215 Acres of Key Upland and Wetland Habitat Added to Oklahoma’s Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area

September 22, 2026 – Drummond, Okla. – Quail Forever has partnered with Ducks Unlimited and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) to acquire 215 acres of wetland habitat, which will add to the Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The two tracts will expand and protect critical habitat for quail, pheasants, ducks and many other non-game wildlife species in the Sooner State.

“These two strategic additions expand a high-priority public wildlife complex for Oklahoma’s upland bird hunters,” said Eric Sytsma, Quail Forever’s habitat protection officer. “We are thankful to have dedicated partners with a vision for wildlife conservation and public access in the state.”

This area falls within Oklahoma’s historic Drummond Flats wetland basin. Many wetland areas are found throughout the properties, including a portion of Turkey Creek, which flows through several of the recent additions. Additionally, prairie buffers found alongside the wetlands will provide excellent upland habitat.

“We are grateful for our Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever partners who have helped us continue the Drummond Flats WMA restoration project,” said Bill Dinkines, ODWC wildlife division chief.

Thank you to all the partners who made this project possible:

• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

• Ducks Unlimited

• Enbridge

• Grand National Quail Club

• Grand National Quail Foundation

• Brian Carroll

• Cherokee Strip Chapter of Quail Forever

• Tall Grass Heritage Chapter of Quail Forever

• Big Bluestem Chapter of Quail Forever

• Boggy Depot Chapter of Quail Forever

• Oklahoma #89 Chapter of Quail Forever

These properties were acquired with the assistance of QF’s Build a Wildlife Area® (BAWA) initiative. BAWA  is Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's permanent habitat protection strategy, delivering strategic, fee-title acquisitions to conserve habitat and increase public hunting access. The initiative strives to create functional landscapes that support wild, sustainable populations of upland birds and other wildlife, while providing natural resources and community benefits. To date, the initiative has opened more than 248,000 acres of permanently protected and publicly accessible upland wildlife habitat.

About Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 592,000 habitat projects benefiting 35+ million acres.

Media Contact
Mikayla Peper
715-294-0688
mpeper@pheasantsforever.org