WEST ALTON, MO. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rivers Project Office is announcing a managed Deer Hunt for Active-Duty Military Members and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Alton MO on November 17,18, and 19. A total of five applicants will be randomly selected to harvest one deer of either sex per hunter, with a maximum of five total deer harvested over the entire hunt.
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“This hunt at Riverlands is part of the Riverlands Deer Management Plan to address concerns of deer over-population at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which can lead to disease outbreaks and habitat degradation due to over browsing,” said Tyler Goble, Team Lead Wildlife Biologist for the Rivers Project. “We thank our active-duty service members and veterans for their service, and look forward to offering this opportunity to those that have served for our country and community.”
This hunt will allow for one harvest of either-sex deer per hunter. Permits will not be provided. Hunters must provide their own Missouri hunting permits and equipment to legally and ethically harvest whitetail deer in the state of Missouri. There will be no restriction on firearms as long as the firearm meets Missouri Department of Conservation regulations. Only nontoxic, lead-free ammunition will be allowed. Proper licensing/permitting and equipment will be inspected prior to the hunt. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project staff will be on-site during the hunt to ensure visitor and hunter safety as well as compliance with all federal and state regulations. Hunting blinds will be pre-assigned and are located away from wetland or marsh habitat to minimize impacts to migratory species and other wildlife.
Applicants must possess a DoD- or VA-issued identification card to be eligible. Applications must be received by August 31 and can be submitted digitally via the online registration form at http://www.mtrf.org/deer-hunt/, by email to Tyler.J.Goble@USACE.Army.Mil, or in-person at the Rivers Project Office, located at 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386. A public drawing will be held at the Rivers Project Office on September 2AT 9 a.m. Five (5) hunters will be drawn for the hunt. Attendance at the drawing is not required. Once an applicant is drawn, they will be contacted by the phone number provided in their application. They will have 48 hours from the time they are contacted by the Rivers Project Office to confirm their spot via email or phone. Otherwise, their spot will be offered to an alternate applicant, subject to the same conditions. All hunters are required to attend a pre-hunt safety meeting on Monday, November 16 at 6 p.m. Dinner and light refreshments will be provided.
Hunting will be permitted starting 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset and only from the designated, accessible ground blinds. For more information regarding accessibility, accommodations, or any other questions, please contact Tyler Goble via (636) 899-2600 or at Tyler.J.Goble@usace.army.mil. Please review all Hunt Requirements listed in the application prior to submitting. Missouri statewide laws and regulations will apply for this hunt.
