September 1 deadline for bonus youth deer hunts

            Nearly 60 kids will get a unique opportunity to go deer hunting on four controlled antlerless deer hunts this fall. Applications must be received at the Wildlife Department no later than 4 p.m., Friday, September 1.

            "One would be hard pressed to find a better opportunity for a young hunter to harvest a doe. There is no charge to enter and the hunts take place on private properties with good deer populations," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has endorsed the youth hunt program and we are thankful for the landowners' willingness to allow these kids the opportunity to hunt on their property.”

            The hunts are scheduled for either October or January. This year 58 bonus antlerless deer gun licenses will be drawn for youth 12 to 16 years of age the day of the hunt who have completed their hunter education requirements.

            To apply for a hunt, applicants must send the Department an envelope with a 4” by 6” index card in an envelope titled "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunts." The card should provide the hunter's name, date of birth, mailing address, telephone number, hunter education certification number, social security or driver’s license number, their order of hunt preferences (may list all four hunts) and lifetime license number if applicable. A non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old must accompany the youth, and must also be listed on the index card. The index card should be labeled “Private Lands Youth Deer Hunt” and should be mailed to: Department of Wildlife, Attn: Wildlife Division-Youth Deer Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.  
        Hunts will be offered in:

            The drawing will be held Sept. 7 and successful applicants will receive a notification letter in the mail about their hunt the following week. The letter will inform them of their selection and provide details about the hunt and license requirements. Selected resident youth will need to purchase a $10 Resident Youth Deer Gun License unless they possess an Oklahoma Resident Lifetime Hunting or Resident Lifetime Combination License. Selected nonresidents will need to purchase a $201.00 Nonresident Deer Gun License. The youth's non-hunting adult does not need a license. Any antlerless deer harvested during the controlled hunt will be considered a bonus deer and will not count against the youths’ combined season limit.

            For additional information concerning the hunts, contact the Department at (405) 521-2739.

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