Scissortail Park introduces fish to lake for first time
Scissortail Park introduced 400 fish to its ecosystem on Friday. Stocking the lake will also help kickstart Junior Ranger educational programs.
Addison Kliewer, Oklahoman
The Oklahoma Wildlife Department of Conservation has sent online surveys to 15,000 random fishing license holders to learn more about bowfishing in the state and anglers’ opinions of native nongame species.
State wildlife officials say they want to learn more about the prevalence of bowfishing in Oklahoma; where, when, and how often they fish; and what fish they target and shoot. They also want to learn their receptiveness to possible regulations.
It’s another signal that harvest restrictions could be coming in the future for bowfishing, an activity that is increasingly coming under scrutiny.
“Basically our fisheries biologists want to begin collecting data about Oklahoma’s native, nongame fish species, as there has been little, if any, research done in the past,” said Don Brown, spokesman for the Wildlife Department.
“These fish do play roles in their ecosystems, yet seemingly forever there has been little attention given to management of the resource. There were a few catalysts that pointed out the need to understand this segment of fisheries much better than we do now, one of those being the string of world record paddlefish we have seen in the past 14 months.
“Paddlefish are a native nongame species that ODWC does currently manage, but there are many other species that are or have been simply ignored. Another spark for this effort was the recent legal case where bowfishermen posted a video showing them tossing more than 1,000 nongame fish back into the lake from the bottom of their boat.”
More: Are Oklahoma bowfishers killing too many fish? Why Wildlife Department is considering more protection
In February, state fisheries biologists unsuccessfully lobbied for a change in the fishing regulation on the disposal of fish by bow anglers. Biologists argued the rule change would make it easier to impose daily harvest restrictions for native nongame fish in the future, if deemed necessary.
The suggested rule was tabled at the February meeting of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the eight-member governing body for the Wildlife Department, and the agency later withdrew the proposal.
Many biologists across the country are calling for more protections for nongame species such as drum, gar and buffalo suckers. In Oklahoma, and most states, there are no daily harvest limits for these species, which traditionally have been viewed as “trash” fish by traditional anglers and pursued mostly by bowfishers.
Nongame species are less desired by anglers as game fish, such as bass, crappie and catfish. It’s not even a close comparison, but in recent years more rod-and-reel anglers are taking an interest in the challenge of trying to catch and release nongame fish.
For example, there is a carp fishing tournament Aug. 7 at Purcell City Lake with traditional and fly fishing divisions. So, it’s not just bowfishers who are interested in these species anymore. They are no longer viewed as “trash” fish by many.
More: At this Medicine Park attraction, you’ll find native Oklahoma fish, wildlife, more ‘creepy crawlies’
Oklahoma fisheries biologists gave a long presentation on the value of native nongame fish species at the February commission meeting.
Barry Bolton, head of fisheries for the Wildlife Department, told commissioners in February that state wildlife agencies in the past believed the lesser-desired fish should be removed from lakes and rivers to improve angling opportunities for the sport fish.
“We have come to believe a little differently on that,” he told commissioners.
Then in May, a video posted on Facebook of three bowfishermen who had shot and killed 1,000 gar on the Red River created a stir. The video showed the men in an airboat counting and tossing the dead fish back into the river, jubilant when they reached 1,000.
State game wardens later tracked the men down and issued fines for the improper disposal of fish remains. The three men pleaded guilty in Love County and opted to pay nearly $3,000 in fines, while one also agreed to a suspended jail sentence along with a 6-month suspension of fishing license privileges.
The bowfishermen were fined for illegal disposal of the fish because the dead fish floated after being tossed back into the water.
More: What is the future of hunting in Oklahoma? COVID-19 increased participation, but will it last?
There was no fine for actually shooting and killing more than 1,000 gar because that was legal. Bowfishers can generally catch or kill as many nongame fish as they want as long as they are disposed of properly.
In fact, they are encouraged to shoot invasive species of fish in Oklahoma’s rivers and lakes such as Asian carp, which can out-compete native fish for food and space.
But there was outrage on social media over the distasteful actions of the trio in the video. Many people also were unhappy with the punishment imposed, which they viewed as a slap on the wrist. The image of bowfishing took a hit.
No rule changes are currently pending, but the Wildlife Department should establish daily harvest restrictions for native nongame species. It can even be a high number like 37, the daily limit for crappie.
Native plants and animals featured at the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center.
Turtles, bobcats and bass are just a few of the many species on display at the
Linda Lynn and Paige Dillard, Oklahoman
More: Meet Oklahoma City’s new fisheries biologist, a former shark wrangler from Georgia
It shouldn’t take any research to see that anyone who shoots and kills hundreds of native fish in a single day is not being a good steward of conservation.
Most Oklahomans don’t object to bowfishing, but they do object to such wanton waste.
Ducks Unlimited forms chapter in Seminole County
The Seminole County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is holding its inaugural fundraising dinner Aug. 6 at the Southern Cedars Event Center in Earlsboro.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $45 for individuals and $60 for couples and includes a one-year membership to Ducks Unlimited. Raffles and auctions will be held.
For tickets, go to www.ok.ducks.org/Oklahoma.
Cleveland County 4-H adding muzzleloader shooting
The Cleveland County OSU Extension Office in Norman is adding muzzleloader to its 4-H shooting sports programs.
To participate this year, individuals must enroll in 4-H and have reached the age of 14 by Aug. 1. For more information, contact the Cleveland County OSU Extension Office at 405-321-4774.
Reporter Ed Godfrey looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at egodfrey@oklahoman.com or on Twitter @EdGodfrey. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
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