Northwest Oklahoma public land expanded

A multi-year effort to expand Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area is paying off for hunters this fall. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) opened the area to public access Sept. 1, for the start of dove season and it will remain open for waterfowl hunting.

“Ducks Unlimited works closely with ODWC to improve wetland habitat across Oklahoma,” said DU Regional Director Nathan Johnson, who also worked as a wetland engineer for DU. “After several years of focusing on Drummond Flats, it feels good to secure the final pieces to make this historic wetland area whole.”

Ducks Unlimited acquired 125 acres at Drummond Flats from willing sellers last year. This acreage represents the final two parcels within the footprint of the historic wetland basin, but ODWC hopes to expand the WMA further to buffer the wetlands.

“This is another great example of the terrific working relationship over the years between the ODWC and DU,” said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the ODWC. “It’s a real win-win-win for the ducks, the habitat and for hunters.”

In addition to Ducks Unlimited major sponsors who supported the Southern Prairies & Playas Initiative in Oklahoma, funding for the acquisition came from the Treeman Family Foundation and the Playa Lakes Joint Venture through a grant provided by ConocoPhillips.

The area will be leased to the ODWC and managed as part of the Drummond Flats WMA until budgets allow the state to purchase the properties. Future plans for habitat restoration and enhancement work are under consideration. Ducks Unlimited and ODWC are committed to making Drummond Flats WMA a premier waterfowl area in the Central Flyway.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Ducks Unlimited is a Leading Sponsor of TWS.