Public Hearings Scheduled for Deer Proposals

Thursday, December 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is holding a series of public hearings to discuss regulation changes proposed by the 21st Century Deer Stakeholders committee. The hearings will be held in early January to allow public comment on several committee proposals which were endorsed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission at its September meeting. "These public hearings are one of the last and most critical steps in finalizing a recommendation for a proposal to the Wildlife Commission," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the department. "The hearings constitute the public input phase of the process. That is why it is critical the public attends these hearings to help the department finalize hunting and fishing regulation change recommendations that are both biologically and sociologically acceptable."

The hearings have been scheduled to occur in Tulsa, Idabel, Ada and Woodward on Jan. 8, and in Oklahoma City, Clinton and Muskogee on Jan. 9. Additional hearings will take place in Lawton and Enid on Jan. 11.

The 33 member stakeholders committee made up of wildlife professionals, hunters, farmers and ranchers was formed to make recommendations on managing Oklahoma's deer population. The majority of the committee recommendations concern increasing the opportunity to harvest antlerless deer across the state. Those who would like to provide input about the recommendations, but are unable to attend one of the scheduled hearings, may send comments by Jan. 17, to Attn: Deer Season Proposals, Wildlife Division-ODWC, 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Schedule of Deer Stakeholder Public Hearings

Date: January 8, 2001
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: TULSA - Tulsa Technology Center, 3420 S. Memorial

IDABEL - Kiamichi Technology Center, 3 miles North of Idabel on Hwy 70

ADA - Pontotoc Technology Center, 601 W. 33rd St.

WOODWARD - Northwest Electric, 2925 Williams Ave.

Date: January 9, 2001
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: OKLAHOMA CITY - Wildlife Dept. Headquarters, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.

CLINTON - Clinton Sr. Citizen Center, 323 South 8th.

MUSKOGEE-Indian Capitol Technology Center, Turnpike Service Rd NW of Hwy 62

Date: January 11, 2001
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: LAWTON - Lawton Public Library, 110 SW 4th St.

ENID - Fire Department, 301 W. Owen K. Garriott