Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) Wildlife Division, doing business as the State of Oklahoma, is the state wildlife agency responsible for managing, conserving, and protecting Oklahoma's diverse wildlife resources and habitats across the state's 77 counties. Operating from headquarters in Oklahoma City, ODWC serves as the primary recipient and administrator of federal wildlife and fisheries funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, managing over $25 million annually in Wildlife Restoration Program funds and approximately $8-9 million annually in Sport Fish Restoration Program funds. The agency's mission encompasses maintaining viable wildlife populations for hunting and other wildlife-associated outdoor recreation, conserving species of greatest conservation need identified in the Oklahoma Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, and providing public access to natural resources for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Through its extensive portfolio of federal grant awards, ODWC provides comprehensive wildlife management, research, and conservation services funded primarily through the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 under several major grant programs including the Wildlife Restoration Program (CFDA 15.611), Sport Fish Restoration Program (CFDA 15.605), State Wildlife Grants Program (CFDA 15.634), Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631), and Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs (CFDA 15.608). The agency conducts extensive population monitoring and data collection for game species including deer, turkey, prairie chickens, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, black bear, pronghorn, and furbearers; manages over 89 wildlife management areas totaling approximately 1.1 million acres; operates four state fish hatcheries producing sportfish for stocking in public waters; provides hunter education, archery training, and shooting sports instruction; manages invasive aquatic species including zebra mussels, hydrilla, and invasive carp; conducts research on species of greatest conservation need such as bats, salamanders, butterflies, freshwater mussels, and other wildlife; develops and maintains boating access facilities and recreational infrastructure; and coordinates technical assistance to private landowners on wildlife and habitat conservation. ODWC frequently partners with academic institutions including Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, and others as subawardees to conduct research on wildlife population dynamics, thermal physiology, digestive ecology, habitat associations, and conservation status assessments. The agency also subawards funds to non-profit organizations, universities, and other entities for specific conservation projects, and coordinates with federal agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as state and tribal partners, to implement integrated wildlife management strategies that benefit Oklahoma's natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities.