22 Nov 2021

Smithville Lake continues successful tradition for mobility impaired hunters

Before daylight broke Saturday morning, nearly 100 outdoor enthusiasts mingled over a hot breakfast served in an open barn by local volunteers, while discussing their hopes for the weekend. For most, it’s the weekend of a lifetime, one they anxiously look forward to every year. That morning 49 hunters, each armed with a volunteer, were able to escape everything but nature at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Smithville Lake for the world’s largest known managed deer hunt for mobility impaired individuals. Throughout this two-day event, they are provided with 65 different locations, each set up with a hunting blind, camouflaged from the wildlife and allowing protection from the elements.

26 Nov 2019

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake celebrates 30th managed deer hunt

Nearly 150 people filled a maintenance facility with excitement at Smithville Lake around 4 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. They were all there for one reason, to get out into the wild and seek a big buck this weekend. For the 30th year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake hosted what’s known as the world’s largest managed deer hunt for mobility-impaired hunters. During this two-day event, 60 hunting blinds are set up across 3,800 acres of prime ground, not available for public hunting. Along with a volunteer, these hunters seek out the best spot near daybreak and wait out their target.