A 24-year-old Oklahoma State University (OSU) graduate student and rodeo enthusiast lost his life in a duck hunting accident at Sooner Lake, Oklahoma.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, December 10, 2023, as confirmed by the Oklahoma Game Wardens and OSU officials.
Jackson Williams, known for his passion for rodeo and his academic pursuits in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at OSU, experienced an accident while retrieving a duck from the lake.
He unexpectedly encountered a drop-off in the lake, leading to his waders filling with water. Waders, typically worn by hunters to stay dry, can become perilously heavy when waterlogged, making it challenging to move or swim. Williams was dragged underwater towards the bottom of the lake. A friend who was with him placed an emergency call but by the time emergency services arrived, he had drowned. His body was recovered from the floor of the lake.
Captain Ben Bickerstaff of the Oklahoma Game Warden emphasized the risks associated with waders. He explained that they are difficult to escape, especially when filled with water. In cold water and panic situations, the difficulty is significantly compounded. Bickerstaff also recommended safety measures for hunters, such as using a stick to check for lake floor drop-offs and wearing a wader belt to limit water entry into the waders.
Williams, originally from Arkansas, had a notable history in rodeo. Before attending OSU, he had a successful run in rodeo, including a period under coach Jeff Collins at Panola College. His obituary and university statements reflect his accomplishments, passion for rodeo, and commitment to his academic field.
OSU expressed its condolences, describing Williams as a “genuine and respectable young man,” passionate about soil science, rodeo, and helping others. The university conveyed its profound sympathies to Williams’ relatives, acquaintances, colleagues, the 4-H members and farmers he counseled, as well as his past teammates on the OSU rodeo team.
