An Oklahoma State University graduate student drowned while going duck hunting at the state’s Sooner Lake reservoir.

On Sunday, Jackson Williams, 24, was going to retrieve a duck he had shot when he hit a drop-off within the reservoir. Water inundated his waders, weighing him down, and he was unable to resurface, the Oklahoma Game Wardens posted on Facebook.

“They come up to your chest and keep you from getting wet and cold and if water gets in, it can rush in and really weigh you down to where you can’t get out,” OGW Capt. Ben Bickerstaff told KOCO-TV.

The wardens used side imaging sonar to find Mr. Williams’ body and then helped the Oklahoma Highway Patrol recover the body.

Mr. Williams was the OSU Extension Agriculture and 4H Educator for Logan County and a former member of the school’s rodeo team.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jackson Williams, who was a former member of the OSU Rodeo Team. His positive attitude and outlook on life were infectious, both in and out of the arena. Jackson will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected,” the team wrote in a post on X.

The Logan County Cooperative Extension Service wrote on Facebook, “Even in his short time serving Logan County, he was well-known and liked by all who had the opportunity to meet him. … He was a great co-worker and will be missed by all.”

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.