Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hickman and Carlisle counties will hold a special quota hunt for one blind accessible by mobility-impaired hunters.
This opportunity became available after the publication deadline of the current Kentucky Hunting Guide for Waterfowl. It is not listed with the other mobility impaired quota hunts cited in the guide.
“This blind (Blind #13) is built and maintained by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “It can accommodate up to two hunters in wheel chairs and two other hunters. The mobility-impaired hunt party will be able to drive to this blind.”
The hunt dates for the mobility-impaired quota hunts during 2016-2017 are: Nov. 24–27; Dec. 5–8; Dec. 9–11; Dec. 12–15; Dec. 16–18; Dec. 19–22; Dec. 23–25 and Dec. 26–29; Dec 30, 2016 – Jan 1, 2017; Jan. 2–5; Jan. 6–8; Jan. 9–12; Jan. 13–15; Jan 16–19; Jan. 20–22; Jan. 23–26; and Jan. 27–29, 2017.
To register to be drawn for this blind during one or more of the mobility impaired hunts, mail a 3 x 5 white index card in an envelope addressed to:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Attn. Wes Little – Doug Travis WMA Mobility-Impaired Waterfowl Hunt Application
1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY, 40601.
The envelope must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.
“Hunters must specify on the index card the dates they for which they are applying and list them in order of preference,” Little said. “While they may apply for up to three hunting dates, they can only be drawn for one hunt. The index card must include the hunter’s name, complete mailing address and phone number as well.”
Successful applicants may invite up to three guests. After Nov. 15, those selected for hunts will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the dates they are drawn, a map showing the blind location and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. Duplicate applications for the same hunt will result in disqualification.
“The hunting party will be responsible for bringing and placing decoys as well as retrieving birds,” Little said. “This blind is open to standby hunters on a first-come, first-serve basis if the blind is not occupied by the drawn party by one hour before sunrise, but priority for its use will go to mobility impaired hunters.”
“We had an excellent growing season and the habitat around the blind looks very good,” said Tim Kreher, area manager for Doug Travis WMA. “Water levels at this area depend on Mississippi River water levels, weather conditions and pumping status. Hunters are urged to call the area office at (270) 488-3233 to check current conditions before visiting.”
Waterfowl hunters must now go online to fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
The process takes less than five minutes. Go to the "My Profile" tab on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website to fill out the survey. Hunters who complete the survey will receive a confirmation number. This number must be written on the hunting license or Kentucky Migratory Game Bird-Waterfowl Hunting permit.
(story provided by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife)
