Vicksburg, MS….The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Louisiana Field Office will host its 10th annual physically challenged hunt on Friday, January 9, 2015, at the Columbia Lock and Dam. Eight disabled hunters will be randomly selected to hunt on approximately 400 acres adjacent to the Lock and Dam area located at 580 Lock Office Road, Columbia, LA 71418.
To apply for an application packet to hunt, contact John Savell at 318-422-5157 or Joe Haller at 318-381-0482 by the December 19, 2014 deadline. Hunting candidates will be randomly selected on December 23, 2014.
The Columbia Lock & Dam special deer hunt is designed to provide an outdoor recreational opportunity for a special group of individuals that have a permanent physical condition that severely impairs their mobility. The hunters will use primitive firearms as defined as legal by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. They will be transported by all-terrain vehicles to the plywood box stands. If needed, the hunters will be accompanied by Corps Rangers or volunteers. Local citizens and businesses will donate time and food for the event with the Caldwell Parish Sherriff’s office supplying lunch on Saturday.
Criteria for Eligibility:
1. Applicants for this hunt must have a valid Louisiana hunting license. A photocopy of the license must accompany the permit application.
2. Applicants must be mobility-impaired individuals. Mobility-impaired is defined as a permanent physical condition that severely impairs ones mobility due to either paralysis or amputation of lower extremities, which requires the assistance of a wheelchair, braces, crutches or other similar aids of mobility.
3. Applicants must also provide a letter from a physician to verify the applicants’ condition that severely impairs their mobility without proper assistance. The level of paralysis or amputation must be stated in the letter to verify extent of the applicant’s condition by a physician on official letterhead with an original signature.
4. In case any emergency medical assistance is required during the hunt, all applicants must list on the application form any special medicine or medical equipment requirements they will need.
The Vicksburg District manages thousands of acres that offer an array of recreational opportunities. The Louisiana Field Office of the Corps encompasses over 200 miles along the Ouachita River from Camden, Arkansas, to Jonesville, Louisiana, containing 24 parks and boat ramps. This includes Bayou Bodcau Dam, Wallace Lake, Caddo Lake, 10 recreation areas on the Red River, Grand Ecore Visitor Center, and J. Bennett Johnston Waterways Regional Visitor Center. These parks host over 732,000 visitors annually. For more information, visit the LFO website
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/LouisianaFieldOffice.aspx