PUXICO, MO. -- Handicapped duck hunters will soon be able to target their prey comfortably at the Duck Creek Conservation Area.
This past spring, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) started construction on a handicap-accessible duck blind. Though it still needs a little bit more camouflage, the blind is complete and ready for duck season. The structure took approximately six weeks to build.
"We want to help all people discover nature, and this accessible duck blind is part of making that happen," said Keith Cordell, manager of Duck Creek Conservation Area.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approved blind is in the south central corner of position 16 in Unit A.
A paved walkway starts at a parking pad and descends toward the blind, which reaches out into the pool.
"Duck hunting is very big down here," Cordell remarked. "We get people from all over who come here to hunt."
Cordell said there has been a demand for an ADA blind for some time now. One other location in Stoddard County -- Otter Slough -- also has an ADA blind.
"We used to have a couple ADA blinds in the refuge," Cordell explained. "So, we've needed this for a while. We wanted to make sure it was a quality spot to hunt, and that it would meet all regulations."
To make a reservation to use the blind, hunters may call the Southeast Regional office at (573) 290-5730 on or after Oct. 1. Once the season starts, the Duck Creek office will manage availability of the blind and may be reached at (573) 222-3337.
"Reservations can only be made one day at a time by each hunter," Cordell said. "The blind will be able to be reserved every day during duck season, except for Christmas."
During the waterfowl season, if the blind isn't reserved by a hunter with disabilities, the position/blind will go into the morning draw and may be used by other hunters.
"It's a really nice duck blind," Cordell remarked. "We fully expect for it to get a lot of use throughout the entire season."