October 15, 2022 Issue, Page 10 of 12

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10 - The Elk City News News October 15, 2022 State’s Youth Deer Hunting Season Provides Lifetime Memories By David Falconer is my deer.” Weston chuckled when Walk- and he wanted to stop by his grandfather's ‘They had about 15 minutes of he’d ever seen. That buck er made the very honest comment that he house to show it to him. A photo shows a legal shooting time left. Just green-scored 183 7/8, and eas- Hunting seasons are upon us. And Olda- proud young hunter and a proud grandfa- would most likely shoot the first deer that then, Walker sees a deer com- ily topped the bucks Weston homa’s youth deer season, set for Oct. came in, regardless of what they had seen ther. ing in fast. It was the big one! himself had taken. 14-16 this year, always sees a lot of new on game cameras in previous weeks. ‘This story could end here: a conservation Weston quietly coached Walker Walker stayed up until 2 the hunters venturing afield in hopes of tak- Walker helped to prepare the blind and harvest of a mature doe by a young hunter. to take his time, pick a spot be- next morning, helping his dad hind the shoulder, and squeeze with every aspect of harvest- ing deer for the first time in their lives. the area they were hunting. The morning But it continues into that same evening. As if he just couldn't get enough, the the trigger. Walker took the ing both deer. The boy is learn- Walker Lovell, 7, has taken deer before. was just starting to come alive as they got But nothing except his dad’s advice and into the blind. And Walker was fully pre- boy asked his dad if they could hunt that shot! And the buck dropped in ing how to do it all — and how evening at his blind behind the house. its tracks! to do it right! his practice at the shooting range pre- pared to take a feral hog or a deer, which- pared him for what happened during the ever showed up first. Weston agreed. Weston said he walked up to And chances are, this 7-year- 2021 Oklahoma youth deer season in Ayoung forked buck showed up first, and ‘They were in the blind by 5 p.m. In the the largest white-tailed buck old will be a hunter for life! blind, father and son talked about past Haskell County. Walker wanted to take a shot. But his dad hunts, and Dad shared stories about much Walker is the son of Weston and Kristan OSU sociology urged him to wait and see what else might how hunting has changed since he took Lovell. Weston’s hunting values are those come through; after all, this was only the his first deer many years ago. of a hunter who loves and respects the first 10 minutes of the season. ‘Then they saw a big buck moving through, Shortly, six does appeared. Two smallish more than 125 yards away. Walker has professor receives animal he chases and the manner in which they are taken. He is a steward of wildlife, bucks were dogging them in the distance, killed deer and hogs with great shots out not just someone out there for the kill. He but they didn’t get close enough for Walk- to 80 yards. But Weston felt his son’s is teaching his sons those values, just as er to shoot. Walker focused on the biggest he was taught by his dad. Oct. 16, 2021, doe of the group, and when it presented a range needed to be limited to under 100 yards, and Dad held to it as they let the $2.7M NIH grant to started at 5:50 a.m. as Weston and Walker good shot, the rifle roared! buck walk out of sight. awoke and donned their carefully laid-out clothes. Weston decided to take Walker Walker’s mature doe harvest was one that state Wildlife Department biologists are Walker was disappointed. But less than 15 minutes later, a young five-point pre- sented a broadside shot within range. But study cognitive aging to hunt from his dad’s deer blind on San urging all hunters to practice more often. Walker turned and asked, “Do you think Bois Creek. Walker was excited; the boy's “Hunters in the Know ... Take a Doe!” isa the big one will come back?” demeanor reminded Weston of those slogan the Wildlife Department has been STILLWATER —Adam Roth, an assistant professor in Oklahoma State “Maybe,” Weston told his son. The young sleepless nights he had before deer season preaching for several years, in an effort to protégé watched the little buck for 10 min- University's Department of Sociology, was recently awarded a $2.7 mil- started when he was Walker's age. create a more balanced buck-to-doe ratio utes or so, then Walker decided to shoot. lion grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund his re- ‘The day before, Walker and his little broth- within the state’s wild deer population. For the first time in his life, he missed a search on rural-urban disparities in cognitive aging over the next five er had been playing a child’s game of “This Walker helped his dad get the deer loaded, deer! years. Roth and his two collaborators from Indiana University — Brea Perry and Siyun Peng — will extend their current research that focuses on the Okc Zoo Announces Plans For New social determinants of cognitive aging. Using a combination of surveys and smartphone technology, Roth's research team will gather data on older adults’ important social relationships, as well as in-the-moment Marine Mammal Habitat Expansion assessments of the social activities, interactions and places in which they engage with those relations. This data will be used to predict their cogni- tive performance on a series of clinical assessments over two years. OKC Zoo To Break Ground On A State-Of-The-Art Habitat For pansive “There is plenty of research suggesting that people with diverse and ex- social lives cognitively outperform people with limited social Its Beloved California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals In Spring 2023 lives,” Roth said. “We also know that rates of cognitive impairment are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Yet it is unknown how much of these geographic disparities operate through social mechanisms. Sea Lion Presentations Will Temporarily Conclude On October 30 “This grant will allow us to explore these mechanisms and identify areas As a leader in animal care and and transformation for the OKC will also be supporting the Zoo's sites into the new habitat. Fund- to target for healthy cognitive aging in rural and urban areas.” wellbeing, the Oklahoma City Zoo Zoo and we are extremely grateful ing for the expansion was secured animal family, education program- Cognitive aging — including widespread cases of Alzheimer’s disease and Botanical Garden, is proud to to our guests, members and the through the Zoo's 1/8-of-a-cent ming and conservation initiatives. and related dementia — is rapidly becoming a major public health con- announce plans for its next expan- community for their continuous sales tax accrual, approved by Join or renew today at www.okc- cern. By a recent estimate, nearly two out of every three Americans will sion project, a new marine mam- support,” said Dr. Dwight Law- Oklahoma City citizens in 1990. z00.0rg/membership. experience some degree of age-related cognitive decline by age 70, Roth mal habitat. Construction will son, Zoo executive director/CEO. “We are thrilled to build a brand explained. The limited success of pharmaceutical treatments, however, Located at the crossroads of 1-44 begin Spring 2023 on this premier “Guests will experience a renewed new, dynamic habitat space for and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud has led many researchers — including Roth and his collaborators — to animal habitat that will be home connection to these animals and our marine mammal family,” said member of the Association of study the social determinants of cognitive aging. to the Zoo's California sea lions, their habitat as they discover this Sierra Chappell, OKC Zoo's assis- Zoos and Aquariums, the Ameri- “We are excited that Adam has joined us and will be able to continue harbor seals and potentially other breathtaking new oasis. Our goal tant curator of marine mammals. can Alliance of Museums, Oklaho- this important work as a member of OSU's Department of Sociology,” species. This additional space will is to inform guests about the im- “Our sea lions and seals will be ma City’s Adventure District and provide an expanded and enriched portance of protecting and main- welcomed back to an innovative said Tamara Mix, Department of Sociology head. “Projects like his are an Adventure Road partner. Regu- habitat for these coastal animals taining healthy water sources for lar admission is $12 for adults and a key part of OSU's land-grant mission and serve a pivotal role in ad- space full of opportunities to en- while creating an exciting oppor- all living things while inspiring $9 for children ages 3-11 and se- dressing contemporary social problems impacting the lives of Oklahoma hance their overall wellbeing.” tunity for guests to enjoy them conservation action.” Help send our pinnipeds off in niors ages 65 and over. Children residents and beyond” from a fresh perspective. ‘This new habitat expansion will style and make plans to attend one two and under are admitted free. Roth’s grant also has implications for pertinent issues extending beyond While the habitat is being con- be located in the eastern section of the weekend sea lion presenta- Stay connected with the Zoo on cognitive aging. structed, the Zoo's sea lion family of the park overlooking Zoo Lake tions happening now through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, “The data we propose to gather will provide a rich account of the daily including males Xander, 19, and and encompass 3.5 acres including Sunday, October, 30. Presenta- Linktree and TikTok, and by visit- lives of older adults,” Roth said. “This data can inform our approaches to Cash, 5, and females Piper, 22, Ad- existing sites for the Zoo's Noble tions occur at 1 p.m. daily and 10 ing our blog stories. To learn more other public health issues such as loneliness, social isolation and access die, 22, Pearl, 19, Phoenix, 6, and Aquatic Center/Aquaticus, which a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in about Zoo happenings, call (405) to socialand health services — all of which are salient issues in our world Isla, 4, as well as harbor seals, Lib- has been closed to guests since the Zoo’s Sea Lion Presentation 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org. erty, 20, and Bixby, 10, will all be 2017, and Pollinator Garden. With Stadium, Cost is $5 per person in today, including in rural America and much of Oklahoma,” temporarily relocated to other As- the Pollinator Garden being repur- addition to Zoo admission. Chil- Stand for Quality theme of sociation of Zoos and Aquariums posed for this project, the Zoo is dren two and under are free. member zoos and aquariums. The establishing additional pollinator The Oklahoma City Zoo is open Zoo's marine mammal caretakers gardens throughout its grounds from 9 am. to 5 p.m. daily with will be shifting to work in other to replenish habitat for native pol- the last entry no later than 4 p.m. animal areas throughout this linators. transition. Connect to wildlife and tons of Design features of the improved fun as you experience BRICKLIVE Wildlife fans interested in “sea”ing marine mammal habitat include Animal Paradise at the OKC Zoo. Residents’ Rights Month our marine mammals before they an outdoor amphitheater for Sponsored by Devon, BRICKLIVE By Cherrie Nutley, SWODA Om- Quality” emphasizes the impor- and places a strong emphasis on move are encouraged to attend educational presentations and features 45+ life-sized animal budsman Supervisor, 580-562- tance of quality in all aspects of individual dignity, choice, and the Zoo's sea lion presentations caretaker chats, beach areas for statues made with almost two mil- 5032 residents’ experiences - quality self-determination. The law also occurring at 1 p.m. daily and 10 the animals, “nose-to-nose” views lion toy bricks! BRICKLIVE Ani- care, quality of life, quality servic- requires nursing homes to “pro- a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays of the sea lions and seals, an in- mal Paradise is open daily during October is “Residents’ Rights es, and quality choices - to name mote and protect the rights of now through Sunday, October teractive sand area for kids, spe- regular Zoo hours through Sun- 30. Sea lion presentations will be cial event space and much more, day, October 30. Purchase advance Month,” an annual event desig- a few. Residents’ Rights Month is each resident.” Residents’ Rights a featured attraction at the new Guests will be in awe of an 8-foot tickets for general Zoo admission nated by Consumer Voice to hon- an opportunity for staff, families, Month is a time to raise aware- habitat that will resume once the tall underwater viewing window and BRICKLIVE at www.okczoo. or residents living in all long-term ombudsman programs, residents ness of these rights and celebrate project is completed in 2025. Ad- offering opportunities to watch org/tickets. Membership has its care facilities. It’s an opportunity and other advocates to work to- residents. ditionally, the Zoo's Wild Encoun- sea lions and seals swim and glide perks! As a member of the Okla- to focus on and celebrate aware- gether to stand for and promote For more information contact ter experience with sea lions will through the water. Project plans homa City Zoo, enjoy free admis- ness of dignity, respect and the quality long-term care. your area Ombudsman Supervi- conclude on Sunday, October 30. also include reusing and repurpos- sion all year-long, plus many addi- rights of each resident. ‘The federal Nursing Home Reform sor, Cherrie Nutley at 580-562- “This is an exciting time of growth ing select materials from existing tional benefits and discounts. You ‘This year's theme, “Stand for Law guarantees residents’ rights 5032 Send to [email protected] with a description!