Editor's note:A public meeting on the issue of OG&E leasing part of the Cooper Wildlife Management Area for a wind farm is scheduled March 12 in Woodward.
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In reference to the (Feb. 3) article on wind turbines on public hunting land, John Groendyke, Wildlife Commissioner, makes the quote, "I don't see it having much effect on hunting,” referring to the Cooper Wildlife Management Area.
For two years, I leased private hunting land northeast of Woodward where wind turbines were built. It was a nightmare. The land the turbines were on wasn't even huntable.
The turbines had to be serviced, sometimes 24 hours a day. It seems like they were broke down or repaired constantly.
Work trucks were in and out of our lease 24/7. The dirt roads became over-used and were badly rutted out. They even had to hire security officers to protect the turbines, which caused even more traffic.
The movement of the large turbine blades scared me, much less scaring the wildlife. I never saw any wildlife near the turning blades.
Some turkeys tried to pass between the turbines, and it made them very jittery. The blades cause extremely low noise vibrations, and the moving shadows made the turkeys feel like something was swooping down on them.
The land immediately around the turbines seemed a loss for everything. You won't hear a hen turkey putt and you won't hear a buck snort or grunt.
Forget about the scenic views of nature. I thought that was what public hunting lands were all about, to get away from towns, cars, and noise.
Mr. Groendyke needs to lease and build wind turbines on PRIVATELY owned lands that surround the Wildllife Management Areas.
That way, the surrounding wildlife will seek peace and shelter on the PUBLIC lands. Mr. Groendyke and OG&E, stay off my public land.
Make money at your own expense and not the public. I have experienced wind turbines and I have hunted near and around them. It doesn't work.
Danny Keener, Choctaw
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