The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will be conducting a dove hunt on opening day of dove season, September 1, 2011, at Refuge Point and Ree’s Ridge Dove Fields. The hunt taking place at Refuge Point will be by boat access only. If you or your hunting partner do not have access to a boat, please do not elect this field choice on your application. On September 1, two hunts will take place, one in the morning (7 a.m. - 11 a.m.) and one in the afternoon (1 p.m. - 6 p.m.). A permit is required to participate in the hunt on opening day. A youth hunt will be held at the same time. The youth hunt is limited to children sixteen years old and under. A hunting assistant who is a parent, legal guardian, or family member of at least eighteen years of age must accompany each youth. The hunting assistant WILL be able to hunt with the youth they accompany. Youths and their guardians will only be allowed to hunt one of the time slots to ensure maximum amount of participation. Permit applications can be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., or obtained online at www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Shelbyville/Wildlife.htm. Permit applications must be received at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office no later than 4 p.m. on August 17, 2011.
A $30.00 permit fee will be assessed to all successful applicants. In lieu of the $30.00 fee, the application fee for youth hunters will be a donation of 10 nonperishable food items on the day of the hunt that will go to a local food bank. One permit will allow two hunters the use of a designated hunting blind.
The public drawing for permits will take place on August 18, 2011 at 8 a.m. at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office. Applicants do not have to be present for the drawing; successful applicants will be notified by mail within 10 days of the drawing. Hunting blinds for both hunts will be drawn at the field before each hunt on September 1st. Beginning September 2nd, and throughout the remainder of the 2011 dove season, hunting will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Hunting in Refuge Point will remain boat access only throughout the remaining 2011 Dove Season. Hunting will only be allowed from designated blinds and statewide shooting hours will be in effect (sunrise to sunset). For additional information concerning dove hunting at Lake Shelbyville, contact Natural Resources Specialist Ken Pierson or Park Ranger Brock Key at (217) 774-3951 ext. 4.
