About Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1992, under authorities of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, to protect and enhance the valuable freshwater wetlands and wildlife habitats along the Deep Fork River. Land acquisition began in June 1993, with the purchase of 4,681 acres using Land and Water Conservation funds appropriated by Congress. As of July 1, 2021, the Refuge contains 10,178 acres. When land acquisition is complete the refuge will include 18,228 acres. The Deep Fork River bottoms were likely hunted by Native Americans for hundreds of years. Between 1550 and 1800, European explorers documented tribal groups throughout the Southern Plains and eastern Oklahoma, including the Wichita, Caddo, and Osage. By 1800, the Osage had driven most of the other native groups of eastern Oklahoma out of the area. By the early 1800s, Native Americans in the eastern United States were faring poorly. They were viewed as savages and obstacles to continued settlement and development. Congress mandated the removal of eastern Native Americans to the West. Oklahoma was designated “Indian Territory”. In 1820, a treaty gave an area of land in central Oklahoma to the Creek Nation of Alabama and Georgia. The new Creek Territory encompassed all of the lands now contained within the designated boundary of the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. The resources of the Deep Fork River bottomlands were essential for the Creeks survival. They bartered pelts for merchandise at stores in the village of Okmulgee. Streams provided fish for the Creeks’ diet. Okmulgee was founded by the Creek Nation in 1868 to serve as its capital. The town remained a small trading center until the 1900s. The sovereignty of the Creek Nation ended in 1899 when the Creeks voted to accept U.S. government jurisdiction. Under the resulting treaty, each adult was awarded an allotment of 160 acres of land. Deep Fork Refuge lands were among those include
