VAN BUREN, MO: Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be conducting a managed youth deer hunt the first weekend of October at Big Spring. Peavine Road, the Big Spring Campground, the Peavine Pavilion, and all hiking trails within the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed from Friday, Sept. 30, until the morning of Monday, Oct. 3, to help ensure public safety. Big Spring and the boat ramp will remain open during the hunt and can be accessed from Hwy 103. All areas will reopen the morning of October 3.
The Big Spring area has generally been managed as a "no hunting" zone since the days when it was a wildlife refuge within Big Spring State Park. A previous study was conducted to estimate deer abundance and establish baseline population information. Results of this study confirmed the deer population density has grown to a level that could have negative impacts on park resources and the health of the deer. Managed deer hunts help the National Park Service improve the overall health of the Big Spring deer herd.
This managed hunt is being conducted in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and has been made available to 10 applicants who will be using firearms. For more information, visit the park's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, or phone (573) 323-4236.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTubewww.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
