Public Range, Prescribed Flames | BGWT #442

Jun 22, 2025

Central Oklahoma’s public lands don’t manage themselves.

In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, veteran wildlife manager Jeff Pennington explains how the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stewards roughly 125,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) scattered from Kansas to Texas.

He explains why deer now dominate management goals, how diverse habitats—from Cross Timbers uplands to Red River wetlands—shape every decision, and why prescribed fire remains the single most important habitat tool on state lands.

Jeff pulls back the curtain on ODWC’s “snake-flexible” burn crews, averaging 16–17 thousand acres of fire a year on a three-year rotation, while juggling hunters, smoke rules, and unpredictable weather.

From summer burns that drive cattle to winter lines that shape quail cover—and the unforgettable day his crew discovered his pants were literally on fire—this conversation delivers field-hardened advice any rural land steward can use. 

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Resources

- Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation - Wildlife Management Areas