Duck blind drawing, Mobility impaired deer hunt at Wappapello Lake

Published July 30, 2014
Wappapello Lake

Wappapello Lake

Wappapello Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake would like to announce two upcoming events.  First, the annual duck blind drawing and registration will be held on August 16, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center.  Anyone wishing to place a floating blind on the lake needs to be signed up before 1 p.m.  If you are not signed up by this time, you will be required to wait until the drawing and placement process has concluded.  Upon conclusion of the placement process, late arrivers will be allowed to register and choose a location for their blind.  Blinds, which must be provided by the applicant, must meet the “Minimum Standards for Floating Duck Blinds”.  The registration fee for a duck blind is $15 and applicants must bring cash, in the exact amount, or a personal check or money order made payable to: FAO, USACE, St. Louis District.

            You may stop by the Project Office to obtain an application form and a copy of the “Minimum Standards for Floating Duck Blinds”.  Permitted duck blinds may be placed on the lake after Labor Day.  If you are interested in registering a duck blind and cannot attend the drawing, please contact the Natural Resources Management Department at (573) 222-8562, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., following the drawing. 

            As a reminder, a gradual lake draw-down begins on December 15, 2014, and continues until the lake reaches conservation pool in accordance with established Water Control Standards.  Please keep this in mind when choosing a location for placement of your duck blind.  All blinds affected by low water levels must be relocated to areas that will not become dry during the draw-down.

             Secondly, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, we are sponsoring a Mobility Impaired Modern Gun Deer Hunt on October 18 and 19, 2014.  Applications are being accepted through August 29, 2014, and the drawing will be conducted on September 2, 2014.  Applicants must be at least 11 years of age and have a permanent physical condition that severely impairs their mobility, such as paralysis or amputation of lower extremities, and requires the assistance of a wheelchair, braces, crutches or similar aids of mobility.  First-time applicants must also provide a letter from a physician to verify the applicant’s physical condition that severely impairs their mobility without proper assistance.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Hunters will be selected by random drawing for the two-day hunt to be conducted at various locations.  Successful applicants will be notified by mail and a list of five alternates will also be drawn in the event that some hunters are not able to attend.

            Applicants must possess a valid Missouri managed firearms deer hunting permit for the Wappapello Lake Mobility Impaired Hunt.  Hunters will be permitted to have an assistant in the blind during the hunt, but guides and/or assistants will not be permitted to possess firearms or other killing devices.  Hunters and their assistants are restricted to the blind area only and may not hunt outside these parameters.  Missouri hunter education certification requirements are applicable.  The hunter and their guide or assistant must wear a solid blaze orange vest and hat at all times while hunting in the blind and during ingress and egress of the hunting area.

            For applications or further information on either of these events, stop by the Wappapello Lake Project Office or contact the Natural Resources Management Department at (573) 222-8562.  Email inquiries may be directed to Jeremy.W.Jackson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-060