As a lifelong hunter in North Mississippi, I’ve seen our public land opportunities steadily shrink. Unlike the South Delta, our region has very few managed waterfowl areas. Askew WMA is a vital resource for hundreds of local hunters, but it only works when the infrastructure is actually utilized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District).

The current approach to water management at Askew is failing the public. Waiting until late November to even consider pumping is far too late. It takes significant time to saturate the soil and achieve the necessary 4-to-10-inch depth across the Greentree Reservoirs and 400+ acres of moist-soil habitat. Starting as late as November 20th is clearly not enough time to have the area ready for the season opener. When the Corps delays, they aren't just "managing" water—they are effectively stealing weeks of opportunity from the hunters and families who rely on this public land.

It is frustrating to witness these premier habitats sit bone-dry during the peak of the season while the pumps and power lines sit idle. We aren't asking for new construction; we are asking the Corps to fulfill its commitment to this land with a realistic and timely pumping schedule. When Askew has water on time, it supports a massive amount of hunting pressure and provides critical habitat for mallards and teal. Without it, the burden shifts to other over-crowded areas, and our local hunting heritage suffers. We deserve better.