Hunting, fishing areas to be expanded at Mingo Refuge

PUXICO, Mo. -- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge may offer expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, Sectretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced last week.

Mingo is one of 20 refuges across the country where hunting and fishing may be expanded. Six national refuges are being opened to hunters and fishermen for the first time.

Peter Rea, visitor services park ranger at Mingo, said the expansion would add about 6,000 acres of hardwood bottomland forest available to hunters, and would add another pool for waterfowl hunters.

The proposed expanded hunt opportunities at Mingo were published in the Federal Register on Sept. 24. There is a 30-day public comment period while it is in the Federal Register. After the comment period, and if there are no issues, the new plan becomes finalized and implemented.

Mingo Wildlife Refuge has been open to hunting and fishing for some time. The expansion would mean more land would be available to hunters for deer, turkey and other hunting seasons.

To read the proposed changes and find out how to comment on them, visit federalregister.gov or regulations.gov and search for docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2013-0074.

Pertinent address:

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Puxico, Mo.