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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, July 24, 2009 8:51 PM CDT
Applications to use hunting blinds due Tuesday

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — There were 18 Lake Mattoon hunting permit applications turned in by Friday morning.

But that number might multiply with the deadline for submitting applications to gain a duck hunting blind being Tuesday. Only licensed hunters in Coles, Cumberland and Shelby counties are eligible for the drawing for the blinds along the lake shore.

Applications are available at Mattoon City Hall and must be turned in there by the end of business hours on Tuesday afternoon. The applications should be submitted at the city clerk’s office on the second floor.

City officials are conducting the lottery for lake hunting privileges with changes in waterfowl hunting rules this year. The new rules were requested by hunters who said the old system was inequitable along the lake that celebrates its 50th year this summer. Other hunters said the selection system was fair without a lottery, but city officials decided on a change.

All applicants must have valid 2009 hunting licenses and waterfowl stamps for use of the blinds if they win in the lottery. The applications require two hunters each.

Lake Mattoon is part of the city water supply system, so management of the land falls to city officials. The lake is popular for its fishing and boating, but over the years it has developed a following for waterfowl hunting as well.

Lake Mattoon borders three counties, so the hunting blind lottery was opened to residents living in those counties. The restriction was suggested to prevent the limited number of blinds going to hunters from different parts of the state.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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