PIEDMONT, Mo. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted a deer hunt for veterans with service-related disabilities and mobility impaired individuals on Nov. 6 and 7 in the Watchable Wildlife Area of Clearwater Lake.
“This was the 19th successful year for this hunt and is a great asset in helping manage the deer herd in the Watchable Wildlife Area,” said Clearwater Lake Park Ranger, Chris Alley.
Bobby Graham from Piedmont, Terry Harris from Bernie, Mike Gentry from Cape Girardeau, Larry Broaker from Greenville, James Bell from Belgrade and Patrick Casey from St. Louis were randomly selected for the deer hunt. During the two-day hunt, a total of 44 deer were seen and three were harvested. Gentry harvested a six-point buck on the first morning hunting in big timber, Bell harvested a doe on the second day as it made its way through a food plot and Graham harvested a large doe Sunday evening, with time winding down.
Piedmont Processing offered discounted rates to hunters, Ozark Meats offered free processing, Sunset Point gave the hunters discounted rates and the Robert Wake Foundation paid for the hunters’ tags and lodging. They also gave everyone a deer call and raffled off a 10/22 Ruger, which Bobby Graham won. Bass Pro donated a game camera and scent spray which Patrick Casey and Terry Harris won in a raffle.
Quilts of Valor donated by Marion Piper were given to veterans who had not received a quilt before and Avis Wells, Jenny Saddler and Linda Wilkerson donated a quilt to be raffled off for non-veterans, which Larry Broaker won.
These hunts are open only to those with permanent mobility impairment or veterans with service-related disabilities. “It appears the event is growing in popularity because applications are being received not only from hunters in the local community but also throughout Missouri,” Alley said.
USACE is continually searching for new ways to provide everyone with opportunities to use and enjoy our public lands. If you would like to help with this event in the future, or if you have ideas for other events, please call the Clearwater Lake Project Office at 573-223-7777.
The staff at Clearwater Lake encourages you to come out and enjoy your public lands and see first-hand the work being done to enhance your natural resources and other recreational opportunities. For more information on wildlife viewing opportunities or managed hunts at Clearwater Lake, contact the project office.
To make camping reservations call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Information on lake levels, releases and forecasted Black River conditions, as well as links to the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center and USACE Water Management websites are located at: www.swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lakes/Clearwater-Lake/.