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Duck blinds available to hunters with disabilities

News item photo
Hunters with mobility impairments can hunt ducks from specially designed blinds at wetland areas owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. For more information, call (573) 751-4115. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo)

Call early; some of these blinds are reserved every day of the season.

9/26/2005

JEFFERSON CITY—If you have everthought you might enjoy duck hunting, but assumed the sport was out of reach due to a mobility impairment, think again. The Missouri Department of Conservation has hunting blinds designed with wheelchair users in mind.
To meet its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Conservation Department provides wheelchair-accessible blinds at 12 conservation areas (CAs). Users can drive close to these blinds. Entry is via ADA-compliant boardwalks.

Most of the blinds are fully enclosed and overlook prime hunting spots. They are reserved exclusively for use by hunters with mobility impairments. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis starting Oct. 3.

"I am crazy about duck hunting myself,” said Wildlife Division Administrator Dave Erickson, "so to me, this is a really special program. It has all the elements of an extreme sport, yet we can make it available to hunters who have trouble getting around. Just because you use a wheelchair doesn’t mean you don’t want some adventure in your life."

Demand for handicapped-accessible blinds is lighter late in the hunting season at some areas, so anyone who really wants to hunt can get in. At the most popular areas, however, it is a good idea to reserve early. 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.

--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 or 856-3323 for information.

-Jim Low-

 

 

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