Highway Patrol concludes work on Strickland recovery

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Tuesday issued this release about the operations recovering the bodies of Chase R. Morland and Craig Strickland at Kaw Lake after their boat capsized Dec. 27 at Kaw Lake:

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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement Division recovered the body of Craig M. Strickland, 29, from Springdale, Arkansas, at 11:35 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4.

Strickland and his friend, Chase R. Morland, were both reported missing on
Sunday, December 27, 2015, while on a duck hunt at Kaw Lake in Kay County.

Morland’s body was recovered at approximately 11:10 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2015, in shallow water.

Strickland’s body was located Monday by an OHP Trooper who was searching on foot, in a thick tree and brush area approximately 75 feet off the
shoreline. The Highway Patrol said this thick tree line made it difficult to locate Strickland, who was wearing camouflage hunting gear.

The recovery was all within the original search area known as Bear Creek Cove, and was approximately 3/4 mile north of the boat ramp and west of the shoreline. Strickland was located approximately 1/4 mile north of the location where Morland was recovered.

Strickland and Morland had a 1977 Flat Bottom John Boat with no motor, and
other hunting equipment such as an ice chest and decoys. These items
created a “debris field” along the shore line.

Both Strickland and Morland were located near this area.

The official time and cause of death will be determined by the Oklahoma
Medical Examiner’s Office.

There were no indications of drug or alcohol use, or any suspicion of foul
play.