The Game Types of Oklahoma
12. THE PIÑÓN - JUNIPER - MESA GAME TYPE
Definition
The Piñón - Juniper - Mesa Game Type is characterized in the main, by the mesa-like topography. The Piñón - Juniper - Mesa Game Type is limited in Oklahoma to the extreme northwest corner of Cimarron county comprising 363 square miles, of which 87 square miles support the true pinon-juniper vegetation. The remainder of this type is sufficiently similar as to warrant its inclusion within the total consideration.
The principal vegetation of the area is the pinon pine (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus monosperma), thick-leaved hackberry (Celtis reticulata), cholla cactus (Opuntia imbricata), scrub oak (Quercus undulata) and western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) is found in limited areas. The grasses found here are typical of the Shortgrass - High Plains Game Type, consisting mainly of buffalo grass (Buchloë dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), with some tallgrass species growing on the slopes in places.
Climatic Characteristics
The Piñón - Juniper - Mesa Game Type is entirely within the climatic province characterized as semi-arid, microthermal and moisture deficiency at all seasons. Very little is known about the effects of the fluctuating climate here. However, it appears that such lack of stability is normal and such factors as drouth, of somewhat regular occurrence, and human activity, must be carried on here, recognizing it as such. The annual average precipitation is 17.9 at Kenton and varies much year to year. The length of the growing season is 179 days, with an annual average temperature of 54.8 degrees. Extremely cold spells occur in winter, though they usually are of short duration.
Physical Characteristics
The broad valleys of the Cimarron extend in all directions of the tributaries and end abruptly at the base of the mesas, resulting in an extremely rugged relief. One important topographic feature, the "Black Mesa" is capped with highly resistant basalt and has an elevation of around 5,000 feet.
Soil development is at a minimum here with the exception of the valley floor. The Dakota sandstone of the Cretaceous system is the escarpment forming material and results in mesas throughout the type, rising around 500 feet above the floor of the valley.
Land Use Characteristics
Most of the area of this type is state owned and leased by fairly large operating cattle raisers who actually may own but a small part of each ranch. Very little of the type is in actual cultivation and the principal use is for grazing of cattle and sheep. Irrigation of the small valleys, as well as that of the Cimarron, has resulted in recent years in more cultivation of the flat lands.
Wildlife Characteristics
Game species found in the Piñón - Juniper - Mesa Game Type are the scaled quail, black-tailed deer, and New Mexico cottontail. Bobwhite and ring-necked pheasant are fairly common on the bottomlands, associated with the mesa condition. Other animals fairly well confined to the Piñón - Juniper - Mesa Game Type, but less commonly known over Oklahoma as a whole, are the hog-nosed skunk, porcupine and rock squirrel.
The area is too small for serious consideration insofar as the hunting sportsman is concerned, with the possible exception of the scaled quail. However, recent indications of the possibility of the area being made into a State Park should encourage caring for the other species here since they are rather uncommon for Oklahoma.
About the plates
Plate XXXIV - Aerial view of the broad, level valleys and picturesque Mesas of the Piñón-Juniper-Mesa Game Type in northwest Cimarron County.
Plate XXXV - Mesa influence serves as important place in scaled quail environment in northwest Cimarron County.
Plate XXXVI - Typical view of Piñón-Juniper-Mesa Game Type west of Kenton, Oklahoma.
Plate XXXVII - The valley of the Cimarron River from atop Black Mesa in Cimarron County, 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
