The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract will be reserved March 23-25 to allow disabled hunters the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors during a turkey hunt. The property, which is located at the intersection of Rockridge Road and Deen Still Road in Polk County, will be closed to the public.
The hunt is organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen and is one of seven planned outdoor events held on District land throughout the year. The outings, which include a variety of game hunts and a fishing derby, are part of the District’s partnership with the group to make the outdoors more accessible to disabled people.
Members of two equestrian volunteer groups who help maintain District land, the WYME Trail Riders and the Hampton Riders, have offered to provide lunch on Friday and Saturday for this event. The WYME Trail Riders maintain the District’s Jefferson Equestrian Area in the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Park. The Hampton Riders maintain the District’s Hampton Equestrian Area in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.
Approximately 16 hunters have been pre-selected to participate in the turkey hunt. For more information about participating in future outdoor activities, visit the National Wild Turkey Federation web site www.nwtf.org.