The Game Types of Oklahoma
4. THE OAK - PINE FOREST GAME TYPE
5. LOBLOLLY PINE - HARDWOOD GAME TYPE
Definition
The Oak-Pine Forest Game Type occupies the rugged Ouachita Mountain region in southeastern Oklahoma. Throughout most of the type the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) is found in a mixture of various oaks and hickories and, in some areas rather extensive pure stands of the pine are found. Included within the discussion here are about 120 square miles of the Loblolly Pine-Hardwood Game Type in southeastern McCurtain county. Generally this type, as shown by present definition, corresponds with the southern portion of the Oak - Hickory Association of Bruner (1931) and the Ouachita Biotic District of Blair and Hubbell (1938). However, it more closely approaches that designated as Oak - Pine Forest of the Soil Conservation Service, particularly the map prepared by Thornthwaite.
The more common trees of the combined types are shortleaf yellow pine (Pinus echinata), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), white oak (Quercus alba), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), post oak (Quercus stellata), spotted oak (Quercus shumardii), willow oak (Quercus phellos), black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), black hickory (Carya texana), basswood (Tilia americana), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Huckleberry (Vaccinium pallidum), mock orange (Philadelphus pubescens), pink azelea (Rhododendron prinophyllum), gooseberry (Ribes sp.), bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia), and spice bush (Lindera benzoin), are the more common herbs and shrubs. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), is common over the entire type, particularly the drier portions.
There are approximately 5,112 square miles of this combined type of which 4,992 has been mapped as Oak - Pine and 120 as Loblolly Pine - Hardwood Type. Included within the condition are the major parts of McCurtain, LeFlore, Latimer, Pushmataha, Atoka, and parts of Pittsburg and Haskell counties. The major part of this type has been cut for timber and second growth is making a good game cover. Coal mining is confined almost entirely to the northern part of Latimer and LeFlore counties. This industry appears to not greatly affect game populations at the present time, other than through the population concentrations which are maintained.
Climatic Characteristics
Map A shows that this entire condition lies within that climatic province characterized as humid, mesothermal and adequate precipitation at all seasons. The average annual precipitation varies from about 42 to 56 inches. The growing season in the northern section of the type is around 200 days and in the southern portion varies from 210 to 230 days. Severe weather is seldom a factor in game depopulation here, other than as may be indirect.
Physical Characteristics
This type is characterized by some of the more rugged relief of the state. Within this type are two principal east-west trending mountain chains, known as the Kiamichi Mountains and the Winding Star Mountains. South of these ranges are smaller mountains which are included within the Oak - Pine Forest Game Type. Rich Mountain, highest of the area, reaches an elevation of 1850 feet above the valley floor, and others rise as much as 1,800 feet. Principal drainage here is the Kiamichi, Little, and Mountain Fork Rivers. These streams are clear and many of the smaller branches are spring fed. Over most of the type the soils are thin and poorly drained. They are derived, for the most part, from sandstones and shales. The slopes are littered with boulders, although the valley soils are fine textured.
Land Use Characteristics
Due to the generally infertile soils and rugged topography, only around 15 percent of this type is in farms, of which only 11 percent is in actual crop production. The rest is in woodland. Lumbering, coal mining and farming are the principal land use activities. The lumber industry is at a low peak. During the early 1930's there were four large sawmills operating here. Two were located at Broken Bow, one at Wright City, and one at Pine Valley. At present there is only one large mill in operation at Broken Bow.
Agriculture, insofar as we are able to determine, must be treated as a permanent land use and perhaps a somewhat stable one, if compared to farming operation in more western sections. Cotton is the principal cash crop and considerable corn is grown for both cash and grain. The average farm is around 75 acres in size and of $2,240.00 in valuation. About 65 percent of the farms are tenant operated and the population density for most of the area is about five to ten persons per square mile.
Lumbering has been the greatest factor of man's activity influencing game populations in this Game Type. Cutting of the timber has opened up timber stands and allowed dense undergrowth to develop. Early literature clearly shows that the present day bobwhite populations are definitely above those of the days before timbering. Too, habitat has been improved for deer and other species, but other factors operating have kept these from showing the increase seen with bobwhite quail.
Wildlife Characteristics
Oklahoma is fortunate in having this large area of Oak - Pine Forest Game Type within the State. It offers excellent opportunity for the restoration of many important game and furbearing species. The major portion of the State's deer population, and the only remaining native wild stock of wild turkey are found here. Bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, striped skunk, spotted skunk and opossum are found mainly around the small farms and clearings. Deer, wild turkey, raccoon and fox are found in the wilder portions. Here the fox squirrel occupies the mountains and ridges, while the gray squirrels are found on the bottomlands. Turkey, deer, beaver, raccoon, mink and otter, are species which should be investigated here.
About the plates
Plate XIII - Typical dense bottomland habitat of southeastern Oklahoma.
Plate XIV - Typical view of uncut Oak-Pine Game Type in McCurtain County.
Plate XV - Showing bottomland surrounded by Oak-Pine Game Type in southeast Oklahoma.
Comment: bhoagland@ou.edu
Page problems or Web-related comments to: Dan Hough
This document is a product of the Oklahoma
Biological Survey
University of Oklahoma Disclaimer
