Outing Descriptions, Times and Difficulty Level

*Difficulty Levels 

*Each outing has been assigned a difficulty level so please take this in consideration when choosing a field trip.  We want this to be an enjoyable experience for everyone .

Level (1) - Easy walking, no hills

Level (2) - A little more vigorous, for example: a narrow path on uneven terrain

Level (3) - More demanding physically, steeper grades, longer distances--recommended for persons in good physical condition

Be prepared for outdoor events:  Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, hat, light jacket, and wear appropriate footwear.

Transportation will be provided and will leave from the Murray Campus Center.  Please take note of departure time listed for each event.

Registration information

Students; must present I.D. at sign-in and children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Please look over all the outing descriptions listed below then use the description information to make your choices on the registration page.  Keep in mind that the Geological tour has a limit of 30 participants and the Bird Banding has a limit of 22 participants.  We must limit some outings in order to both protect the property and also to allow each participant a chance to fully enjoy these rare opportunities.

There will be a photo option allowed on the Geological tour this year, your tour host will have that information.

When You Arrive:

Both Friday and Saturday morning the Murray State Campus Center will be open at 6:45 a.m.  so that registrants can sign in .  All participants must come to the sign-in table to pickup your Lanyard/Nametag.

Every participant must also sign a Liability Waiver before you board transportation to any outing.

If you chose to pay at the event please have your check ready and made out to ASNF for payment.  We have some  friendly folks who can assist you or answer any questions you may have.

There will also be a variety of vendors set up in the Campus Center where you may purchase art by local artists, bird carvings, nature photography and more.

Outing Descriptions and Level of Difficulty

We are currently working on the descriptions.  Please check back.

Friday April 26th - Kids Day - All Level 1

Insect Adventure - 9:00am - 1:00pm - FREE -

Extreme Animals - 10:00am & 1:00pm - FREE -

Critter Tales - 11:00am - Noon - FREE -

Jakes Program - 9:00am - 2:00pm - FREE - Indoor Bb gun course

Alligator Snapping Turtles - 9:00am - 1:00pm - FREE - At the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery

Friday Evening April 26th (Grown-Ups)

(Grown-Ups) Creatures of the Night - 8:00pm - 10:30pm - $10 - with instructor John Fisher (moth and insects discovery) – Blacklighting techniques at the Pontotoc Ridge Nature Conservancy Preserve. A short introduction by the instructor will provide what “creatures” we should find and then we will see how this technique brings moths and other insects up-close. This is a unique opportunity to see the beauty of many of our native Oklahoma moths.  8:00 PM – 10:30 PM bus departs promptly from MSC Campus Center. – level 2

Saturday April 27th Schedule

Bird Banding at Tishomingo NWR - 7:00am - 11:00am  - Level 1

Dragonflies and Breeding Birds - 8:00am - Noon - With Justin Roach and Vic Fazio - Level 2

Fly Fishing, Tying and Casting w/famed Backwoods instructor Tom Adams - 8:00am - 5:00pm - $20 - all equipment and accessories will be provided – morning fly tying and casting at Sipokni Old West Town, lunch at Sipokni West Restaurant is included in price -  afternoon at Round Rock Ranch catching fish – limit 10 - Level 2

Roadrunner 5k and 1 mile fun run - 8:00am - Noon - Pre-register and receive a free T-shirt! - This is a new addition to the ASNF schedule of events.  Enjoy the scenery through the peaceful, "run-friendly" Tishomingo Wildlife Refuge.  A portion of the registration will go to the Fit Communities' Jacobs Ladder Fund.  For registration, http://www.earlysignup.com/roadrunner, for questions call 580-371-2470 - Level 3

Notable Springs of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer - 8:00am - Noon - USGS Noel Osborn will be our guide providing a wealth of information on the importance of our flowing waters from the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer - Level 2

OK Dept. of Wildlife Conservation STEP Program - Shotgun education program - 10:00am - 1:00pm - FREE - limit 200 - Level 2

Butterflies, Wildflowers and Photography - 1:00pm - 5:00pm - With Bryan Reynolds - Level 2

Natural and Stream Ecology of Pennington Creek - 1:00pm - 5:00pm  - To honor the wishes of the property owners family No photography of any type allowed on this outing. - Level 3

Arbuckle-Simpson Nature Festival Banquet - 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Join us for a great meal and program as we present awards from the festival and TREES unveils the winner of the coveted Dr. Pennington Conservation Award.

Keynote Speaker, Michael D. Porter - "Feral Hogs: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!" - 7:00 p.m. - FREE - Speaker Michael D. Porter, Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist, will be speaking about the cutting edge technologies to control feral hogs, how they are affecting native plants and animals as well as what diseases these beasts can carry.

Sipokni Old West Town Events - Saturday April 27th

Dutch Oven 101 - Murray State College Continuing Education Program – Instructor Barry Schrader – Learn the art and secrets of Dutch oven cooking form one of our area experts. – Program held at Sipokni West – Reagan, OK - 10:00 – 11:00 AM will be the onsite instructor demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to stay as long as they prefer to enjoy other activities. - Rules and Registration - Level 1

Archery in the Schools - 10:00am - 2:00pm - Learn to shoot a compound bow from the experts! Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation - Level 1

People's Choice voting - Best Dutch Oven Side Dish & Best Showmanship - (Modest tasting fee applies) - 1:00pm - 2:00pm - FREE

Jakes Turkey Calling Contest - FREE - Level 1

Taste of Tishomingo Grand Champion Dutch Oven Dish - 1:00pm - FREE - Level 1

Cast Iron Skillet Toss (ladies and children only) - FREE

Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest - FREE

Guns of Sipokni - High Noon Gun Fight - Noon - FREE

Scouts Fire Building & Starting Contest – no matches! – first troop to burn the string into wins – 9:00 AM - Level 2

Dutch Oven Tasting – People’s Choice Award for best Troop Dutch oven dessert – Tasting/voting begins at 11:30AM