From left: Clifton Choumon, Kason Evans, Kash Reaper, Cindy Gillihan, Keith Gillihan
By Sharissa Babb, Special for White River Now
Spring Creek Outfitters, owned by Keith Gillihan, proudly hosted its third annual Youth Hunt Giveaway — an exciting event that combines outdoor adventure, youth education, and community spirit.
This year’s competition invited young participants to write essays on one of seven legendary world-record whitetail bucks. Eleven students from grades six through nine took part, showcasing their knowledge, creativity, and passion for wildlife. Every participant received a prize thanks to the community’s generous support.
This year’s grand prize winner is Kason Evens. Evens won the competition with his essay on the Arkansas Typical Record Lloyd 12-point buck, which netted 200 1/8 inches on the Boone and Crockett scale. This impressive deer was harvested in Lee County on Dec. 3, 2018. Evens was awarded a youth deer hunt and shoulder mount of a buck he will harvest Nov. 1-2, 2025, at 1599 Limedale Road in Batesville.
Runner-up goes to Kash Reaper, who also wrote about the Lloyd buck. Reaper won a guided duck hunt guided by Clifton Chouman.
More than $850 worth of gifts were donated by generous sponsors, including Ozark Liquidations, Southside Outdoor and Farm, Sunrise Outfitters, Tony’s Taxidermy and a private donor. Their support helped ensure every student walked away with something special.
Spring Creek Outfitters manages almost 2,000 acres of quality whitetail, turkey, bear, and upland bird habitat in the area.
Image submitted
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on
93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
