Digital Wildlife Management
Areas Atlas
This map site is free, but it will cost
you five minutes of your time. That's right. You don't need a degree in computer
science to run it but you'll get maximum enjoyment (and minimize your
frustration) by READING THE DIRECTIONS FIRST!
I know what you're thinking -- who reads
the directions first anyway? Well, if you decide to risk it and jump right into
the maps without reading the directions, please check back here when you run
into problems.
In order to improve service, we are
now using new technology for the digital maps. This
technology should make it easier and quicker for you to
use this tool.
Click Here to Activate
Interactive Maps
If you have any problems, we need to know. Please email us.
Be sure to include:
1) Your Operating System (pc or mac)
2) Your Browser Type and Version (i.e. Explorer 6.0)
3) Details of Your Specific Problem
Email this Information to Rich Fuller at
rfuller@odwc.state.ok.us
WARNING: Pop-up Blocker May Keep You From
Printing Out Maps
Please be advised that if you have a problem printing the WMA maps on the
Internet you may have to disable your pop-up blocker on your computer.
Most Internet browsers that offer pop-up blocker options do so through the
"Tools" menu at the top of the browser window. To disable the blocker, simply go
to Tools and turn the blocker off.
We believe the pop-up blocker may also affect some of the features (tools)
that are available on the atlas. For this reason, we recommend you disable the
blocker before logging on to the digital atlas.
How
the WMA Digital Atlas Works
WELCOME! The Oklahoma WMA
Data Viewer provides maps of public hunting and fishing areas to Internet users
via technology called an Internet Mapping Server, or IMS. The IMS is basically a
computer that displays a map made up from individual data layers. These layers
come from a variety of sources including satellite imagery, aerial photographs,
or others created by governmental agencies. Altogether, the IMS has more than
150 individual data layers that can be displayed over the Internet for you to
view and/or print off your own copy of a map.
Helpful Hints: Navigating
through the Data Viewer
Getting started using the
Data Viewer is easy once you get the hang of it. You will want to read the Basic
Tools section to learn specifics on how to use the various interactive tools of
the Data Viewer. However the following is a general guide for basic navigation
of the Data Viewer.
Most people who want to
find information about hunting or fishing opportunities on public land start off
by looking for a specific WMA. If for example you’re an avid waterfowl hunter
and would like to give Hackberry Flat a try, the first step you should take is
to go to the Select WMA list.
Select WMA list
Once at
the Select WMA list, scroll down to Hackberry Flat and click. The first view of
the WMA will be at a scale that you’ll be able to see the entire area.
Once you have the entire
area displayed on the screen, you can then begin to manipulate the map in a
variety of ways. You can zoom in or out, pan, etc. with the tools available in
the tool column located on the left side of the screen. On the right side of the
screen, however, are the layer(s) that you can select or de-select based upon
your preferences.
Selecting from the
Layer List
In the “Layer” column at the
right of the screen are several choices for displaying various layers. Layers
such as the WMA Boundaries, WMA Management Features and WMA Facilities & Access
are the most commonly sought after features by most sportsmen who want to view
maps of public lands. You can select all of these to display simultaneously or
singly to display various attributes of an area.
Once you become familiar
with basic layers including the WMA boundaries, management features and
facilities, you can select other viewable options such as the color or black and
white aerial photos, USGS Quadrangle topo maps (USGS Quads) or even a shaded
relief of an area.
Different layers appropriate for the current map scale become available as you
zoom in or out. (For example, you must be zoomed in on a location to view the
black and white aerial photos. To turn them on at the statewide extent
would simply produce a black map.)
Additional layers are
found under groupings such as “Administrative Data” and “Ecological
Information.” Still further down the list are groups of layers displaying
ranges of Oklahoma’s fish and wildlife species. These layers are intended
primarily for use by fish and wildlife conservation professionals.
Short summary descriptions
of all layers on the Data Viewer are available. Working with these layers
may dramatically decrease the speed at which your system operates and may add
confusion to the visual presentation of data.
After
selecting or deselecting layers, click the refresh map button to see the changes.
Depending upon how
powerful your computer is and the type of Internet connection you have, you may
find that it takes longer for a map to display if several layers are activated
simultaneously; and, may in fact fail to display any map. If you experience this
condition, you may have to de-select several layers and view them singly or with
fewer other layers selected.
How to Print a Map
To print a map, you must have Adobe
Reader. If you do not have Adobe Reader, we have provided a link to a free
download. Go to the toolbar on the left hand side of the data viewer. Click on
the box that contains the image of a printer. A box will pop up with print
options. After selecting print options, click Create PDF. The map will be out
putted to a new window. Now you can click the printer icon on the toolbar
running across the top of the page or go to the File menu and select print. You
may also save the PDF file for later use.
Basic Tools, How to Find Out What the
Symbols Mean and Other Things You Need to Know
|
 |
On the left hand side
of the data viewer, you will notice a toolbar with 23 different icons, or
pictures. These following instructions will help you use the tools. If you
need additional help using the tools later, click the question mark tool for
another help menu.
Some buttons on the toolbar have an
immediate effect, causing a noticeable change on the screen. Others
activate a tool that you can then use to change the appearance of the map.
A third group of buttons allows you to work with one particular layer on the
map. |
Toggle Legend/Layer list Clicking this button allows you to switch back
and forth between the list of layers on the right side of the screen and the map
legend.
Print Click the print button, select printing options and click Create
PDF. After the PDF is created, hit print.
Hyperlink Use this tool to click on a wildlife
management area to find out all sorts of useful information about that area.
This tool allows you to see additional information by following a link
to another window. With the hyperlink button active, click a feature in the
active layer to open the new window. The default active layer is the WMA
boundaries.
Zoom In
This button allows you too zoom in to the map
as if you were getting closer to the ground from a great height. Click on this
button, then either:
-
Left-click a single point on the map with your mouse. A new map will come back
that looks closer than you were before and centered on the location you
clicked.
-
Left-click with your mouse a point on the map BUT HOLD your finger on the
button, 'swipe' or 'drag' a rectangle on the map, and then release the button.
A new map will come back roughly in the area of the rectangle you just
'swiped' or 'dragged'.
Zoom Out
Click the Zoom Out button and then click or click and drag a rectangle on the
map to zoom out of an area. The larger a rectangle you drag, the less you zoom
out.
Pan This tool allows you to move your view of the map in any direction.
With the pan tool active, click and drag on the map to pan to a new area.
Zoom to Full Extent This button zooms out to show the entire state of
Oklahoma.
Zoom to Active Layer This button zooms out to show all of the "active
layer." The active layer is set by clicking the “Active” square next to name of
the layer(s) on the right side of the screen.
Back to Last Extent This button functions similar to the back button on
your Internet browser. It takes you back to your previous map.
Help Click the help button to display the viewer help.
Measure This tool allows you to measure the distance between two
points. With the measure tool active, click to define the first point and then
click again to define the second point. Additional clicks will make the line
longer and will display both the length of the current segment you are drawing
as well as the total length of all segments you have completed.
Set Units Click to change the measurement units (feet or miles) that
will be used for all measuring tools (Measure, Select by Circle by Clicking a
Point and Select by Circle Using GPS Coordinates).
Identify Click a layer in the
legend to make it active, then click the identify button. Now click a feature on
the map and the results are shown in the Identify Results box. If more than one
feature is found, the features are listed in the Features panel..
Find Click a layer in the legend
to make it active then click the Find button. Type any part of a word you want
to find and click the Find String button.
Query This tool allows you to write more advanced search equations for
the active layer. Clicking the query button will open a special window where
you may type the equation you wish to solve. Click the Execute button. The
results will be displayed in a special window and each line will be clickable if
you'd like to zoom to the results.
Buffer This tool creates an area or buffer at a specific point. For
example, you may use it to visualize 50 miles in all directions of a specific
point, or you may also find all WMA's within that buffer. First select the
point you wish to buffer. Then click the buffer button and choose the items to
display within that buffer. A shaded area will show the buffer.
Select by Rectangle This tool allows you define an area and examine all
the features of the active layer within that area. With the select by rectangle
tool active, draw a rectangle on the map and a small window will appear
displaying all the individual items within the rectangle you drew. Identifies
them by highlighting in yellow.
Select by Polygon This tool allows you to draw a shape on the map and
examine all the features that touch that shape. With the select by polygon tool
active, draw a shape on the map and a small window will appear displaying all
the individual items within the shape you drew. Identifies them by highlighting
in yellow.
Clear Selected Features The clear selected features button clears the
selected features in all layers. Removes the highlighted features.
Calculate Acreage
Click the Calculate Acreage button. Now draw a shape on the map to calculate
the acreage of that shape.
Select by Circle by Clicking a Point
This tool allows the user to select all features of the active layer within a
certain radius. To use, simply click the Circle
button, select a point of origin on the map, and specify the distance of your
search.
Zoom by Entering GPS Coordinates
This is a tool that gives the ability to zoom to a specific latitude/longitude
point on the map. Click on the 'XY' button, enter
your coordinates, and click 'Go'.
Select by Circle Using GPS
Coordinates This tool allows the
user to select all features of the active layer within a certain radius.
To use, enter the latitude/longitude coordinates of
the search center, and specify the radius of the search circle.
WMA Data Viewer vs. Printed Maps
There are many advantages
of displaying public area maps using the Data Viewer technology versus a printed
atlas. Although every effort was made in the past to produce a printed WMA atlas
that is as accurate as possible, these publications quickly became obsolete.
Anytime parcels where bought or sold, roads created or closed, or area-specific
regulations changed, then the printed atlas became out-of-date. In the future,
any changes that occur can be updated almost instantaneously on the Data
Viewer.
Another advantage of the
Data Viewer is its “interactive” ability to allow users to view and/or print off
just those features that you want. By using the various tools (See Help-Tools)
on the map viewer, the user can zoom in or out on certain areas that he or she
wants. You can also select or de-select certain optional layers such as whether
or not to include topographic lines on the map. Other options include displaying
the aerial photos of an area. In this way, the user can “customize” maps of the
public hunting and/or fishing areas to suit his or her preferences.
An additional function of
the Data Viewer system is its ability to link to a wealth of information about
more than 70 different public hunting and fishing areas in Oklahoma. By
accessing the “hyper-link” function on a specific area, the user can learn more
about such things as; game species present on the area, the management practices
used by the area-biologist, local fishing opportunities, where visitors can camp
on the area and where lodging is available in the local vicinity.
Availability of Certain Area Maps
At the present time, this
mapping system does not offer a map of Three
Rivers WMA. Special full-feature printed maps of the Three Rivers WMA and
Honobia Creek WMA are available from ODWC installations and numerous hunting and
fishing license vendors in McCurtain and surrounding counties in southeastern
Oklahoma.
Ozark
Plateau WMA, Watts Property and
Drummond Flats are now available online.