VICKSBURG, Miss. – The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Arkabutla Lake will hold a youth squirrel hunt on January 17-18 and January 24-25, 2026, in the management area near Arkabutla Lake Dam. The youth squirrel hunt will provide an opportunity for experienced small game hunters to educate younger generations of hunters on proper techniques and ethics of the sport.
A total of 12 hunters, six per hunt, will be selected from all applications received prior to the date of the drawing. Applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. December 31st, 2025.
The hunt will be open to youth 10 to 15 years of age. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. All participants will be responsible for meeting all age-appropriate state and federal small game hunting regulations.
The accompanying adult is encouraged to possess a general knowledge of state and federal small game hunting regulations. The accompanying adult and youth are also encouraged to bring all necessary materials associated with squirrel hunting, i.e. calls, shotguns and adequate ammunition. This is a Shotgun ONLY event. No .22 caliber rifles will be allowed.
Applications can be picked up in person at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office or downloaded from our website at : https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkabutla-Lake/.
Any questions you may have about the application, or the hunt may be directed to Ranger Cody Scruggs at (662) 562-6261 or (662) 471-1319.
Completed applications may be mailed to the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 3905 Arkabutla Dam Rd. Coldwater, MS 38618. They can also be emailed to shaun.c.scruggs@usace.army.mil.
* Selected applicants will be notified of their appropriate time and hunting date *
* Any missing or false information will result in a rejection of the application. *
* All State and Federal small game regulations will be enforced. *
* This event is open to shotguns only. *
The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees.
USACE Celebrates 250 Years - For 250 years, the Corps of Engineers has been working to safely deliver quality projects on schedule and within budget. As we move forward, USACE continues to look to the future as we address today’s challenges.