Applications are being accepted through Sept. 30 for special quail hunts on the Dan and Maureen Cover Prairie Conservation Area (C.A.) and the Carrick W. Davidson-Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area (W.A.). Both areas are close to West Plains.

Permits for the hunts will be issued by a Missouri Department of Conservation lottery. Applicants may apply for only one of the areas. Successful applicants will be given a one-day permit to hunt on the area selected during an assigned time period. There will be 18 hunts on Cover Prairie C.A. and eight hunts on Davidson-Paris W.A. Hunting periods run from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2004. Each successful applicant will be allowed to take three other hunters. Each hunting party will be allowed to take four quail.

To apply, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, Special Quail Hunts, 551 Joe Jones Blvd., West Plains, Mo., 65775, or call (417) 256-7161. Applicants should include their name, address, phone number and name of the area they wish to hunt. Applicants can also include the names of up to three additional people who will be in their hunting party.

Successful applicants will be notified by mail by Oct. 15.