Published: December 29, 2007 11:21 pm         

Introduce someone to the outdoors in '08

A New Year’s Resolution for you:

This year let’s make a resolution all of us will be able to keep and it will enjoy at the same time. Over the years, the number of anglers and hunters has decreased. More families are stuck behind the television set rather than a camping trip, and more kids understand less about the outdoors.

This year let us make a resolution to introduce one person or reintroduce one person to the outdoors. The trip doesn’t have to be a big-game hunting trip to Canada, fishing on the gulf or a camp out in Yellowstone National Park. Make it simple, but make it fun.

• Try a fishing trip to a nearby pond or reservoir. Plan to spend two to three hours and don’t worry if no fish are caught. There is plenty to see and explore. Tell this person why you are fishing in this particular spot, and point out other areas that also may hold fish.

• There still is plenty of time to take a hunting trip to a nearby public hunting area. Squirrel season is open through Jan. 31. Rabbit season is open through March 15. Quail season goes until Feb. 15. Pheasant season goes through January 31.

All of above are perfect to introduce someone to hunting, especially the younger generation. On these trips share your knowledge of what you have learned in the outdoors such as where is the most likely place to find squirrels and rabbits hiding, and why one field will hold pheasants and quail and the next one be barren.

The person you ask to go hunting does not even need to have completed their hunter education course. They can purchase an apprentice hunting license. You will be their mentor.

• Birding also is popular and Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is within a short drive from home. Of the 600 species of birds found in the United States, 300 of these species can be found in the Great Salt Plains refuge. This time of the year the summer residents have moved farther south and some northern residents have moved into our area. Over the next month or two is the best time to view a bald eagle around the lake.

• Plan an overnight camping trip to one of our state lakes or reservoirs, most of which provide primitive camping sites. No need for the motor home. Just take a cot, tent and sleeping bag and don’t forget for breakfast nothing tastes better than bacon and eggs on an open fire.

• Maybe you don’t want to spend the night. How about a hike? Kaw Lake, Canton Lake, Lake McMurtry, Lake Watonga and Salt Plains, among others, have short trails that can be done in less than a couple of hours. All along the trail point out the plants, animals and birds that are present. Discuss what other birds and animals may be present in the area.

• If you’re into biking, many of the these lakes also have bike trails that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

No matter what your favorite outdoor activity is, there is bound to be someone that has shown interest and is just waiting for you to ask them.

Age or sex should not be discriminated against.

You’ll never know unless you ask. The person you introduce or reintroduce to the outdoors may turn out to be your lifelong outdoor partner.



Outdoor trivia



From last week’s questions: Did the anglers know that a creel is a wicker basket used to keep caught fish in? The gestation period for cottontail rabbits is 28 days.

Here are your trivia questions for this week: In every boat one of these is required for each passenger. What was the first winter trout fishery in Oklahoma?



It is time to renew



With another year of great hunting and fishing coming to a close, Oklahoma sportsmen are reminded to renew their annual hunting and fishing licenses.

• Anglers heading to one of Oklahoma’s designated trout streams around the state should remember to purchase a new trout license. Fishing and hunting legacy permits and annual fishing license for the new year all expire Monday.

• Bowhunters who plan to hunt through the end of deer archery season (Jan.1-15, antlerless only) should also renew licenses and permits.

• Unless archers possess a resident lifetime hunting or resident lifetime combination license, they will need a 2008 annual hunting license, 2008 fishing and hunting legacy permit and a 2008 deer archery license to hunt from Jan. 1 through Jan. 15. Bowhunters who purchase a new 2008 deer archery license, but do not harvest a deer in January should hold on to their license, which remains valid throughout the fall of 2008 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31).

• Hunters and anglers also need a new fishing and hunting legacy permit to hunt or fish beginning Tuesday unless exempt.

• Three licenses that do not expire at the end of the year are harvest information program (HIP) permits and state and federal waterfowl licenses (which run from July 1 through the end of the following June).

• In addition, trapping licenses expire Jan. 31. A 2008-2009 trapping license must be purchased to trap beaver, bobcat, nutria, striped skunk and coyote after Jan. 31. The fur license expires Jan. 31 for raccoon, gray/red fox and river otter and Feb. 28 for bobcat.