ed godfrey | News OK

Ed Godfrey was born in Muskogee and raised in Stigler. He has worked at The Oklahoman for 25 years.
During that time, he has worked a myriad of beats for The Oklahoman including both the federal and county courthouse in Oklahoma City for more than a decade and has covered some of the biggest trials in the state's history.
He began his career at The Oklahoman as a sports writer and rejoined the sports desk in 2002 to become the outdoor writer. He now writes on a wide range of subjects from wrestling to hockey to rodeo.
He earned a journalism degree in 1982 from the University of Oklahoma and holds a master's degree in journalism education from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Journalist for The Oklahoman 25 years
Current position - sports writer
Previous position - Courthouse reporter for more than a decade

How and where do you catch big bass in Oklahoma? We asked the experts.
March madness will be happening any day now on Oklahoma lakes. March is big bass month in the state. Fifteen largemouth bass...

A grand experiment on Grand Lake: Trying to grow bigger fish in state's top bass lake
Grand Lake in northeastern Oklahoma is regularly listed on top 20 lists of best bass fishing lakes in the country. It has that...

An Oklahoma angler, a Texas lake and an Alabama Rig equals a 15-pound bass
It's big bass time and an Oklahoma angler had a big week in his first ever visit to O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas. Despite cold...

Archery in the Schools Grand Shoot: Locust Grove, Altus take team archery state championship
Locust Grove captured the high school archery title at last week's Archery in the Schools grand shoot held Tuesday and...

Where did all the birds go in Oklahoma? Winter storm might have killed many of them, biologist says
Where did the birds go? My wife and I were excited to see bluebirds in our Edmond backyard for the first time during the Arctic...

How Oklahoma's alligators snorkel in ice to survive cold snap: The gators ‘are aware of things’
By now, you've undoubtedly seen the photos of the alligators sticking their snouts out of the frozen Red Slough Wildlife...

'This is home': Cody Laurendi calls his release from Energy FC a 'gut punch' but plans to stay in OKC
Cody Laurendi has been the face of Energy FC the past five seasons. Whether representing Oklahoma City's professional soccer...

Why are people seeing so many robins around Oklahoma City? A wildlife biologist has a theory
If you've been seeing a lot of robins in the Oklahoma City area, you are not alone. The influx of robins is the subject of...

Oklahoma lawmaker hopes to legalize mountain lion hunting. Wildlife Department is discussing possibility
An Oklahoma lawmaker is calling for the state to open its first hunting season on mountain lions. State Sen. Casey Murdock,...

Why Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma is leading charge to persuade lawmakers on necessity of public lands
Like a third of Oklahoma's hunters, state Rep. John Talley relies on the public places in the state to pursue his passion. "My...

Are Oklahoma bowfishers killing too many fish? Why Wildlife Department is considering more protection
Oklahoma is poised to become one of the first states to begin managing and trying to conserve its native nongame fish species...

Wild hogs live in nearly every Oklahoma county despite state killing more
State agriculture officials killed 21,000 feral pigs in Oklahoma last year, an increase of 40% from 2019, but wild hogs are in...

What lies beneath: Oklahoma's monster fish
Growing up around Lake Tenkiller, Jimmy Houston often heard the tall tales of the lake's monster catfish that were big enough...

Oklahoma outdoors: Charitable foundation working as Wildlife Department's ally
For Rick Grundman, executive director of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation, the love of the outdoors began at age 1...

A Bigfoot hunting season in Oklahoma? Here's why a lawmaker filed this unusual bill.
State Rep. Justin Humphrey admits his legislation to establish a Bigfoot hunting season is primarily intended to draw tourists...

Cherokee Nation to open hunting, fishing reserves for its tribal members in Oklahoma
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma will open the tribe’s first hunting and fishing reserves for its citizens later this year....

Explaining the mystery about mountain lions in Oklahoma
State wildlife officials verified more sightings of mountain lions in Oklahoma in 2020 than any other year since the Oklahoma...

Former OU coach Stan Abel remembers Danny Hodge: Arm wrestling, crushing apples and a knife fight
When Danny Hodge snapped his fingers, it sounded like a firecracker popping. That, according to former University of Oklahoma...

Oklahoma outdoors: Wildlife Department ends its popular lake records program
David Hughes, owner of Lucky Lure Tackle in Oklahoma City, will continue to weigh fish and keep lake records for Oklahoma...

Oklahoma outdoors: Deadline nears to voice concerns on proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes
Sportsmen and women have through Friday to officially voice their opinions on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife...

Why Danny Hodge's legend extends beyond OU, Olympics and pro wrestling: 'That's Jim Thorpe stuff'
The hardware store employee in Westville had heard of Danny Hodge's exploits. Of how the three-time, unbeaten NCAA champion and...

Oklahoma outdoors: Bundle up and go on a hike New Year's Day
Oklahoma State Parks once again will be hosting "First Day Hikes" on New Year's Day. The free, guided hikes will be held in 22...

Cost of hatchery-raised trout has Wildlife Department wanting to reduce daily bag limit for anglers
Trout anglers in Oklahoma might not be able to keep as many fish in the future. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife...

Why there's 'no love on the racetrack' for jockey Sophie Doyle in Remington Park's Springboard Mile
British-born jockey Sophie Doyle has been enjoying the Oklahoma outdoors when she has not been racing at Remington Park during...

Oklahoma outdoors: Eagles and mountain bluebirds have arrived
Now is the time when America's majestic bird, the bald eagle, is often seen in Oklahoma. Typically, between 1,200 and 2,000...
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Oklahoma hunting, fishing compacts extended with Cherokee and Choctaw nations
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday signed a one-year extension on the state's hunting and fishing compact with the Cherokee Nation of...

Oklahoma outdoors: MLB pitcher Archie Bradley turns into a duck hunting outfitter during the offseason
There are two places where Archie Bradley excels. On the pitching mound and in a duck blind. Bradley, the former Broken Arrow...

National Finals Rodeo: Sage Kimzey looking to pass Jim Shoulders with seventh straight title
Oklahoma bull rider Sage Kimzey could make history at this year’s National Finals Rodeo which begins Thursday night at Globe...

Oklahoma Wildlife Department hopes to connect hunters directly with needy families
Wildlife Department hopes to connect hunters directly with needy families The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's...

Why does a 94-year-old Oklahoma man keep deer hunting? 'This is a 53-year tradition'
There can't be many 94-year-old deer hunters in the state. And even fewer who have bagged a deer each season after turning 90....

Oklahoma outdoors: Even the fish were hiding from COVID-19 on Lake Murray
ARDMORE — We pulled into Lake Murray State Park early Tuesday morning and there was a nature show on display alongside the road...

Oklahoma outdoors TV legend Don Wallace leaves a legacy of outdoor memories: 'It was the hardest job I ever loved'
For the Fuller family in Oklahoma City, like many other families in Oklahoma during the '70s and '80s, "The Wallace Wildlife...

Oklahoma outdoors TV host Don Wallace dies at age 90: 'Good luck, good hunting and good fishing'
Don Wallace, whose popular "Wallace Wildlife Show" aired on television for almost 40 years, died Wednesday. He was 90 years...

Rut Report: Deer gun season opens Saturday
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has released its rut report before Saturday's opening day of deer gun season....

Oklahoma's most popular hunting season set to open
Oklahoma's most popular hunting season, the 16-day deer gun season, opens Nov. 21 statewide. Based on recent years, more than...

Oklahoma bulls take stage in PBR World Finals at AT&T Stadium
The PBR World Finals begins Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas with a large group of Oklahomans in the field,...

Oklahoma quail hunting season opens Nov. 14 and the population is down again: 'I know that they are out there'
It's understandable why Oklahoma's quail hunters are itching to start the season. With the state's quail season always opening...

Watch out for a deer in your headlights: There is a 1 in 113 chance in Oklahoma of a motorist hitting an animal, most likely a deer.
As November arrives, Oklahoma motorists should keep a sharp eye for deer in their path. More animal-vehicle collisions occur in...

Whooping cranes are truly a rare bird. Now they're migrating through Oklahoma.
A whooping crane shut down the hunting season opener for sandhill cranes at Hackberry Flat on Saturday. State wildlife...
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How the world's most famous sheepdog came to live in Oklahoma: 'I just told him to buy the dog'
She traded herding sheep in the hills of Northumberland, the northernmost county in England that borders Scotland, for rounding...

Oklahoma angler Tom Friedemann's lifetime of journaling is now a fishing book
Tom Friedemann, 72, of Jones has kept data about every fish he has caught since he was 13. The day the fish was caught. Where...

Why a team of 70-year-old Oklahomans are heading to Arizona, 'Disneyland for old ball players'
The players trotted onto the Webster Middle School baseball diamond in Oklahoma City on a warm, autumn morning for a day of...

It took a pandemic for cyclists to get this race. Now they hope OKC Memorial Marathon keeps it in the future
Greg and Precia Barrett of Oklahoma City are former runners. Precia, 49, ran a full marathon in Nashville and Greg, 51,...

Trying to hide from COVID-19? Check out southeast Oklahoma's wilderness playground
It was a beautiful, cool and calm late September morning when the sun was rising on Broken Bow Lake, just the kind of weather...

Gov. Kevin Stitt bags a black bear hunting in southeast Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt killed a black bear Thursday while bowhunting in McCurtain County on the opening day of bear season....

Mustang hunter fills his season bag limit the opening hour of Oklahoma deer season
Deer archery season opened Thursday morning and then essentially ended about an hour later for Brad Homer of Mustang. Homer...

OKC Memorial Marathon goes virtual, but Yukon neighborhood shows up to support runner
When Gretchen Phelps trained this summer for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in the sweltering heat around her Yukon...

More Oklahoma hunters turning to bows as archery season opens
Archery deer season opens Thursday and there could be another record number of bow hunters in the woods. Through mid-September,...

How a 'show horse girl' and a gray gelding raced to a rare Oklahoma earnings mark
Not much was expected of the horse or trainer. Welder, a 7-year-old Oklahoma bred gelding, didn't come from the kind of...

OSU bull rider Rowdy Swanson mourned by family and rodeo world: 'He had all the heart and all the try'
When people remember Rowdy Swanson, most are going to remember his infectious smile. Jarrel Swanson said his son was born with...

Oklahoma Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Human Services team up to foster a love for fishing
The smiles were large and the laughter was loud. Catching a fish is fun, especially when it's your first one. Last weekend at...

Oklahoma outdoors: A multiprong approach to hunting in the Panhandle
Oklahoma and Texas are the only states in the country that have both alligators and antelope. Oklahoma doesn't have very many...

Pickleball is all the rage as Oklahoma Senior Games gets underway
For David Schultz of Edmond, the Oklahoma Seniors Games gives him the rare opportunity to compete in a triathlon this year. The...

Big 12 women's soccer: Cowgirls, Sooners set to kick off 2020 season with Bedlam
The Big 12 women's soccer season begins Friday with Bedlam. Oklahoma State will travel to Oklahoma for a 7 p.m. match on John...

Oklahoma outdoors notebook: September teal, goose seasons offer early waterfowling opportunities
The upcoming September teal and special resident Canada goose season gives Oklahoma hunters some early opportunities before the...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Boat and RV sales rise as people try escape to the great outdoors
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Ben Gadd has probably spent 80% of his time this summer on his houseboat on Lake Murray. "I have...

Dove season arrives but so does a cold front
The traditional kickoff to Oklahoma's fall hunting seasons will be Tuesday as dove season opens. It's a day looked forward to...
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Cyclists can join the virtual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in October
Trying to boost entries in this year's virtual Memorial Marathon, organizers announced Tuesday that cyclists could join the...

ODWC is rolling out a plethora of virtual courses to learn how to hunt and fish
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is moving into the virtual world. The agency is rolling out a spate of virtual...

Oklahoma Open: Retired PGA golfer Gil Morgan is happy 'to let those kids beat up on me again'
Forgive Jaxon Dowell if he is not well-versed on the PGA career of Gil Morgan, who he is paired with this week for the first 36...

Konawa's Colten Jesse heads into PBR Tour's Bullnanza riding a hot streak
No bull rider on the PBR Tour entered Bullnanza at the Lazy E Arena this weekend hotter than Colten Jesse of Konawa. The PBR's...

Bull riding to benefit Lukasey Morris, who was injured at National High School Finals Rodeo
When former professional bull rider Nathan Tull decided to hold a benefit bull riding in Edmond for the Union City teen...

Bullnanza makes a comeback at Lazy E, which 'has quite frankly saved rodeo this year'
Bullnanza returns to the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie on Friday and Saturday. When Bullnanza began at the Lazy E Arena in 1989, it...

Former pro looks to inspire young anglers through Varsity Fishing
Former pro angler Kenyon Hill of Norman is looking to instill a work ethic in youth through fishing. "You can teach them...
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'Still in shock': Beirut explosion hits home for OKC restaurateur
Richard Moorad's family has lived through a lot in Beirut, but Tuesday's explosion that killed at least 137 and wounded 5,000...
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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon to run virtually in 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon will go virtual for its 2020 races. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma, with...
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'This is the next best thing': OKC Thunder fans find a way to cheer virtually in NBA bubble
I wasn't in the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturday, but the familiar chants of "O-K-C" and "De-Fense" were constant from the...

Oklahoma pro angler Bradley Hallman's BFE bait hits stores as he recovers from COVID-19
Pro angler Bradley Hallman said he wanted to design a bait that would catch fish and not just fishermen. So when one of his...

Former rodeo champion Jimmy Morris watched his 'heroes in the sport die doing this.' He feared his son had suffered the same fate.
Jimmy Morris feared his son was dead. Morris rushed from the grandstands at the Lazy E Arena onto the dirt floor where his son,...

War against wild hogs rages on across Oklahoma
Scott Alls has been battling feral hogs for more than a decade. As director of wildlife services for the Oklahoma Department of...

Great American, Lone Star conferences delay start of athletic practices, games
The Great American Conference and the Lone Star Conference both announced Friday that it will delay the start of all...

A record paddlefish was caught for third time this year at Keystone Lake
For the third time this year, a state record paddlefish was snagged at Keystone Lake. And it is the second world record in the...

The best fishing songs ever recorded
A dozen years ago, I wrote a column about my favorite fishing songs. It needs updating. The other day a friend of mine emailed...

Tahlequah's Caden Bunch might be the next big name in bull riding to come from Oklahoma
Ryan Dirteater of Hulbert has been known as the "Cherokee Kid" on the PBR for more than a decade. Dirteater is planning to...

National High School Finals Rodeo finds a home at Lazy E Arena
The National High School Finals Rodeo is coming to Oklahoma for the first time. The rodeo, held every year since 1949, will...

Jerry Rhoton, of Norman, the man who created the Li'l Tubby lure, dies at age 81
Jerry Rhoton, of Norman, the man who created the Li'l Tubby fishing lure, died Wednesday. He was 81. The Li'l Tubby was a smash...

World, national shooting titles up for grabs in OKC
World and national championship events in the shooting sports are coming to Oklahoma City this week. The International Handgun...

After 20 years, the Women On Target shoot is still a blast
Suzi Rouse could count on one hand the number of women who were members of the Oklahoma City Gun Club when she approached its...

Energy FC to host Tulsa in USL return-to-play opener July 13 on ESPN2
Energy FC will resume league play July 13 against in-state rival FC Tulsa in a nationally televised match at Taft Stadium. The...

Edmond angler snags world record paddlefish at Keystone Lake
James Lukehart of Edmond and his wife, Caitlin, were looking to just catch some fish for dinner Sunday when they booked a...

Oklahoma outdoors: Wildlife Department creates Sandhills WMA in Woods County
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation soon will be adding another wildlife management area. The 5,212-acre Sandhills...

State tourism officials boast success of Oklahoma Fishing Trail
Forty anglers completed Oklahoma's Grand Slam during the first year of existence of the state's designated Fishing Trail. The...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Lake Texoma's striper guides are busier than ever
The striped bass fishing on Lake Texoma has been excellent this year and after many cancellations in the spring in the weeks...

A black bear pays a visit to Oklahoma County
Seeing a black bear in Oklahoma County might be akin to seeing an alien from Mars, but Joe Hemphill is no longer surprised by...

Former NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson to race in Lawton on Thursday
Three-time NASCAR Cup series champion Tony Stewart and former NASCAR Cup driver Kyle Larson will be racing at Lawton Speedway...

This time, a huge paddlefish snagged at Keystone Lake is the state record
Keystone Lake would have coughed up the state record paddlefish in February, but it was snagged on a designated catch and...

Edmond North cross country coach James Strahorn completes his border-to-border Oklahoma run
Edmond North cross country coach James Strahorn finished his border-to-border run across Oklahoma late Thursday. Strahorn, an...

Edmond North cross country coach runs across Oklahoma while 'living on gas station food'
James Strahorn is running across the state. The new Edmond North cross country coach will be the first person to run from the...

Doing 'the right thing' nets generous reward for Piedmont teens
Two Piedmont teens who confronted a man illegally netting a bass at a Canadian County pond were generously rewarded for their...

Energy FC returns to practice hoping there will be season
Being from New York, Energy FC midfielder Arun Basuljevic knows people back home who have contracted COVID-19. "Thank God,...
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The fans are gone, but the betting goes on at Remington Park
Jockey James Flores said Remington Park has felt like a ghost town this spring with no fans in attendance. "It's not the same...

What is the Oklahoma Grand Slam? Meet the hunter who killed the state's five big-game species in one season.
Brandon Adams of McLoud has done something that is believed no other hunter in Oklahoma has ever done. He has killed all of...

'We got a Guinness with your name on it': How an OKC woman became the queen of Glentoran soccer fans in Ireland
How did a 33-year-old woman from Oklahoma City end up being the honorary queen of soccer fans in Belfast? It's a story that...

Wildlife Commission makes changes to deer, duck hunting seasons
Hunters will get more opportunities to harvest antlerless deer in the upcoming season and duck seasons now will be the same for...

Economic freefall from COVID-19 pandemic will hurt Oklahoma wildlife conservation efforts
The economic shutdown from COVID-19 is hurting fundraising efforts by wildlife conservation organizations in Oklahoma, money...

BioBlitz! helps Oklahomans connect with nature
The fifth annual virtual BioBlitz! is wrapping up its final days of April with more participants and observations than ever...

'Mountain lion' in Edmond was just an ordinary cat, state wildlife officials say
It turns out the mountain lion in Edmond was just a kitty cat. A photo of a possible mountain lion in an Edmond neighborhood...

OHRC suspends Remington Park's Sooner 6ix wagering after complaint
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission has suspended wagering on the Sooner 6ix at Remington Park after a Virginia man claims he...

PBR will buck for TV with no fans at Lazy E Arena
The PBR will resume this weekend for TV only with no fans from the Lazy E Arena and Ranch near Guthrie. About 140 people — PBR...

Fish tales and some 'Dumb Luck'
“Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers” by John Gierach (Simon and Schuster, 225 pages, in stores Tuesday) All of us who fish...

Outdoors: After 44 years, nation's longest-serving wildlife commissioner is stepping down
John Groendyke, of Enid, is the longest-serving wildlife commissioner in the United States. For nearly 44 years, the chairman...

'It's where my heart is': Oklahoma Christian basketball player Connor Atkinson set to resume her passion of auto racing
Being a woman in a male dominated sport, people always assume Connor Atkinson is a big Danica Patrick fan. "I have heard a lot...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: COVID-19 could result in a new generation of anglers
In my Edmond neighborhood, I have seen more people fishing at the local ponds the past two weeks than I have in the previous...

Like the rest of us, former Brooklyn Dodger Bobby Morgan is missing baseball
It made my day when I went to the mailbox Tuesday and inside was an envelope containing baseball cards and a note from Bobby...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Turkey season opens Monday but fewer gobblers await hunters
Turkey season opens Monday in most of the state and there will be fewer turkeys out there, and perhaps fewer turkey hunters, as...

Ed Godfrey: A small town boy's journey from the ball field to the press box
Thinking about the 1971 "Game of the Century" between the Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers still makes me sad. Damn...

Have fishing pole, will travel: Moore angler knows all the honey holes
Bill Tharp probably knows more good fishing holes than anybody in Oklahoma. That's not news to anyone who follows the...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Get away from it all but be smart about it
Kacy Cook of Muskogee plans to go fishing as often as he can at Lake Eufaula and Fort Gibson Lake in the coming days. He thinks...
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Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Guns sales on the rise as anxiety over COVID-19 climbs
Gun and ammo sales are soaring in Oklahoma and around the country amid fears and worry about the COVID-19 pandemic. Guns are...
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Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Wildlife Department shutters headquarters, field offices
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation announced Tuesday that the agency will be closing its headquarters in Oklahoma...

First time is a charm for Taylor Santos at Timed Event Championship
GUTHRIE — When you don't know when your next rodeo is going to be, the timing couldn't be better to win $100,000. California...

Monarchs are in peril but Okies can help
Save the butterflies. Plant some milkweed. This year's winter count of monarchs in Mexico is down after the population...

Broken Bow native Clay Smith might be the best roper in rodeo
GUTHRIE — As a cattle rancher and a rodeo announcer for the past 30 years, Justin McKee of Lenapah knows good stock when he...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: 'Cowboys are risk takers': Timed Event Championship in Guthrie won't cow down to coronavirus threat
GUTHRIE — Trell Etbauer of Goodwell leapt from the saddle, grabbed the steer by the horns and threw the animal to the ground...

Timed Event Championship begins Friday at Lazy E Arena
The 36th Timed Event Championship begins Friday at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Twenty cowboys will be competing for the title...

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Energy FC sidelined as USL halts play
After Major League Soccer suspended its season for at least 30 days because of the coronavirus outbreak, the United Soccer...

March means the start of good fishing
Fishing in Oklahoma isn't going gangbusters yet, but the next few weeks will offer the best fishing of the year with springtime...

USL 2020 preview: New coach, new players and new season for Energy FC
Energy FC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi admits last season was extremely disappointing for the club. A ballyhooed team in the...

A Need for Speed: Remington Park jockey James Flores' hobby is drag racing
James Flores likes to go fast, whether in a car or on a horse. When the Claremore resident is not sitting in a jockey saddle...

Oklahoma hunting: Morrison teen's buck is now officially a record
Guner Womack's trophy buck is now officially a state record. The Morrison teen and Oklahoma State Univeristy student became an...

The record paddlefish that wasn't a record
Justin Hamlin of Kellyville snagged a 157-pound paddlefish during a guided trip on Valentine's Day with Jeremiah Mefford of...

Outdoors: Learning Archery skills in the classroom
National Archery in the Schools and other outdoor education programs in Oklahoma schools continue to grow, but will they be...

Outdoors: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation scraps proposal to lengthen deer gun season
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will not recommend to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Tuesday...

Outdoors: New Jersey man must pay $350,000 for smuggling Oklahoma turtles
The occupants in the three motel rooms in Mannford kept telling the housekeeper not to worry about cleaning their rooms. But...

'It really touched my heart': Ryan Dirteater receives the biggest cheers, but Brazilian wins PBR event in OKC
It was the first time Ryan Dirteater received a standing ovation after getting bucked off a bull. The Cherokee Kid failed to...

'The bull power here is phenomenal': PBR's Cord McCoy has gone from bull rider to bull breeder
At the J.W. Hart Invitational seven years ago, a disheartened Cord McCoy had just been thrown off a bull and was dragging his...

PBR's Ryan Dirteater making his farewell rides in OKC
The Cherokee Kid isn’t a kid anymore. During the Express Classic Invitational at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City this...

Outdoors: Art reflects life on state fishing license
A Dust Bowl image painted by an Oklahoma City artist of four brothers proudly showing off a stringer of fish is depicted on the...

Outdoors: The father of finesse fishing will be in OKC
If you are a bass fisherman, you no doubt know of the Ned Rig, a method of fishing with a finger-sized piece of soft plastic on...

Outdoors: OKC's fisheries biologist has 'gone fishin' for good
If you have ever caught a big fish in an Oklahoma City lake, you probably have Bob Martin to thank. “If it was a walleye or if...

Outdoors: Going pro turned out all right for Edwin Evers
Chasing the dream of catching bass for a living can be a risk, but Edwin Evers had nothing to lose when he started down that...

Our favorite books of 2019
This time of year, many publications announce their "best books" list. Often these include the kind of books that very few...

Outdoors: Deadline nears for public input on proposed rule changes
Oklahomans only have a few days left to offer their two cents, and have them officially counted, about proposed changes to...

It was a Christmas show with very little Christmas music but plenty of entertainment
Frankly, I can't remember when I have had more fun at a concert. I admit I'm biased. I have loved Robert Earl Keen's music for...

Outdoors: Christmas comes early for Oklahoma City birders
Nathan Kuhnert spent Friday night poring over his field guides and listening to audio recordings of birds in preparation for...

Outdoors: Are ducks becoming a bunch of wise guys?
Josh Richardson wonders if the ducks are getting wise to duck hunters. Fewer waterfowl seem to be migrating through Oklahoma...

Minco's Dona Kay Rule qualifies for first National Finals Rodeo at age 61
Dona Kay Rule has spent most of her life helping other barrel racers get to the National Finals Rodeo. Now at age 61, the Minco...

Oklahoma's pheasant numbers rebound from last year
Oklahoma’s two-month pheasant season opens Dec. 1 and there appears to be more birds than last year. “We bounced back a lot...
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Good grief, Christmas is big at the Gaylord Texan
GRAPEVINE, Texas — They say things are bigger in Texas. Well, that includes Christmas. Each year, the Gaylord Texan Resort...

Outdoors: Deer gun season might be a week longer next year
Oklahoma’s 16-day deer gun season opened Saturday statewide, but next year hunters could get even more time in the woods. The...

Deer season is huge in Oklahoma, and not just for hunters
In explaining the importance of the deer gun season in Oklahoma, the Wildlife Department often likes to cite the following...

Bird hunters are hoping the quail season won't be pointless
It was a hot and unusually windless day in the Oklahoma Panhandle Saturday morning, not great scenting conditions for bird dogs...

The Flatlanders are still flat out good
At one point during Tuesday night’s performance at Tower Theatre, Jimmie Dale Gilmore said the Flatlanders were going to...

When the trail goes cold, call in the dogs
George Moore had almost given up finding the trophy buck he had put an arrow in last month. The Arcadia resident shot a 7x7...

Oklahoma hunting: Morrison teen kills once-in-a-lifetime buck
Guner Womack woke up on Wednesday morning to discover he had many more friends on social media than he did the day before....

Oklahoma deer is the talk of the hunting world
Guner Womack's compound bow kill of a trophy whitetail in Pawnee County is the talk of the deer hunting world this week....

Oklahoma's best hiking trails: New book singles out Elk Mountain, but Oklahoma has several great trails
Oklahoma has many excellent hiking trails and one is included in the new book, “America’s Best Day Hikes,” by Derek Dellinger....

Oklahoma's elk population continues to grow
Seeing an elk is still a rare sight in Oklahoma, but not as rare as it used to be. The elk population is growing in Oklahoma....

Oklahoma's deer hunting season off to a big start
Jeff Booth almost didn’t take his bow with him Wednesday. He was planning to drive up from his Broken Arrow home to his hunting...

Concert review: Chris Stapleton wows sold-out crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena
In the past, if anyone would ever ask me what makes a great country song, my usual answer would be it must include a fiddle or...

Archery hunters find common ground on Facebook page
When the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation first introduced “e-checking” of deer 2009-10, it became immediately...

Fewer sportsmen and women means fewer dollars for wildife conservation
The annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo will be Sept. 28-29 at the Lazy E Arena and Ranch in Guthrie. When it began 15 years ago, one...

Oklahoma's first female game warden was hired 29 years ago, but today it is still a rarity
Thirty years ago, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation might have been reluctant to hire a woman as a game warden....

Anderson excels even without band
My wife and I had this debate during the John Anderson show at Riverwind Casino in Norman on Friday night. Was he better by...

Public can vote until Sept. 8 for their favorite butterfly license plate
Voting is open through Sept. 8 on a new Monarch butterfly specialty license plate. The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma, which...

Review: Asleep at the Wheel still kickin' it
The bumper stickers for sale in the Tower Theatre lobby read “Western Swing Music Ain’t Dead, It’s Asleep at the Wheel.” Ain’t...

Dove hunting could be more challenging this year
It’s difficult to predict what the opening day of dove season will be like a week ahead of time, but it's not looking real...

Energy FC enters home stretch of season
It's make or break time for Energy FC. Oklahoma City hosts Austin Bold FC Saturday night in a match that begins a critical...

State wildlife commissioner is on a mission
Jim Barwick of Edmond is doing something no other state wildlife commissioner has ever done. He is visiting every public...

'Where the Crawdads Sing' deserves an ovation
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 368 pages, in stores) I am late to the party when it comes to...

New Mexico's Echo Amphitheater is a geological wonder
When traveling across this country by car, my wife likes to stop everywhere. Anywhere there are roadside stands with homemade...

Newalla man's duck calls are making a splash
Physical therapy is Brandon Lewelling’s career. Designing and making duck calls is his passion. For the past seven years,...

OKC Energy FC to battle Tulsa for 'The Wrench'
Energy FC and Tulsa will battle in the Black Gold Derby Saturday night at Taft Stadium with the winner getting the Wrench, the...

The Million Dollar Highway is spectacular, breathtaking and terrifying
OURAY, Colorado – Driving along the Million Dollar Highway just a few miles south of Ouray, I spotted one of the most...

OKC angler has been journaling more than 50 years
Tom Friedemann can tell you all the details about that nearly 2-pound bass he caught on April 9, 1963, from a Payne County farm...

Game wardens were the 'original conservationists'
Game wardens from across North America will descend on Oklahoma City this week for the national conference of the North...

Bears have a firm foothold in Oklahoma
It’s the breeding season for black bears in eastern Oklahoma and the time of year when the young ones are on the move. “Mamas...

Energy FC looks to move up the table
It’s been nine United Soccer League matches since Energy FC has scored multiple goals. Still, during that nine-game stretch,...

The Oklahoman's Super 30: Checotah's Jacob Barrett moved to WR, earned scholarship
Checotah head football coach Chad Hendricks knew from his first meeting last summer with Jacob Barrett that he was getting a...

Do mountain lions call Oklahoma home?
There has been an uptick in reported mountain lion sightings lately. Since the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation...

The Oklahoman's Super 30: College recruiters sizing up Verdigris' Austin Woods
Verdigris head football coach Travis East has a simple answer when asked why college recruiters are interested in offensive...

Oklahoma is angling for more tourism dollars
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell is a fisherman. “I grew up fishing with my grandpa at Sequoyah State Park and some of my...

Kyle Hyland has become an OKC veteran
Energy FC defender Kyle Hyland didn’t know what to expect when he first arrived in Oklahoma City before the 2016 United Soccer...

Black bear hunting to be allowed in more southeastern Oklahoma counties this fall
Black bear hunting will be allowed in more counties in southeastern Oklahoma this fall under rules approved Monday by the...

Energy FC turns attention back to league play after U.S. Open Cup loss
Energy FC was eliminated Wednesday night in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by FC Dallas and now turn their attention back to...

Energy FC meets FC Dallas in U.S. Open Cup
Oklahoma City gets another shot at the big leagues when Energy FC meets FC Dallas Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup at SMU’s...

Noodlers will have to dive deeper
Tim Suchy is chomping at the bit to get fish bit again. The noodler from Wanette has won the Okie Noodling Tournament multiple...

COOP Ale, which makes the Horny Toad Blonde beer, will show a documentary about the Texas horned lizards on Saturday
The Nature Conservancy and COOP Ale Works are teaming up for an outdoors showing of a documentary about the demise of the Texas...

Dahlgren Lake on the Lexington WMA is now full and ready for anglers
Dahlgren Lake on the Lexington Wildlife Management Area is now full of water and ready for fishing. The lake, drained three...

After weathering the Rowdies and storm, it's clear skies ahead for Energy FC
Coming off its biggest win of the season, Energy FC returns to USL action with a Saturday night match against LA Galaxy II at...

Energy FC to meet 'storied' Tampa Bay Rowdies in U.S. Open Cup
Energy FC will face a "storied franchise" Tuesday night when Oklahoma City hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the third round of...

Energy FC beats Colorado Springs and the weather, but just barely
Energy FC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi has been in Oklahoma City long enough to become accustomed to seeing lightning in the sky....

Energy to host struggling Switchbacks
Energy FC, coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw last Saturday night to Real Monarchs SLC, will face the struggling Colorado...

High school tennis: Turkey's top junior player dominates Oklahoma state tourney
For Stillwater tennis, getting Mert Arabaci was kind of like Oklahoma football getting Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray. Arabaci...

High school tennis: Crossings' Daniel Haley defends crown
Daniel Haley of Crossings Christian doesn’t want to look too far ahead. But when you win state tennis championships in No. 1...

It's time to rodeo on Canton Lake
Oklahoma’s oldest fishing tournament, the 52nd annual Walleye Rodeo, begins Thursday on Canton Lake. The four-day event...

High school tennis: Ada coach Skip Griese is leaving a legacy
Skip Griese is making his 70th trip to a state high school tennis tournament this weekend, but it will be his final one as...

Boys tennis notebook: State championship races shaping up after first day
Crossings Christian, Ada battling for 4A title The team race in Class 4A would appear to be between Crossings Christian and Ada...

Jenks' Andie Williams downed Westmoore's Jenna Noel again for 6A No. 1 singles title
Things began well for Westmoore’s Jenna Noel, capturing the first three games in the first set Tuesday against two-time...

A Parrothead's confession: "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
Self-proclaimed 'Parrothead' Ed Godfrey reviews Kenney Chesney's first Oklahoma City concert in nearly 12 years.

High school tennis: Grandfather's Christmas gift led Harding Charter Prep junior to state tournament
When Carolyn Eakers-Jarrett was in the first grade, she received a special Christmas present from her grandfather. “My...

High school tennis: Westmoore's Jenna Noel ensures another top-5 finish
Westmoore’s Jenna Noel advanced Saturday into the semifinals in Class 6A’s No. 1 singles, ensuring she will finish in the top...

Stitt's veto of guide bill pleases most hunters
Most Oklahoma hunters were celebrating Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of Senate Bill 566 on Monday, which would have legalized...

Kentucky Derby: Long Range Toddy's run for the roses began in OKC
Several years ago, Scott Wells came to the realization that it would be difficult to get a Kentucky Derby winner to race at...

Energy FC to host Tacoma Defiance
Energy FC returns to Taft Stadium after earning points in its last two matches – a 1-0 win two weeks ago at home over Orange...
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Andre wins marathon in record time
Seven years ago, Stephanie Andre traded smoking for running. On Sunday, she ran the fastest marathon in Oklahoma ever by a...

OKC youth fishing classes begin Saturday
Oklahoma City’s free youth fishing classes offered throughout the summer begins Saturday. Each year, the staff from the...

OKC resident got physical after lupus diagnosis
It wasn’t a shock to Stephen Davis when he first received the news more than two years ago that he had lupus. Many years ago,...

Blake Foster runs in the Memorial Marathon to honor aunt, father
For Blake Foster of Moore, this Sunday's Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon will be day of celebration and thankfulness. He will...

Paddlefish season is winding down but there is still time to snag a spoonbill
Paddlefish season is winding down in Oklahoma as the spawning runs up the rivers are nearing an end. The Paddlefish Research...

Energy FC looks to break winless streak
After a promising start to the season, Energy FC could really use a win. Energy FC opened the season with two victories and...

Lake Eufaula is the go-to place for crappie fishing in Oklahoma
LAKE EUFAULA — Timing is everything. The sounds of a filet knife whirring in the background while I was crappie fishing left me...
Timbers rally to beat Energy on three second-half goals
Last weekend Energy FC was celebrating its biggest comeback in club history to earn a draw against Reno. On Saturday night, the...

Bill to legalize hunting guides on public lands advances to House
Senate Bill 566, the proposal to allow hunting guides on public land, has been amended since it was first introduced in the...

Energy FC back home after epic comeback at Reno
Energy FC returns home Saturday night after its largest comeback in club history in its last outing at Reno. Energy FC trailed...

Running was a lifeline for Redbud Classic incoming executive director Sara Sweet
Running helped Sara Sweet cope with her grief. Sweet, the incoming executive director of the Redbud Classic, lost her father in...

Turkey season is set to open, but birds are behaving differently
Turkey hunters likely will see fewer birds this spring as the state’s wild turkey population has declined from a year ago. The...

Outdoors notebook: Fishing industry mourns a pioneer
Fishing industry mourns a pioneer Darrell Lowrance, the founder of the legendary Lowrance Electronics in Tulsa, died March 23...

Springtime in Oklahoma is for the birders
For folks interested in bird watching, early April is when large waves of migratory birds start coming back through Oklahoma on...
Sand bass should be biting soon
Sand bass, or white bass, should start to bite around the state with arrival of warmer weather. The old adage is when the...

Energy FC earns hard-fought win in home opener
Last season Energy FC recorded its second win on May 19. The Greens' second win of the 2019 season came on Saturday night....

Optimism abound as Energy FC is set for home opener
There was no “offseason” for Energy FC coach Steve Cooke and his staff. Cooke was a busy man during the offseason, adding more...

Energy FC adds talent, experience for 2019 season
If Energy FC looks like a new team this season, that’s because it essentially is. Starting his second season on the job, Energy...

Rack Madness results in state record elk
The third annual “March Rack Madness” held Tuesday in Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation...

Timed Event Championship begins Friday at Lazy E Arena
Thirty-five years ago, the Timed Event Championship was created at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Called the Ironman of ProRodeo,...

Rack Madness scheduled Tuesday
Rack Madness event scheduled Tuesday The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold its “March Rack Madness” event...

Longtime outdoor writer Covey Bean dies at 81: 'Hunting and fishing was his life'
For 24 years, Covey Bean regaled readers of The Oklahoman with hunting and fishing tales. “Hunting and fishing was his life,”...

Bass fishing action will heat up soon
Now is the time to fish for big bass in Oklahoma. March provides more big bass action than any other month in Oklahoma. The top...

Wildlife Commission opposes bevy of bills
This year's battles over wildlife legislation has begun. The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the governing body for...

Proposed hunting regulations aimed at preventing spread of fatal deer disease
Trying to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, state wildlife officials are proposing a regulation that would...
March Rack Madness event set for March 5
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold its “March Rack Madness” event March 5 at the agency’s Oklahoma City...

Crappie guide loves winter fishing
In the past year, Josh Jones' crappie guide business has exploded, mostly due to the fishing videos he has posted on his...

Bullfighting is Cody Webster's calling
Webster and his bullfighting mentor, fellow Oklahoman Frank Newsom from Paoli, will be trying to keep the cowboys safe at the...

Oklahoma City provides urban fishing opportunities
There are almost 8,000 surface acres of fishing water just in Oklahoma City and Saturday will be a free fishing day.

'Duck Dynasty' star to teach at Crappie University
John Godwin will be one of the instructors at this year’s Crappie University at Rose State College in Midwest City, which is...

Wildlife Department was like family to former employees
The lobby showcasing Oklahoma wildlife and intended to be an educational display was primarily built with a generous financial...

Oklahoma All-State Football 2018: Jenks lineman Brady Latham grew into a Division I recruit
The offensive tackle from Jenks wasn't attracting much attention from college recruiters as a sophomore, so he started eating a...

Oklahoma All-State Football 2018: Rejoice Christian's Andrew Crow didn't expect to produce the kind of numbers he did
Andrew Crow of Rejoice Christian rushed for 2,621 yards and scored 43 touchdowns.

Wildlife Department to debut new online licensing system Monday
Hunters and anglers will now be able to access and buy licenses on their phones through a mobile app.

Recent releases by David Grann, Loren D. Estleman, Faye Kellerman and Mike Lupica.
A quick look at four recent books with which to treat yourself.

Start the year off right with a hike
What better way to start that New Year’s resolution to exercise and live healthier than by taking a hike on the first day of...

If there's an Old West fan on your shopping list, consider this book of cowboy wisdom.
Slim book collects the wit and wisdom of cowboys.

Wildlife conservation groups provide important funding
Almost every dollar the Wildlife Department gets from such groups can be matched three times with federal funds.

Jockey, trainer set Remington Park records
The Springboard Mile is the co-richest thoroughbred race at Remington Park. It's $400,000 purse is the same as the Oklahoma...

Wildlife Department wants to expand black bear hunting
Since 2009, black bear hunting has been allowed in four southeastern Oklahoma counties: Latimer, Le Flore, Pushmataha and...

Oklahoma keeps producing trophy bucks
Oklahoma is producing more trophy bucks because hunters in recent years have been choosing to shoot fewer young bucks.

Pheasant season opens Saturday but population still recovering
Bird hunters who have chased quail this season can expect similar results with pheasant

Trout fishing destinations offer more than just fishing
Three of the state's winter trout areas are in state parks and the other three are near small towns that are interesting places...

Deer hunters can donate venison to hungry families
Since 2002, deer hunters have donated more than 500,000 pounds of meat through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife...

Deer hunting is a family tradition in Oklahoma
On Saturday, the Lackeys will be among the more than 187,000 deer hunters who will be in the woods or on the plains for the...

Protagonists battle corruption, pasts in two gritty crime novels.
Protagonists battle corruption, pasts in two gritty crime novels.

IN SEARCH OF BOBWHITE: Quail season opens Saturday but fewer birds around
Quail season opens Saturday but fewer birds around

Johnny Morris' museum and aquarium stresses conservation
There is a mile and a half of exhibits with 35,000 live animals in the aquarium including more than 800 species of sharks,...

Lawton deer hunter thankful to be alive after falling from tree stand
Thousands of Oklahoma deer hunters will be climbing into tree stands during the archery season — which is now underway — and...

Missouri nature park is a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park contains towering bluffs, cascading waterfalls, spring-fed creeks filled with rainbow trout for...

Table Rock Lake provides a memorable morning of fishing for outdoor writer and son
We ventured out on a hot, September morning on Table Rock Lake for a couple of hours to see if we could get Cade to catch his...

OKLAHOMA'S TRUE BASS: The history of striped bass, white bass and hybrids
After years of offering bass fishing classes as part of its continuing education curriculum, Rose State College in Midwest City...

Reel Recovery to host fly fishing tourney at American Horse Lake
Reel Recovery is a national nonprofit organization that provides free fishing retreats for men who have or have had cancer.

Energy FC hosts Sacramento in important match for both teams
Oklahoma City enters the 6 p.m. match at Taft Stadium against Sacramento Republic FC five points out of the eighth and final...

The annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo will be Sept. 22-23 at the Lazy E Arena and Ranch in Guthrie
The Oklahoma Wildlife Expo offers more than 120 activities and seminars. This year, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife...

The Mavericks keeps the crowd dancing at Tower Theatre
Oklahoma City's Tower Theatre has become a regular stop for the band
Zebra mussels confirmed in Foss Reservoir
The non-native aquatic nuisance species has continued to spread throughout Oklahoma waters since first found in the...

HEALING WATERS: Fly fishing is therapy for disabled vets
Nate Satterelli is the president of the new Oklahoma City chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization that...

'Poor man's bonefish' tourney planned for Purcell Lake
Donavan Clary of Purcell has been competing in carp fly fishing tournaments in Texas and has won two major tournaments in the...

NEW HUNTING GROUND: Wildlife Department leases more land for public hunting
Saturday marks the first major event of the 2018-19 hunting seasons, the opening of dove season. The Wildlife Department has...

Openings available for Women's Fun Shoot at OKC Gun Club
The Women's Fun Shoot at the OKC Gun Club is the largest women's instructional shoot in the country with almost 600...

OKC continues playoff push with fourthstraight win
Christian Volesky, Adam Jahn and Marco Bustos scored goals while Jose Barril had two more assists to set a single season...

As dove season nears, state wildlife officials preparing dove fields on wildlife management areas, but rain could interfere
What will likely be the wettest August in the history of the state could ruin the highly anticipated dove season opener if it...

The Collected Wisdom of Don Demeter
Oklahoma City native Don Demeter, 83, played 11 seasons in the major leagues with the Dodgers, Phillies, Tigers and Indians. He...
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Valley of the Bats: Mexican free-tailed bats are the summer spectacle in northwest Oklahoma
The bats exit from the Selman Bat Cave, which is tucked in the gypsum bluffs that tower the sandsage prairie, flying in such a...

District 5A-4 season preview
Skiatook picked to repeat but the Bulldogs will have to replace four starters in the offensive line

OKLAHOMA'S ICONIC WATERS: The Chickasaw National Recreation Area attracts 1.5 million visitors a year
The scenic Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, just a 90-minute drive south from Oklahoma City, is a great place to...
Outdoor Nation Expo opens Friday in Shawnee
The Outdoor Nation Expo at Firelake Arena will feature more than 150 booths and attractions, including the Oklahoma State...

The cowboy who invented bulldogging
In 1907, Bill Pickett was hired as a cowhand on the 101 Ranch and became the star attraction of the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch...

Rocky Mountain National Park in July
From wildlife to waterfalls and hiking to horseback riding, Rocky Mountain National Park is breathtaking

Outdoor Notebook: Lesser prairie chicken populations increase
The latest annual breeding population survey shows an increase of about 30 percent over the previous year: 38,637 birds...

Q&A WITH THE FISH KISSER: Jimmy Houston turns 74 on Friday and is as popular as ever
Legendary angler and television personality Jimmy Houston is still fishing and hunting, filming television shows and greeting...

OKC Gun Club to host IHMSA championships beginning Friday
In IHMSA matches, shooters must knock down heavy metallic silhouette targets of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams from various...

Dixon's goal leads to draw
Energy FC and Colorado Springs FC battled to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Taft Stadium, giving Oklahoma City its second...

HUNTING WITH A CAMERA: OKC judge has passion for wildlife photography
Ralph Thompson’s walls are covered with beautiful photographs from around the world that he has taken during 60-plus years...

Saying goodbye to a sweet dog
What is it about dogs that capture our hearts so much? The unconditional love and affection they show us, I suppose.

The Oklahoman's Super 30: Enid running back Will Phillips has something to prove
Enid finished last season with a 3-7 record. There is no doubt in Hayes’ mind that the Plainsmen would have won a few more...

BLUE RIVER'S AMBASSADOR: For 27 years, Scotty McCarthick has been the face of Blue River
Practically everyone who has fished the Blue knows Scotty McCarthick of Scotty's Blue River One Stop. Scotty has been the...

Scenic Blue River offers summer fishing opportunities, too
The source of the spring-fed Blue River is the underground Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer. It flows freely from its headwaters...

THE BEAR NECESSITIES: Oklahoma black bears are roaming farther west
As black bears emerge from their dens in the spring, they become active, especially in the months of June and July. Female...

How to avoid bears and what to do if you encounter one
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation offers tips to avoid bears and what to do if you do encounter a bear.

Chandler, Zaneis students among top shooters at NASP world tourney
Emilee Manning of Chandler High School was second in the girls’ high school division and the girls’ world runner-up overall by...

Road trip brings better play from Energy FC
Energy FC returns to Taft Stadium on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. match against Rio Grande Valley.

Okie Noodling Tournament and Festival set Friday and Saturday
'Okie Noodling' was the first noodling tournament in the state, created 19 years ago by filmmaker Bradley Beesley to highlight...

NAVIGATING FISHING WATERS: Barry Bolton is the captain of Oklahoma fisheries
Barry Bolton has been chief of the fisheries division for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation since 2007.

Turnpike Troubadours strike the right chord
Whether the lyrics are about shuffling dominoes or finding romance at Cain’s Ballroom, the Troubadours’ songs connect with many...

The Collected Wisdom of Brooklyn Dodgers infielder Bobby Morgan
Bobby Morgan, 91, of Oklahoma City played eight seasons of major league baseball. He was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 1952...

Reno 1868 FC keeps rolling with 2-1 win at Energy FC
Energy FC fell to 2-9-1 and its modest two-game unbeaten streak (a win over Colorado Springs and a draw against Tulsa) was broken.

Friday is the deadline to register for Selman Bat Watches
Friday is the final day to register for the Selman Bat Watches at the Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area near Freedom.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK: A boat is not always necessary to catch fish
Even if you don't have a boat, there are good options for fishing from the bank at this time of year.

Energy FC faces hot Reno team
Energy FC is playing better, but Reno comes into Taft Stadium on Saturday night as one of the hottest team in the United Soccer...

My Little Cleos: How a wiggling spoon became my favorite lure
My 40th high school reunion is next month. It brings to mind not only memories of football and foosball but also of fishing,...

Outdoor notebook: Stripers are biting on Lake Texoma
The free youth instructional shoot event is open to boys and girls age 10 to 16 who will receive instruction in gun safety,...

Police Athletic League's soccer program in Oklahoma City Public Schools getting results
Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the Oklahoma City Public Schools compete for their school in the PAL soccer league....

Energy FC will try to break a franchise record seven-match losing streak Wednesday night.
Angulo was the leading scorer last season for Energy FC after coming over in a mid-season acquisition from Saint Louis FC. He...

Norman angler lands 14-pound bass at Arbuckle Lake
At 14 pounds, the fish will tie for 12th on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s top 20 list of largemouth bass...

Energy FC staying positive in spite of slump
Energy FC hasn't scored a goal in 339 consecutive minutes and has lost six straight matches.
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Kristen Radcliff wins OKC Memorial Marathon
At Forgan High School, Radcliff won 11 track and cross country state championships in her career. She is still the...
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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon journal: Erik and Stephen Heine complete race together
OCU professor Erik Heine pushed his 11-year-old son Stephen in a special wheelchair for the half marathon, continuing a run of...

Wildlife director lashes out at legislation
J.D. Strong, director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said if passed in its present form, the bill would...

Crappie are starting to bite around the state
The erratic weather has knocked back the crappie fishing so far this spring, but Oklahoma’s most sought-after game fish is...

Running for Rob: Her husband was killed while jogging but Stephanie Griffioen still pounds the pavement
Stephanie Griffioen would marvel at the number of people who run in the marathon in tribute to a loved one. She never imagined...

Bald eagle rehabilitated by WildCare released back into the wild
The eagle was brought to WildCare last month by an Oklahoma game warden who found the bird gasping for air next to his dead mate.
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Land Run competitors shoot guns of the Old West
The Oklahoma City Gun Club's 25th annual Land Run cowboy action shooting event featured competitors shooting guns of the Old West.

Fink looking forward to OKC match
Saturday night’s match at Taft Stadium between Energy FC and Fink's new team Saint Louis FC — which also his hometown team —...

OKLAHOMA'S GAME BIRD: Wild turkeys were once rare in Oklahoma but are now everywhere
Deer and turkeys are the state’s two biggest wildlife restoration success stories. Wild turkeys can now be found in every...

Energy FC drops fourth straight
The losing streak reached four for Energy FC as Portland Timbers FC 2 downed Oklahoma City, 3-0, Saturday night at Taft Stadium.

Q&A with Portland's Lamar Batista
Lamar Batista, 20, is a former Heritage Hall standout who is in his second season as a professional with Portland Timbers FC 2.

Get ready for the coldest home match in Energy FC history
After coaching eight seasons for the Colorado Rapids, seeing a forecast where temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s...

At the Redbud, they all know Coach Edwards
At age 83, Edwards is still running in the Redbud Classic. She participated in the very first one and missed very few since the...

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was lifelong advocate for those with mental disabilities.
Oklahoman book review: 'Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed the World'. Eileen McNamara's new book about Eunice Kennedy Shriver is...

Spring turkey season opens Friday
For public hunting destinations, the Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area near Cheyenne in western Oklahoma is the premier...

'JUST YOU AND THE FISH': More anglers are discovering that kayaks are fishing vessels
More anglers are opting for kayaks because they are less expensive than other boats. They can reach secluded, shallow places in...

SUCCESS (FISH) STORY: Northeast Oklahoma offers anglers one of the best opportunities in the country for big paddlefish
Grand Lake and its tributaries have become the place to go to catch paddlefish much like Lake Texoma is for striped bass.

The Collected Wisdom of Vegas Golden Knights president Kerry Bubolz
Kerry Bubolz is a Tulsa native, Oklahoma State University graduate, and president of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, one of...

WHERE BIG BASS LURK: Broken Bow Lake and Lake Murray have produced monsters this year
There are five designated trophy bass lakes in the state that each year get 100,000 fingerlings of Florida bass put in them by...

A WETLAND OASIS: In arid southwest Oklahoma, Hackberry Flat is a bird mecca
It’s been 25 years since the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation first started buying land in Hackberry Flat near...
OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK: Red Slough Birding Convention set for May
Guides will lead convention participants on morning tours of the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area, Little River National...

OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK: Backwoods Hunting and Fishing Expo opens Friday
The 31st annual Backwoods Hunting and Fishing Expo will be Friday through Sunday at State Fair Park.

Oklahoma stream team identifies fish species, water flow, habitat and more
Oklahoma stream team works statewide, sampling Oklahoma streams to identify fish species, water flow, habitat and more.

Powerful prose makes Burke's new crime novel a must-read.
Five long years passed before Burke returned to his most famous character.
Bassmaster Collegiate Championship coming to Lake Tenkiller
Weigh-ins will be held on the campus of Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah and will be broadcast live on...

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW: After 13 years, Archery in the Schools is a proven success
Since starting the program at Moore West five years ago, archery coach Duane Smith has seen the difference it has made in...

Pro anglers compete one-on-one in new fishing contest
Gerald Swindle and Wesley Strader will battle on Alabama's Lake Logan Martin in the first of six 'one-on-one' fishing battles...

Swim baits are a Clark Wendlandt staple
FLW pro Clark Wendlandt will be headlining Bass & Crappie University, which begins Tuesday night at Rose State College in...

The number of Oklahoma trophy bucks keeps climbing
Bryan Bayless of Weatherford killed a buck on the second weekend of gun season that was officially scored Thursday and became...

Blue River Trout Derby nears
Cash prizes will be given for heaviest two-day stringer in senior’s, men’s, women’s youth and fly fishing divisions. There also...

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE: Summertime trout fishing on Lower Illinois in jeopardy
The Lower Illinois River below Tenkiller Ferry Dam is only one of two year-round trout fishing streams in the state. However,...
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WILD BLUE YONDER: A hobby of making duck calls quickly turned into a business for Deer Creek High School students
A hobby of making duck calls quickly turned into a business for Deer Creek High School students.

Eldred keeps his hat in both arenas
The Sulphur bull rider pulled off the rare double last year, qualifying for the both the PBR World Finals and the National...

Rodeo is a family affair for the Kreders
Shawn and Kara Kreder of Collinsville are one of three married couples to qualify for the International Finals Rodeo.

FISH OR MAKE BAIT: Gene Larew Lures and Bobby Garland Crappie Baits are cranking out millions of lures at its Tulsa manufacturing plant
The manufacturing plant averages making more than 1 million lures per month year-round, but during its peak season from...

Is this Oklahoma's most successful deer hunting season ever?
Archery season continues through Jan. 15, but in terms of numbers and trophy bucks that have been taken thus far, this deer...

Reviewer picks three books as his favorites of 2017.
Reviewer picks three books as his favorites of 2017.

RESCUING LUCY: Edmond hunter learns fate of one bird dog while saving another
Two weeks ago, Jim Feist was quail hunting with friends Tom Ferguson and John Burchfiel. They were hunting with bird dogs Lucy...

Washita, Foss to host wildlife tour
The free tour begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Foss State Park headquarters located at the south end of Foss Dam.

The Collected Wisdom of Luis S. Quinonez
Luis S. Quinonez, 50, of Jones has been a jockey nearly 30 years. He has won 3,698 races with career earnings of almost $70...

Take a guided hike on New Year's Day at an Oklahoma state park
Eating black-eyed peas is an old New Year's Day tradition. Oklahoma State Parks now has a New Year's Day tradition of its own.

Willie Nelson and Elmer Kelton: two people who represent country western ideals
Willie Nelson and Elmer Kelton: two people who represent country western ideals

AN OUTDOORS CHRISTMAS: Readers share favorite outdoor Christmas memories
AN OUTDOORS CHRISTMAS: Readers share favorite outdoor Christmas memories

Oklahomans could catch rare glimpse of Arctic life
Oklahomans might get the opportunity to see a rare glimpse of Arctic life as there have been recent sightings of snowy owls in...

CATCHING RAINBOWS: Grab a fishing pole and head to OKC's trout fishing hole
For 17 years, Oklahoma City anglers have been able to go trout fishing in the winter without leaving the city limits.

Robert Dugoni's latest mystery seems almost too real
A child killed in a hit-and-run, a teen dead of a heroin overdose, chilly relations between police and the black community:...

Some stories date back to nearly 100 years ago.
Topics include the 2001 Valentine's Day murder of Susan Hamilton, who was slain by her doctor husband in between medical...

Oklahoma produced some monster bucks this year
George Moore of Edmond travels the state scoring deer antlers for hunters.

In addition to pheasant, quail and waterfowl, bird hunters in Oklahoma also get a second opportunity in December to pursue dove
Bird hunters can check out new public hunting land options with the recent opening of Oklahoma Land Access Program properties

After a drought and flood hurt the striper fishing on Lake Texoma, the fishing is good again and should get even better barring another catastrophic event.
The birds are like having hundreds of bird dogs on the water. Just like a hunter uses bird dogs to locate coveys of quail, the...

Two of the plant's '10 Most Wanted' were killed last weekend
In addition to Heartbreaker and Eclipse, six other bucks taken by bowhunters last weekend will qualify for Pope & Young,...

The most popular of all of the hunting seasons in the state, the 16-day deer gun season, opens Saturday statewide
One economic study estimates that Oklahoma deer hunters spend $136 million annually. That may sound far-fetched, but with...

Quail Advance
Oklahoma's upcoming quail season is expected to be solid, but not spectacular. After four straight years where much of the...
Trout season opens Wednesday at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's six winter areas
Trout will be stocked this winter at Blue River, Medicine Creek, Robbers Cave, Perry Lake Park, Lake Carl Etling and Lake Watonga

Francis bowhunter kills two 200-class bucks within eight days of each other from the same ladder stand
Larry Wheeler's success this archery deer season has made him a local celebrity.

From prairies to forests, The Nature Conservancy protects Oklahoma's greatest resources: the land, air and water
The Nature Conservancy operates 13 preserves in Oklahoma, the two most popular being the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near...

OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK: Bowhunter's big buck, Arbuckle Springs WMA now open, DU restarting Shawnee chapter, free fly fishing classes and Oklahoma game wardens...
Archery deer season is just two weeks old but already bowhunters are checking in big bucks across the state. An outstanding...