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9/2/05

Federal agencies offer deer hunts for Missourians with mobility impairments

Sites all over the state have opportunities to hunt.

JEFFERSON CITY-Hunters who might ordinarily have trouble taking part in deer season will have access to special deer hunting opportunities at seven public areas this fall and winter.

Hunters who use wheelchairs, crutches, braces or canes to get around sometimes have trouble reaching good hunting spots. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) offers five special hunts on land around its reservoirs to help such hunters overcome those barriers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) offers a handicapped hunt at one of its Missouri wildlife refuges, and the National Park Service (NPS) has a handicapped hunt on land bordering the Current River for the first time this year.

Hunt dates and places include: --Nov. 5-6 Clearwater Lake in Reynolds County, two openings. Contact Jason Wilson, USACE, RR3, Box 3559D, Piedmont, MO 63957. Phone 573/223-7777, ext. 35. Application deadline Sept. 30. --Nov. 5-6 Truman Lake in Benton, Henry and St. Clair counties, 22 openings. Contact Larry Smith, USACE, 15968 Truman Road, Warsaw, MO 65355. Phone 660/438-7317, ext. 1212. Application deadline Sept. 30. --Nov. 5-6 Stockton Lake in Cedar, Dade and Polk counties, 15 openings. Contact Stanton Rains, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Stockton Project Office, 16435 E. Stockton Lake Drive, Stockton, 65785-9471. Phone 417/276-3113. E-mail Stanton.r.Rains@usace.army.mil. --Nov. 19-20 Wappapello Lake in Wayne County, seven openings. Call James Gracey, 573/222-8562. Deadline Sept. 30. --Nov. 19-20 Mark Twain Lake in Ralls and Monroe counties, 30 openings. Contact Allen Mehrer, 573/735-4097. E-mail allen.mehrer@mvs02.usace.army.mil. Application deadline Sept. 12. --Nov. 22-23 Smithville Lake in Clay and Clinton counties, 60 openings. Contact Bruce Clark, USACE, P.O. Box 428, Smithville, MO 64089. Phone 816/532-0174, ext. 10. E-mail bruce.k.clark@usace.army.mil. Applications can be requested starting Sept. 15 and must be received by Oct. 20. --December 17 & 18 Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Chariton County, eight openings. For reservations, contact John Guthrie, 16194 Swan Lake Ave., Sumner, MO 64681. Phone 660/856-3323. E-mail swanlake@fws.gov.

Local organizations help out with some of the hunts. At Truman Lake, the Masonic Lodge No. 653 helps with meals, guides and other needs. The event starts with rifle sighting-in the afternoon of Nov. 4. Hunters have access to several blinds on 500 acres. They are responsible for providing managed deer hunt permits, rifles, ammunition and other equipment. They can take up to two deer, including one antlered buck.

At Mark Twain Lake, the Paris Lion's Club and volunteers from Monroe City provide guides, lunch and supper for hunters. Hunters provide their own firearms (shotguns with slugs only) and firearms deer permits. All participants must have a valid hunter education certificate card. They have exclusive hunting access to the 1,200-acre Indian Creek Recreation Area and can take up to two deer.

At Smithville, the Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 394 of Kearney provide breakfasts and lunches. This hunt offers all-weather blinds, and guides are available on request to help hunters. Every hunter must have a guide to assist in all aspects of the hunt. This hunt allows participants to take up to three deer, including one antlered buck. All firearm and archery gear are allowed when hunting this 4,000-acre combination of waterfowl refuge and undeveloped park land.

At Swan Lake, the Mendon Lion's Club provides lunch for hunters both days. FWS employees, staff from the Missouri Department of Conservation and local hunters serve as guides or volunteers, helping hunters get to and from heated blinds made of straw bales. They also stay with hunters during the hunt and assist them with any deer killed. Hunters will have exclusive use of 3,000 acres for the weekend. They can take up to two deer, including one antlered buck, during the hunt. Only muzzle-loading rifles are allowed. Hunters can bring their own muzzleloaders or use ones provided. All they must furnish is a managed deer hunting permit and lodging during their stay. The application deadline is Nov. 15.

The first-ever COE hunt at Clearwater Lake has room for two mobility-impaired hunters on a 335-acre wildlife area. The land is oak-hickory forest with seven food plots. Participants will be allowed to take up to two deer, one antlered. Hunters must bring a managed deer hunting permit and a helper if needed. The hunt is for muzzle-loading rifles only.

In past years, participants in the hunt at Lake Wappapello were drawn to hunt for one day. This year, successful applicants will be able to hunt both days.

Besides increasing access to hunting opportunities for people with mobility impairments, several of these hunts also are important tools to control deer populations.

-Jim Low-

 

 

 

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