Duck season is set to fly again at Lake Sahoma after a two-year hiatus because of the fluctuation of water levels. The lake had to be drawn down a couple of times to assess repair to the dam and then remained low with a lingering drought. This season, despite plans to begin repairs on the dam, spillway and pumping station in the spring, water levels are being maintained through the multi-level duck and goose season.
Teal season, by the way, begins this Saturday. Some of the blinds are in disrepair, but lake manager/caretaker Tom Chandler says he will accommodate hunters best he can. Teal season lasts about a week and a half.
Meanwhile, an important duck hunters meeting is set for the last Sunday of September at 2 p.m. at the bait shop.
“This is where we usually have the blind drawings,” Chandler said. “We need to get everybody up to speed.”
The Sapulpa Parks Department has $4,500 to spend on repairing or building new blinds. Chandler says he needs volunteers to help “. . . even if they are not duck hunters but just want to help the lake.”
Several blinds need less work than others, Chandler said.
There are 14 altogether.
The last season permits were issued at $10.95 apiece, there were 142. The season before there were 190. All the monies collected for duck-hunting is to be expended for the sport at Lake Sahoma.
Chandler says he also is asking for input and ideas for the blinds. Several will have to be replaced. Discussed thus far are blinds that can float, and although anchored can rise and fall with water levels.
Duck season opens in earnst in October [tentative dates and times below] so work needs to be done now.
There may be some extra blind drawings at the Sept. 27 meeting — maybe as many as four. Hunters who win the drawings have to occupy their blinds a half-hour before opening shots. Otherwise, it’s first-come, first serve for waiting hunters.
If you can help or have more questions, Chandler can be contacted at 918-227-1534.
Dates proposed are:
- Resident Goose: 9/13-9/28 (approved)
- September Teal: 9/13-9/28 (approved)
- Early Duck: 11/1-11/30
- Late Duck: 12/13-1/25
- Canada Goose: 12/13-2/15
- Youth Waterfowl Days: Oct. 11–12, 2014.
Daily Bag Limits
- Ducks: Six. The daily bag limit may include no more than five mallards (only two may be hens), three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two pintails, and one canvasback.
- Mergansers: Five. The daily bag limit may include no more than two hooded mergansers.
Possession Limits
- The possession limit is one daily bag limit for anyone who has hunted for one day. The possession limit increases to two daily bag limits for anyone who has hunted for two days. The possession limit increases to three daily bag limits for anyone who has hunted for three days. No one may possess more than three daily bag limits at any time.
Shooting Hours
- One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
