Youth Squirrel Hunt Returns to Arkabutla Lake in January
COLDWATER, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District will host its annual youth squirrel hunt at Arkabutla Lake on January 17–18 and January 24–25, 2026, offering young hunters a chance to learn small game hunting skills in a supervised, ethical environment.
Held in the management area near the Arkabutla Lake Dam, the event is open to youth ages 10 to 15. Each participant must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older, and all state and federal hunting regulations will apply.
The hunt is shotgun-only, with .22 caliber rifles prohibited, emphasizing safety and tradition.
A total of 12 youth hunters will be selected by drawing, with six participants per weekend. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on December 31, 2025.
How to Apply
Applications are available at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office or can be downloaded from the USACE Vicksburg District website.
Completed forms may be mailed to:
Arkabutla Lake Field Office
3905 Arkabutla Dam Rd.
Coldwater, MS 38618
Alternatively, applications can be emailed to shaun.c.scruggs@usace.army.mil.
For more information, contact Ranger Cody Scruggs at (662) 562-6261 or (662) 471-1319.
Promoting Outdoor Education
The youth squirrel hunt is part of the Corps’ ongoing efforts to promote outdoor education and conservation ethics. Adult mentors are encouraged to bring gear such as calls, shotguns and ammunition, and to review hunting regulations with their youth partners.
The Vicksburg District manages 68,000 square miles across Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, including nine major river basins and 460 miles of levees.
