Controlled Hunts applications 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.

New for 2025, hopeful hunters will be able to buy one extra Preference Point to add to their totals for each hunt category. This feature expands on the option added last year, as it was only available in the elk and pronghorn hunt categories.

The expanded option to add another preference point in each hunt category(elk, pronghorn, deer and turkey) will cost an additional $10 for residents or $50 for nonresidents. These “extra” preference points work just like the traditional points earned every time your application isn’t drawn — they carry forward for future drawings and increase your odds of being selected even more!

In the 2024-25 controlled hunts drawing, one out of every 25.4 applicants had his or her name drawn. Hopeful hunters turned in 130,364 applications for one of the 5,116 individual controlled hunt permits available last year. Many of those applicants will apply again this year when the 2025-26 controlled hunts application submission period opens online.

The most important thing a hopeful hunter can do is to apply each year. Your chances of selection only get better each year. If you’ve applied for the controlled hunt of your dreams for five years straight without having been selected, then you have five “tickets in the hopper” for next year’s drawing, compared to a first-time applicant, who will have just one.

Winners of controlled hunts are randomly selected through a computerized process that draws applications from the entire pool of those submitted.

Hunters will be able to apply for several hunts within each category, which increases the chances of being selected for a hunt.

Those not drawn in a hunt category will gain a preference point for the drawings held in that category in future years, as long as the application is made in the same hunt category. Not only that, but some hunt categories allow applications for an entire group of hunters which boosts chances of being drawn.

Don’t miss your chance to win one of these special hunts that often create lifelong memories. Go to wildifedepartment.com for more information or to register.

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.