Game Type Map The Game Types of Oklahoma

6. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE GAME TYPE

Definition

The Tallgrass Prairie Game Type occupies most of the best of the agricultural soils of Oklahoma and, with the exception of the Arbuckle Mountains and Osage areas is characterized by clean cultivation and low game potentiality. On the basis of original vegetation this type includes the big bluestem subtype, the little bluestem subtype and probably a portion of the eastern edge of the mixed grass ecotone type of Osborn and Whittaker (1936, 1937a, b).

For the most part the natural vegetation consists of a mixture of such species as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), switch grass (Panicum virgatum), and silver beard grass (Bothriochloa saccharoides), in the eastern portions of the type, with a gradual increase of such species as buffalo grass (Buchloë dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and side oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula). Continued grazing has removed the tall grass species from the composition of the western portion of the type leaving only the short grasses.

This is the largest Game Type in the state, comprising around 20,500 square miles occupying generally a belt from north to south just east of the Post Oak - Blackjack Game Type. The Cherokee prairie, a sizeable area, is located in northeastern Oklahoma.

Physical Characteristics

The topography of this type is from flat to gently rolling. However, the pronounced topographic feature of the type is the Arbuckle Mountain area which is fairly rugged. The north portion, characterized by its general flatness, includes Woods, Woodward, Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Garfield and Blaine counties. As one progresses southward and eastward the land irregularities become more pronounced with the more complex network of drainage.

The soils of the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type, west of the central cross timbers, have their origin from shales and clays of the permian Red Beds and range from light sandy loams to heavier silt loams and clays. In northeastern Oklahoma the type is supported mostly by residual soils formed from weathering of limestones, fine grained sandstones and shales.

Climatic Characteristics

Climatic peculiarities do not characterize the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type insofar as Oklahoma is concerned. It is more humid than the adjoining Mixed - Grass - Eroded Plains Type on the west, but differs from the Post Oak - Blackjack Game Type in other respects. This type is partially represented in all three of the major climatic provinces of the state, but falls largely in that one characterized as sub-humid, mesothermal and moisture deficiency at all seasons.

The average annual precipitation for the Tallgrass Prairie Game type varies from 42 inches on the east to 26 inches on the west, with the bulk of the type falling between 28 inches to 38 inches. An annual snowfall of around 8 inches occurs over the type, with around 14 inches in the northwest. The growing season is from 190 days on the north to 230 days in the Red River Valley in Marshall county.

Throughout the intensively farmed areas, seasonal floods overflow the bottomlands of this condition, forcing game to seek the sparsely covered uplands. Continued erosion has silted up many of the stream beds and, along with trampling by cattle, the game cover in many areas is seriously reduced.

Land Use Characteristics

As a result of fertile soils, generally sufficient rainfall for small grains, and favorable topography, the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type is essentially an agricultural game condition. With the exception of the mountainous areas, the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type west of the cross timbers is approximately 80 percent cultivated. Throughout this portion of the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type, wheat is the principal corp in the north, while cotton ranks first in the south. Corn is a ranking crop in the northeastern portion with hay a close second. The Osage grasslands are used very little for crop production, but largely for pasture.

Farm tenancy for the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type, from north to south across Oklahoma is around 35 percent in Garfield, 49 percent in Craig county, as compared to 60 to 70 percent in parts of southern Oklahoma. The average farm size varies from 80 acres to several square miles.

Wildlife Characteristics

Most of the wildlife of this type is confined to the stream border cover which has, in most cases, been mapped as Bottomland Forest Type. However, the badger, striped skunk, greater prairie chicken and coyote are the principal species utilizing the true tall grass uplands. Throughout the northern portion of the Tallgrass Prairie Game Type west of the central cross timbers, little is offered in game cover. However, eastward and southward better cover and relatively high populations of small game are found. Johnson grass (Sorghum halpense) has become important for bobwhite where it has not developed too rank a growth.

Due to several factors, mainly the tremendous expense involved and the nearness to good game country, it is doubtful if an extensive management program is justified for this type.

About the plates

Plate XVI - Typical Tall Grass Game Type condition in Grant County. Note total absence of game cover due to arability and fertility of soils.
Plate XVII - Roadside burning damages bobwhite cover on the Tall Grass Game Type.

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