Special
duck blinds available to hunters with disabilities
Hunters who use wheelchairs can choose from 12 wetland areas with
blinds specially designed for their needs.
JEFFERSON CITY--Sportsmen and women with mobility impairments will have more
opportunities this year than ever before to hunt waterfowl on areas owned by
the Missouri Department of Conservation.
As part of the Conservation Department's continuing effort to increase the
accessibility of its facilities and services, the agency has built
wheelchair-accessible blinds on 12 conservation areas (CAs). Access to the
blinds is by a combination of roads and boardwalks. Most are fully enclosed
wooden structures camouflaged with natural vegetation.
These blinds are reserved for use by hunters with mobility impairments on a
first-come, first-served basis starting Oct. 1. Reservations are made with
regional offices, rather than through the Conservation Department's
automated waterfowl hunting reservation system.
"Duck hunting is one of the most thrilling, engaging kinds of hunting in
Missouri," said Wildlife Division Administrator Dave Erickson. "It is also
one of the most physically demanding types of hunting. Making it available
to hunters who use wheelchairs is really exciting to us as well as to the
hunters."
Erickson said use of the disabled-accessible blinds varies from area to
area. Demand is very light at most areas late in the 60-day hunting season.
To reserve a blind, call:
--B.K. Leach CA in Lincoln County, 636/441-4554.
--Bob Brown CA in Holt County, 816/271-3100.
--Duck Creek CA in Stoddard County, 573/290-5730.
--Eagle Bluffs CA in Boone County, 573/445-3882.
--Fountain Grove CA in Linn County, 660/646-6122.
--Four Rivers CA in Vernon County, 417/395-2341.
--Marais Temps Clair CA in St. Charles County, 314/877-6014 (if construction
is complete).
--Montrose CA in Henry County, 660/693-4666.
--Nodaway Valley CA in Holt County, 816/271-3100.
--Otter Slough CA in Stoddard County, 573/290-5730.
--Schell-Osage CA in Vernon County, 417/432-3414.
--Ted Shanks CA in Pike County, 573/248-2530.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also has a wheelchair-accessible blind at
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Chariton County. Call 660/856-3343 for
information.
- Jim Low -
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