Second Annual Hugo Lake youth hunt success

Photo By Stacey Reese | (L-R) Terry Stewart and Chance Phillips with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife along with Hugo Area Deputy Operations Manager Jake Ellison weighed in a deer shot by a youth hunter during Hugo Lake's 2nd annual special youth hunt. The two organizations work together in support of Oklahoma's wildlife management mission.  

HUGO, OK, UNITED STATES

10.28.2019

Story by Stacey Reese 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District

Staff from the Hugo Lake project office held the second annual youth deer hunt at Kiamichi Park Recreation Area in conjunction with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife’s annual hunt October 11-13.

Tulsa District played hosted to children ages 6-15 from all around the state that were lucky enough to draw a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and participate in this year’s youth hunt. Each hunter was accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or guardian during the three day event.
“These hunts provide an opportunity for these young hunters to access incredible public property and harvest a quality whitetail.” said Hugo Area Assistant Lake Manager, Shae Harrison. “They don't have to worry about hanging a stand or setting up a blind because we do the work for them.”

The tradition of hunting is slowly dying off and our hunts get kids excited about being outdoors and hunting. These draw hunts are a great opportunity for parents and kids to get away from the daily grind and spend some quality time together, said Harrison.

“In addition to hunting, participants have access to a large camp which allows the kids to have a complete hunting and camping experience. Through donations from the local community, meals are provided for the kids and their helpers during these events. The success of this hunt has been phenomenal, with most of the success being due to our amazing volunteers and sponsors.” said Hugo Lake Environmental Specialist, Josh Wingfield.
The weather this year was absolutely perfect for hunting, with hunters getting the highest number of deer in conjunction with a youth hunt.
There were seven hunters who drew into the Kiamichi Park hunt. Of those seven hunters, four earned bragging rights taking one buck and three doe.
Of the 23 ODWC hunters who hunted in the wildlife management areas, 18 were able to take home a deer. These kids netted 11 bucks and seven doe.

• Date Taken: 10.28.2019
• Date Posted: 10.28.2019 12:05
• Story ID: 349492
• Location: HUGO, OK, US