Current Events on the Refuge
(Updated 11/05/09)

Refuge Hunts Scheduled - Area Closures

The 2009 hunt season is underway and various areas in the Public Use portion of the refuge will be closed during these special hunts. All public use will be prohibited in these areas during the times listed.

The Dog Run Hollow area of the refuge will be closed from November 3-5 for the deer hunt. Please see the map provided which describes the closure.

Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working on a long-term management plan for the Wichita Mountains WR. This plan, called a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP), will serve as a guide for managing the Wichita Mountains WR over the next 15 years. Track the progress of this planning effort.

Visitor Center Hours have Changed!!

Visitor Center hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. These hours will continue throughout the winter and until the time change (Daylight Savings Time) in the spring.

Be ready for Winter! How to Have a Firewise Home.

Stay up to date on the weather at the Refuge by checking with the Weather Channel.

Want to Volunteer?

The Refuge accepts qualified volunteers for several projects. Give us a call or fill out an application

Been to the Refuge's Visitor Center lately? You'll be amazed by what you've missed!

Links to Area Attractions

Find information on area hotels, B&B's and cabins, local news, Chamber of Commerce and other items of interest to our visitors.

FREE Weekend Tours are being scheduled! Join Us!!

A wide variety of free weekend tours are being scheduled. These tours will begin at the Visitor Center and will vary from day to day. Plan to include these tours and interpretive walks in your visit to the Refuge. Call the Visitor Center at 580-429-2197 to check if a tour is happening when you visit and to get more information.

Refuge Maintenance Team Receives Award

The Maintenance Team at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge received the 2009 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Environmental Leadership Award for its exemplary efforts in Recycling. Service Director Sam Hamilton presented the award on October 28 during a Directorate Retreat at the Refuge.

According to Deputy Director Rowan Gould, "The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Maintenance Team has reason to be proud. Their innovative approach to recycling resulted in a significant increases in the amount of solid waste recycled. Additionally, they reduced the amount of energy and water consumed by the efficient use of resources and by working with volunteers to collect and separate recyclables."

The Refuge now recycles all of its paper, cardboard and aluminum used at the Headquarters, Visitor Center and at many of its outdoor public locations. Additionally, the maintenance team replaced all toilets with water efficient models and has replaced most lighting fixtures with energy efficient alternatives.

WMWR Visitors Receive National Award

Two visitors to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge took Honorable Mention Awards in the National Wildlife Refuge Association's 2009 Photography Contest. Grace Haight of Pottsboro, Texas won for her bison photograph and Albert Lavallee was honored for his image of a collared lizard. Both will receive a copy of "Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature," a book by Linda Lear.

This year's contest resulted in over 2,000 entries from 44 states. The Refuge is tremendously proud that two of our own ranked within the Top 15!

Visit the National Wildlife Refuge Association to see all the winning entries.

Let's Go Outside Mosaic - Add your Photo!

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in creating a photo mosaic! Add your photo of yourself, your family, or your pet in an outdoor activity and be part of the mosaic!

The Refuge Designated as an Important Bird Area!

The Oklahoma Audubon Council recently recognized the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge as an Important Bird Area (IBA) to Oklahoma.  Important Bird Areas are sites that provide essential habitat for one or more species of birds.  IBAs range in size from just a few acres to thousands of acres, but are usually discrete sites that stand out from the surrounding landscape. 

A panel of Oklahoma’s leading avian researchers reviewed species data and descriptions for a number of significantly threatened bird species.  The panel agreed that the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge qualified for recognition at the state level.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is home to over 240 species of birds, including ones that are considered near-threatened, threatened or endangered at international, federal or state levels.  The Black-capped Vireo, and endangered species, resides on the refuge during their breeding season.  The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge supports the second largest breeding population of Black-capped Vireo’s in the world.  Painted Bunting, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Red-headed Woodpecker and Chestnut-collared Longspur are some of the other species that helped qualify the site for designation.

New Video Page

Check out the newest addition to our website. Here you will find video clips of the Refuge and special events taking place. Enjoy!

Tour Schedule

The 2009 Tour Schedule is available. Be sure to check reservation dates so you can be included in your favorite tour!

Public Use

Public tours are conducted year around by the Association of the Friends of the Wichitas. Reservations are required for these popular tours and can be made by contacting the Visitor Center at 580-429-2151. Please check the tour schedule for reservation dates for each tour.

Elk and Deer Hunts

The special hunts at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge are a management tool to maintain the elk and deer populations at a level compatible with good habitat conditions. A management objective is to maintain the populations as they would naturally occur, which includes maintaining a one-to-one sex ratio rather than maximizing numbers of females for production.

The hunts are a cooperative effort between the Refuge and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The number of permits issued annually varies depending upon animal production, herd sex ratios, and the success of previous hunts in removing excess animals.

The 2008 hunts resulted in a 53% deer hunter success rate and an overall 56% elk hunter success rate. These rates are within normal averages.

Annual Bison Auction Results

Annual Texas Longhorn Auction Results