Parts Of The Refuge Have Been Closed To The Public
The wildlife is stirring out in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and that is the main reason refuge officials are closing down huge portions of the area for hunters. Elk is back on the menu boys! Most of the affected areas are those located West of the visitor center, including my personal favorite fishing spot, Quanah Parker Lake... All the same, this means it oughtta be easy to find some fresh elk meat in the next few weeks.
I hope you know this already, but in case you didn't, don't buy elk meat from a local hunter. It's against the law to sell it for money or trade for anything of value, but like most laws, it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I've seen it on Facebook Marketplace before. I've never been lucky enough to draw a tag for these hunts, which is probably a good thing since I'd have to buy a new rifle big enough to take one of these beasts down, but I know plenty of dudes that seem to be lucky enough to draw one on the regular.
If you don't know how to prepare elk, it's super easy. Steaks should be seasoned like any other steak, salt and pepper only, let it sit in the fridge marinating in the spice for a few hours, cook to medium rare... but the real star of elk harvesting is the ground meat you can do pretty much anything with. We'll make hamburger patties and baste them on the grill in a half & half mix of A1 and beer. It'll knock your socks off.
While the refuge won't be closed off for long, it's at worst a minor inconvenience to you. On the bright side though, think of how many OU Sooner fans will be spending the week wearing our OSU colors...