This year 44 youth deer hunters, aged 12-17, who have harvested no more than one deer, have a unique opportunity to participate in one of 11 deer hunts that will take place on private land in:
Carter County
- Dec. 5-6, 2026
Carter/Love/Marshall Counties
- Dec. 11-12, 2026
Cleveland County
- Oct. 16-17, 2026
- Dec. 11-12, 2026
Creek County
- Nov. 6-7, 2026
- Dec. 18-19, 2026
Grady County
- Nov. 7-8, 2026
Love County
- Dec. 11-12, 2026
- Dec. 21-22, 2026
Nowata County
- Oct. 10-11, 2026
- Nov. 7-8, 2026
These hunts are a win-win for those involved. Landowners are able to better address their deer herd management goals and pass on the hunting tradition to a new generation. New youth hunters and their parents/guardians will have access to areas where they will have a quality experience that allows them to take their time, feel safe, and not pressured or crowded. Additionally, on most of these hunts the landowners or hunt assistants will provide guidance or help on how to care for their deer meat after the harvest. An additional benefit is that antlerless deer taken during these hunts are considered "bonus deer," the same as other controlled hunts, and do not count towards the hunter's annual bag limit, so new hunters could have the opportunity to still participate in the youth, rifle, or holiday antlerless seasons.
To be eligible for these private lands youth controlled hunts, youth must have completed their hunter education requirements prior to applying and must be 12-17 years old at the time of their scheduled hunt.
"These hunts are on private property and should provide beginning hunters a great opportunity to see some deer as well as a chance to potentially harvest one," said Chief of Wildlife Bill Dinkines. "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."
To apply for a hunt, youth applicants must create and/or log in to their own Go Outdoors Oklahoma license account at Go Outdoors Oklahoma and apply by August 16 with the following information:
- Accompanying adult's first and last name*
- Accompanying adult's telephone number
- Accompanying adult's email address
- List of hunts by order of preference**
* Every participant must have an adult (licensed or unlicensed) who is at least 21 years of age accompanying them on the hunt.
**Do not list any hunt that you are not interested in or know in advance you cannot attend.
Because these hunts are focused on youth that are early on in their hunting journey, all applicants will also be screened to ensure they have not harvested 2 or more deer previously.
All applicants will receive an email notification on or before August 21. Applicants that were successfully drawn will need to sign in to their Go Outdoors Oklahoma license account to purchase their annual youth super hunting license, unless already in possession of one, or in possession of an Oklahoma lifetime hunting license, and receive specific information about their hunt within their GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com profile.
If you have any questions before or after applying, please call Kyle Johnson at (405) 590-2584.