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About the Name:
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The management area was named for the creek and tributaries that dominated the property prior to the 1960's and for Steve N. Wilson, former director of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Raft Creek was a natural overflow hardwood bottomland and backwater area until the late 1960's and early 1970's when it was cleared for soybean farming.
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Ownership:
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In 2000, Morrison Farms enrolled the area in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) a voluntary program offering landowners a chance to receive payments for restoring and protecting wetlands on their property. The AGFC acquired the 4063-acre property later that same year.
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Age:
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Purpose:
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the AGFC are in the process of restoring the area_s hydrology and native vegetation. This includes creating approximately 1400 acres of shallow water areas and about 11 miles of restored channels (Raft Creek and tributaries), which can be utilized as boat lanes. Restored channels, sloughs and breaks are fringed with Cypress/Overcup plantings. The remainder of the site (above flood pool) is planted in Nuttall Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Willow and Water Oak, Sweet Pecan and Green Ash. The escarpment to the south, as well as the area around the headquarters will be seeded to native prairie plants.
Raft Creek has played an important role in providing wetland habitat for thousands of wintering migratory birds. Placing this gem under public ownership has secured a perpetual guarantee in providing this unique wildlife management complex for generations to enjoy.
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Description:
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Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA consists of 4,000 acres in White County. |
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Access:
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From Searcy:
Take HWY 36 to West Point, at West Point, take HWY 323 south approximately 8 miles to Showalters Corner. At Showalters Corner turn east onto Jones Island Road. Go approximately 5 3/4 miles to the second Raft Creek WMA project sign. Turn south on Cypert Road, go 1/2 mile to WMA Headquarters
From DesArc:
Take HWY 11 North approximately 14 miles to Showalters Corner. At Showalters Corner turn east onto Jones Island Road. Go approximately 5 3/4 miles to the second Raft Creek WMA project sign. Turn south on Cypert Road, go 1/2 mile to WMA Headquarters.
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Hunting
Opportunities:
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Deer and turkey (archery only), waterfowl, quail, rabbit, squirrel, crow, coyote and furbearers. |
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Permit Hunt
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Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA will be open for a permit waterfowl hunt on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during waterfowl season. The permit drawing will take place at Area Headquarters, two hours before official shooting begins. There will also be five permits along with one handicap blind permit drawn online for each day the area is open for waterfowl hunting. If you plan to hunt in November, please apply for the day in which you intend to hunt by November 13, If you plan to hunt in December please apply by November 27, and if you plan to hunt in January please apply by December 28.
To apply for online permits please go to www.agfc.com/raftcreek permits. The permit is required to enter any flooded or inundated area during waterfowl season. Waterfowl hunters may not enter inundated areas before 4 a.m. and must leave by noon. Access is allowed from 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28-29. Hunters follow signs to the area headquarters, which is 2.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, by way of Jones Island Road and then Cypert Road. The drawing process allows hunters who draw a permit time to reach the selected area and set up before shooting begins. Goose season opens after duck season closes. Nonresidents need a Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA permit (see below) to hunt waterfowl in addition to their permit acquired through the limited daily drawing. Boat motors larger than 25 horsepower may not be used. Click here to apply online for permit waterfowl hunt. |
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Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Permit
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Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Permit
Nonresidents are required to purchase a permit to hunt waterfowl on certain wildlife management areas (pages 49-54 of the 2006-07 Waterfowl Guidebook). The cost is $10 for a five-day permit and $100 for an annual permit. The annual permit expires June 30. Check your destination on pages 49-54 to see whether this permit is required of nonresidents. The nonresident permit is valid for each WMA where required.
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