The Game Types of Oklahoma
3. BOTTOMLAND TIMBER GAME TYPE
Definition
The Bottomland Timber Game Type includes the first bottom and stream course of all the regular drainage of the state. Due to its statewide consideration there is much variation, in the plant composition. In the panhandle and western counties much of the bottom acreage is devoid of larger permanent vegetation. In places buffalo grass (Buchloë dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), and river grass (miscellaneous grasses and sedges) form the dominant plant cover. Scattered growths of cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) are common with a few willows (Salix spp.) and hackberry (Celtis sp.). Elms (Ulmus spp.)enter into the picture more so throughout the central west. Typical stream growth in central Oklahoma within the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type consists of American elm (Ulmus americana), chinquapin oak (Quercus muhlenbergii), post oak (Quercus stellata), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), hackberry (Celtis laevigata and C. occidentalis), chittamwood (Bumelia lanuginosa), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia), fragrant sumac (Rhus trilobata), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and rough leafed dogwood (Cornus drummondii). Black oaks, pecan (Carya illinoensis), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), bitternut (Carya cordiformis) and walnut (Juglans nigra) are more common southward and eastward.
Because of differences in rainfall and other factors, both the luxuriance of growth and the number of plant species increase from west to east along the principal east-west streams. More mesic conditions are present in extreme eastern Oklahoma due to the increase in rainfall of 40 inches or more, the low altitude of about 400 feet and the comparatively high humidity. Under these favorable conditions the vegetation shows an increased growth rate and increased number of herb, vine, shrub and trees. In the southeast corner of the state along Little River, Mountain Fork River and their tributaries, bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica), as well as white oak (Quercus alba), willow oak (Quercus phellos) and water oak (Quercus nigra), Ward's willow (Salix caroliniana), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), alder (Alnus serrulata), mulberry (Morus rubra) and American holly (Ilex opaca) are the principal tree growths, while in the northeastern section of the state where there is about the same amount of rainfall, the sweet gum, sour gum, willows, American elm, sycamore, hickories, hackberry, white oak, water oak, willow oak and red oaks are more common.
There is about 3,400 square miles of bottomland type in Oklahoma. Due to the long narrow strips and irregular boundaries of this type, an accurate measurement was almost impossible. Some of this type has been set up in every county of the state and on all the major streams.
Climatic Characteristics
Climatic characteristics cannot be treated separately for this type since it is found within every type discussed already. Small game populations of the type suffer much from the seasonal floods in the western part of the state where the only available cover is found along the streams. However, this is not the case over a large part of the state where good cover conditions adjoin the Bottomland Timber Game Type.
Physical Characteristics
The surface of this type varies from the flat bottomlands to the steep canyon-like valleys. The Bottomland Timber Game Type differs from the other timbered types of the state in that most of the bottom soils are extremely fertile and deep, being alluvial in origin. In some areas saline deposits are present, particularly associated with the Cimarron, Salt Fork of the Arkansas and Salt Fork of Red River.
Land Use Characteristics
Cultivation of this Game Type increases from west to east through the entire state. In Texas county only 8 percent of the type is cultivated; in Woodward county 15 percent of the type is cultivated; in Pontotoc county 61 percent of the type is cultivated; and in the extreme eastern section of the state it probably runs as high as 75 percent of all available land. Farming is the principal industry of the type and grain sorghum, wheat, oats, vegetables, alfalfa, corn, cotton and native meadows form the bulk of the crops. Farm tenancy is high over the major portion of the region, running as high as 70 percent in the Arkansas and Red River valleys. In the larger bottoms approximately 30 percent of the rural population is negro. The average size of the farms runs about 100 acres, valued on an average at $4,000.00. Generally game populations are high throughout the type where habitat conditions are good. In many of the better agricultural bottoms along the Arkansas, Red and Washita rivers, game populations are extremely low due to a deficiency of year round cover. This land is cultivated so intensively that very little area is allowed to grow up into the desired weedy and brushy cover.
Wildlife Characteristics
The Bottomland Timber Game Type offers some of the better game habitat condition in Oklahoma and is capable of supporting many different species. The more common game species are as follows: Bobwhite quail, squirrel (both gray and fox), cottontail, pheasants and such furbearers as raccoon, opossum, skunk, mink, muskrat, and beaver. The bobwhite quail, squirrel and the furbearers --- raccoon, mink, muskrat, and beaver --- are the major species that restoration projects should be concerned with in this type.
About the plates
Plate IX - Typical bottomland condition within prairie types. Habitat subject to seasonal flooding.
Plate X - Bottomland Game Type in Cimarron County.
Plate XI - Cultivated bottoms of Washita valley in south central Oklahoma.
Plate XII - Excellent field margin conditions for bobwhite in Johnston County.
Comment: bhoagland@ou.edu
Page problems or Web-related comments to: Dan Hough
This document is a product of the Oklahoma
Biological Survey
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