Oklahomans revel in sightings of the colorful songbirds and other smaller species that migrate through every spring and fall.
But the state’s position in the southern part of the Central Flyway also makes it a significant spot for waterfowl and gamebird protection and hunting, as some species spend the winter here.
Paxton Smith, migratory game bird biologist and Wetland Development Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), says waterfowl that winter and nest in the state typically migrate from the Prairie Pothole Region in the northern Great Plains and Canada, often called “America’s Duck Factory.” Formed 10,000 years ago by retreating glaciers, the “potholes” are depressions and lakes that fill with water in the spring.
Mallards are most commonly harvested by Oklahoma hunters, Smith says. Other ducks with a hunting season include ringnecks, pintail, scaup, common and red-breasted mergansers, and green-winged teal.
The state attracts puddle ducks, which feed in shallow water on seeds and aquatic insects, and diving ducks, which can plunge as deep as 50 feet in search of mussels, crawfish and aquatic vegetation.
“People from every walk of life are duck hunters,” Smith says. “The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation provides habitat and hunting opportunities.”
Duck hunters consume what they shoot, says Smith, who is a bird hunter himself. He uses his harvested meat to make fajitas and tacos – or he bakes the duck whole.
“I like the taste of the wood duck,” he says. “Their diet is acorns and aquatic invertebrates. What they eat determines the flavor of the meat.”
Oklahoma’s duck season is from mid-November through Jan. 31, Smith says, and goose season extends through mid-February. The daily bag limit varies depending on the species, and numbers are enforced by at least one game warden in every county.
“Some hunters go out every single day during the season,” Smith says. “Waterfowl hunting is a good excuse to get out in the marsh and watch the sun come up and enjoy nature.”
Waterfowl hunters must purchase a hunting license, state waterfowl stamp, Harvest Information Permit and federal duck stamp.
“Ninety-nine cents on the dollar from duck stamps go to habitat protection,” Smith says.
The state’s wetland development areas are shown on the ODWC website, Smith says.
Geese often feed on waste grain found in agricultural fields, Smith says, but it is illegal to bait geese with grain.
Species that winter in Oklahoma include Canada geese, snow geese, Ross’s geese and greater white-fronted geese, Smith says. A few swans migrate through Oklahoma, but there is no hunting season for them. The state also does not allow hunting of the whooping crane, which is endangered.
Oklahoma has mourning dove and sandhill crane hunting seasons, Smith says. Other game birds that can be hunted in the state are the woodcock, quail and Wilson’s snipe.
Urban dwellers who don’t often get to be around wildlife can be tempted to feed ducks and geese that take up residence in city parks. Smith discourages it.
They can become a nuisance,” he says. “And it’s bad for their health.”
Oklahoma has opportunities for non-hunters to enjoy viewing waterfowl. More than 300 species of waterfowl and other migratory and resident birds have been recorded at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Alfalfa County. Sandhill and whooping cranes, snowy plovers and bald eagles can be spotted there, too.
ODWC refuges that Smith recommends for birdwatching are Hackberry Flats in southwest Oklahoma and the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area in southeast Oklahoma.
