Controlled hunts application open April 1

While it is not a true hunting season, many Oklahoma sportsmen and women, await this “season” as if it were. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s popular controlled hunts program is open to online applicants will open April 1 and close May 20.

The annual controlled hunts application period opens in April and runs until mid-May. The entire process occurs online at license.GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com. There is a one-time application fee of $10 paid at the time you submit the application, regardless of how many hunt categories you apply in.

After applicants have reached the maximum number of hunt choices allowed in a category (up to 14 hunt choices across four categories for a $5 application fee), applicants will then be allowed to buy additional hunt choices at $3 per choice. There is no limit to how many extra hunt choices can be purchased, but applicants can only select a specific hunt once. Also, applicants will be able to add PointGuard insurance to each category, a safeguard against losing preference points in case the hunter cannot attend any of the hunts he wins.

PointGuard insurance is available for an additional $10 for residents or $50 for nonresidents. Applicants may also add extra hunt choices beyond the standard limit for $3 each.

Email notifications will start going out in June to inform applicants of their results. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email about the results of the draw.

Hummingbirds returning

If you haven’t already, now is the time to hang those hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds are one of the most sought after birds in Oklahoma during the spring and summer months. Hummers usually return from their winter migration in early April, but a few social media posts already report seeing them.

Hummingbirds are one of the most enjoyable birds to watch because they fly backwards and upside down while their wings pump 70 times per second. The most common species seen is the ruby-throated hummingbird, but Oklahomans may also spot the black-chinned hummingbird.

It’s hard to believe that these little flyers are on their way back from South America. So when they get here it will be time to replenish and find nesting grounds. It is believed that hummingbirds return to the same area annually.

It is fairly simple to attract hummers to your backyard, according to the Oklahoma Wildlife Department. Hummingbirds take to sugar water mixtures (one part sugar to four parts water) in a hummingbird feeder and bright, tubular plants such as trumpet creeper vines and petunias.

Hummingbirds are also attracted bee balm, salvia, trumpet creeper vines, lobelia, phlox, four-o-clocks and penstemons. Hummingbirds feed by sight rather than smell and often visit plants with vibrant colors and tubular shapes.

Be sure to empty and clean the feeders about every five days in cool weather and every two or three days in warm weather to ensure they don’t become contaminated with yeast and bacteria. Start with partially filled feeders, because the first few weeks may require discarding much of the mixture.

The hummingbird society offers these additional tips to help your feeding:

· Choose the right size feeder (not too big or too small)

· Red food coloring is not needed. Most feeders are red or flower colored.

· Use several smaller feeders instead of one big feeder (hummers are very territorial)

· Place feeders at least 4 feet above ground to keep out of reach of cats.

· Choose a shady spot, or at least avoid afternoon sun.

· Keep feeders clean (use detergent and rinse thoroughly).

· Every other week clean with bleach and water to kill bacteria and mold.

· Use an ant guard to discourage ants and other insects.