CY CURTIS AWARDS PROGRAM

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In 2000, Oklahoma hunters harvested more than 100,000 deer, for the first time, a level many thought would never be reached.  And with a statewide population estimated at nearly 500,000 animals, the outlook for future deer seasons is as bright as ever. This was not a one-time event. Over the past 5 years, the average deer harvest has been over 100,000 animals annually.

It’s hard to believe that in our state’s short history, whitetail populations have increased from a mere 500 animals around the turn of the century to the levels seen today. Even as little as fifty years ago the mere sight of a deer track generated great excitement.

The Wildlife Department set out to change that in 1944 when it initiated a deer relocation program. Among other places, deer were trapped at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton and at the McAlester Army Ammunition Depot. The deer were then transported to other parts of the state with suitable habitat and released.

Changing land use practices and increased habitat conservation efforts provided the perfect environment for deer. Populations responded quickly and deer numbers skyrocketed. The rest they say is history.

Hunting hasn’t just gotten better in terms of deer numbers, either. More and more trophy deer are being harvested and recognized, as evidenced by the number of entries into the Cy Curtis Program. Over the last five years hunters have averaged placing 211 deer in the record book each year. The current top non-typical was killed in 2004. The new record typical was taken in 2007. 

WHAT IS THE CY CURTIS PROGRAM ?

The Cy Curtis Award, named in honor of the man most responsible for the restoration of white-tailed deer in Oklahoma, was established in 1975 to recognize trophy deer taken throughout the state. Cy Curtis was a wildlife biologist who worked for the Wildlife Department was from Stilwell and lived from 1912 to 1982. All deer legally taken during the 1972 season or thereafter are eligible for scoring. Official scoring of trophies can be done any time following a 60 day drying period. Measurements must be taken by a qualified employee of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, or by a measurer certified by Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young. Sportsmen who harvest deer that meet minimum entry requirements are acknowledged by receiving a certificate as well as having their names entered in the state record book. The state record book is updated every July. If your deer is accepted into the Cy Curtis program after July 1 of the current year your information will not appear in the state record book until it is printed in July of the following year.

For more information on the Cy Curtis Program, contact the Wildlife Department’s Game Division at 405/521-2739.

Below you will find the score sheets for the Cy Curtis typical and non-typical white-tailed deer. These are being provided for information and rough scoring purposes. To be eligible for entry into the Cy Curtis Awards Program, the rack must be scored by an official scorer employed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, or a certified scorer for either Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young organizations.

Typical white-tailed deer score sheet                             Non-typical white-tailed deer score sheet

Cy Curtis Awards Program Top Five