Duck hunters may access river channels to remove ice storm debris on northeast Arkansas WMAs
September 16, 2009
POCAHONTAS – Waterfowl hunters who use the St. Francis Sunken Lands and Dave Donaldson Black River WMAs will get their chance to begin removing ice storm debris from the main river channels beginning Sept. 19.
Hunters may only access the Black River and Little River channels on the Dave Donaldson Black River WMA to remove ice storm debris from the main channels. On the St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA, sportsmen may only access the St. Francis River channel proper, including St. Francis Lake and the borrow pits adjacent to the east and west levees of the St. Francis River floodway, to remove ice storm debris from the main channel. Hunters also will be allowed to perform routine maintenance on public blinds in the St. Francis WMA and waterfowl hunting holes directly accessible from the river channel proper, the main levee borrow pits and St. Francis Lake.
Hunters will not be allowed early access on Big Lake WMA due to the absence of a major river system. Since there is no major river system on Big Lake WMA, FEMA clean-up eligibility guidelines do not apply. As FEMA clean-up contractors complete their work in a portion of Dave Donaldson Black River, St. Francis Sunken Lands and Big Lake WMAs, the AGFC will use their Web site (www.agfc.com) to post information. The Web site will inform the public when they can access designated portions of the management areas outside the initially restricted river channel areas in order to maintain existing public duck blinds, existing public waterfowl hunting holes and existing boat lanes during daylight hours only.
Neither the creation of new hunting holes nor the construction of new blinds is permitted. Any new blinds will be destroyed and any new waterfowl hunting holes will be red-lined and permanently closed. Duck blinds, including permanent floating blinds, may not be moved or enlarged. Public access to these declared open areas for these specified purposes will remain open until the AGFC posts a final public clean-up period closure date on the website.
The AGFC reserves the right to alter the conditions for storm debris removal should local conditions on any of the WMAs change due to flooding resulting in all FEMA eligible clean-up work to be permanently halted. If such a condition arises, the AGFC will post a set of revised conditions for public access regarding the maintenance of existing public duck blinds, existing public waterfowl hunting holes and existing boat lanes during daylight hours on the AGFC Web site.
Additional information regarding the FEMA clean-up activities and public access can be obtained by calling the AGFC Jonesboro Regional Office toll-free at (877) 972-5438.
The following items will be permitted:
- ATVs (3-wheelers, 4-wheelers or 6-wheelers) on existing trails, roads and boat lanes (to haul blind material, trailers may be pulled by ATVs).
- Gasoline powered weed trimmers, including the use of metal blades, for maintenance of existing hunting holes.
- Hand tools, including power saws and pole saws, for clearing fallen logs blocking boat lanes and waterways or hanging limbs over blinds or waterfowl hunting holes.
- Hand tools and materials for maintaining and brushing existing blinds.
The following will not be permitted:
- Tractors, bush hogs, discs or other implements. Any special requests for the use of this type equipment should be made directly to the Regional Wildlife Supervisor and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Pick up trucks or other passenger vehicles.
- Breaking or cultivation of soil or the planting, sowing or broadcast of any kind of seed.
- The use of any chemical or herbicide.
- Cutting or damaging standing trees in any manner.
- No burning of debris will be permitted.
Click here for more information about the clean-up activities.
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