Vicksburg, Miss….The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District will hold its annual Physically Challenged Deer Hunt on December 6 through 9, 2013. There will be two separate hunts with each lasting two days on December 6 and 7 and December 8 and 9. Participants of this special hunt are quadriplegic, paraplegic or use leg braces or crutches.
Applications were accepted at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office until August 2013. The disabled hunters that will participate were chosen by random drawing in September. The hunters will use muzzle loading primitive rifles or shotguns and will be staged in foliage-covered plywood box stands within the 1000-acre natural area below Arkabutla Lake Dam. Some blinds are built specifically for hunters to drive 4-wheeled all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) into the stand enabling the hunter to hunt without dismounting from the seat of the ATV.
Sponsors for this year’s event are Arkabutla Lake Physically Challenged Hunt Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Local citizens and businesses also donate time and food for the event.
These hunts support the wildlife management practices in place and are an integral part of the wildlife plan for the area. They provide a unique opportunity to a very special group of participants coming from all over the southeastern United States. To be considered for future hunts, individuals can obtain a packet can be obtained from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Arkabutla Lake Field Office. For more information, contact Mike Carter or Ernie Lentz at 662-562-6261.
Arkabutla Lake is located near Coldwater, Mississippi, and is approximately 30 minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee. Approximately 5.5 million visitors per year spend over $130 million with 60% being captured by local economies. Visitor spending also supports the addition of 1,500 jobs. The Corps offers an array of recreational opportunities that include fishing, boating, camping, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and photography. As stewards of public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dedicated to providing a safe, quality recreational experience for all visitors. For more information on dredging and the Vicksburg District, please visit our website.
www.mvk.usace.army.mil
Release no. 13-118