State Senate committee studies solutions to reverse state's turkey population decline

Senate committee looks for ways to increase state’s turkey population

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee heard from wildlife experts Monday about why Oklahoma has seen a significant decline it its turkey population. Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, R-Tahlequah, requested the study to find possible legislative solutions to increase their numbers.

“As someone who grew up hunting in rural Oklahoma, I’m extremely concerned and saddened by the disturbing drop we’ve seen in our state’s turkey population in recent years,” Stephens said. “We have a legislative and moral responsibility to protect not only our state lands, but the species that inhabit them, including the wild turkey.  I appreciate the recommendations we received from our state’s wildlife experts and am looking forward to working with my colleagues to help better protect the majestic thunder chicken as it is fondly referred to.”

Gov. Stitt appoints Jess Kane to Wildlife Conservation Commission

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS JESS KANE TO OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan 4. 2020) - Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Jess Kane to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Kane will fill the District 1 seat currently held by Robert S. Hughes II, whose appointment expires on July 1, 2021. If confirmed by the Senate, Kane will serve an eight-year term beginning July 2, 2021. 

"Jess Kane is an experienced attorney and rancher from rural Oklahoma who understands the importance of our land and wildlife," said Gov. Stitt. "I look forward to him bringing his strong agriculture perspective to the Commission to help foster wildlife conservation effortsacross our state." 

"The joy of observing and hunting game is one of the greatest dividends of successful farm and ranch management," said Kane. "In an industry not known for prodigious profits, this return is of high value to farmers and ranchers. I hope to add this perspective to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conversation Commission and will be honored to help preserve Oklahoma’s long heritage of wildlife conservation." 

Jess Kane has practiced law with the firm Robinett, King, Elias, Buhlinger, Brown & Kane with offices in Bartlesville and Pawhuska since 2009 and was named a partner in that firm in 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South (Sewanee, TN), a Certificate of Ranch Management from the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, College of Law.

A 5th generation rancher, having grown up on his family’s diversified cow/calf, stocker and grain farming operation headquartered in Bartlesville, Kane is a partner with his brother, Richard, in Clover Leaf Cattle Co., LLC, a stocker enterprise with operations on owned and leased land in Washington and Rogers Counties in Oklahoma and Kiowa County, Kansas. Additionally, Jess and his wife Ashley are partners in a cow herd based in Tillman County, Oklahoma.