Keystone Lake among sites for guided youth duck hunts

  • Ryatt, 12, and his guardian, left, went on a Wildlife Department youth waterfowl hunt with ODWC wildlife biologist Paxton Smith as their guide. Photo by Heather Del Moral ODWC
    Ryatt, 12, and his guardian, left, went on a Wildlife Department youth waterfowl hunt with ODWC wildlife biologist Paxton Smith as their guide. Photo by Heather Del Moral ODWC

    KEYSTONE LAKE — Young hunters have until Oct. 25 to apply for a guided duck hunt through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, with Keystone Lake among this year’s hunting locations.

    The program gives youths a chance to learn about waterfowl hunting alongside a Wildlife Department expert. For beginners, understanding the equipment, setting up for a hunt and learning regulations can make getting started a challenge. The guided hunts help young hunters take that first step.

    Applicants must be 12 to 15 years old and have proof of successfully completing a certified hunter education course. An adult guardian must accompany the youth on the hunt.

    In addition to Keystone Lake, hunt locations include Packsaddle and Hackberry Flat wildlife management areas, Fort Cobb State Park, Fort Gibson Lake and Vann’s Lake. Applicants will rank their preferred locations when applying.

    Selected youths will arrange their hunting dates with the Wildlife Department expert assigned to guide them and their adult guardians. Only the youth participant may hunt.

    The department will provide ammunition and can provide a shotgun for a participant who does not have one.

    For more information and application details, visit wildlifedepartment.com/ education/youth-opp/guided-youthwaterfowl- hunts. Questions may also be directed to Jason Rockwell, Wildlife Department migratory bird technician, at 405-406-2675 or jason.rockwell@odwc. ok.gov.