Elk in Oklahoma

[Soonerlongbow]

Went fishing yesterday morning here in South West Ok at Waurika Lake. On my way to the lake my wife says "what's that?" Out of the corner of my eye I'd seen what I thought was a horse way off in the pasture. When I slowed and looked back I realized it was a bull elk!

We turned around and got a better look, he was about 300yds off the road in an open field surrounded by bovine, and was rubbing his velvet off. The wildlife refuge and military installation each have a ton of wapiti but they are 40 miles straight line away. While they have been expanding their range to the point where the season is basically state wide and most counties each have a couple killed, it's the first I'd seen one in my neck of the woods.

Better yet, it's exactly 5 miles due south of my hunting land. And the public land this bull used to travel here is 3 miles west of me also.

That would be so awesome!!!

[duck85]

and just where is this hunting land . just joking good luck

[Michael Arnette]

Unfortunately the wildlife department Is managing the private land elk herd for a very low population and not for expansion, I suppose that's due to the fact that they could be damaging to agriculture? Several game lands here in the eastern part of the state have had drastic reduction in the herd due to the animals being taken on private land adjoining the areas

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

Every now and then I'll see some on private land down here, but I also in live with-in sight of Mt. Scott.

[Soonerlongbow]

If you're within sight of Mt. Scott that would make sense. I wish they'd manage the herd for expansion not reduction.

[Schmidty3]

I don't think you can hunt them at waurika unfortunately. I spent some time that way...sure glad I pulled my deer stand when I did. That last flood probably would've swallowed it.

Anyway, I figured there'd be a good chance of a remote chance encounter with an elk out there. Didn't find anything in the regs that suggested I could shoot one on the public land there.

[Soonerlongbow]

Not certain about the public lands either, which is strange. But I've got a couple pieces of private land East of the public lands. I don't think I'll see any but man that'd be awesome!!!

[Schmidty3]

I just got moved to Texas... Right as I was figuring out my hunting spots too. We had a pretty good time chasing the geese out there.

Last time I was there was when that flood hit. Drove by the public land. Couldn't believe that the water had crested the highway. Has it dried out a bit yet? Or is the public land still flooded?

[Soonerlongbow]

All clear now. Lake is sitting at just under flood stage by about a percentage. Back in spring turkey season when it was flooded my hunting buddy noticed that there were carp in the flooded area just North of the highway. We spent the afternoon chasing them with his Muzzy bow fishing setups.