Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system.[1] Measuring about 59,020 acres (238.8 km2), the refuge hosts a great diversity of species: 806 plant species, 240 species of birds, 36 fish, and 64 reptiles and amphibians are present. The refuge's location in the geologically unique Wichita Mountains and its areas of undisturbed mixed grass prairie make it an important conservation area. The Wichitas are approximately 500 million years old.[2][3]

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Spring wildflowers in the refuge
LocationComanche County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest cityMeers
Coordinates34°46′N 98°42′W
Area59,020 acres (238.8 km2)
Established1901
Governing bodyUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteWichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

History

The Wichita Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office in Oklahoma on July 4, 1901 with 57,120 acres (231.2 km2). After the transfer of federal forests to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, it became a National Forest on March 4, 1907 as Wichita National Forest. On November 27, 1936 the forest was abolished[4] and transferred to the Bureau of Biological Survey, a precursor to the Fish and Wildlife Service. It was re-designated the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWR).[5]

Description

The WMWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There are 13 small lakes within the reserve.[6]

Fauna
Black-tailed prairie dog

According to the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 240 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 64 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 36 species of fish have been documented.[7]

Bison with vegetation around French Lake

Several species of large native mammals make their home at the refuge: plains bison, also known as the American bison, elk, white-tailed deer graze the prairies along with Texas longhorn cattle preserved for their cultural and historic importance. Bison, longhorns, and elk were introduced after the establishment of the refuge. Merriam's elk, the original subspecies of elk in this area, is extinct, so the elk in the refuge are Rocky Mountain elk. The ancestors of the herd were imported from Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1911.[8] The elk herd now numbers about 800 and white tailed deer about 450. These big game species are no longer considered "endangered." [9] Many smaller mammal species also live in the refuge, including the nine-banded armadillo and the black-tailed prairie dog. Other species that have been reintroduced include: the river otter, burrowing owls and the prairie dog. Although these species were not listed as "endangered," USFWS policy is to assure that species that once were native to these mountains would always be found there.[9] According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the refuge failed in its attempt to reintroduce the American pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and the prairie chicken.[10]

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was important in saving the American buffalo from extinction. In 1907 the American Bison Society transported 15 bison, six bulls and nine cows, from the Bronx Zoo to the refuge. On arrival, the Comanche leader Quanah Parker and a host of other Indians and whites turned out to welcome the bison. At that time, bison had been extinct on the southern Great Plains for 30 years. The bison herd now numbers about 650 on the refuge. In fall, bison in excess of the carrying capacity of the refuge are rounded up and sold.[11] In 1973, the refuge further aided in bison conservation by donating three bison to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. [12]

The refuge is home to many species of birds, and it is one of the remaining homes of the recently delisted black-capped vireo.

Flora

The refuge is ecologically diverse, with prairie, ravine, and mountain plant communities. The many exposed granite boulders make exceptional habitat for a particularly photogenic, chartreuse green lichen known as "Pleopsidium flavum."[13] Portions of the refuge contain scrubby forest of mixed oak varieties. A disjunct population of bigtooth maple is found here, 400 miles (640 km) from the nearest natural population in West Texas.[14]

Recreation
Bison calf, WMWR

There is no admission charge. Public use areas on the refuge total 22,400 acres. The remaining 37,000 acres is closed to the public and for the exclusive use of wildlife although guided tours are scheduled.[15] A visitor center and bookstore, open seven days a week, except on some holidays, displays art and has exhibits illustrating the four major habitats found on the refuge: Rocklands, Aquatic, Mixed-Grass Prairie, and Cross Timbers.[16]

The refuge is a popular destination for recreational activities. Rock climbing is overwhelmingly popular, but visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and photography. The refuge has an extensive trail system, including about 15 miles of official trails and unofficial trails. Many of these trails lead to climbing routes. The area became popular for rock climbing beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, and has become something of a regional mecca. Though climbing has brought many visitors to the refuge, some controversy exists over the use of fixed anchors, bolts and other permanently placed objects on the rock face. The refuge has joined with The Access Fund and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition to promote responsible use of the Wichitas' resources.[17] Rock climbing routes are found on Mt. Scott, the refuge's second highest summit, as well as areas such as the Narrows and the Charon Gardens Wilderness Area.[18]

Fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish is popular in the thirteen artificial lakes on the refuge.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Elk and deer hunting, to cull excessive numbers, is permitted in a managed hunt every fall. Hunters are chosen by lottery and a fee is charged. A narrow winding road leads to the summit of Mount Scott, elevation 2,464 feet (751m), with a view that encompasses the whole refuge. Although the mountains rise only 800 to 1000 feet above the surrounding prairie they are steep and rocky. The highest mountain in the refuge is Mount Pinchot which rises to 2,479 feet (756m).[32][33] Mount Pinchot was named in honor of Gifford Pinchot who served as the first Chief of the United States Forest Service.

Climate
Climate data for Wichita MTN WL REF, Oklahoma. (Elevation 1,665ft)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 87
(31)		 89
(32)		 97
(36)		 99
(37)		 107
(42)		 111
(44)		 112
(44)		 112
(44)		 111
(44)		 101
(38)		 90
(32)		 85
(29)		 112
(44)
Average high °F (°C) 51.3
(10.7)		 56.1
(13.4)		 64.8
(18.2)		 74.2
(23.4)		 81.0
(27.2)		 89.2
(31.8)		 94.6
(34.8)		 94.5
(34.7)		 86.3
(30.2)		 75.7
(24.3)		 62.7
(17.1)		 52.5
(11.4)		 73.6
(23.1)
Average low °F (°C) 25.3
(−3.7)		 29.3
(−1.5)		 36.8
(2.7)		 46.9
(8.3)		 55.9
(13.3)		 64.8
(18.2)		 68.8
(20.4)		 68.0
(20.0)		 60.1
(15.6)		 48.7
(9.3)		 36.4
(2.4)		 27.7
(−2.4)		 47.4
(8.6)
Record low °F (°C) −16
(−27)		 −11
(−24)		 −6
(−21)		 18
(−8)		 29
(−2)		 39
(4)		 46
(8)		 39
(4)		 32
(0)		 17
(−8)		 6
(−14)		 −12
(−24)		 −16
(−27)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.19
(30)		 1.39
(35)		 2.08
(53)		 2.85
(72)		 4.71
(120)		 3.84
(98)		 2.56
(65)		 2.73
(69)		 3.34
(85)		 3.04
(77)		 1.78
(45)		 1.44
(37)		 30.94
(786)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.4
(3.6)		 1.2
(3.0)		 0.7
(1.8)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0.9
(2.3)		 4.5
(11)
Source: The Western Regional Climate Center[34]

References
  1. "Frequently Asked Questions - Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge". Fws.gov. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  2. "Refuge History - Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge". Fws.gov. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
  4. Davis, Richard C. (September 29, 2005), National Forests of the United States (PDF), The Forest History Society
  5. Candell, Harry B. "A Brief Refuge History". Wichita Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  6. "Fishing on the Wichitas." U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. May 6, 2014 Accessed February 20, 2017.
  7. "Wichita Mountains: Wildlife & Habitat." July 11, 2012. Accessed February 19, 2017.
  8. Ellenbrook, Edward Charles. Outdoor and Trail Guide to the Wichita Mountains of Southwest Oklahoma Lawton, OK: In-the-Valley-of-the-Wichitas House, ISBN 978-0941634014, 1994 revised edition, p 18
  9. "Wichita Mountains: Refuge." September 29, 2014. Accessed February 19, 2017.
  10. O'Dell, Larry. "Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Accessed February 19, 2017.
  11. Bison History Accessed Dec 3, 2010
  12. "Bison Herd". Friends of Fort Worth Nature Center. Friends of Fort Worth Nature Center. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  13. Strawn, Sheila (2017). Lichen Study Guide for Oklahoma and Surrounding States (1 ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Botanical Research Institute of Texas. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-889878-55-3.
  14. Eskew, Cletis (November 1938). "The Flowering Plants of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge". The American Midland Naturalist. American Midland Naturalist, Vol. 20, No. 3. 20 (3): 695–703. doi:10.2307/2420302. JSTOR 2420302.
  15. Ellenbrook, pp. 9, 15
  16. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
  17. "Rock Climbing - Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge". Fws.gov. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  18. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wichita Mountains Charons Garden Area
  19. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burford Lake
  20. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Caddo Lake
  21. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Crater Lake
  22. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: French Lake
  23. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Grama Lake
  24. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kiowa Lake
  25. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Jed Johnson
  26. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Rush
  27. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lost Lake
  28. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Osage Lake
  29. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Post Oak Lake
  30. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Quanah Parker Lake
  31. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Treasure Lake
  32. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wichita Mountains North Mountain Area
  33. Ellenbrook, p. 9; http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/Wichitamountains/index.html, accessed Dec 3, 2010
  34. "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
"Species List: Mammals – Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-05-07.Dead link - February 20, 2017
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