The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is offering the opportunity for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the sport of goose hunting. A specially designed in-ground goose pit, located just east of the Mine 21 parking area, features a gradually sloping sidewalk which provides easy access to persons with mobility impairments. A sliding roll-top allows for easy shooting while providing maximum camouflage. The pit accommodates parties up to 5 hunters. All hunters are required to hunt from within the pit and must abide by all Federal, State, and Rend Lake site-specific hunting regulations. Since Rend Lake is in the south central waterfowl region, goose hunting season begins November 11, 2016 and runs through January 31, 2017.
The Rend Lake goose pit is available to persons with disabilities, by reservation, during the main goose season. A reservation allows the disabled person and up to 4 able-bodied assistants to hunt the goose pit on the date their reservation is valid. Persons with a reservation are allowed to pull their vehicles close to the blind for parking and unloading. A reservation to hunt the goose pit can be made by any of three methods:
1. Submit an application in person by bringing it to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
2. Call the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at (618) 724-2493 during regular business hours and reserve the site over the phone.
3. Fax in an application to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at (618) 724-4089.
Applicants will be contacted to confirm the date of their hunt and a permit will be issued. Disabled hunters must be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person who can assist with all aspects of the hunt. On days that the goose pit has not been reserved by a disabled hunter, it will be available to any group of hunters (disabled or able-bodied) wishing to utilize it on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in hunters do not require an application or a reservation and may access the area by walking from the Mine 21 parking lot to the blind. For further information contact Park Ranger Randy Cordray at the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.
