Since 2003, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted a youth deer hunt at Keystone and Heyburn lakes which is made possible through a collaborative effort with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Hunters are chosen randomly through ODWC and notified of their hunt's location. The hunt has six youth participants who are escorted to their hunting blinds by Corps personnel. The six hunt as long as they wish and notify the Corps personnel when they are ready to leave the area.

Of the six hunters this year, only one was lucky enough to harvest a deer. Kayley Anthamatten of Tulsa harvested a 90-pound, four-point buck. The hunt grows each year, mostly due to contributions from Whitetails Unlimited. This year's hunt was held Dec. 7-9 and was sponsored by Ryan Beller, president of Thousand Oaks Bristow Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited.

Applications must be made during the time allotted for controlled hunts.

For more information concerning this hunt, please call the Keystone lake office at 918-865-2621.