|
Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area
By:
Ron Smith, Biologist at Sandy Sanders and Altus Lugert WMA’s. Phone: (580)
471-3371.
Area Description:
Sandy Sanders
WMA covers 19,100 acres of Greer and Beckham counties in southwest Oklahoma. The
area is located 26 miles northwest of Mangum and 26 miles southwest of Sayre.
Sandy Sanders WMA is a unique area consisting of rolling to rugged terrain
extending north from the Elm Fork of the Red River.
Mesquite, redberry juniper
and mixed grasses dominate the area. The central third of the area contains
dense stands of red berry juniper. Extending outward from the center, vegetation
makes a transition to mesquite savanna and mixed grass prairie. The Elm Fork
River flows year round; however, vegetation is limited to dense saltcedar. Three
live creeks flow across the area. Creek bottoms are vegetated with taller,
denser grass and scattered trees, including cottonwood, hackberry and American
elm. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 21 inches.
Game Species of Interest:
Quail:
Bobwhite quail are usually present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
Very few blue quail present.
Deer:
White-tailed deer are present in fair numbers, mule deer in low numbers.
Turkey:
Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in low numbers.
Rabbit:
Both cottontails and jackrabbits are present with cottontails being more
common.
Furbearers:
Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available.
Dove:
Dove are usually present in good numbers during the annual migration.
Waterfowl:
Ducks are usually present in very low numbers on ponds and river.
Nongame Species of
Interest:
Black-tailed prairie dog:
Present in small numbers, but hunting is not allowed.
Nongame birds:
The area offers a diverse mix of prairie birds and other species found more
commonly in wooded areas. Winter bird surveys yield a wide variety of different
species.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
Three species of rattlesnake are found on the area as well as many nonvenomous
species.
Description of Fish and
Wildlife Management Practices:
Management efforts focus on producing native cover plants and wildlife food
plants such as ragweed and sunflower. Summer and winter food plots are planted
on the area. Near the headquarters and the Elm Fork River, food plots are
planted within trees rows and protected from grazing. Throughout the remainder
of the area, plots are either disked to stimulate native plants or are planted
to winter wheat. Three windmills and 13 guzzlers have been installed to provide
watering facilities for wildlife. The area also has many ponds that are
regularly stocked with channel catfish. Some stay full year round while others
are seasonal. Cattle grazing are used to increase wildlife food plants and
improve habitat conditions.
Camping and Facilities:
Ten designated primitive camping areas are
offered on the area. Both lodging and restaurants are available in Mangum,
Sayre and Erick.
Fishing Opportunities:
Fishing opportunities exist at area
ponds and creeks. Ponds are stocked with channel catfish and some provide good
bass fishing.
| 
![[Under Construction]](images/undercon.gif)