News Release

Ozark National Scenic Riverways plans for two upcoming managed deer hunts

A successful veteran hunter at the Exceptional Warrior Mobility Impaired managed hunt.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 22, 2023

Contact: Derek Saffle, [phone]

Contact: Dena Matteson, [phone]

VAN BUREN, Mo - Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be conducting two managed deer hunts in October at Big Spring. To ensure public safety, portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed October 6-8 and October 20-22.   

These hunting opportunities are being extended to two special groups of the nation's population, our youth and our military service members with permanent mobility impairments. The youth hunt will be held October 7 and 8, and the Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired managed hunt will be held October 21 and 22. A total of 10 randomly selected hunters have been chosen for the youth hunt and 10 for the veteran 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 6 through Sunday, October 8, and Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22.  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 Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired 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, 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 [phone]. 

According to Superintendent Jason Lott, “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.  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.” 

For more information, visit the park’s Facebook page, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, or phone [phone]. 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.