Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities Results

A hunter prepares to fire his rifle from his wheelchair
during a deer hunt for people with disabilities at
Lake Shelbyville.

The 22nd Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis Distict and Wolf Creek State Park, was held November 18, 19 & 20, 2011.  Numerous sponsors, partners and volunteers helped make the event another successful hunt at Lake Shelbyville. 

Twenty-five hunters harvested twenty deer, fourteen hunters took at least one deer each and six hunters took two each.  The event provided a high quality recreational experience for those members of the outdoor community faced with disabilities.  It also served as a management tool to keep deer populations at appropriate levels to limit disease, deer-automobile collisions and crop and vegetation damage. 

Trophies, donated by D to Z Sports in Mattoon, were awarded for the first deer, largest buck, largest doe and smallest deer.  A grant from the National Rifle Association and donations from the Lake Volunteers Association and Lithia Springs Marina made it possible to provide meals, drinks and other supplies needed for the three day hunting event.   

The hard work of dedicated volunteers performing a wide variety of tasks made the event successful.  Volunteers took hunters to and from the blinds, carried the hunter's gear, retrieved and cleaned harvested deer, and made sure meals were served.  The volunteers donated a total of 566 hours of service over the three day period. 

To obtain more information about volunteering or participating in next year’s hunt contact Park Ranger Brock Key at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, R.R. 4, Box 128B, Shelbyville, IL 62565, (217) 774-3951 Ext. 7008 or Jonathon.B.Key@usace.army.mil.

Mark Twain Lake’s Waterfowl Refuge will close to boating Oct. 29th

Mark Twain Lake's 3,000 acre waterfowl is closed to boating and/or waterfowl hunting during duck season, October 29 to December 27, 2011.  This resting area allows the migrants to feed and rest before continuing their journey to wintering grounds.

Duck swimming in
Mark Twain Lake.

Mark Twain Lake’s waterfowl refuge, located on portions of the Middle Fork and Elk Fork Area, provides a stopover for migrants.  The refuge is made up of various habitats, appealing to various migrating birds.  Deep pools of water are feeding grounds for the diving birds and a safe resting area for other birds.   Shallow water flood plains become feeding areas for dabbler's (mallards) and long-legged shore birds.  The exposed mud flats hold many insects and invertebrates for the short-legged shorebirds.  Flooded dead snag trees become roost and viewing towers for the double-crested cormorants and bald eagles.

When people think of a refuge; they envision thousands of geese and ducks taking to wing from a large body of water.  A refuge is a place that provides shelter for resting and protection from danger.  National Refuges started in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt.  The first refuge was setup to protect the brown pelican population.  Refuges establish suitable habitat for nesting purpose, as wintering grounds, or as a stopover for migrants.

Waterfowl can be seen and heard in the spring and fall moving in large flocks to nesting and wintering area. After traveling thousands of miles, the migrants need to stopover to feed and rest.  Though our refuge holds waterfowl, usually species such as the double-crested cormorants, bald eagle, and white pelicans can be found there.  For more information about our refuge contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil or call 573-735-4097.

Annual Mark Twain Lake Deer Hunt For Disabled Persons - Nov. 19-20

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake, enthusiastic volunteer hunters, Whitetails Unlimited, and the Local Lions Club are planning the Annual Deer Hunt for disabled individuals which will be held at Mark Twain Lake.  The hunt will be held during the 2011 Missouri Rifle Deer season on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 in the Indian Creek Recreation Area.  The hunt will be restricted to 35 permanently disabled (non‑ambulatory, semi‑ambulatory) individuals having a valid 2011 Missouri firearms deer tag and a hunter safety certification card.

All hunters must comply with the 2011 Missouri Department of Conservation hunting regulations.  To insure a safe hunting experience, certain procedures will be in effect throughout the two day hunt.  Hunters will be required to hunt from and stay in the blinds while in the field.  Weapons are restricted to 20-gauge or larger slug shotguns, muzzle loader or bow and arrow. Participants must have Hunter Education.

Applications must be received on or before September 16, 2011 to qualify for the hunt. A drawing to select participants will be held on September 20, 2011 at 8 a.m. at the Mark Twain Lake Project Office.

For further information or to obtain applications, please contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office, 20642 Highway J, Monroe City, Missouri, 63456 or phone (573) 735‑4097.