This wildlife restoration grant provides for data collection to support the efforts of the oklahoma department of wildlife conservation to manage prairie chicken and pheasant and quail and bear

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI FWS) awarded the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) $527,077.31 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. This Formula Grant funds four integrated wildlife management projects focused on data collection and population monitoring. The first project addresses lesser and greater prairie chickens through two survey investigations, habitat and vegetation analysis, and technical assistance coordination. The second project supports ring-necked pheasant management via two survey investigations and interagency technical assistance. The third project monitors northern bobwhite and scaled quail populations through one survey investigation and technical collaboration. The fourth project focuses on black bear population assessment and utilization analysis through one survey investigation.

The grant deliverables include annual population survey data, habitat assessments, and utilization analysis that enable ODWC to monitor long-term population trends and develop evidence-based wildlife management and conservation strategies for Oklahoma. Results and datasets are disseminated to requesting entities to support informed wildlife management decision-making across the state. All projects include related administrative functions such as personnel management, safety training, program development, continuing education workshops, coordination with multi-agency regional efforts, and equipment maintenance necessary to execute the wildlife restoration activities under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act framework.

This grant is divided into four (4) individual projects. The first project focusing on lesser and greater prairie chickens allows for 2 survey investigations as well as habitat and vegetation analysis as needed. IT also allows for technical assistance with other organizations. The second project focuses on ring necked pheasant and allows for 2 survey investigations. IT also allows for technical assistance with other organizations. The third project focuses on northern bobwhite and scaled quail and allows for 1 survey investigation. IT also allows for technical assistance with other organizations. The fourth project focuses on black bear and allows for 1 survey investigation as well as utilization analysis. Annually surveying the populations of these animals allows the odwc to monitor long term population trends under current regulations. Results of the above described surveys and data collected will be used to formulate management and conservation strategies in oklahoma. Data obtained will also be useful in disseminating accurate information about populations of these animals in oklahoma to entities requesting such information. Results of the above described surveys and data collected will be used to formulate management and conservation strategies in oklahoma. Data obtained will also be useful in disseminating accurate information about populations of these animals in oklahoma to entities requesting such information. Each project also allows for conducting related project administration and coordination and planning and procurement and personnel management and supervisory and safety training and program development (to include continuing education and workshops and symposia as well as through close coordination with multi agency regional efforts) and maintenance and repair of equipment and all other associated eligible activities. This grant will continue work previously conducted under upland game investigations grant F23AF02641.