Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock
, AR 72205
AUG. 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please note the link to a sound file with information from AGFC Deer Program Coordinator Cory Gray. For more information or to schedule an interview with Gray, contact Trey Reid, AGFC Field Editor, at 501-978-7332 or e-mail cwreid@agfc.state.ar.us.
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Public meetings set for input on revision of state’s deer management plan
LITTLE ROCK – White-tailed deer are the most popular game animal in Arkansas, with more than 300,000 hunters taking part in the state’s deer hunt each year.
To ensure a healthy deer herd and provide maximum enjoyment for the state’s sportsmen, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission uses a “strategic deer management plan” as a blueprint for future management decisions. The plan outlines long-term guidance and direction for the management of the state’s deer herd.
The AGFC is currently in the process of revising its statewide deer management plan, and public input will play a key role in the development of the revised plan.
A series of public meetings will be held Sept. 21-25 to gather additional public comments on the draft of the new deer management plan. The AGFC urges sportsmen to take part in the meetings held at various locations around the state.
During the last several months, AGFC has been collecting input from the public and combining it with wildlife management science to develop a new plan. Unlike previous deer management plans, AGFC sought public input on the front end of plan development. Another new twist is the use of an outside facilitator, Dynamic Solutions Group, to help the AGFC and the public work together on the new plan.
The new deer management plan will provide goals and direction for deer management, hunting seasons and regulations. The final decision on seasons and regulations will remain with AGFC commissioners.
A draft version of the new plan will be available to the public on Aug. 31, on the AGFC Web site, www.agfc.com. AGFC officials urge the public to view the new plan before attending the public meetings in September.
Attendees will be asked questions about what they like and don’t like about the draft. The draft includes goals with different options related to objectives or strategies.
A list of meeting dates, times and locations (with directions):
Sept. 20
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Harrison
Location: Comfort Inn Convention Center
Address: 1210 U.S. Highway 62/65 North, Harrison
Telephone: 870-741-7676
Directions: 3 miles south from the junction of U.S. Highways 62/65/412
Sept. 20
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Dumas
Location: Dumas Community Center
Address: 18 Belmont
Directions: Take Meador Drive (at Exxon Station south of U.S. Highway 65/165 intersection) east to Belmont (by Comet Cleaners), then north on Belmont to Dumas Community Center.
Sept. 21
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Batesville
Location: UACCB Independence Hall East Creek Side
Address: 2005 White Dr.
Directions: Take U.S. Highway 167 North through Batesville. At the intersection of Arkansas Highway 25 (Western Sizzlin’ is on the right), turn to the left on Highway 25. Go about 1.5 miles, and the campus is one the left. Enter the campus and turn to the right. Independence Hall is the big building on the right.
Sept. 21
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Camden
Location: Charles O. Ross Center
Address: 746 California St.
Directions: From the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and U.S. Highway 79 on the south side of Camden, go north on California Street (U.S. Highway 79 Business) about .3 mile. The Ross Center is on the left.
Sept. 22
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Jonesboro
Location: Huntington Building
Address: Huntington Ave.
Directions: Old Huntington Church Building. From the north, follow U.S. Highway 49 Business to W. Matthews Ave., turn left, and then turn right on S. Culberhouse St. Then turn left on Monroe Ave., and the Huntington Annex will be on the right.
Sept. 22
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Hope
Location: University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, Student Center, Purtle Meeting Rooms.
Address: 2500 S. Main, Hope
Directions: Arkansas Highway 29 South
Sept. 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Brinkley
Location: Convention Center – Pintail Room
Address: 1501 Weatherby Dr., Brinkley
Directions: From Interstate 40, take Brinkley Exit and turn south on U.S. Highway 49. Go through traffic signal and turn right on Sixth St. Turn right on Weatherby Dr. and the Convention Center will be on the left (west side of the road).
Sept. 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Mt. Ida
Location: Mt. Ida High School cafeteria
Directions: Coming from the west on U.S. Highway 270, turn right between the Mt. Ida tower and the Sheriff’s Office, and follow the signs to the high school. Coming from the east on Highway 270, turn left between the Mt. Ida tower and the Sheriff’s Office, and follow the signs to the high school.
Sept. 25
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Little Rock
Location: Ferndale 4-H Center
Directions: From Interstate 430, after crossing the Arkansas River from the north, take the first exit, Cantrell Rd./Arkansas Highway 10 and turn right (west). Follow Highway 10 west for about 8.5 miles. Look for the sign for the 4-H Center. Turn left onto Ferndale Cutoff (West Pulaski Fire Department will be on the right). Follow Ferndale Cutoff 5 miles to the four-way stop in Ferndale. Look for a sign. Continue straight through the intersection on Ferndale Cutoff for 1.1 miles. The 4-H Center will be on the right.
From the south on I-430, take the Shackleford Rd. exit and loop around to get on I-630. See instructions below.
From I-630, stay on I-630 West until the interstate ends at the traffic signal and intersection of Shackleford Rd. Continue through the light. This will be Financial Center Parkway and will turn into Chenal Parkway. Travel approximately 2.5 miles on Chenal Parkway. Do not turn at the light just before Kroger (the first intersection of Kanis Rd.). Pass the Kroger store. Turn left at the second light (the second intersection of Kanis Rd.) after you pass Kroger. On Kanis Rd., travel another 1.4 miles and bear left at the "Y" (intersection of Kanis Rd. and Denny Rd.). Watch for signs. After 5.4 miles there will be a four-way stop in Ferndale. Turn left at intersection onto Congo Ferndale and travel another 1.1 miles and turn right into the 4-H Center.
From Interstate 30, take the Congo Rd. exit in Benton. Follow signs to Congo North across I-30. Turn left at the stop sign at the “T” in Salem. Take a right at the "Y" of Mulberry Rd. and Congo Rd. Watch for signs. Keep to the right at the next "Y" at Steel Bridge Rd. and Congo Rd. The road changes names but do not turn until you get to the 4-H Center, which will be on the left. Total distance from I-30 is 17 miles.
Sept. 25
Time: 6:30 p.m.
City: Ozark
Location: North Franklin Co. Fair Building
Address: N. 26th St.
Directions: The fairgrounds are on the west end of town on N. 29th St. It is on the same road as the high school, and there will be a purple "Ozark High School Hillbilly” sign at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and 29th St. The entrance is on the right, past the ball fields.
MP3 File