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Interactive Deer Jaw Aging Quiz

A Burning Issue by Grant Huggins
  Oklahoma requires notification before conducting a prescribed burn.
 
A picture is worth a ? by Ken Gee
  For several years, advances in technology and creative thinking have led some deer researchers and managers to explore using infrared-triggered cameras over bait to monitor or estimate deer populations. It is imperfect, but it does hold a lot of promise.
 
A Secchi Disk is Used to Measure Water Clarity by Mike Porter
  Standardized measurement of water clarity helps monitor changes that can affect production of fish and aquatic plants, and a Secchi disk is a simple, standard tool used to measure clarity.
 
A Written Prescribed Burning Plan Helps to Accomplish Goals by Mike Porter
  A well-written prescribed burning plan accomplishes several positive things.
 
Ag Division's Web Site Full of New Information by Shan Ingram
  A recent addition to www.noble.org is a Hunting and Recreational Lease Registry, which is a web-based listing service that we hope you find beneficial.
 
Aging White-Tailed Deer by Ken Gee
  The most widely used and accepted technique of aging deer is based on tooth replacement and tooth wear associated with the lower jawbone. The technique was first described in 1949. Since that time, very little work has been reported evaluating the technique using free-ranging, known-age deer.
 
All About Antlers by Ken Gee
  Antlers. For some folks-they are the stuff that dreams are made of. To many hunters, harvesting a large antlered buck represents the ultimate accomplishment. However, many people hunt their entire lives without getting the opportunity to realize this goal. Why is this so?
 
American Woodcock Known for Odd Appearance, Courtship Displays by Ken Gee
  Timberdoodle, bog snipe, brush snipe, Labrador twister - these are just a few of the aliases of the American woodcock. Perhaps the least-known "game bird" in Oklahoma and Texas, the woodcock is a member of the wading bird family, Scolopacidae, which includes common snipe, plovers and killdeer.
 
Antlers — The Stuff of Dreams by Ken Gee
  For most white-tailed deer hunters, antlers are what make the world go 'round. Since these head ornaments are so alluring, I thought we'd take a closer look at what they are and how they develop.
 
Antlers Get Better With Age by Ken Gee 6 ratings:
  Most land managers interested in white-tailed deer management are ultimately interested in producing deer with large antlers. Previous work, including that at Texas Parks and Wildlife's Kerr Wildlife Management Area in Kerrville, determined that antler quality is influenced by a combination of factors, the main components being age, nutrition and genetics.
 
Aquatic Vegetation in Ponds by Mike Porter
  Whether aquatic vegetation causes problems or not depends on the goals for the pond, the types of vegetation present, and the amounts of vegetation present. For most pond goals, it is very desirable to have some aquatic vegetation present.
 
Arbuckle Restoration Project Forming in Carter, Johnston, Murray Counties by Russell Stevens
  The continued spread of red cedar is a serious threat to our state's natural resources and, therefore, our economy. Prescribed fire is usually the most efficient way to prevent and remove red cedar. The Arbuckle Restoration Association is being organized so landowners and other concerned people can address such issues in Carter, Johnston and Murray counties in Oklahoma.
 
Are Cattle Compatible with Wildlife? by Russell Stevens 6 ratings:
  Many landowners in Oklahoma and Texas are becoming increasingly interested in incorporating wildlife management into their cattle operations. Many variables can influence compatibility between wildlife and cattle, including, but not limited to, cattle stocking rate, species of wildlife, forage type, climate, etc.
 
Are the Sacks Stacking Up? by Ken Gee
  As with many livestock producers, empty feedsacks really can start to pile up this time of year. The big question is what to do with them. Traditional recycling is an option in some places that requires a little effort, but it is worth it.
 
Are We Seeing the Return of the Bobwhite? by Russell Stevens
  The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has indicated an increase in late summer and early fall quail numbers. Does this signal a true increase in quail population or is it just a momentary upswing in the long decline of quail in Oklahoma?
 
Barrier Offers Relief From Beaver-Created Flooding by John Holman
  A cost-effective, easily portable barrier that prevents drainage cuts in beaver dams from being repaired could offer temporary relief from beaver-created floodwater.
 
Basic Wildlife Habitat Management Makes "Cents" by Russell Stevens 3 ratings:
  Food plots and feeders are intensive management practices and, while widely used, they are not real habitat improvement practices in most cases. Usually, they only work as supplemental feeding to concentrate wildlife populations for improved harvest success or observation.
 
Beaver Damage Preventable With Appropriate Techniques by Mike Porter
  There are ways to prevent beaver damage while coexisting with beavers. Most human-beaver conflicts can be prevented with relatively permanent nonlethal techniques.
 
Big Bucks for Small Landowners? by Russell Stevens
  Have you considered the effects on the buck population when an area is chopped up by many different landowners and infiltrated by several deer hunters who want to shoot a buck?
 
Bigger Buck for Your Bang by Grant Huggins
  Genetics and nutrition affect the antler quality of white-tailed bucks. The most limiting factor, however, usually is the age of the deer.
 
Bobwhite Habitat Assistance Program by Steven Smith 6 ratings:
  It has been well documented that bobwhite habitat has steadily decreased and habitat fragmentation has increased. In 2006, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service partnered together to improve bobwhite habitat on a landscape level with a program called the Quail Habitat Restoration Initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
 
Bobwhite Habitat Should be Managed Through Proper Grazing, Burning or Rest by Mike Porter
  Many landowners in the Noble Foundation's service area want to have bobwhites on their properties and frequently ask us about ways to increase bobwhite abundance. Land management tools such as grazing, burning and rest can improve or harm bobwhite habitat, depending upon how they are applied and the situation where they are applied.
 
Box Type Parallel Bar Barrier by Mike Porter
  It functions as a trash guard that prevents large debris from flowing into and plugging a pond's overflow pipe. It deters beavers from plugging the overflow pipe. Such a barrier prevents grass carp larger than eight inches and adult game fish from leaving a pond through the overflow pipe.
 
Brush Sculpting by Russell Stevens
  Brush sculpting is an attempt to manage brush or timber for multiple benefits (primarily livestock and wildlife) in a manner that is both environmentally and economically sound.
 
Bullheads by Mike Porter
  Three species of bullhead catfishes occur in Oklahoma and Texas: black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and brown bullhead. Bullheads provide many hours to enjoyment to anglers, especially beginning fishermen. However, they compete directly with channel catfish and sometimes cause water turbidity problems.
 
Can White-tailed Deer be Aged by their Teeth? by Ken Gee
  A generation of wildlife biologists has been taught a method of aging white-tailed deer using teeth wear and eruption patterns from the lower jaw.
 
Cattails - Habitat or Hassle by Mike Porter
  Cattails can be desirable or undesirable, depending upon a pond or marsh manager's goals.
 
Cattle as Quail Managers by Grant Huggins
  In my opinion, cattle are the most powerful quail managers in Oklahoma, for two reasons. The first is because it is difficult to successfully produce bobwhites without them. Quail cannot thrive in rank grassland. The second reason is because so many land management decisions are made exclusively with cattle in mind.
 
Controlled Burning by Ken Gee
  Controlled burning is an important and effective tool for land management. This article addresses some of the responsibilities that go along with burning.
 
Controlling Aquatic Vegetation with Grass Carp by Mike Porter
  In many situations, the use of grass carp is an economical, long lasting, and effective option. However, grass carp are not appropriate for every pond. Whether grass carp should be stocked in a pond or not, depends on the goals for the pond.
 
Cooperative Efforts Improve Deer Herd by Russell Stevens
  The Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association has been making huge strides toward meeting its deer management goals.
 
Cover Often Limits Bobwhite Numbers by Mike Porter
  Management of native bobwhite populations is very challenging, often frustrating. The frustration occurs because quail managers often do not adequately identify and change the real factors that limit bobwhite abundance. Some aspect of cover, either too little or too much, often limits quail abundance.
 
Crappie by Mike Porter
  Crappie tend to be more difficult to successfully manage in ponds than largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish and channel catfish. Generally, crappie should not be stocked into ponds where other fish species are the primary emphasis. Crappie generally provide the best fisheries in ponds with abundant 8- to 15-inch largemouth bass, abundant forage fish, some aquatic vegetation, and relatively clear water.
 
Dang 'Dillos! by Grant Huggins
  We receive numerous calls every year from homeowners and other turf managers regarding armadillo damage to their landscape. Before discussing damage management methods, I want to discuss some basic biology of this curious animal.
 
Deer Consciousness: Texas vs. Oklahoma by Jim Schaffer
  I recently attended a conference on white-tailed deer genetics and management at Texas A&M University with several of our staff. I was simply surprised by an apparent disparity of opinion between landowners of Texas and Oklahoma over the issue of deer hunting.
 
Deer Déjà Vu by Grant Huggins
  Once again, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) Commission has approved, and then reversed, the addition of seven days to the deer rifle season.
 
Deer Management Associations by Grant Huggins
  A deer management association (or coop) is simply a group of land managers in a region who share common deer management goals and make a decision to cooperatively manage their shared deer herd. Goals such as improving the buck age structure, buck:doe ratio, fawn crop, or altering deer density are difficult or impossible to achieve on small acreages without a deer fence. Developing a common strategy over larger acreages is much more effective.
 
Deer Management Is a Year-Round Process by Ken Gee
  During the long, hot days of summer, interest in deer management often takes a back seat to fishing, boating, vacations, etc. However, people interested in deer need to keep in mind that deer management is a year-round process.
 
Deer Management, Controlled Burning Groups Gaining Popularity by Russell Stevens
  In many instances, it is easier for an organization of individuals with common interests, rather than one person operating alone, to achieve goals.
 
Deer Population Data by Mike Porter
  Why spend the effort to collect deer population data? Simply, the information is necessary to successfully manage deer in many situations. Proper management of any resource, including deer, begins with establishing goals, learning about the resource, and inventorying the resource.
 
Deer Population Surveys - How Good Are They? by Ken Gee 4 ratings:
  Chances are that if you are managing deer on your property, you have probably been encouraged to conduct some type of population survey.
 
Did You See Many Bucks This Fall? by Russell Stevens
  Among deer hunters, this is a common question each year. Answers range from subtle facts to outright hyperbole. The commonality is that most deer hunters dream of taking a big buck home or at least seeing several bucks that they can pass and allow to grow larger.
 
Diversity - The Spice of Life by Ken Gee
  Wildlife managers need to be aware of the importance of habitat diversity.
 
Doe Harvest Effort by Grant Huggins
  Most inexperienced deer managers envision doe reduction as a simple task. However, effective doe harvest requires an intensive effort, and it becomes more difficult over time.
 
Does Leasing Increase the Cost of Hunting? by Grant Huggins
  If a hunter has permission to hunt a specific tract of land for free and the landowner decides to begin charging a fee, and that hunter decides to pay the fee to continue hunting there, his individual cost of hunting has been increased. However, such a chain of events is rare and affects a very small fraction of hunters any given year.
 
Don't Cut It - Whack It by Ken Gee
  The "bush-whacking" method combines a backpack sprayer with a straight shaft power trimmer for ease and speed in controlling thin to moderate stands of woody plants.
 
Duck Management in Ponds and Marshes by Mike Porter 7 ratings:
  Characteristics and management of a pond or marsh influence its ability to attract migratory ducks.
 
Eastern Bluebird Nest Boxes by Ken Gee and Mike Porter
  Bluebird populations declined during most of the twentieth century, with lack of nesting areas being a contributing factor. This bulletin discusses proper bluebird habitat and includes construction plans for nest boxes.
 
Electrical Devices for Managing Beaver Damage by Brady DeVille
  The most effective lethal control techniques are trapping and night shooting. Although the two lethal control methods are effective, new beavers may move back into an area. This led us to the innovation of an electrical flotation device that deters beavers from plugging overflow inlets.
 
Equipment and Labor Needs for Prescribed Burning by Mike Porter
  The equipment and labor needed for a prescribed burn depend upon the burn plan and the burn site. The most essential things for every burn are a good burn plan, an experienced and capable fire boss, at least one healthy helper, one or more power driven sprayers and one or more torches.
 
Exclosures for Preventing Beaver Damage by Mike Porter and Brady DeVille and John Holman
  Beaver damage concerns more landowners than damage caused by any other native wildlife species in Oklahoma.
 
Explanations for Some 'Fishy Questions' by Russell Stevens
  As you might expect, a lot of questions regarding fishing are generated during the summer. The following are examples of some of those questions, followed by explanations.
 
Expo to Feature Outdoor and Wildlife-Related Activities, Information by Mike Porter
  The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife is organizing the first Oklahoma Wildlife Expo. The event will be held on Aug. 27 and 28, 2005.
 
Fall 2008 Meetings For Wildlife Enthusiasts by Steven Smith
  One of the most important attributes of a good natural resource manager is that they never stop learning. Being involved in research and demonstration projects and attending educational events such as seminars, workshops and field days help keep us up-to-date on wildlife and fisheries management knowledge.
 
Fall and Winter Duck Foods in South Central U.S. by Mike Porter 5 ratings:
  An understanding of duck food preferences is important when managing impoundments and wetlands to attract migratory ducks. Dabbling ducks and wood ducks are the focus of most duck hunters and duck habitat managers in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas.
 
Fire by Ken Gee
  Prescribed fire is one of the most economical range improvement practices available. Prescribed burning may or may not be for you, but it is a management practice certainly worth considering.
 
Fires – Not All Are Created Equal by Ken Gee
  Prescribed fire is one of the most powerful land management tools. Unfortunately, prescribed fires are often confused with wildfires or uncontrolled pasture burns, which often cause great damage. Through proper planning and control, we can use the powerful forces of fire to manipulate positive change on the landscape.
 
Floating Electric Fence for Livestock Water Access at a Fenced Pond by Mike Porter
  Diagram of a floating livestock water access point in a pond.
 
Floating Polyethylene Pipe for Livestock Water Access at a Fenced Pond by Mike Porter
  Diagram of a polyethylene pipe floating livestock water access point.
 
Florida Largemouth Bass in Small Impoundments by Mike Porter
  Many pond owners in Oklahoma are interested in Florida largemouth bass because they tend to grow larger than northern largemouth bass.
 
Fried Wild Duck Can Be Delicious by Mike Porter
  Some people are reluctant to hunt duck, or they try to give away their harvested ducks, because they think duck tastes bad. However, wild duck is like many meats: It can taste delicious when properly prepared, or it can taste terrible when poorly prepared.
 
Fuel Loading, Fuel Moisture Are Important Components of Prescribed Fire by Russell Stevens
  Prescribed burning is a land management tool that should only be used when needed and after considerable planning, taking into account numerous factors including fireguards, equipment, labor, smoke management and fuel characteristics.
 
Funds for Wildlife: Government Programs Update by Russell Stevens
  Four programs are slated to receive approximately 8 million dollars to be allocated toward natural resource improvement this year.
 
Goals, Plans Essential for Prescribed Burns by Ken Gee
  The Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division recently conducted its annual Prescribed Burning Workshop, and turnout was excellent. Some of us have been discussing the "how to's" and touting the benefits of prescribed burning for so long, we sometimes forget this land management tool is a new concept to some people.
 
Grazing Management Will Affect Quail During Drought by Steven Smith
  If you have bobwhites calling your native pastures home, you probably have more grass than the neighbors. Bobwhites can be a good indicator of grazing management on native pastures.
 
Green Fireguards by Mike Porter
  A green fireguard can be a useful alternative to a bare soil fireguard or other types of fireguards. A green fireguard is managed to promote green vegetation and to minimize mulch.
 
Habitat: the Foundation of Deer Management by Ken Gee
  The most neglected part of management is the importance of habitat. Deer are a product of theirs, and without it, there are no deer.
 
Hook and Line Fish Sampling by Mike Porter
  Hook and line fish sampling combined with summer seine sampling can tell a pond manager quite a bit about the fishery in a pond. Good hook and line samples involve more procedures, more measurements, and more records than normal fishing trips.
 
How Do You Measure the Success of Your Deer Season? by Grant Huggins
  The Boone and Crockett score of your biggest buck? The pounds of venison you put in the freezer? The number of deer you harvested? The number of days you spent hunting? There are probably as many answers as there are hunters.
 
How Many Deer Are Too Many? by Grant Huggins
  Without records, most land managers are unable to tell. Livestock managers are trained to monitor forage availability and body condition of their herd. Except in extreme cases, deer forage conditions are subtle, and body condition observations are limited to the check station.
 
How Much Does it Cost to Burn? by Russell Stevens and Hugh Aljoe
  Estimates the cost of a controlled burn including labor, materials, and liability with cost comparisons.
 
How Much Quail Cover Can You Afford? by Russell Stevens
  Much has been written regarding the subject of bobwhite quail habitat management. As you probably know by now, adequate cover, space, food and proper arrangement of these components are essential to developing good bobwhite habitat.
 
How to Conduct a Prescribed Burn by Mike Porter
  Burning, grazing, and rest are generally the most powerful tools for managing local wildlife habitats. It may seem simple to light a match, stock some cattle, or erect a fence, but accomplishing specific habitat management goals with these tools requires considerable study and management. This article addresses some fundamentals of prescribed burning.
 
How to Manage Liability in Recreational Lease Enterprises by Grant Huggins
  Landowners should take some of these steps to limit liability risk in a recreational lease enterprise.
 
Hunting a Trophy Buck? by Grant Huggins
  Ever wonder where you would have the best opportunity to harvest a trophy whitetail in Oklahoma? A county listing of Boone and Crockett scores.
 
Hunting for a Good Lease? Check Out the Foundation's New Web Site by Russell Stevens
  The free Web-based Hunting and Recreational Lease Registry was developed to address the cost of advertising for landowners (and outfitters), to fully describe the landowner's services and to direct those looking for a lease.
 
Hybrid Hype by Grant Huggins
  Hybrid fishes occur naturally and are raised in hatcheries. Many hybrids have lower fertility but seem to exhibit better growth rates and catchability than the parent species.
 
In a Rut - Breeding Season Behaviors in Deer by Ken Gee 8 ratings:
  The term "rut" is often used to describe a boring, monotonous routine or a trench worn in the ground by a wheel. However, if you hang around much in white-tailed deer hunting circles, chances are that it means something completely different.
 
Is the Cost of Burning Always Monetary? by Russell Stevens
  When burning costs are mentioned, fireguard establishment and labor for a burn are usually the topics of discussion. However, some argue that burning native grass pastures may have more significant costs such as decreasing plant diversity, destroying wildlife habitat, decreasing forage production or adversely affecting soil chemistry.
 
Is the Hunting Industry Missing the Point? by Russell Stevens
  Wildlife management, particularly white-tailed deer management, is becoming more and more commercialized, but little attention is given to the basics of deer habitat management because it can't be put in a bag or can and sold for a profit.
 
Killing the Factory? by Russell Stevens
  An exploration of the common belief among deer hunters that harvesting does will harm deer populations.
 
Know Your Grasses by Chuck Coffey and Russell Stevens
  Here are numerous photographs of grasses common to our area. How many can you identify?
 
Learn to Recognize Venomous Snakes by Mike Porter 18 ratings:
  Of the 46 species of snakes native to Oklahoma, only seven are venomous to humans. If you learn to identify the seven venomous species, then you will recognize other Oklahoma snakes as not dangerous, even though you may not be able to identify the species.
 
Lease-Hunting Income by Grant Huggins
  We receive many questions from landowners regarding recreational leasing enterprises, including pricing recommendations. In 1999 we contracted to manage a lease-hunting enterprise to gain additional local experience with the subject.
 
Livestock Water Access Point in Pond Fence by Mike Porter
  Diagram of a pond fence with a livestock water access point.
 
Lotus – Is it Friend or Foe? by Mike Porter
  During spring and summer, many people become concerned about plants growing in their ponds. This concern may or may not be justified, because aquatic plants are desirable for many pond management goals.
 
Manage Habitat for Successful Bobwhite Nesting by Steven Smith 4 ratings:
  May is when the northern bobwhite quail hatch begins, but several steps must occur first. Nest construction starts by creating a small bowl-shaped depression in the ground and covering it with last year's vegetation to form a dome.
 
Me, Shoot a Doe? by Grant Huggins
  Many hunters and deer managers in our area have accepted the necessity of doe harvest to effectively manage toward the common deer management goal of increasing buck body and antler size. Some, however, still object to this practice.
 
Minimize Wildlife Consumption of Mycotoxins by Mike Porter
  Mycotoxins, toxins produced by fungi, are known to negatively affect mammals, birds, and fish. Some of the grain produced this year might have higher levels of mycotoxins due to drought related stresses during seed production.
 
More On Infrared-triggered Camera Deer Surveys by Ken Gee
  In this continuation of a series on infrared-triggered camera surveys, Gee examines the computation of herd composition and population estimates.
 
Mourning Dove Abundance Can Be Managed by Mike Porter 5 ratings:
  Mourning dove is the most abundant dove species, the most abundant game bird and one of the most abundant songbirds in southern Oklahoma and north Texas. Many people enjoy watching, feeding, photographing and hunting mourning dove. Yet, it is surprising how few landowners and land managers manage for dove.
 
Native Plant Communities are Very Important for Wildlife by Mike Porter
  The most important concept to understand for successful wildlife management is the role of native plant communities – without them, most wildlife species cannot exist.
 
Nest Boxes Provide Nesting Habitat for Several Bird Species by Mike Porter
  Winter is the time to inspect, clean and repair existing nest boxes and erect new boxes for cavity-nesting birds. Nesting activity for some cavity-nesting species can begin during late January through March, but peaks for most species during April through June.
 
New Feral Hog Legislation in Oklahoma by Ken Gee
  Recent legislation in Oklahoma has removed feral hogs from the list of domestic animals and has clarified rules for hunting them.
 
Noble Foundation Relocating Wildlife Research by Wadell Altom
  Information about plans to cease operation of the Noble Foundation Wildlife Unit near Allen, Oklahoma.
 
Oaks Win 'MVP' Honors by Ken Gee
  If you were creating a list of important wildlife plants for the Noble Foundation's service area, oaks would certainly be at or near the top of the list.
 
Old Man Winter by Russell Stevens
  Wildlife managers have plenty of activities to keep them busy during the winter - here's a list.
 
Ongoing Study Yields Further Developments on Aging White-Tailed Deer by Ken Gee
  A Noble Foundation study has called into question the established techniques for placing adult deer into specific age categories.
 
Parasite Problems by Grant Huggins
  We receive several summertime calls from fishermen asking about fish infested with parasites. Most often, they are concerned about identification of the parasite and the safety of eating parasite infected fish. The most frequently observed parasites are flukes (grubs) in the larval stage, commonly seen on largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and other fishes.
 
Passing the Buck by Grant Huggins
  Every time hunters pull the trigger or decide not to, they are making a management decision affecting the future of the herd they are hunting. In deer management circles, "passing the buck" has a positive, rather than a negative, connotation.
 
Plant Identification: Is It Worth the Effort? by Russell Stevens
  For natural resource managers to be successful, plant identification is a must.
 
Plant of the Month: April, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of flowering dogwood.
 
Plant of the Month: April, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of crimson clover.
 
Plant of the Month: April, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of white clover.
 
Plant of the Month: August, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of little bluestem.
 
Plant of the Month: August, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of creeping water primrose.
 
Plant of the Month: August, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of black willow.
 
Plant of the Month: December, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of western wheatgrass.
 
Plant of the Month: December, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of rescuegrass.
 
Plant of the Month: December, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of tansy mustard.
 
Plant of the Month: February, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Texas wintergrass.
 
Plant of the Month: February, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of buckbrush.
 
Plant of the Month: February, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of eastern red cedar.
 
Plant of the Month: February, 2001 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of tall fescue.
 
Plant of the Month: January, 2001 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of American beautyberry.
 
Plant of the Month: July, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Illinois bundleflower.
 
Plant of the Month: July, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of switchgrass.
 
Plant of the Month: June, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of eastern gamagrass.
 
Plant of the Month: June, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of partridge pea.
 
Plant of the Month: June, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of redbud.
 
Plant of the Month: March, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of ryegrass.
 
Plant of the Month: March, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Japanese honeysuckle.
 
Plant of the Month: March, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of sericea lespedeza.
 
Plant of the Month: May, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of hairy vetch.
 
Plant of the Month: May, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of bermudagrass.
 
Plant of the Month: May, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Indian blanket.
 
Plant of the Month: November, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of shumard oak.
 
Plant of the Month: November, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Caroline snailseed.
 
Plant of the Month: November, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of smooth sumac.
 
Plant of the Month: October, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Indiangrass.
 
Plant of the Month: October, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of Blackjack oak.
 
Plant of the Month: October, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of post oak.
 
Plant of the Month: September, 1998 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of common persimmon.
 
Plant of the Month: September, 1999 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of chittamwood.
 
Plant of the Month: September, 2000 by Russell Stevens
  Details, characteristics, importance, attributes and problems of big bluestem.
 
Pond Fencing by Mike Porter
  Pond fencing helps reduce erosion and improve water quality where livestock create bare banks and trails along a pond. A pond fence should protect all of a dam, the initial portion of a spillway, a portion of the incoming waterway(s), and most if not all of the shoreline.
 
Pond Managers Can Take Steps to Avoid a Fish Kill by Grant Huggins
  A fish kill caused by dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion can be a catastrophe for pond managers. Fish kills can occur any time the DO demand is greater than the water can supply – but managers can take steps to avoid such an event in their ponds.
 
Pond Surface Area Measurement is Important by Mike Porter 5 ratings:
  Surface area is one of the most important pieces of information that a manager needs to appropriately manage a pond. Yet it is surprising how many people estimate or guess a pond's surface area rather than measure it.
 
Predator Guards for Nest Boxes by Mike Porter
  Predator guards for nest boxes minimize predation of eggs, nestlings, and adult birds at the boxes. Predation is a major cause of mortality among cavity nesting birds.
 
Preliminary Comparison of Infrared-Triggered Fixed-Camera Deer Surveys and Spotlight Deer Surveys by Ken Gee
  The Noble Foundation Wildlife Unit has been using infrared-triggered cameras to monitor and estimate deer populations. This article compares the results to our spotlight survey data.
 
Prescribed Burning - What Is the Cost? by Ken Gee and Jon Biermacher 3 ratings:
  We often recommend prescribed burning as a method to manage native rangeland and wildlife habitat - and, indeed, many of us believe that fire should be considered an integral component to most rangeland management systems. With all of the touted benefits of prescribed burning, however, we often do not associate costs with the use of fire.
 
Prescribed Burning Glossary by Ken Gee
  While prescribed burning is recognized as a valuable tool by many land managers, many are unfamiliar with the vocabulary associated with it. In an effort to rectify this situation, I would like to take this opportunity to present a glossary of some terms commonly used when describing or discussing prescribed burning.
 
Proper Care of Venison is Necessary for Excellent-Quality Meat by Mike Porter
  All venison is not equal. Venison can be consistently excellent table fare, or, with poor handling and preparation, can be about the quality of a boot sole.
 
Proper Management Ensures Good Quality Fisheries in Ponds by Mike Porter
  Successful sport fish management in ponds addresses the physical or structural attributes of a pond, water quality, plant community, fish stocking, fish harvest, monitoring and records.
 
Proper Stocking is a Key to Quality Fishing by Russell Stevens
  A quality fishery begins with proper pond construction, proper water quality and proper initial stocking. Pond size and goals are the most critical factors when determining the number of fish to stock and the type of fishery.
 
Property Tax Exemption for Wildlife Management by Russell Stevens
  For the past couple of years, landowners in the state of Texas have had the opportunity to claim a wildlife tax exemption on their property. Property owners have been provided this opportunity due in part to the booming wildlife recreation industry in Texas. At this time Oklahomans do not have this tax option. Maybe a look across the river will stir interest.
 
Pros and Cons of Burning by Mike Porter
  Fire can be a wonderfully useful and flexible land management tool, but its positive or negative impacts depend upon how it is implemented.
 
Quail Management on Small Acreages by Mike Porter
  Recent scientific information indicates quail populations may need enough contiguous habitat to support at least 800 quail to prevent localized extinction. Most landowners interested in quail do not own several thousand acres of habitat, so should they give up?
 
Quality of Native Plant Forage Species Important to White-Tailed Deer and Goats in South Central Oklahoma by Russell Stevens and Brady DeVille
  Deer or goat production can be viable enterprises for many landowners. In many areas, native forb and woody plant communities are capable of meeting the nutritional requirements of deer and goat. Adequate nutrition is one of the building blocks for successful deer or goat production.
 
Receiving Texas' Wildlife Property Tax Classification by Russell Stevens and Scott Boyd 5 ratings:
  The amount of land managed for wildlife in Texas has exploded in the past 20 years and is increasing in other states across the country as well. For many farms and ranches in Texas, it's a wildlife enterprise that allows the family to remain in agriculture.
 
Recreation Motivates Texas Land Buyers by Grant Huggins
  Recreation is the primary motive fueling the rural Texas land market, according to research from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.
 
Recreational Leasing by Russell Stevens
  Tips for hunters looking for a recreational lease and landowners wishing to advertise their leases. Includes links to recreational lease Websites.
 
Recreational Leasing Involves Many Factors by Russell Stevens
  The Noble Foundation's experience with recreational leasing may help individual landowners in their quest to earn extra income through leasing their land to hunters.
 
Rock Weir by Mike Porter
  A rock weir is a reasonable approach to stabilizing a small to medium sized overfall. Correctly placed rock can provide long-term erosion control
 
Rotenone Can Remove Undesireable Fish From a Pond by Mike Porter
  Humans have been using rotenone for centuries to harvest fish and manipulate fish communities.
 
Sealing Leaky Ponds by Mike Porter
  Most leaky ponds can be prevented through proper planning and construction. For existing ponds, several alternative sealing techniques are addressed.
 
Seine Sampling a Pond by Mike Porter
  Seine sampling a pond is a relatively easy way to learn quite a bit about fish, amphibian and invertebrate populations in a pond. Anyone willing to get wet and learn a few fish species can do it.
 
So Many Infrared-triggered Cameras to Choose From — Where Do I Start? by Ken Gee
  In an effort to address many of the questions raised and assist prospective buyers in product research and purchase, we have compiled a listing of various cameras and associated features, costs, and manufacturer and retailer information.
 
Spiders: Not All Bad, Often Misunderstood by Ken Gee
  It is true that there are a few spiders that are harmful to man, but the vast majority pose no threat, and are in fact beneficial.
 
Spotlight and Daylight Cruise Survey of Deer: Collecting and Interpreting Data by Russell Stevens
  Advantages of spotlight and daylight surveying of deer and how to interpret data collected.
 
Spring is Prime Time for Plant ID by Russell Stevens
  Spring is when many land managers are interested in identifying plants for various purposes, including grazing and wildlife habitat management.
 
State Programs Help Landowners Manage White-tailed Deer Populations by Mike Porter
  The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have programs to help land managers better manage deer habitat and deer populations. Here's an overview of each state's offering.
 
Still "Tis The Season" for Prescribed Burning by Russell Stevens
  Winter and early spring are the most common times of the year for landowners to conduct prescribed (Rx) burns.
 
Stocking Bobwhite by Mike Porter
  Whether or not you should stock quail depends on your management goals.
 
Study Examines Reproductive Success in Female White-Tailed Deer by Ken Gee
  Through its collaborative efforts with Mississippi State University and Texas A&M University, the Noble Foundation is beginning to look at the female side of reproductive success in white-tailed deer. Results are preliminary, but very interesting.
 
Summer Stress by Russell Stevens
  Most enthusiasts might not think about the summer months posing a nutritional hardship to deer. Sure, the lush months of April, May and June can provide more nutrition than deer need under good habitat conditions. But what about July and August?
 
Technology is Working For Wildlife by Steven Smith
  Have you ever wondered how wildlife biologists know some of the information they do? These questions and many more have been addressed using radiotelemetry, a powerful tool wildlife biologists began using in the 1970s.
 
Ten Years of Prescribed Fire on a Cross Timbers Woodland Community by Russell Stevens
  Prescribed fire is often recommended as a tool to open up or thin woody vegetation typical of the Cross Timbers. More open timber may increase plant diversity for wildlife and forage for cattle. This article presents the results of ten years of prescribed fire on woody vegetation.
 
The 50:50 Model for Bobwhites by Grant Huggins
  An appropriate mental model for bobwhite habitat is often difficult to communicate to land managers. Discussion of percent cover types, interspersion, patchiness, edge, etc. often leave a blank look on the face of a manager. One concept I have found that seems to stick with managers is what I call the "50:50 model."
 
The Chainsaw - An Overlooked Habitat Management Tool by Russell Stevens 8 ratings:
  There are many tools managers can use to manipulate wildlife habitat. The potential a chainsaw offers as a management tool is often overlooked.
 
The Early Bird May Not Be the Bird for You by John Holman
  One of the reasons people fail to attract martins is improper housing location. Timing is a critical component of attracting martins. Competition from other species greatly discourages martins from taking up residency.
 
The Eight Point Rule by Mike Porter
  Although intentions are good, the eight point rule basically gives little or no protection to the superior bucks while it protects and promotes the inferior ones.
 
The Establishment of Food Plots by Russell Stevens
  The need for food plots is debatable and for good reason. Food plots often do not address the factors most limiting the population. Too often, food plots are planted without forethought in regard to timing or need.
 
The Feral Hog in Oklahoma by Russell Stevens
  The pros and cons of feral hogs and methods of control.
 
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle by Russell Stevens
  Those with a basic understanding of the water cycle and how it functions should be a step ahead during the current drought. However, "Mother Nature" is complex and often leaves those with the best of knowledge scrambling.
 
The Largemouth Bass by Steven Smith 12 ratings:
  The largemouth bass is a member of the sunfish family. With proper management, native largemouth bass can grow to 12 pounds or more. Regardless of the stocked subspecies, available forage (baitfish) is essential to growing big, healthy bass.
 
The Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery by Chuck Coffey and Russell Stevens
  The Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery is designed to assist botanists, ecologists, and natural resource managers with the identification of plants. It should also prove useful to educators in the classroom as well as students who are required to learn plants as a part of their studies. Our Plant Image Gallery is an ongoing project which currently includes over 600 species of vascular plants.
 
The Value of Woody Plants by Mike Porter
  Clearing brush or timber when woody plants are not overabundant often decreases land value and income potential.
 
There Are No 'Silver Bullets' by Ken Gee
  It is human nature to want to believe silver bullets exist, but, generally, this is not the case. As an example, consider the case of food plot mixtures being marketed at premium prices.
 
There is Nothing Improved About Introduced Grasses by Steven Smith 4 ratings:
  In 1991, Leonard A. Brennan theorized that if the population decline of northern bobwhites continued until 2000, hunting opportunities would likely be lost across the majority of the range of the bobwhite. Fortunately, this has never happened. However, many of you have noticed bobwhite populations are nowhere near the numbers of the good old days.
 
Think About the Possibility of Recreational Leasing by Russell Stevens
  If you are thinking about the possibility of leasing, now is the time to begin planning for next year. Although recreational leasing is not for everyone, it can, under the right circumstances, generate extra income.
 
Think About Use Before Constructing Ponds by Russell Stevens
  Many landowners are building and stocking new ponds, as well as re-stocking old ponds that dried up, with fish to increase water reserves and provide fisheries for family enjoyment or income. It's good to take time to consider all of the values that ponds have to offer before actually beginning the dirt work.
 
Think Before Planting Food Plots by Russell Stevens
  Food plots can be used to increase visibility of deer for hunting or other purposes. Although popular, food plots do not always accomplish intended deer management goals. Several factors should be evaluated to ensure the success of food plots.
 
Tools of the Trade - Basic Requirements for Prescribed Burns by Ken Gee
  As part of the prescribed burn planning process, managers should secure the appropriate equipment.
 
UFOs by Ken Gee
  Neotropical migrants are a group of birds that live, breed, and nest in North America during spring and summer and migrate to and live in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands during the fall and winter. There are approximately 60 species of neotropical migrants that nest in Oklahoma.
 
Upcoming Quail Season Stirs Thoughts of Management by Steven Smith
  If you are like me, you are already planning for the upcoming quail season. The habitat available for this upcoming season is a result of current-year and past-year habitat management. Management practices affecting habitat include grazing, mowing or haying, prescribed fire or wildfire, and brush or weed management.
 
Update: Infrared-Triggered Camera Surveys by Ken Gee
  In last year's August and December issues of NF Ag News & Views, I addressed some of the assumptions associated with infrared-triggered camera surveys. With another year of data collection under our belt, I thought I would update you on the findings.
 
Use These Strategies for Managing Buck Harvest by Grant Huggins
  If you are not satisfied with the size of bucks on your property, and your hunters are harvesting more than one buck per 300 acres of deer habitat annually, you need to impose some method of limiting buck harvest.
 
Use These Strategies to Increase Doe Harvest by Grant Huggins
  Increased doe harvest is a goal shared by many deer managers – use these methods to reach that goal.
 
Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association Profile by Russell Stevens and Kent Shankles
  A deer management association is a group of land managers in a region who share common deer management goals and make a decision to cooperatively manage their shared deer herd. The 12,640-acre Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association has deer statistics dating back to 1996 illustrating the advantages of landowner cooperation.
 
Want A Bigger Buck? by Mike Porter
  Almost everyone interested in deer enjoys seeing a large buck. What can you do to improve chances for a larger buck? The answer is simple - do not shoot one that is smaller than what you consider big.
 
Want to Learn How to Safely Burn? by Will Moseley 5 ratings:
  Prescribed burning is one of the most valuable and cost effective tools available to manage our rangelands. Fire was an integral part of the ecosystem in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas throughout history, and our plant communities are adapted to fire.
 
Water Sources Can Be Managed to Benefit Mourning Dove by Mike Porter
  Mourning dove must drink water on a regular basis – during mild weather, they don't have to drink every day, but they can't live longer than seven to 11 days without water.
 
WBDMA -Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association Five Year Report 1996-2000 by Grant Huggins and Russell Stevens
  The Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association was formed in 1996 to help land managers work together to achieve deer population goals. This is a summary of its activities from 1996 to 2000.
 
WBDMA Data: Doe Harvest Doesn't 'Kill the Factory' by Russell Stevens
  Since 1998, the percentage of yearling does in the total Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association doe harvest seems to be somewhat stable, leading us to conclude doe harvest at this level definitely does not "kill the factory."
 
What Is White-Tailed Deer Habitat? by Mike Porter
  Quality deer habitat includes a mixture of trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, grasses and other plants such as fungi and sedges. Certain plants within each of these categories benefit deer more than others.
 
What To Do About Deer and the Drought... by Ken Gee
  The bottom line is that this drought will probably not have a long-term effect on deer populations, but it certainly has the potential to have some short-term effects.
 
Where, Oh Where, Are the Quail? by Russell Stevens
  Recently, several of the Noble Foundation's wildlife staff traveled to Abilene, Texas, to attend the North Texas Quail Symposium: Preserving Texas' Quail Heritage into the 21st Century. Information is summarized from the symposium explaining why quail are declining in some areas and are stable in others.
 
White-Tailed Deer Information to be Shared at Sept. 25, 2004 Seminar by Mike Porter
  A White-tailed Deer Seminar will be held at the Pontotoc Technology Center Auditorium at 601 West 33rd Street in Ada, Okla., from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2004, followed by an in-depth session at the Noble Foundation's Wildlife Unit.
 
White-tailed Deer Management Workshop by Ken Gee
  The fall hunting season is fast approaching and with it comes an increased interest in deer management. The Noble Foundation is sponsoring its 5th annual Whitetailed Deer Management Workshop.
 
White-tailed Deer: Their Foods and Management in the Cross Timbers by Ken Gee and Mike Porter
  Habitat requirements and foods preferred by white-tailed deer in the cross timbers.
 
Who's Doing the Breeding? by Ken Gee
  Which bucks are successfully breeding has significant impact on deer management in general and buck harvest strategies in particular.
 
Wildlife Conservation Funding by Mike Porter
  Although wildlife is a publicly owned resource, it receives relatively little public funding. In Oklahoma and Texas, general tax revenues do not support the states' wildlife management efforts. Funding for wildlife management in these states primarily comes from licenses, access or permit fees, and federal excise taxes on sporting goods and boat fuel.
 
Wildlife Unit Study Examines Deer Response to Camera Flash by Ken Gee
  The Wildlife Unit is conducting an on-going study about infared-triggered camera surveys – this article is the first of two parts and will address the effect of camera flash on deer.
 
Will Disking Increase Bobwhite Abundance? by Russell Stevens
  To increase quail numbers, the factor limiting their numbers must be identified and corrected. In most years and in most situations, plant food production is generally not the limiting factor. Thus, disking seldom increases bobwhite abundance because it does not address the issues that usually limit bobwhite numbers. However, food availability can limit quail numbers.
 
Wood Duck Nest Boxes by Mike Porter
  Guidelines for construction and placement of wood duck nesting boxes.
 
Wildlife Specialists at the Noble Foundation
 
         
       
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