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Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge

 

 
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Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge
 
 
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Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service system. Measuring about , the Refuge hosts a great diversity of species: 806 plant species, 240 kinds of bird, 36 fish, and 64 reptiles and amphibians are present. The refuge's location in the geologically unique Wichita Mountains
Wichita Mountains

The Wichita Mountains are located in southwestern Oklahoma. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, a favorite for hikers and rock climbers in the region, is located adjacent to Cache, Oklahoma, Medicine Park, Oklahoma, and historic Meers, Oklahoma while just a short drive from Lawton, Oklahoma....
 and its areas of undisturbed mix grass prairie make it an important conservation area.






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Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service system. Measuring about , the Refuge hosts a great diversity of species: 806 plant species, 240 kinds of bird, 36 fish, and 64 reptiles and amphibians are present. The refuge's location in the geologically unique Wichita Mountains
Wichita Mountains

The Wichita Mountains are located in southwestern Oklahoma. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, a favorite for hikers and rock climbers in the region, is located adjacent to Cache, Oklahoma, Medicine Park, Oklahoma, and historic Meers, Oklahoma while just a short drive from Lawton, Oklahoma....
 and its areas of undisturbed mix grass prairie make it an important conservation area. The Wichitas are approximately 5000 million years old.

Fauna

Several species of large native mammals make their home at the refuge: American Bison
American Bison

The American Bison is a bovinae mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. "Buffalo" is somewhat of a misnomer for this animal, as it is only distantly related to either of the two "true buffaloes", the Wild Asian Water Buffalo and the African buffalo....
, elk
Elk

Elk may refer to:* Various species of deer:** European Elk , also known as Moose** North American Elk , also known as Wapiti** Indian Elk , also known as sambar ...
, white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer

File:Wtdfishwild.jpgThe white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer, or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to all but five states in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and northern portions of South America as far south as Peru....
 graze the prairies along with Texas longhorn cattle
Texas longhorn (cattle)

The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to tip to tip for steers and exceptional cows and bulls in the 70 to 80 inch tip to tip range....
 preserved for their cultural and historic importance. Bison, longhorns, and elk were introduced after the establishment of the refuge. Merriam's Elk, the original subspecies of elk in this area, is extinct, so the elk in the refuge are Rocky Mountain Elk.

Many smaller mammal species also live in the refuge, including the Nine-banded Armadillo
Nine-banded Armadillo

The nine-banded long-nosed armadillo or just nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus , is a species of armadillo from North America, Central America and South America....
 and the Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Black-tailed Prairie Dog

The Black-tailed Prairie Dog , is a rodent of the family sciuridae found in the Great Plains of North America from about the USA-Canada border to the USA-Mexico border....
.

The Refuge is home to many species of birds, and it is one of the remaining homes of the endangered Black-capped Vireo
Black-capped Vireo

The Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapilla, is a small bird native to the United States and Mexico. It has been listed as an endangered species in the United States since 1987....
.

Flora

The refuge is ecologically diverse, with prairie, ravine, and mountain plant communities. Portions of the refuge contain scrubby forest of mixed oak varieties. A disjunct population of bigtooth maple is found here, from the nearest natural population in West Texas.

Recreation

The Refuge is a popular destination for recreational activities. Rock climbing is overwhelmingly popular, but visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and photography. The refuge has an extensive trail system, including both official and unofficial trails. Many of these trails lead to climbing routes. The area became popular for rock climbing beginning in the 60s and 70s, and has become somewhat of a regional mecca. Though climbing has brought many visitors to the Refuge, some controversy exists over the use of fixed anchors, bolts and other permanently-placed objects on the rock face. The Refuge has joined with The Access Fund
The Access Fund

The Access Fund is a not-for-profit Rock Climbing advocacy group in the US. Their goals are twofold. First, keeping climbing areas open and gaining access to currently closed climbing areas....
 and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition to promote responsible use of the Wichitas' resources. Rock climbing routes are found on Mt. Scott, the Refuge's second highest summit, as well as areas such as the Narrows and Charon's Garden Wilderness Area.

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