Flooding Closes White River North Unit Muzzleloader Deer Hunts in October
        South Unit Open for Now, but May Also Close if River Rises

White River National Wildlife Refuge will close the North Unit quota deer
hunt on October 17-19, 2009, and the North Unit non-quota buck-only hunt,
October 20-23, 2009, due to an unprecedented early flood season. The South
Unit hunt remains open for now.  North Unit permit holders are not allowed
to hunt in the South Unit.

“We regret closing these North Unit hunts due to the flood, but we also
need to ensure hunter safety and protect the deer resource for the future,”
said refuge manger Dennis Sharp.

Unfortunately, this water level will keep the North Unit closed for deer
archery hunting and prevent the scheduled North Unit muzzleloader deer
hunt.

“At this time, we do not anticipate closing the South Unit muzzleloader
deer season due to flooding, but hunters are encouraged to monitor water
levels,” Sharp said.

He went on to say that the North Unit quota muzzleloader deer permits will
not be refundable or renewed as the money has already been spent on
associated hunt administration costs.  850 hunters had been issued permits
for this year’s hunt.  Another 300 were not.  The permits will also not be
renewed for next year’s hunt.

“I can’t, in all good conscience, renew the 850 North Unit permits for next
year, as that would be mean that the other 300 applicants who did not get
permits would not be able to hunt there for two years,” Sharp said.   “I
also can’t predict the impacts of the unprecedented flooding on the deer
herd in the North Unit, so I don’t know how many quotas will be offered
there next year.”

“I know many hunters will be disappointed in missing this great public
hunting opportunity, and I sure understand their frustration,” said Sharp.
“I encourage you to apply again for next year’s hunts and hope for more
favorable river levels now and next year.”

The North Unit of the refuge closes to deer hunting when the White River
reaches 23 feet at St. Charles and does not reopen until the level falls
below 21 feet. The river reached the 23-foot level the first week of
October, closing archery deer season on the North Unit. The river is
currently rising at St. Charles and projected to remain above 21 feet
through October 23.

The South Unit closes to all deer hunting when the White River gauge at St.
Charles reaches 23 feet and the tailwater gauge reading at Norrel Lock and
Dam #1 reaches 145 feet simultaneously as reported at the following
website: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/whitervr.htm.

Up-to-date flood related deer season closure information is also available
on the refuge’s recorded phone message system at (870) 282-8200. Hunters
camping on the South Unit should carefully monitor rising river levels that
may flood their camp or overtop exit routes.

These types of flooding events, although part of natural floodplain system,
can impact deer and other wildlife populations, and may change the number
of quotas available for next year.