The Game Types of Oklahoma
9. THE SHINNERY - GRASSLAND GAME TYPE
Definition
The Shinnery - Grassland Game Type in the western tier of counties represents the eastern edge of a similar condition found throughout portions of the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico. The condition is characterized by a low growth of several species of oak (Quercus spp., (note: primarily Quercus havardii)) intermixed with the tall grasses of the western sandy-lands. At present little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) predominates. Shorter grasses, however, come in on tighter soil areas. An approximate total of 1,173 square miles of this type has been mapped for Oklahoma , principally in southwestern Woodward, central Ellis, western Roger Mills, Beckham and northern Harmon counties. It is best correlated with the various shinnery grassland conditions defined by Osborn (1941).
Climatic Characteristics
The area occupied by the Shinnery - Grassland Game Type is characterized by an extremely unstable climate, particularly as regards precipitation. In 1905 the average rainfall was 38.6 inches and in 1910 dropped to 9.72 inches. During the 1939 season there was around 11 inches of rainfall and the following year a total of better than 45 inches in certain areas. The average rainfall is between 24-26 inches with most of the fall in the months of May, June, July and August. The growing season varies from 190 to 220 days. Most of the Shinnery - Grassland Game Type occupies the climatic province characterized as subhumid, mesothermal, and insufficient rainfall at all seasons.
Such variations in moisture conditions result in a decidedly unstable environmental state for game species. Associated with over grazing, improper agricultural practices and burning, the excessive precipitation increases soil loss through water run-off, and the long periods of drouth retard vegetation growth and encourage wind erosion. Localized areas here show the most pronounced erosion by wind seen throughout Oklahoma, though much of the type has not suffered seriously from this cause.
Physical Characteristics
Topography of this type has a low broad rolling relief, the broad slopes dotted with small hills of sand on which the characteristic mottes of oaks are found growing. The oaks in these mottes reach a height of from 2-8 feet and grown in circular clumps of around 10-12 feet in diameter. Very little rough broken land is included within the Shinnery - Grassland Game Type since the deep sandy nature of the soils discourages development of a rugged drainage. Most of the soils of the type are hummocky to rolling light textured soils, derived mainly from parent material of Quaternary or Tertiary age.
Land Use Characteristics
This part of Oklahoma was opened for settlement about fifty years ago. The land was settled in 160 acre plats with no consideration given the capacity of the land to support such a dense human population. This resulted in crop failure for a large number of early settlers, since the acreage was too small for either farming or cattle raising. What followed was an intense use of the soil, and much land unsuited for cultivation was broken out and the pastures overgrazed. World War I did much to further this use. Throughout the northern part of the Shinnery - Grassland Game Type, in Woodward and Ellis counties, approximately 90 percent of the land is again in pastures. However, the evidence of cultivation may be seen on practically every section. Farther south in Roger Mills, Beckham and Harmon counties around fifty percent is in cultivation, although the Soil Conservation Service has done much to promote a more wise use of the land.
Around fifty percent of the farms are operated by tenant families of which more than one-half remain on the same farm one year or less. Principal crops in the north are grain sorghum. Broomcorn once ranked high here. In the south cotton comes into importance particularly in Beckham and Harmon counties.
Wildlife Characteristics
Generally, this type is a good game producer in spite of its relative instability. The principal species are lesser prairie chicken, bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, and mourning dove. Whitetail deer and wild turkey are found along a few of the stream bottoms. However, the turkey and most of the deer are the result of introductions. Deer appear to be increasing the past few years, particularly in the vicinity of the Washita river in Roger Mills county.
Game cover for small game species is greatly improved in this type by the small field agriculture practiced, which provides excellent marginal conditions. On moderately used lands the roadsides, field margins and fence rows support excellent game populations. Blowing sand collects on the east-west roads and fences for bobwhites and cottontails. There is a definite seasonal shift of bobwhite from upland nesting grounds to bottomland and farmland winter cover on this type, the same as is described for the other upland types in western Oklahoma.
About the plates
Plate XXIV - Erosion on Shinnery Game Type soils produced by removal of vegetative protection through heavy grazing, drouth and cultivation.
Plate XXV - Old field blowout caused by wind erosion of cultivated sandy soils.
Plate XXVI - Typical view of Shinnery Game Type, Ellis County. Note circular clumps of shinnery oaks.
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Biological Survey
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