Woodward, Okla. — Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Parks and Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) are forecasting good conditions for waterfowl hunters this year.

The outlook covers the 2012 fall and winter hunting seasons in the state.

"Ducks are thriving, and hopefully cold weather (to the north) will drive them south to find plenty of good habitat in Oklahoma," said ODWC Migratory Game Bird Biologist Josh Richardson.

Richardson's hopes may be answered because the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold, wet winter  around North and South Dakota this year.

"That's where our waterfowl comes from, plus in Canada from Manitoba," according to Micah Holmes, a spokesman for ODWC.

However, Holmes said it's still too far out to get an accurate handle on weather conditions will be this fall and winter and what it will mean for waterfowl populations.

"But if we get some rain in Oklahoma, it could help," he said.  

Getting rain would make waterfowl more active, helping their disbursement, officials said.



PLACES TO HUNT

Waterfowl hunting opportunities in Northwest Oklahoma include the Canton Wildlife Management Area.

"That's a very popular spot," Holmes said.

Chances to bag ducks, mergansers, geese, sandhill cranes and coots are also available in the wildlife management areas at Fort Supply and in Dewey, Major and Ellis counties.

Information about additional public hunting grounds, such as theCherokee Game Management and Public Hunting Areas, is available at wildlifedepartment.com.

Hunting is also allowed on some private lands, including ponds, creeks and rivers.

However, before hunting on private land, Holmes said to make sure you have the landowner's permission before treading on their property to hunt.  He also reminded sportsmen that wherever they take the field, proper licenses are required.



HUNTING REGULATIONS INCLUDING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

ODWC states migratory bird hunters must possess a resident or nonresident Oklahoma hunting license and a Harvest Information Permit (HIP), which is part of a program that tallies the number of waterfowl taken by migratory bird hunters each year.

In addition, the wildlife department states each hunter age 16 and older must have a valid federal duck stamp and a specific Oklahoma waterfowl license.

Hunting licenses are sold in many sporting goods stores and major chain retailers.

Besides the proper licensing, hunters must also use federally-approved nontoxic steel shot shells when shooting waterfowl.

Use of conventional lead shot may contaminate water where waterfowl live, potentially causing lead poisoning, so it is specifically prohibited, according to the wildlife department.

See the "2012-13 Oklahoma Hunting Guide," available free at retailers and online at wildlifedepartment.com for more information about hunting areas and regulations as well as where you can get a license.

Officials said the "2012-13 Oklahoma Waterfowl Guide" will be distributed during the fall.

Contact Holmes for additional information at (405) 521-3856 or info@odwc.state.ok.us.



WILDLIFE ZONE 1 HUNTING SEASONS

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife's Zone 1 hunting region includes Woodward, Woods. Harper. Ellis, Beaver, Dewey, Major and Blaine counties.   The following is a list of basic waterfowl hunting regulations for those counties, including hunting season dates.



Ducks, coots, mergansers

Oct. 27 through Nov. 25 and Dec. 8 through Jan. 20

Youth waterfowl days - Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 (The young hunters must be age 15 or younger and be accompanied by an adult over 18 and only youth are allowed to hunt)

Daily limits:

Ducks - 6 mallards, only 2 hens, and 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 pintails and one canvassback

Mergansers 5, with no more than 2 of them hooded mergansers

Coots - 15



Canada and light geese

Seasons are Oct. 27 to Nov. 25 and Dec. 8 to Feb. 10

White-fronted geese - same as above, except it ends Feb. 3

Sandhill cranes -  Oct. 20 to Jan. 20

Daily limits:

Canada geese - 3

Sandhill cranes - 3

Light geese - 20

White-fronted geese - 1