Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has announced the 2018 applications for the special deer hunt at Lost Mound are available. Two managed deer hunts, one for youth (ages 10-17) and one for adults with disabilities (18 and older), are conducted within designated Closed Areas of Lost Mound. All hunters must be accompanied by an adult able-bodied attendant that is capable of tracking and retrieving a deer.
The application period extends from Monday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 31, and is open to residents and non-residents. All applications will be entered into a random drawing for the 35 hunt sites on Wednesday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m., which will be held at the Refuge Office, 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson IL. The drawing is open to the public; applicants do not have to be present.
All hunters, attendants, and any accompanying individuals must attend a mandatory safety orientation with two sessions being held: Saturday, September 29, and Friday, November 9. Both sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Manny’s Pizza, 211 Main Street, Savanna, IL, followed by a visit to the hunt area.
The youth hunt will be held on Saturday, October 6, and Sunday, October 7, which coincides with the Illinois Youth Either Sex Deer Hunt. A Jo Daviess County Deer Permit must be obtained and brought to the orientation. All youth must show certification of completion of a State approved hunter safety course.
The hunt for adults with disabilities will be held on Saturday, November 10, and Sunday, November 11, which is the Saturday-Sunday prior to the Illinois Firearms Deer First Season. A minimum P2a Illinois disability classification (or similar disability certification from non-resident states) is required. Wheelchair-bound and amputee hunters will receive priority selection for hunt sites. A Jo Daviess County Deer Permit is not needed in order to apply for this hunt, as this permit is provided by the Refuge.
Application and regulations can be downloaded from http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/visit/permits.html or picked up at the Refuge office, located at 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson IL.
For further questions please contact the Refuge office at 815-273-2732.