Youth waterfowl hunts offered

Oklahoma youngsters age 12 to 15 have an opportunity to apply for special controlled waterfowl hunts sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The hunts are designed to provide youth who do not have an adult mentor who waterfowl hunts an opportunity to learn and enjoy the traditions of waterfowling.

Youth hunters will be randomly drawn from a list of applicants for each area where a hunt will be held. Applicants must be 12 to 15 years of age, have proof of successfully completing a certified hunter education course, and have an adult guardian who can accompany them on the hunt.

A Wildlife Department employee will accompany each youth and their adult guardian on a controlled waterfowl hunt at one of several Department-managed areas. Only the youth hunter will be allowed to hunt.

Each youth applicant and their guardian must provide the following information on a 3x5 postcard to be eligible for the drawing: names, addresses, telephone numbers, youth hunter education number, and the name of the designated hunt location where they would like to hunt. Applicants must be received by Oct. 20 and should be mailed to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Youth Waterfowl Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Successful applicants will be notified by Oct. 27.

The scheduled date of the hunt will be coordinated with successful applicants after the drawing. Applicants may apply only once and should specify the hunt area desired.

The Wildlife Department will provide successful applicants the necessary nontoxic shotgun shells and a 20 gauge single shot shotgun will be available for use if the youth does not have his or her own shotgun.

2000-2001 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Locations:

Creek County

Ft. Gibson Waterfowl Refuge

Love County

Okmulgee WMA

Tishomingo Area

Webber Falls Waterfowl Refuge

Wister WMA

Ft. Cobb Lake Refuge

Ellsworth Refuge