Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is now accepting applications for raccoon hunting on the refuge for the 2018 season. The application period ends Sept. 30, 2017. The raccoon hunts will take place through a random draw process in which parties will be issued a free Special Use Permit that outlines their hunt area and hunt dates. A total of four raccoon hunt periods will take place at Mingo during the Missouri statewide Furbearer Season of November 15, 2017 - January 31, 2018. The number of hunt party slots will remain the same as the previous raccoon hunt, but the dates have been condensed. To be considered for the random draw to raccoon hunt at Mingo, interested parties must fill out a Mingo Raccoon Hunt Application. The application can be found on the refuge website at www.fws.gov/refuge/mingo/visitor_activities/hunting.html, refuge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MingoNWR, or at the front desk of the Mingo Visitor Center. The applications must be received by close-of-business Sept. 30, 2017. The random draw to select the parties will take place at the Mingo Visitor Center on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Applicants do not need to be present during the draw to be selected for one of the hunts.
Applicants will be notified by email or mail whether their party was or was not selected for one of the hunt periods. At least one member of each drawn party will be required to attend a pre-hunt orientation on October 14, 2017 at 2 p.m. in the Mingo Visitor Center. During the orientation, the Special Use Permit packets will be distributed if the primary contact attends and questions will be answered regarding the hunt area and refuge regulations. A limit of six hunters per party can apply and hunters can only apply with one group. The hunts will only take place at night (sunset to sunrise) during the designated dates on the drawn parties' Special Use Permits. Drawn parties are limited to one dog per hunter (required minimum of one dog per party) and all dogs must have GPS collars.
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is located one mile north of Puxico, Mo. on State Highway 51. For more information, call 573-222-3589 or email the refuge at mingo@fws.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.