By Enid Lake Park Rangers

Enid Lake staff has closed Hickory Ridge and Persimmon Hill day use areas for the fall and winter. Water Valley Landing Campground will remain open for the fall and winter season.

Class A camping will be available at Wallace Creek, Persimmon Hill, Chickasaw Hill, Water Valley Landing, and Ford’s Well Campgrounds. Class C camping will be available at Long Branch, and Plum Point Campgrounds.

Picnic shelters 625 and 627 at Hickory Ridge day use area, and picnic shelters 583 and 584 at Persimmon Hill will be unavailable for reservations until March 2019.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said hunting is allowed on government property at Enid Lake. Areas restricted to hunting include developed recreation areas and areas marked by no hunting signs.

Springdale Wildlife Management Area will be open to the general public for Hunting for the following seasons:

2018 – 2019 Hunting Regulations

•Archery Deer, Either Sex:  Thru  Jan. 31, 2019

•Primitive Season, Either Sex:  Dec. 2-5

All MDWFP and North Mississippi Lakes rules and regulations will apply. Other rules include:

•Hunters must sign in and out at designated check stations.

•Access for hunting will be by foot traffic.  ATVs may only be used for deer retrieval and access by those who are physically disabled.  Proof of disability must be carried by hunters riding ATVs when not retrieving deer.

•Harvested deer must be tagged and required data collected at the designated deer check station immediately after retrieval.

•No deer drives or hunting with dogs allowed.

•Hunters must wear a safety harness at all times while hunting from elevated stands.

•The boundary of this area is determined by a line on which the trees are marked with red paint.

•Hunters must observe all applicable state and COE hunting regulations.

•Please observe hunter ethics.

Hunters hunting on government property should be aware that all seasons are set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, and all state rules and regulations apply. Hunters should remember that government property is public property and everyone has a right to enjoy it.

We would like to remind hunters that it is illegal to throw or dump trash, animal carcasses, etc. on Corps of Engineers Lands, right of ways, and roads, and it is illegal to permanently attach any type deer stand or drive any foreign object into trees located on government property.

Portable stands may be used, but have to be removed daily. Hunting maps are available at the Enid Lake Field Office for hunters desiring literature on boundary lines, designated hunting areas, and areas restricted to hunting. Hunters are reminded to call the Enid Lake Field Office at 563-4571 if unsure of hunting areas or restrictions.