[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6612494,"mediaKeyId","2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c","parentId",2891105,"title","Commissioners and staff honor Commissioner Lee Gaddis on her impending departure","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",4113000,"endMs",4398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c&start=4113&end=4398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c/thumbnail_4113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612494/Oklahoma/Commissioners-and-staff-honor-Commissioner-Lee-Gaddis-on-her-impending-departure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612494-e0611fe6eabf3cdf1909eb1cb6a8aea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158297&Signature=RXScxEOgjRtz251KVdfROT3hVPSJ1GoSUxavF8LkohEtKaEYXJHqo7RrdYO6HMW5uK8JMZZUYmjbnpY5rQaDql4Lu~LUrhPAkeD9WJda7iM0QGkPlgfH9k~dKwz2BzzkRpBO3YXwesMMjtP~KwJLvtctLp2bZ0HkQHNhBiStZsLA~IjQFKenqKr5Hr8zJ6JfCsxEY71BCxi~D1oxWRXXRjouMrEMpdyzYa2~XhIQ~OTXybBCHZsYGEyGYD67cms7eQzv5O4JyvD2NL9IAsBrDN3nU3GIF4iieIeCRfYVfMi4GUTQeSwrFo1flJMfAsII6DgI-9v1XkxKZR-whyOXyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wildlife Conservation","date","2025-04-07T15:43:11.4Z","article","Commissioners and agency staff formally recognized Commissioner Lee Gaddis and presented an appreciation plaque for her years of service on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation commission.

Gwen, speaking for staff, recounted Gaddis’ appointment by former governor Mary Fallin in February 2014, reappointment to an eight‑year term in 2016, service as the commission’s first woman member and as chair, and her work on the Lisonbee Modernization Act. Gwen described Gaddis as “a non agenda driven” commissioner focused on doing “what’s best for the department, our constituents,” and staff presented a plaque noting service from 2014 through 2025.

Commissioner Lee Gaddis addressed the commission and staff, saying she was grateful for the experience and praised agency staff: “I want to say thank you to the department and all the staff and in house and out in the field. You all are what make this agency the best ever. … Every decision, every position on issues, whether it's legislative or whatever, You all make the right decisions for the right reasons. You do it without politics in the equation.”

Why it matters: The recognition notes leadership continuity and highlights the role commissioners play in guiding agency policy and legislative priorities, including the license modernization work staff identified as a recent priority.

Documentation: Staff awarded a plaque and took group photographs with the commissioner, students and other attendees during the recognition segment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 7, 2025 ODWC Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners and agency staff presented a plaque and spoke in appreciation of Commissioner Lee Gaddis’ service, noting her years on the commission, financial expertise and contributions to license modernization and outreach.","taxTitle","Wildlife Conservation, Executive, Oklahoma","taxId",27355,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612498,"Votes at a glance: meeting actions, contributions and executive session",3024,1055000,4079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c&start=1055&end=4079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c/thumbnail_1055000.jpg","/articles/6612498/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-meeting-actions-contributions-and-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612498-154f4f542429e921989b0d01790b167f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158297&Signature=kLnzwoeqJs8QNeT8VlEChYBgK~96LstRdumNWwSZjms-7zj~f-UOKDGIkCVNha7sqPC0K~R~sUqZn1Ypn6eFnlMSX9o9YAR-WOkEt3T--gfrjjg1tmcGIE~G9iAlxfWBfShDHo34q1ThafNM9UcGVS6-OM9Ih2UO7dr53xc1ktJkh7UIUeqAjTLn7SRDxs98PCIdCWfkhdYdWk2y~zXURniKN2YxltBtD0gYzllq7N-91gt1mkL7dwO2EaDxBhfNv7pFE7PyPNKSAAZ8SHgQ6XdjegoLiMRw8yzh5iUolrSfBCPV6IhVjDgVClG44wSO7ZnfazbfrRiZIDdza4hnqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting the commission recorded several formal motions and procedural votes.

Approve minutes: A motion to approve the minutes was made during the meeting (motion recorded). The transcript records the motion (“I move”) but does not specify a named mover, a second or a final tally in the available excerpt.

Approve contributions: A motion to approve contributions to the lifetime/pension/defined contribution trust activity was made and seconded. The transcript records a motion (“I'll move for approval of the contributions”) and a second; no full roll call tally was recorded in the available excerpt.

Executive session: A motion to go into executive session “to discuss the emails and figures” was made and seconded; the transcript records the motion and a subsequent return to open session later in the meeting. When the meeting returned to open session, one verbal vote line recorded was “Mister James. Aye.” The transcript does not include a complete roll call tally for the executive‑session motion in the provided excerpt.

Why it matters: Formal actions and votes are part of the official record and may direct staff follow‑up, require confidentiality under executive‑session rules or authorize financial transactions. The transcript provides evidence of motions and seconds but does not include full vote tallies for each recorded motion in the provided excerpt.

Documentation: The meeting minutes and official record should be consulted for full vote tallies, mover/second identifications and any motions’ formal text; the transcript segments cited below show where each item appears in the recording.","The commission recorded motions including approval of contributions and a move to go into executive session to discuss emails and figures; transcripts show motions, seconds and later an opening‑session vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612503,"ODWC director’s report highlights fisheries research, LiveScope study, shooting range projects and enforcement cases",776,1070000,1846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c&start=1070&end=1846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","/articles/6612503/Oklahoma/ODWC-directors-report-highlights-fisheries-research-LiveScope-study-shooting-range-projects-and-enforcement-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612503-82537bbeeb7ff5af2a6dfbbbe68158f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158297&Signature=lK9Jvei1K-5xDJIP3sPAki9ppjJaMTF1doXmAWU0d0byy7C4FHBc8SuKH~orlwxxHOO9XMwxuvMhLWbikBGK7c1vxqt5q05zCN5653DfAlrOmpK4emjapxsyVmabOghe5~p8xJH1NYufytZwtMPgvA1ISczE~bZKfuFx9DV27AcGJYwON3tp7GvK0gw3LLIClzIp1jho7nYgWyuYz1DA3vqaLFGk952Lx5~Xs~paYTCSRruTuDSFG6HUgW7HkM7lMKLPwiKJV55Fz5aM5FDLbgip-sP-W80UHF8j8Z22kwbo12aLBAa5wyHKcD6dO7xYzLCDb4f2Zvo-iR2pf5SxRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation provided a broad director’s report covering fisheries studies, shooting‑range projects, license modernization impacts and recent enforcement activity.

Director Wade said Fisheries Division has placed artificial spawning boxes in small impoundments to document catfish spawning activity and that the department is monitoring results through 2029. Staff also summarized a multi‑year study (2021–2024) of striped bass movement and recruitment in the Arkansas River system and a 36‑day Grand Lake creel survey that showed 58% of anglers sought black bass.

Wade discussed a department analysis of anglers’ use of live‑imaging sonar (LiveScope) and shared preliminary creel numbers for Grand Lake: for bass anglers, LiveScope users averaged about 1.41 fish per hour versus 3.4 fish per hour for traditional sonar users; for crappie anglers, LiveScope users averaged 2.3 fish per hour while traditional sonar users averaged 5.6.

Wade said the department has not found evidence that LiveScope has contributed to overharvest statewide and asked staff to confirm the finding; a staff member replied, “That's correct.”

The report also covered operational items: construction of shotgun range improvements at Packsaddle, posted environmental assessments for Texoma, Ouachita, Hickory Creek and Sandhills projects for public scoping, and a license modernization rollout that the department said correlated with a 28% increase in individual youth annual license check‑ins for deer this past season.

Law enforcement updates included several cases: an illegal bear hunting investigation that resulted in no‑contest pleas and over $2,400 in fines for Lafore County residents; investigations into alleged illegal shooting of robins by non‑English speakers where interpreters were used; and a suspected poisoning incident around Guymon that reportedly left hundreds of dead waterfowl under investigation.

Why it matters: The fisheries studies inform management for stocked and wild populations and the LiveScope analysis addresses angler concerns and enforcement implications. The license modernization numbers affect near‑term revenue assumptions used in budgeting.

Background and next steps: Staff said monitoring of artificial nest boxes will continue through 2029; fisheries and law enforcement divisions will follow up on the Grand Lake creel work and Guymon poisoning investigation; the department continues to work with legislators on bills affecting hunting guides, nonresident hunting on WMAs and other wildlife issues.","Director Wade and staff summarized ongoing fisheries studies — including artificial nest boxes and a striped bass study — preliminary findings about LiveScope sonar, funding and license trends, shooting range improvements and recent enforcement cases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612508,"ODWC and Safari Club honor student essay contest winners; four students earn hunts and trips",370,575000,945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c&start=575&end=945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c/thumbnail_575000.jpg","/articles/6612508/Oklahoma/ODWC-and-Safari-Club-honor-student-essay-contest-winners-four-students-earn-hunts-and-trips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612508-836c25ad95562a66e54bfc6d4dde0e0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158297&Signature=g56XeqsnLV6FzPsiEkpYwkYOhapAu6FsXBNrXLGQmmworW5Wl5zmu9S1Xo2wS4VFeOVDlFhsHH8aaMnQE4CJx7zqCHkqYUZp83POo0bwtGcTc0n2-AOCgex9~pmDdi08RmTYSLWN5J1FoDebvDoOkrIvD1PVsPf9SuIiijhrSTPJHolcfaFoM-4kkya8ZCgDT9pbpuT~uNj7iv8AkXxYeE4PZgISwrkHsPFIJ9kzbGkT7Olf471QkhZhNfOX76EA74gC7z5ReZGFOOQOa4e3xOCdCkhTqHKwvhauTD6Gq2mDRAvrCrU08vKFz~oSVNU6kGnxWgNK4y-fH-xKrJq4tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International presented awards to four winners of the chapter’s essay contest, continuing a partnership that staff said began in 1991.

Lance Meek, the department’s education supervisor, described the program as an effort to introduce young people to hunting and outdoor skills; winners receive either a guided hunt in Texas or attendance at an outdoor camp, department staff said. Meek said teachers play a central role by making the essay contest a classroom assignment and that the program sends “hundreds of essays a year.”

Sam Munholland of the Oklahoma Station Chapter told commissioners the chapter started the program in 1991 and has worked with the department for two decades on the effort; he listed recent winners and said the chapter raises banquet funds to support the awards.

This year’s winners included junior division winners Tegan Brownlee and Berkeley (Berkeley/Berkeley Snow spelled in transcript) Snow, and senior division winners Cooper Van Orsdahl and Kaylee Baker, the chapter said. The students and ag teachers from Depew attended the meeting for the presentation and a group photograph with commissioners.

Why it matters: Department and chapter staff framed the program as a recruitment and retention tool that exposes young people to hunting, outdoor skills and resource stewardship; the department described it as aligned with R3 goals.

Background: Staff said the program has run for decades with the chapter’s banquet fundraising underwriting the trips and camps. The department leaned on regional education staff and teachers to identify and bring winners to the presentation.

Looking ahead: Presenters encouraged continued teacher involvement and said the department will keep the partnership and classroom contest format in place.","The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recognized junior and senior essay contest winners who receive hunting trips and outdoor camp experiences as part of a long‑running partnership.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":104,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612513,"ODWC recognizes staff team for creating trapping workshops to recruit and retain hunters",423,152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c&start=152&end=575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891105-519ea7c6ac18e04e7f39570fd93dc19c/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6612513/Oklahoma/ODWC-recognizes-staff-team-for-creating-trapping-workshops-to-recruit-and-retain-hunters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612513-856c723bdd598fb79e818accbcc03a06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158297&Signature=a8WopcRiF1j4sIEMh9yxZpQuaSy-PxQ0jcPGefJA0EJ7WpCBxhgV1fxPeafk5cd1euO6I0NvXoc1f1EF6NtJuiWz-8s6VYnbrqrXgQkJAejPTmvmggK5UFTmm5I7K94siBf6KILBqOPp3d1fYETaJ8VPtATyoF6uuDdTTyXvM7Fdl~1SOFz2q0VccHCzfgzO5R~d8OLAb6S61-lP2qojARYOJbUPqZMaTEPb1wPMpfFBWao-VO4K8jtYuGiVdYRa-ToUez4~xsia5S4KneAW2bk13pPPpZrod9NTVtzixHWkv3bKMKf93Ey9N6JEHxenWNmLGtJ8k-7E3AvFGj1rXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on Monday presented its first R3 Champion award to a staff team that organized trapping workshops aimed at recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters.

The award honored JD Ridge and Coby Farquhar for initiating trapping workshops that have expanded across the state, the department said. The workshops teach trap setting, safe removal of animals from traps and fur preparation and have drawn attendees from about 10 to 70 years old.

The recognition comes from the agency’s R3 initiative — recruitment, retention and reactivation — which agency staff described as efforts to “plug people in, keep people plugged in, bring people back.” The department said the first year’s workshops averaged about 18–22 students and were held at sites including Packsaddle, Fort Gibson and Osage WMA locations.

Coby Farquhar, one of the recipients, said the effort was a team project that relied on help from wardens and biologists: “I don't have a lot to say, but I do wanna, give a little bit of credit. Colby and I, I'm not gonna say we didn't do a lot of work, but we had a lot of help.”

Agency staff credited Ron Smith, Marcus Thibodeaux, Jacob Harriet and area biologists for volunteer time and said most training materials so far were purchased through department channels. The department noted at least one participant in the workshops caught a coyote on his first trapping outing, an anecdote staff used to illustrate the hands‑on nature of the trainings.

Why it matters: The department framed the workshops as part of a broader strategy to maintain hunter participation. Presenters said continuing to bring new and returning participants into hunting and trapping helps sustain conservation funding and on‑the‑ground wildlife management.

Looking ahead: Organizers said they plan to continue expanding workshop locations and to refine the curriculum based on feedback from instructors and participants.","The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation honored a team that started trapping workshops intended to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters; staff said the workshops draw multi‑age attendees and rely on cross‑division support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners and staff honor Commissioner Lee Gaddis on her impending departure

Votes at a glance: meeting actions, contributions and executive session

ODWC director’s report highlights fisheries research, LiveScope study, shooting range projects and enforcement cases

ODWC and Safari Club honor student essay contest winners; four students earn hunts and trips

ODWC recognizes staff team for creating trapping workshops to recruit and retain hunters