Southern Oklahoma Public Lands hunting.

The question long asked by many with no real good answer. Where do I go hunting? It's not a very complicated question for most people. If you are like me however you know that this is one of the most important questions that can be asked as a hunter. Duck hunting in particular brings up a different point of view since we as duck hunters rely heavily on what public hunting lands can provide.

Top Southern Oklahoma Sloughs and Marshes:

• 1: (Stevens Wetlands Development Unit)

Located behind the Winstar casino on the public grounds of Love Valley WMA. This unit is primed for the flight and allows for easy access. You don't need a boat to get in and you don't have to walk too far to get to your spot. I find this hole will provide anywhere from 3-8 birds on any given hunt. I recommend this as a solo or duo hunt, seeing as there are not really enough birds for more than two people. This hunt always tends to hold pressured birds and your hide almost has to have a blind! They will decoy, but your hide and the motion in your spread will dictate how successful you are. I recommend giving this slough roughly 1.5 days of scouting before your hunt.

• 2: (red slough WMA)

Located directly west of Tom, Ok. Red slough is prime for early season teal, with lots of gadwall and mallards on the right days during big duck season. Giving this area a good 2-3 days of scouting before you hunt it will help you to capitalize on the bird concentration. Once again your hide is imperative to get birds to decoy in your spread. I recommend leveraging a windy day that's slightly cooler than normal to help get birds to work better into your spread. This hunt can provide top-notch mix bag hunts. If you and your buddies have a weekend to get away, this is the place to go.

Top Southern Oklahoma Wetlands and Big water:

• 1: (Waurika Lake WMA)

Located in Waurika, Ok this special body of water is one that captures the heart of southern Oklahoma hunters. Even during the heaviest rainy years, you will still find bird concentration. This hole is best when leveraging colder conditions, planning for hunting a more windy day, and use cloud cover to keep your shadows down. Using an A-frame blind or G-frame blind is a great way to stay comfortable and hidden. Because of how large the body of water is I recommend using an intermittent flashing motion decoy or MOJO's Flock a Flickers. Butt squirter decoys work well here as well. You can expect to see lots of ringnecks, mallards, widgeon, green wing teal, and even some pintail. Setting up with the wind directly at your back will help to get you better shots because birds can tend to fly fast here and we all know that hunting fast cross-shots doesn't lead to more birds.

• 2: (Washita Arm WMA)

Many holes along the washita arm hold birds but one of my favorites is the hole located at the back of Goose rd in Ravia, Ok. This hole tends to be good for 2 or 3 man hunts. A lot of widgeon and green-wing teal frequent this hole. Panel blinds do work here and I like to use them whenever I can because they're a lot lighter, and they're more packable. Make sure you're using medium body and smaller duck decoys at this whole, and jerk rigs work best for motion here.