Lake Shelbyville waterfowl opportunity

Nine waterfowl blinds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for hunting at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Okaw Wetlands during the 2009-2010 waterfowl-hunting seasons to exclude the first firearm deer season. This includes the teal, regular duck and all Canada goose seasons. 

High water levels in Lake Shelbyville this summer flooded the Okaw Wetlands limiting crops planted and moist soil management in the impoundments. With the blinds just emerging from the floodwaters, they have not been cleaned out. That will take place as soon as time and resources allow. 

Hunting hours will be from 30 minutes before sunrise to 1 P.M. until December 29 (end of duck season) and from December 30 – January 31, the wetland will be open for goose hunting during regular statewide hunting hours.   

Most of the blinds will accommodate two hunters and one observer. The two exceptions are blind numbers three and ten. Blind three is designed for hunters with disabilities, and ten is a group blind capable of holding four hunters. 

Due to the limited size of the area, all hunting shall take place from the blinds and be in accordance with posted restrictions. As mentioned above, the wetlands will be closed during the first firearm deer season, November 20 – 22, to accommodate the Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities. 

For further information, or if you would like to volunteer to help us with the clean-up and repair of the Okaw Wetland blinds, please contact Park Ranger Cory Donnel or Natural Resource Specialist Lee Mitchell at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-2513.