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Hunting at Harry S. Truman Lake

General Hunting Information

 

Truman Lake Interactive Hunting Map (including Duck Blind Map 2022)

Duck Blind Map 2021 (Google Earth required to view)

Truman Lake offers many opportunities for a variety of game.  White-tailed deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail, duck and geese are favorites among sportsmen.  Most project land is open to hunting in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, with the exception of developed parks, the project administration area, land leased to the Boy Scouts of America, the Lindon Q. Skidmore Wetland Management Area, and other designated refuge areas.

Truman Lake is located in an ecological transition area with Oak-Hickory forest to the east and prairie/farmland to the west.  This diversity of land types creates a variety of wildlife habitat.

 Waterfowl hunters can take advantage of several marshes located on the project.  The Corps of Engineers manages approximately 50,000 acres for hunting and other outdoor recreation.  Missouri Department of Conservation also manages an additional 55,000 acres on Truman Lake project lands.  For more information regarding Missouri Department of Conservation managed areas, contact them at 660-885-6981.

 The marshes on lands managed by the Corps of Engineers are:

1.      Deepwater Marsh – located in Henry County immediately adjoining 13 Highway south of Clinton MO, or east of Deepwater MO.

2.     Avery Bottoms – located in northwest Hickory County off of B Highway.

3.     AA Marsh – located in Henry County off of AA Hwy.

4.     Muddy Creek Marsh – located in St. Clair County on C Highway

5.     Lindon Q. Skidmore Wetland Management Area – This area is a wildlife refuge and cannot be hunted.  Visitors to the wetland have an excellent opportunity to view a variety of wildlife.  The refuge is located near the southwest corner of the city of Clinton MO.

Most hunting accidents occur because of improper gun handling.  Hunters swinging on game and hunters mistaken for game are two common accidents.  Wearing blaze orange and hunter education training can reduce the chances of a hunting accident.  Missouri law requires that any hunter born after January 1, 1967 complete a hunter safety education course before they can obtain a Missouri hunting license. 

 For more information on Missouri hunting regulations, hunting reports, and other hunting related information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

 

Truman Lake Waterfowl Hunting Blind Policy

      Hunting and waterfowl hunting, in particular, is allowed at the Harry S. Truman Project except where specifically prohibited.  The hunting of waterfowl on the lands and waters of the Harry S. Truman Project shall be in accordance with the following policy in addition to other applicable Federal and State Regulations governing such activities.  Permits ARE required for waterfowl blinds that are not removed from the project daily.  Permits allow the placement of a blind or designate a location for boat blinds at a specific place. 

       Prohibited areas include but are not limited to public use and park areas, the corporate limits of municipalities, administrative areas and other areas where hunting activities are incompatible or unsafe.  Lake levels are subject to rapid fluctuations, which could result in blinds being inundated, damaged or destroyed.

       Hunters wishing to use a blind to hunt waterfowl may do so under the following guidelines:

 1.     Permitted blinds are not allowed west of 13 Highway and blinds may not be constructed within 100 yards of any recreational facility such as boat ramps and campgrounds.  Permits are not required for blinds that are removed from the project daily.  Daily blinds and hunts are permitted project wide except where hunting is otherwise prohibited.

2.     The permit reserves use of the blind to the permit holder until one half hour (30 min.) prior to official daily opening shooting time.  Any hunter may utilize a blind not occupied by one hour prior to the daily opening shooting time on a first come basis.

3.     Permits incorporate a 300-yard buffer zone around that location.  A minimum 300-yard distance between all blinds and hunting parties is required.  Daily blinds and other hunting parties are obligated to maintain a 300-yard distance from any permitted blind location that is occupied.

4.     Permitted shore blinds may be constructed from natural materials including driftwood, grass, weeds and live willow trees less than 20 feet high gathered from around the site.  Do not cut any other species of live trees or standing dead trees of any size.  The use of steel posts, tin sheets and wire is prohibited.  Manmade materials such as camouflage cloth, burlap and plastic sheeting are permitted.

5.     Permitted floating blinds must have floatation designed for marine use.  Barrels or containers designed for other uses are prohibited for use as floatation.  Foam floatation must be encapsulated to prevent beads or pieces of the material from being dislodged or abraded off.  Floating blinds must be secured to the permitted location in such as way as to allow for fluctuations in water levels, wave action and high wind.

6.     Permitted blinds may not be placed or constructed on project until after the drawing.  The blind permit must be posted at the blind site within 7 days after the date of the drawing. Walk in blind registration will be accepted through September 30th.   Blinds must be removed by March 1st of the following calendar year.

7.     Vehicle use on project lands is restricted by regulation to authorized roadways.  No deviation from this regulation is permitted to engage in waterfowl hunting on project lands.

8.     Personal property must be removed from the project daily.  Unattended property may be impounded and a fee assessed for its return.

    A cooperative attitude is needed from all hunters to insure a safe and successful waterfowl hunting season.  Failure to abide by the conditions of the above policy could result in the violator having their permit revoked or being issued a violation notice requiring the payment of a fine, an appearance before a Federal Magistrate Judge or both.  Questions or concerns regarding the Waterfowl Blind Policy may be directed to the Harry S. Truman Project Office at 660-438-7317 ext. 1.

Tree Stand Policy

 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Missouri Department of Conservation would like to remind hunters of the current policy for tree stands on public managed lands at Harry. S. Truman Reservoir.  Only portable tree stands may be utilized.  Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on a durable material with the owner’s full name and address.  Tree stands may be placed between September 1st and January 31st.  Stands must be removed by February 1st.  Use of nails, screw in steps, and any other material or method that would damage the tree is prohibited. 

 For more information concerning tree stand use at Harry S. Truman Reservoir, please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Office at 660-438-7317 extension 1.