Lease hunting may increase in Oklahoma

State Extension Wildlife Specialist Dwayne Elmore, who works with the department of natural resource ecology and management at Oklahoma State University, has been holding lease-hunting workshops at Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offices around the state.

“Habitat is really good this year,” Elmore said. “We have had ample moisture. When you have good moisture following drought, you will have good forb production.”

Steven Smith, Noble Foundation agricultural specialist; Deborah Clark, Birdwell-Clark Ranch; and Dwayne Elmore, Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist (left to right), examine some of the abundant plant species found at the Cooper Wildlife Management Area during the recent Bollenbach Wildlife Symposium held near Woodward. (Photo by Janet F. Reeder)

Elmore said summer habitat conditions have shown that with the increased forbs an increase in insects associated with them have created a plus for wildlife.

“The only problem is that there is so much food and so much cover available deer probably are not going to be moving a lot outside of the rut,” Elmore said.

He predicts lots of pheasants and white-tailed deer in most areas.

“Excessive rainfall in some areas may have caused some problems,” Elmore said.

Wildlife populations in the eastern part of the state may have suffered somewhat, he said, and most species of waterfowl also have seen significant increases from last year.

“Most reservoirs are full and most wetlands are full so there is a lot of habitat for waterfowl,” he said. “A really good strong flight should be coming down from the north, assuming we get the weather we need.”

State hunters may notice mudflats lacking in vegetation since the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation was hindered in seeding efforts by the wet spring.

“There is still an abundance of food in Oklahoma and there is plenty of water. The key this year for hunters will be to scout because waterfowl will be widespread and may not be in the same areas as last year,” he said.

Since hunters look for two-year-old birds, Oklahoma’s recent wet spring will likely affect turkey hunting next year.

“It is kind of a delayed effect for some wildlife,” Elmore said. “The state is still seeing some effect on wildlife from last season’s drought.”

Elmore said Oklahomans do not “fully embrace” the idea of hunting leases. He hesitates to list state-per-acre rates because of the number of factors involved but said that most leases fall somewhere between $4 per acre to $10 per acre.

“What determines the rate,” he said, “is the quality of habitat or proximity to urban areas, and also the species (sought by hunters).”

Elmore said lease hunting is a form of agricultural diversification that helps people on the land have another source of income. In addition, leasing gives hunters access to lands that they might not otherwise have.

“It also encourages conservation by creating a disposable income that can be put back into the land to manage for wildlife,” Elmore said. “Generally from a wildlife conservation standpoint and a landowner standpoint, it is all positive.”

OSU Cooperative Extension fact sheet NREM-5032, “Lease Hunting Opportunities for Oklahoma Landowners,” is available online at http://osufacts.okstate.edu and through all OSU Cooperative Extension county offices. The fact sheet contains a sample lease hunting agreement. Extension also publishes and makes available a wide range of other fact sheets on wildlife management.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Janet F. Reeder  BA, MS
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communication Services
Oklahoma State University
142 Agriculture North
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-3651
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: janet.reeder@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating:  The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.