Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri will be conducting two managed deer hunts in the coming month at Big Spring. To ensure public safety, portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed October 15-17 and November 5-7.  

These hunting opportunities are being extended to two special groups of the nation's population: youth and military service members with permanent mobility impairments. The youth hunt will be held October 16 and 17, and the Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired managed hunt will be held November 6 and 7. A total of 10 randomly selected hunters have been chosen for each hunt. Hunters for the youth hunt can harvest two antlerless deer with a center-fire rifle while hunters of the Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired hunt can take two antlerless deer, or one antlerless and one antlered deer with a center-fire rifle.  

Portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed to the public during both hunts on the following dates: Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17, and Friday, November 5, through Sunday, November 7. All areas will reopen the Monday following each hunting event. These closures help ensure public safety during these activities and include the Big Spring Campground, Peavine pavilion area, all hiking trails within the Big Spring area and Peavine Road (during the November hunt only). Big Spring and the boat ramp will remain open during the hunt and can be accessed from Hwy 103.

The Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired managed hunt is being conducted in partnership with the Foundation for Exceptional Warriors (The FEW), the Missouri Department of Conservation, S&T Taxidermy, Quilts of Valor, Outdoorsmen with a Mission, and Ozark Riverways Foundation. The FEW is a nonprofit organization that proactively and directly serves Exceptional Warriors who epitomize honor, valor, service, and sacrifice. The organization is helping to offset hunting and lodging expenses for the Exceptional Warrior hunt participants. For more information on The FEW, visit their website at www.exceptionalwarriors.org, or phone (918) 824-1094.

“We are pleased to once again offer these recreational opportunities for our youth and in honor of individuals who have sacrificed so greatly for our country," said Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Jason Lott. "I’m proud of the efforts put forth by our National Park Service staff and the outpouring of support from the local community over the past several years to make these an unforgettable experience for our youth and veterans. We appreciate the understanding of visitors during the temporary closure of portions of the Big Spring area for this purpose.”