The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Arkabutla Lake and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will hold a youth waterfowl hunt on Jan. 31st and Feb. 7, at the Sardis Waterfowl Refuge. This hunt will provide an opportunity for experienced hunters to teach younger generations of hunters the proper techniques and ethics of the sport.
A total of 16 hunters, 8 per hunt, will be randomly selected from all applications received. Applications must be submitted and received by 3:00 p.m. on January 2, 2026.
These hunts will be open to youth 10 to 15 years of age. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. Participants will be responsible for meeting all age-appropriate state and federal waterfowl hunting regulations.
The accompanying adult is encouraged to possess a general knowledge of state and federal waterfowl hunting regulations. The accompanying adult and youth are also encouraged to bring all necessary materials associated with waterfowl hunting, i.e., chest-waders, duck calls, and shotgun with ammunition.
Applications may be obtained either at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office, or printed from the Arkabutla Lake web page https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkabutla-Lake/ and returned, or mailed to the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at: 3905 Arkabutla Dam Rd. Coldwater, MS 38618.
Applicants may also e-mail their applications to Ranger Rob Hoff, please use the contact number listed to obtain e-mail information and address as needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Ranger Rob Hoff at (662) 562-6261.
* Selected applicants will be notified of their appropriate time and hunting date.
* Any missing or false information will result in a rejection of the application.
* All state and federal waterfowl regulations will be enforced.
The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees.
