Lake Shelbyville – Ten waterfowl blinds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for hunting at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Okaw Wetlands during the 2013-2014 waterfowl-hunting seasons to exclude the first firearm deer season. This includes the teal, regular duck and all Canada goose seasons. High water levels at Lake Shelbyville this summer flooded the Okaw Wetlands not allowing for crops to be planted or moist soil management in the impoundments. The blinds are just emerging from the floodwaters and have NOT been cleaned out or brushed. Maintenance to the blinds may take place if and/or when time and resources allow. Hunting hours will be from 30 minutes before sunrise to 1 P.M. until December 24 (end of duck season) and from December 25 – January 31, the wetland will be open for goose hunting during regular statewide hunting hours.
Most of the blinds will accommodate two hunters and one observer. The two exceptions are blind numbers three and ten. Blind three is designed for hunters with disabilities, and ten is a group blind capable of holding four hunters. Due to the limited size of the area, all hunting shall take place from the blinds and be in accordance with posted restrictions. As mentioned above, the wetlands will be closed during the first firearm deer season, November 22 – 24, to accommodate the Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities.
For additional information, please contact Natural Resource Specialist Lee Mitchell or Ashley Florey at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951, Ext. 7049.
-30-
Release no. 13-066