standing timber in the north end of the lake. White bass fair trolling shad-colored crankbaits at 10-15 ft. near creek channels. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: October 30. White and striped bass hybrids good on sassy shad and topwater lures at the discharge. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait at the discharge. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: October 30. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 58 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: October 29. Elevation 7 3/4 ft. below normal, water 68-70 and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics in the back of coves and in shallow water. Crappie fair on minnows or tube jigs at 15 ft. near docks and brush. Sunfish good on worm tipped jigs. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
NORTHWEST
Canton: October 27. Elevation 9 ft. below normal, water is clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and crankbaits near drop-offs. Channel catfish good on stinkbait near Big Bend Campground. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: October 27. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 69 and clear or stained in main body and stained up the creeks. Algae bloom present in the shallows. Hydrilla beds are holding bass, crappie and white bass around them, use buzz baits, flukes or small wiggle tailed grubs. Bass good on crankbaits, jigs, creature baits and shaky head worms. Crappie fair off docks and brush piles in lake with chartreuse or white jigs and minnows. White bass fair on long johns, rattletraps or small crankbaits at 15 ft. on bluff banks. Sunfish good on black gnat flies along shore. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: October 28. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 10-15 ft. around structure. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with live sunfish and cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 20-25 ft. around points and dead standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: October 28. Elevation 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on cut bait and plastic baits at windy points and rocky points. White bass fair on cut bait and top water lures in the early morning along points and shallow flats. Blue catfish fair on shad casting into deeper flats and drifting the shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around boat docks baited with brush and in riprap. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Konawa: October 26. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 59 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms and cut bait at 5-10 ft. in weed beds and creek beds. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: October 28. Flies that are now working on the lower Mountain Fork River: Chernobyl Ant size 6, Grasshopper size 10, Crackle Back size 16, Griffith’s gnat size 24, Yellow soft hackle size 20 and Flashback pheasant tail size 16. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.
McGee Creek: October 28. Elevation 5 3/4 ft. below normal, water 69 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits along shallow drop-offs. Crappie fair over cedar brush piles on minnows at 12-20 ft. at creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: October 28. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass good on jigs near creek channels. Catfish good on chicken liver. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: October 30. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds. Crappie fair around deeper submerged brush. White bass and striped bass good on minnows and shad crankbaits up river in deeper holes and around rock ledges. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. near creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis Lake: October 27. Elevation normal and 58. Bass fair to good on crankbaits and stick baits off points and along creek channels. Channel and blue catfish good on minnows and cut bait. Crappie good at 18-20 ft. and at 4 ft. off the bottom. Walleye fair trolling in 12-14 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: October 28. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic worms and crankbaits around underwater brush and the fish attractors. Striped and white bass fair to good on surface lures, live bait and sassy shad at 10-30 ft. from Platter Flats to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from Catfish Bay to the Washita River. Crappie fair to good on minnows, small live shad and jigs at 5-20 ft. in the upper creeks and around brush piles. Sunfish fair to good on worms and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around fishing docks and riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: October 28. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on 12-inch black plastic worms and good on silver crankbaits. Crappie fair on white tail grubs at 15-20 ft. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: October 28. Elevation 26 1/2 ft. below normal. Catfish good on stinkbait. Striped bass hybrids good on worms. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain Nature Park.

To check current Oklahoma lake conditions across the state go to the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department’s website at www.travelok.com/checkmyoklake/. This website provides information on blue-green algae, lake updates, water safety tips, etc.

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O Quail, Where Art Thou?

Quail season opens Nov. 10 in Oklahoma but once again, hunters likely will have a hard time finding birds.
“I don’t anticipate the season being much better than last year,” said James Dietsch, founding chairman of the Central Oklahoma 89er chapter of Quail Forever. “I don’t think we made much headway (in the quail population) because of the drought and the heat.”
Dietsch said the quail numbers will not rise until the nesting and reproductive conditions improve for the birds.
Dietsch and other members of the Quail Forever chapter assisted the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and researchers from Oklahoma State University in a post-reproduction quail survey on the Packsaddle and Beaver wildlife management areas in September.
A dog handler, one bird dog and a researcher were dispersed over one mile routes on the wildlife management areas.
“We ran 37 routes (19 at Packsaddle and 18 at Beaver) and detected eight groups of quail for an average of one group per four miles,” Dietsch said. “That translates to a detection about every 2½ hours.”
The average number of birds per group was eight or nine, he said.

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Whoopers coming through Oklahoma

In the last two weeks a very rare bird was spotted at Lake Overholser in Oklahoma City – an unusual location for the endangered whooping crane.
Standing at nearly 5-feet tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America and can be seen passing through the state until mid-November.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is asking state residents to report sightings of this rare bird.
“Just over 300 whooping cranes are en route from their nesting grounds in Canada to their wintering location along the central Texas coast,” said Mark Howery, wildlife diversity biologist for the Wildlife Department.
Howery advises Oklahomans to keep watch for the cranes around shallow wetlands, marshes, river bottoms and partially-flooded pastures and grain fields in the western half of the state.
“Whooping cranes typically migrate during the day in groups of one to six birds,” Howery said. “They can be identified by their large size, bold white plumage, black tips on their feathers, red and black markings on their heads, and their long legs that extend beyond their tail feathers while in flight and long, stretched neck during flight.”
Despite their distinct appearance, they are often confused with the white pelican (short legs with a large band of black feathers along the trailing edge of each wing – not just the tip), snow goose (short legs not visible beyond tail feathers, usually flies in large flocks of 30 or more birds), and great egret (no black feathers on its wings, holds its neck in an S-shape when in flight). Also, during low light or backlit conditions, whooping cranes and sandhill cranes will both appear dark and can look similar.
“Sighting reports from the public are very beneficial for the Wildlife Department, and we greatly appreciate them,” said Howery. “They help us monitor the time of migration and those areas of the state that may be more or less important to the migrating population.”
The Wildlife Department received more than a dozen reports last year from Woodward, Alfalfa, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Stephens, Jefferson and Tillman counties. Most sightings were seen near reservoirs and rivers.
To report a whooping crane sighting in Oklahoma, contact Howery by email at mhowery@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us or by phone 405-424-2728.
The Wildlife Department requests information such as the date, time, approximate location, number of birds and habitat they were using at the time of the sighting.
Video footage of the whooping crane spotted at Lake Overholser recently can be viewed on the Wildlife Department’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPk3xKyiyc&feature=youtu.be.

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Chances of motorists hitting deer in Oklahoma are going up

There seem to be a lot of deer-vehicle collisions in Oklahoma. But the chances of hitting a deer in Oklahoma is not as great as in most states.
In Oklahoma, there is a one in 195 chance that you will hit a deer while driving.
At least that is the claim of State Farm Insurance, which annually calculates the chances of motorists striking deer in every state and ranks the states accordingly.
The chances of hitting a deer in Oklahoma and across the United States continue to increase, according to State Farm.
Last year, the auto insurer calculated the odds of a motorist hitting a deer in Oklahoma at 1 in 238.
The number of deer-related collisions has increased by 7.7 percent in the United States, according to State Farm, and this is the time of year it most likely will happen.
Over the last four years, the number of deer-related claims paid by auto insurers has increased by 7.9 percent.
Even though Oklahoma has a deer population estimated near 1 million, Oklahoma is considered just a medium risk state.
Oklahoma ranks 31st in the country among states where motorists are most likely to hit a deer, up two spots from the previous year.
For the sixth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list. There is a 1 in 40 chance that a West Virginia motorist will hit a deer in the next 12 months. Hawaii is the least likely state it will happen, with a 1 in 6,801 chance.
To view a map on each state’s odds, click on  www.outdoorhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/deer-collision-map2012-590×442.jpeg

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No more trout for Quartz Mountain

Oklahoma’s winter trout areas open next Thursday (Nov. 1) but Quartz Mountain will not be one of them.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will no longer be putting trout in the designated trout stream below Lake Altus-Lugert because of golden algae.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages five winter-only trout fisheries: Blue River, Lake Watonga, Robbers Cave, Lake Pawhuska and Lake Carl Etling.
Quartz Mountain had been the sixth but rainbow trout died there last spring as blooms of golden algae produced toxins that killed the fish.
There have been several outbreaks of golden algae in waters in southwest Oklahoma.
The trout are too expensive to risk putting them in waters where it’s likely they will die, said Gene Gilliland, assistant chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“There is no way to predict where or when we will have those blooms that produce toxic events that kill fish,” Gilliland said. “Unfortunately, this may be a permanent situation.”

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State fishing report

Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

CENTRAL
Hefner: October 23. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 64-72 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. White bass and striped bass hybrid fair on grubs and gay blades at 2-10 ft. along the dam and wading points. Channel catfish good slip corking punch bait at 19-25 ft. along the north dam area. Blue catfish fair on cut bait at 20-40 ft. along the north dam area. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-20 ft. Walleye good on grubs, gay blades and jerk baits at 2-12 ft. wading points and around the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
NORTHEAST
Eucha: October 23. Elevation 11 1/3 ft. below normal, water 64 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. White bass good trolling. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: October 21. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 72 and clear. White bass good on white rooster tails along the windy points. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around any underwater structure. Catfish excellent on whole shad and sunfish on a Carolina rigs while drifting the mudflats. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.
Greenleaf: October 22. Bass good on spinnerbaits, chatter baits, imitation shad, lipless baits and topwater lures. Crappie good on minnows and feather jigs in brush. Report submitted by Mike’s Outdoors.
Hudson: October 23. Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and topwater lures. Channel catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-18 ft. along brush piles and upland coves. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes Counties.
Keystone: October 23. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 63. Catfish good on cut bait. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. White bass good off points. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: October 22. Elevation normal, water 51 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on topwater jigs in 1-3 ft. water in coves. White bass slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass slow on trout and shad at 3 ft. from mouth in deep brush. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: October 23. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water upper 60s to low 70s and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-12 ft. around brush piles and standing timber. Blue catfish fair on shad and liver around standing timber in the north end of the lake. White bass fair trolling shad colored crankbaits at 10-15 ft. near creek channels. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game
Sooner: October 22. White and striped bass hybrids fair on sassy shad and topwater lures at the discharge. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: October 23. Elevation slightly below normal, water 66 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Bluegill good on crickets and worms around boat houses. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: October 23. Elevation 8 1/2 ft. below normal and steady, water 70-72 and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics in shallow water early and late. Crappie fair on minnows or tube jigs at 10-15 ft. in docks. Sunfish good on night crawlers around docks. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
Webbers Falls: October 22. Bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and shad moving back to creek. Report submitted by Mike’s Outdoors.
NORTHWEST
Canton: October 23. Elevation 8 ft. below normal. White bass, striped bass hybrids and walleye good trolling crankbaits near drop-offs. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: October 22. Elevation 3 ft. below normal. White bass and crappie fair on jigs at the intake. Walleye fair on minnows and jigs along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: October 23. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 67 and clear in main body and stained up the creeks. Bass, crappie and white bass good in and around hydrilla beds. Bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, Pop R and creature baits and good on buzz baits and spinnerbaits in choppy water. Crappie fair on minnows and chartreuse jigs off docks and on jigs at 15-25 ft. over brush piles. White bass being caught on rattletraps and small grubs at 15 ft. along bluff banks up all three creek arms. Sunfish good near hydrilla beds. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: October 22. Elevation normal, water 67 and clear. Smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastics around cover in deeper pools and around waterfalls. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and stinkbait around current in larger deeper holes. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: October 22. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 10-15 ft. around structure. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with live sunfish and cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 20-25 ft. around points and dead standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: October 21. Elevation 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair off points and in rocky areas. White bass fair in shallow flats and off windy points. Blue catfish good on shad in shallow flats and shallow creek channels. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in standing timber, riprap and around boat docks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: October 21. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal. Boating access very limited and navigation hazardous. Crappie fair along river channels. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: October 21. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 67 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and spinnerbaits in 2-5 ft. in weed beds and cattails. Channel catfish fair at 5-10 ft. off points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork River: October 23. Flies that are now working on the lower Mountain Fork River: Chernobyl Ant size 6, Grasshopper size 10, Crackle Back size 16, Griffith’s gnat size 24, Yellow soft hackle size 20 and Flashback pheasant tail size 16. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.
McGee Creek: October 23. Elevation 5 1/4 ft. below normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows at 12-20 ft. over cedar brush piles in creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: October 23. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass good on deep diving crankbaits off points. Crappie good on jigs near brush piles. Catfish fair on night crawlers near creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: October 23. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds. Crappie fair around deeper submerged brush. White bass and striped bass good on minnows and shad crankbaits up river in deeper holes and around rock ledges. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. near creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County
Sardis Lake: October 20. Elevation normal and 58. Bass fair to good on crankbaits and stick baits off points and along creek channels. Channel and blue catfish good on minnows and cut bait. Crappie good at 18-20 ft. and 4 ft. off the bottom. Walleye fair trolling in 12-14 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: October 23. Elevation 3 3/4 ft. below normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and surface lures at 10-20 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, surface lures and sassy shad at 10-30 ft. from Catfish Bay to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and cut shad at 10-20 ft. from Little Glasses Creek to Johnson Creek. Crappie fair to good at 5-15 ft. in the upper creeks and brush piles. Sunfish fair to good on worms, small tube jigs and shrimp at 5-10 ft. around the fish attractors. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: October 23. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on 12 inch black plastic worms and good on silver crankbaits. Crappie fair on white tail grubs at 15-20 ft. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: October 23. Elevation 26 1/4 ft. below normal. Blue catfish fair on juglines. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain Nature Park.
Ellsworth: October 21. Elevation 12 ft. below normal, water murky. Blue catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: October 22. Elevation 10 ft. below normal with gates closed, water low 70s and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait near the north side of the dam. Catfish good. Walleye slow to fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Lawtonka: October 21. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. White bass fair on minnows and spinnerbaits at the pipeline morning and evening. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

 

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Tree stands, air rifle recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued two voluntary recalls Wednesday on outdoor products, a Hatsan Strike air rifle and a River’s Edge tree stand.
The air rifles can fire unexpectedly when closing the action during the cocking process.
The recall involves Hatsan Striker air rifles that shoot pellets. The air rifles are available in three styles: black with a gray forearm grip and gray rear grip; camouflage with a black forearm grip and black rear grip; and, brown hardwood with crosshatching cut into the forearm grip and rear grip.
They measure 43 inches in length. The air rifles have a black scope and a front sight and a rear sight. “Striker” is printed on the top of the gun’s barrel behind the rear sight.
Serial numbers of recalled rifles begin with one of the following sets of numbers: 0511, 0811, 0911, 1011, 0112, 0212, 0312, or 0412. The serial numbers are printed on the air rifle’s barrel block on the left side just in front of the rear sight.
Call toll-free at (877) 278-4448 or visit www.hatsanusa.com/striker-recall for more information.

Rivers Edge Tree Stands

Also recalled are Rivers Edge tree stands as the snap-hook assemblies have reported to fail. The recalled products are Rivers Edge(r) Big Foot, Lite Foot and Baby Big Foot tree stands.
Recalled models have the date “2012″ on the round ID tag located on the crossbar beneath the seat and do not have an orange dot and an “X” stamped on the snap-hook. The following models are being recalled:
Model Name Model Number
Big Foot RE500
Big Foot XL RE501
Lite Foot RE503
Baby Big Foot RE504
Big Foot with Footrest RE506
Big Foot XL with Footrest RE507
Big Foot XL with Fast Sticks RE510
Big Foot XL Lounger RE511
Model numbers are located on a black sticker on the seat post just below the seat and on the product packaging.
Call Rivers Edge toll-free at (866) 527-9690 to receive a replacement or visit www.riversedgesafetyrecall.com for more information.

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Readers buck up about buck limits

Here are some emails I received in response to Sunday’s column suggesting that the overall buck limit be reduced from two to one for the deer hunting seasons.

I think the one buck limit would encourage poaching and/or deer not getting checked in. I hunt mostly archery, which is a long season. With the (one buck) limit, if I tag a buck early in the season, that limits the rest of the season to does only.
That would reduce my desire to hunt, especially in inclement weather. I always harvest a doe first anyway. I think the limit would keep honest hunters out of the woods if they couldn’t shoot another buck all season long.
Dave Cameron, Oklahoma City

I think going to the one buck limit would be ideal. In just a few years, I think you would really see it pay off. There are plenty of does for people to harvest.
Colby Wiss, Mulhall

I like to have a second chance to shoot a bigger buck if I happen to see one throughout the deer season. So therefore, I don’t like the idea of having a one buck limit.
Tim Phan, Oklahoma City

As a hunter who hunts all three deer seasons, I believe that the two buck limit is restrictive enough. A one buck limit would only result in less hunting opportunities and people shooting more than one buck and not checking it.
Mike Buerger, Mustang

I favor a one buck limit. At the very least, a three to five year trial period would give hunters the opportunity to witness the benefits of a reduced buck harvest.
If hunters are truly interested in hunting opportunities, get into the woods and control the population by harvesting more does.
The only way to truly manage the herd, and assure that a good number of bucks reach maturity before being harvested, is to lower statewide or at least region-wide, limits on bucks.
Gerald McMullin, Kingfisher

Keep it a two buck limit but to shoot a second buck, you have to shoot a doe first.
You should still allow youth to harvest a buck and doe in youth season. I believe you need to make a second week for muzzleloader season just to shoot a doe.
The other thing that has always inhibited me from killing a doe or two is the time it takes to clean a deer and having to much meat in the freezer.
We need more places to take deer donations to “Hunters Against Hunger.” I have to drive almost an hour to donate a deer.
Gary Strong, Duncan

I hunt all three seasons and frankly it makes me mad that I have to let a deer walk early in the season hoping that a bigger one will appear later in the season, only not to get a second chance.
I get no satisfaction shooting a doe. With a one buck limit, if I harvest a buck then my reasons for getting up early and going deer hunting are over.
Steve St. Cyr

Many guys where I hunt talk proudly about taking a buck in each season and they never shoot does.
Brent Cosby

I think a one buck limit is a great idea, for maybe a couple of years to see how it effects the buck population.
John Belusko

Yes, one buck and possibly increasing an additional doe to the total limit.
V.A. Holmes, Oklahoma City

Put me down on the side of the one buck per hunter. When I was a lad, there were no deer in central Oklahoma.

Moving back to this area in 1998, I find that we are overrun with deer. Each year we see many 4- and 6-point bucks with an occasional 8- or 9-pointer in our area of central Logan County, between the Cimarron Riverand Skeleton Creek. We are literally overrun with does.

The last two years, while pheasant hunting in north-central Kansas, the largest whitetail bucks I’d ever seen appeared frequently. Had our shotguns been rifles and deer season open, we could have had what appeared to be many trophy bucks.

Bill Brown

 

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Oklahoma Fishing Report

Here is the latest fishing report compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

CENTRAL
Hefner: October 16. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 63-70 and clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on lipless baits and sassy shad at 4-12 ft. along the dam and wading points. Channel catfish fair on dough bait at 18-30 ft. along the north dam area. Blue catfish fair on cut bait at 20-40 ft. along the north dam area. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-22 ft. Walleye fair on grubs, spinnerbaits and lipless baits at 6-12 ft. wading points and near the dam. Report submitted Lucky Lure Tackle.
Overholser: October 15. Elevation below normal. Catfish fair on live bluegill below the dam. Striped bass hybrids fair on chicken liver and blood baits in the main lake off the dam. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.
NORTHEAST
Eucha: October 16. Elevation 11 1/2 ft. below normal, water 63 and dingy. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. White bass fair trolling. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: October 7. Elevation normal, water 72 and stained. Catfish excellent on whole shad and sunfish at 10-15 ft. with juglines, rod-and-reel and drifting flats all over the lake. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around any structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits at 5-15 ft. White bass slow off windy points on white spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.
Grand: October 14. Elevation 3 ft. below normal. Largemouth bass excellent to good on worms and crankbaits. Catfish excellent on drift and juglines baited with fresh cut bait above Sailboat Bridge. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Keystone: October 16. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 63. Striped bass good trolling with crankbaits at 26 ft. White bass good trolling with crankbaits at 20-30 ft. off points. Catfish good on cut bait at 25 ft. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: October 15. Elevation normal, water 53 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits in 1-3 ft. in coves and brush. White bass slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass slow on trout and shad at 3 ft. from mouth in deep brush. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: October 14. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water mid to upper 70s and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles and standing timber at 8-12 ft. Blue catfish fair on shad and liver around standing timber in the north end of the lake. White bass fair trolling shad colored crankbaits near creek channels 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: October 16. White bass fair on sassy shad and topwater lures at the discharge. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait off points. Striped bass hybrids fair at the discharge. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: October 16. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 64 and dingy. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around the dam. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: October 15. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water low 70s and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits in shallows. Crappie fair on the bluffs in docks on minnows or jigs at 10-15 ft. Sunfish good near docks on worm-tipped jigs. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
NORTHWEST
Ft. Supply: October 15. Elevation 3 ft. below normal. White bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on jigs at the intake. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: October 13. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. Algae bloom present in shallows. Bass, crappie and sunfish good in hydrilla beds. Bass fair on crankbaits, Pop R, flukes and creature baits and good on buzz baits when there’s a chop on the water. Crappie fair off docks and fair to good on chartreuse jigs around brush piles. White bass good on rattletraps, long johns and crankbaits up all three creeks. Sunfish good near moss beds. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: October 14. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on spinner and crank baits in 10-15 ft. around structure. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with live sunfish and cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 20-25 ft. around points and dead standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: October 14. Elevation 4 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic and crankbaits in rocky areas and off windy points. White bass good trolling on crankbaits in rocky areas and off windy points. Blue catfish fair on shad in shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in standing timber and riprap. Report by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: October 14. Elevation 8 1/2 ft. below normal. Boating access very limited and navigation hazardous. Report by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: October 14. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 63 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crank baits and plastic worms in 5-8 ft. off point and road beds. White and striped bass hybrids fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. at the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: October 14. Flies that are now working on the lower Mountain Fork River: Chernobyl Ant size 6, Grasshopper size 10, Crackle Back size 16, Griffith’s gnat size 24, Yellow soft hackle size 20 and Flashback pheasant tail size 16. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.
McGee Creek: October 14. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits and Chatter Baits at 4-14 ft. Crappie good on minnows at 12-20 ft. over cedar brush piles at creek channels. Channel catfish fair on liver and stinkbait in upper creek channels where fresh water is coming in from recent rains. Report by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: October 14. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass good on deep diving crankbaits off of points. Crappie good on jigs near brush piles. Catfish fair on night crawlers near creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: October 15. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinners, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds. Crappie fair around deeper submerged brush. White and Striped bass good up river in deeper holes and around rock ledges on minnows and shad crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis Lake: October 12. Elevation below normal. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, 10-inch worms, buzz baits and spinners. White bass fair to good trolling. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Flathead catfish good on live bait in shallow water. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-14 ft. Walleye fair trolling at 12-14 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: October 14. Elevation 3 3/4 ft. below normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on crankbaits, plastic combination baits and surface lures at 5-15 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and surface lures at 10-30 ft. from Alberta Creek to the north. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on stinkbait, live bait and worms at 10-20 ft. from Platter Flats to Burns Run. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in underwater brush and around fish attractors. Sunfish fair to good on worms and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around fishing docks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: October 14. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on 12-inch black plastic worms and good on silver crankbaits. Crappie fair on white tail grubs at 15-20 ft. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: October 14. Elevation 26 1/4 ft. below normal. Striped bass hybrids good on minnows. Report by Sue Hokanson, Quarts Mountain Nature Park.
Foss: October 16. Elevation 10 ft. below normal with gates closed, water mid-70s and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait along the north side. Walleye slow on live bait. Catfish fair to good with worms or dough bait. Report by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Lawtonka: October 14. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. White bass fair at the pipeline morning and evening on minnows and spinners. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Waurika: October 14. Elevation 9 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky to muddy. Blue catfish fair on cut shad and mussels. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Cotton County.

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Bow hunter bags 675-pound bear near Sardis Lake

A Savanna hunter has killed the largest black bear ever taken in Oklahoma during the four years that bear hunting has been legal.
Jeremy DeFrange arrowed the 675-pound bear Oct. 6 near Sardis Lake.

To read more, check out the story by the McAlester News-Capital at http://mcalesternews.com/localsports/x699433159/Savanna-man-kills-675-pound-black-bear

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