August 19, 2009 Edition

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Today's Topics

• Deer hunting seminars begin next week

• 2010 spring turkey season public meetings to be held Aug. 25

• AGFC news now can be found on Facebook and Twitter

• White River Refuge open despite heavy tornado damage

• Hunter education class is an essential for young sportsmen

• Over 930,000 fish stocked in state’s waters during July

• AWF names “Wildman” 2009 Conservation Communicator of the Year

• Boating education class schedule

• Hunter education class schedule  

• What’s open for hunting

• Coming up in the outdoors

Deer hunting seminars begin next week

LITTLE ROCK – Beginning next week, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be presenting several deer hunting seminars across the state in preparation for one of Arkansas’s most popular hunting seasons. The first seminar will be held Aug. 24 in Little Rock.

The clinics will help avid hunters and those new to the sport pick up a few pointers for the upcoming season. AGFC wildlife biologists will be on hand to answer questions.

Topics scheduled for seminars include:

• History of deer in Arkansas
• Regulation changes for the upcoming season
• Best places in Arkansas to go deer hunting
• 2009-2010 deer season forecast
• How to age deer
• Deer antler scoring
• Food plots
• Deer management
• Preseason preparation
• Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry
• Deer hunting safety

All seminars will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

Aug. 24..... AGFC Central Office building in Little Rock
Aug. 27..... Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro
Sept. 1...... Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith
Sept. 3...... Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff
Sept. 8...... Fair Park Community Center in Hope

For more information call (800) 364-4263 or visit www.agfc.com for details.

2010 spring turkey season public meetings to be held Aug. 25

LITTLE ROCK – Want to talk turkey with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission? The agency is looking for feedback from hunters as the AGFC begins the process of setting the 2010 spring turkey hunting regulations.

The meetings will be held Aug. 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be 11 public meetings held around the state that will give turkey hunters their chance to have a voice in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s annual regulations process.

To find out more about the AGFC’s proposals for the 2010 spring turkey hunting season, go to www.agfc.com, then attend one of the public meetings. If you’re not able to attend one of these meetings, comment online or by phone at (800) 364-GAME (4263). You may also mail your comments to AGFC, Attn: Spring Turkey Regulations, 2 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205. Your comments must reach the AGFC by Sept. 30.

While you’re commenting on the proposals, take a moment and sign up for the Conservation for Arkansas Network. CAN is a database of anglers, hunters and conservationists who care about Arkansas’s outdoors. Give us your email address and interests in the outdoors, and we will send direct emails about what’s important to you. You’ll be among the first people to know about the latest public meetings, possible regulations changes, hunting permit applications and special events held by the AGFC. Just visit www.agfc.com/wildlife-conservation/can.aspx, click the Conservation for Arkansas Network link and follow the online instructions. Your voice matters; make sure we hear it.

Turkey meeting locations:

AGFC news now can be found on Facebook and Twitter

LITTLE ROCK - Information about the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and its many programs, news, meetings, season information and much more can now be found on Facebook and Twitter. The social media networking project is designed to promote public participation and expand the AGFC’s ability to share information with social media users.

According to the AGFC’s Webmaster Angela Sanchez, these social media networking sites have given the agency another venue to relay important messages, such as hunting season dates and educational programs, to the public interested in the outdoors. “Through this new strategy, we look forward to expanding our efforts to include even more personalized and interactive means of reaching as much of the public as possible,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that the interactivity and personalization associated with social media networking will bring AGFC communications to a new level. “We already have over 500 fans on Facebook that share a love of hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation,” she explained.

One of the main reasons for jumping on the social media bandwagon is to stay in touch with young people, according to AGFC Chief of Communications Nancy Ledbetter. “One of the best ways to reach kids is through social media sites like Facebook. We will use social media, in conjunction with our Web site, so we can educate kids about the state’s natural resources,” Ledbetter said.

Getting connected is simple.

Facebook

AGFC now has an official Facebook page. Go to www.facebook.com/argameandfish and become a fan to receive news and updates.

Twitter

AGFC is also on Twitter. Go to www.twitter.com/argameandfish and follow us to receive our tweets. You can even have them sent to your cell phone so you can get AGFC news, even out in the field.

White River Refuge open despite heavy tornado damage

ST. CHARLES - A July 30 tornado ripped a huge gash through one of Arkansas’ prime wildlife habitats – the White River National Wildlife Refuge – but it is open to fishing, and the upcoming hunting seasons will go on as planned.

Refuge Manager Dennis Sharp said there was much damage and destruction of thousands of bottomland hardwood trees, but the area and its animals and birds should recover, He said the tornado touched down in the Jack’s Bay area on the White River and traveled in a northeast direction for eight miles through the refuge and for about 22 more miles through southwestern Phillips County.

It ripped a path that varied from a quarter mile wide to a half mile wide. It wrecked trees in about 1,750 acres, Sharp said. None of the refuge’s structures or facilities were damaged.

Two public roads, Jacks Bay Road and Levee Road, were closed until debris could be cleared. These roads are open again, Sharp said.

Sharp said the trees affected ranged from young ones to large old growth. “A lot of the tree tops were broken off or twisted. Some are leaning and touching the ground. Some trees were pushed over with their root wads out of the ground.”

The abundant debris left in the tornado’s wake is expected to benefit most of the refuge’s wildlife, U.S. fish and Wildlife Service sources said. Wood-boring insects will feast on downed trees, and in turn, birds and bears will feast on the increased insect population. Deer will feed on the additional broad-leaved plant and shrub growth during the summer, and this same growth will provide them escape cover throughout the year, they explained.

For several years, this tornado’s debris will give suitable nesting habitat for turkeys, although its suitability for brood-rearing will be minimal. Upright but damaged trees will provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds. When the river floods, wintering waterfowl can feed on seeds from grasses which will become more plentiful as more sunlight reaches the ground.

White River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1935 early in the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, covers 150,000 acres and 90 miles along the lower White River in Desha, Arkansas, Phillips and Monroe counties.

It has about 350 lakes, many offering good to excellent fishing but many that are difficult to reach. The refuge yearly has the largest concentration of wintering mallards in the Mississippi Flyway.

The White River Refuge was home to the only bears in Arkansas form the early 1930s until a successful restoration program began in other parts of the state in the late 1950s. In recent times, some of the White River bears have been relocated to other habitats in south Arkansas.

Hunter education class is an essential for young sportsmen

LITTLE ROCK – If you have doubts about the value of hunter education, ask someone who has been there, completed the course and received the required certification.

Hunter ed is a valuable tool for Arkansas outdoors people and not just those who go after deep, ducks, turkey, squirrels and other game.

If you were born after Dec. 31, 1968, you are required to have hunter education certification and to carry the certifying card with you while hunting. Hunter education certification can be obtained by three methods.

CD-ROM Study Course

Arkansans may call (501) 223-6378 or toll-free (800) 482-5795 and request a CD-ROM be mailed to take the course on their home computer. The student must complete each section of the self-study course and schedule a supervised final examination at an official testing site.

Online Self-Study Course

Persons may visit www.beasafehunter.org complete each section of the course online. They must take a supervised final examination at an official testing site to complete the course.

In-person Classes

These are taught by volunteer instructors at a number of locations around the state. Attendance at all meetings of a class plus passing a written exam at the end is required.

Hunter education classes:

• Boone County, Saturday, Sept. 4, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., North Arkansas College South Campus, phone (870) 743-3000.
• Boone County, Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., North Arkansas College South Campus, phone (870) 743-3000.
• Boone County, Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., North Arkansas College South Campus, phone (870) 743-3000.
• Boone County, Saturday, Sept. 25, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., North Arkansas College South Campus, phone (870) 743-3000.
• Columbia County, Aug. 22-23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Logoly State Park Visitor Center, phone (870) 695-3561.
• Columbia County, Oct. 10-11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Logoly State Park Visitor Center, phone (870) 695-3561.
• Columbia County, Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Logoly State Park Visitor Center, phone (870) 695-3561.
• Craighead County, Sept. 12-13, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m., Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Jonesboro. Phone to pre-register, (870) 933-6787.
• Craighead County, Oct. 10-11, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m., Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Jonesboro. Phone to pre-register, (870) 933-6787.
• Craighead County, Nov. 7-8, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m., Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Jonesboro. Phone to pre-register, (870) 933-6787.
• Craighead County, Dec. 5-6, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m., Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Jonesboro. Phone to pre-register, (870) 933-6787.
• Hempstead County, Aug. 22, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., UACCH, T&I 160, Hope. Pre-register at (870) 777-5580. Hempstead County, Sept. 21, 22, 24, 6-9 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1301 West Ave. B, Hope. Pre-register at (870) 777-5580.
• Hot Spring County, Sept. 14, 15 and 16, 6-9:30 p.m., Ouachita Tech College, Number 1 College Circle, Room A309, Malvern.
• Howard County, Aug. 22, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Cossatot River State Park Visitor Information Center. Register at (870) 385-2201. Bring a lunch.
• Howard County, Sept, 21, 22 and 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Cossatot River State Park Visitor Information Center. Register at (870) 385-2201.
• Marion County, Aug. 29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Fred Berry Conservation Education Center, 851 Conservation Lane, Yellville. Phone (870) 449-3484.
• Poinsett County, Aug. 24, 25 and 27, 6-9 p.m., Lake Poinsett State Park Pavilion. Pre-register at (870)578-2064.
• Poinsett County, Sept. 21, 22 and 24, 6-9 p.m., Lake Poinsett State Park Pavilion. Pre-register at (870) 578-2064.
• Pope County, Aug. 23, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitors Center. Register at (479) 967-7577. Bring a sack lunch
• Union County, Sept. 1, 3, 8 and 10, 6-9 p.m., South Arkansas Community College library, West Campus. Pre-register at (870) 864-8453.
• Washington County, Aug. 31. Sept.1 and 2, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office, 1155 Clydesdale Drive, Fayetteville.
• Washington County, Sept. 14, 15 and 16, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Prairie Grove Junior High School Cafeteria.
• Washington County, Sept. 28, 29 and 30, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., West Fork High School Cafeteria.
• Washington County, Oct. 12, 13 and 14, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Winslow Fire Station. Washington County, Oct. 26, 27 and 28, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Farmington High School Cafeteria.
• Washington County, Nov. 8, 10 and 11, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office, 1155 Clydesdale Drive, Fayetteville.
• White County, Sept. 19, 8 a.m., Arkansas State University-Searcy. Pre-register with Twany at (501) 207-4049.
• White County, Oct. 17, 8 a.m., Arkansas State University-Searcy. Pre-register at (501) 207-4049.
• Yell County, Aug. 22, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Yell County Wildlife Federation Building, Dardanelle. Register at (479) 968-0567.
• Yell County, Sept. 12, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Yell County Wildlife Federation Building, Dardanelle. Register at (479) 968-0567.

Over 930,000 fish stocked in state’s waters during July

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission crews stocked over 930,600 fish in Arkansas lakes and rivers during July. The total stocking of fish weighed almost 150,000 pounds.

July stockings:

• Arkansas River (Pool #7), Faulkner County, 21,250 fingerling striped bass
• Arkansas River (Pool #9), Conway County, 20,665 fingerling striped bass
• Lake Atalanta, Benton County, 250 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Austell, Cross County, 522 yearling blue catfish
• Bear Creek Lake, Lee County, 3,780 yearling blue catfish
• Beaver Lake, Washington County, 221.905 fingerling striped bass
• Beaver Tailwater, Carroll County, 10,236 catchable rainbow trout
• Lake Bentonville, Benton County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Bois D Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 54 brood Florida bass
• Bragg Lake, Ouachita County, 21,996 fingerling largemouth bass
• Lake Brewer, Conway County, 6,966 yearling blue catfish
• Cabot Community Pond, Lonoke County, catchable channel catfish
• Camp JT Robinson Golf Course Pond, Pulaski County, 450 catchable channel catfish
• Cane Creek Lake, Lincoln County, 6,822 yearling blue catfish
• Centerton City Lake, Benton County, 150 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Conway, Faulkner County, 20,052 yearling blue catfish
• Craighead Forest Kids Pond, Craighead County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• DeGray Regulation Pool, Clark County, 1,050 yearling channel catfish
• DeQueen lake, Sevier County, 1,750 yearling channel catfish
• Lake Des Arc, Prairie County, 2,214 yearling blue catfish
• Lake Dieffenbacher, Miller County, 400 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Dieffenbacher, Miller County, 1,300 fingerling largemouth bass
• Dierks Lake, Sevier County, 1,400 yearling channel catfish
• Lake Dunn, Cross County, 432 yearling blue catfish
• Dupree Park Lake, Pulaski County, 400 catchable channel catfish
• El Dorado City Pond, Union County, 500 catchable channel catfish
• El Dorado City Pond, Union County, 2,256 fingerling largemouth bass
• Elkins Community Pond, Washington County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Enterprise, Ashley County, 1,404 yearling blue catfish
• Lake Frierson, Ashley County, 4,716 yearling blue catfish
• Lake Georgia-Pacific, Ashley County, 6,948 yearling blue catfish
• Gillham Lake, Howard County, 1,400 yearling channel catfish
• Grandview #2 Lake, Hempstead County, 7,920 fingerling largemouth bass
• Grandview #2 Lake, Hempstead County, 3,960 fingerling redear bream
• Lake Hamilton, Garland County, 20,500 fingerling striped bass
• Horseshoe Lake, Crittenden County, 15,030 yearling blue catfish
• Jefferson County Recreation Association Pond, Jefferson County, 500 catchable channel catfish
• John Benjamin Glenwood Community Fishing Pond, Pike County, 1,100 fingerling largemouth bass
• John Benjamin Glenwood Community Fishing Pond, Pike County, 1,320 fingerling redear bream
• Journey Pond, Pope County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Judsonia City Park Lake, White County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Kiwanis Park, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish
• Lake La Bellanine, Benton County, 250 catchable channel catfish
• Little Missouri River, Clark County, 6,500 fingerling flathead catfish
• Little Red River, Cleburne County, 32,750 catchable rainbow trout
• Little Red River, White County, 1,000 catchable rainbow trout
• Little River, Hempstead County, 43,070 fingerling striped bass
• MacArthur Park Lake, Pulaski County, 2,300 catchable channel catfish
• Marion McCollum/Lake Greenlee, Monroe County, 2,250 yearling blue catfish
• Martin Luther King Park, Jefferson County, 1,200 catchable channel catfish
• Mercer Bayou, Miller County, 540 yearling grass carp
• Middlewestern District Pond, Conway County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Millwood, Little River County, 38,990 fingerling Florida bass
• Mirror Lake, Stone County, 2,000 catchable channel catfish
• Murphy Park Lake, Washington County, 500 catchable channel catfish
• Nazarene Church Camp Lake, Polk County, 400 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Norfork Lake, Baxter County, 154,255 fingerling striped bass
• Norfork River, Baxter County, 9,830 catchable rainbow trout
• Norfork River, Baxter County, 3,000 fingerling cutthroat trout
• Lake Overcup, Conway County, 6,588 yearling blue catfish
• Ozark Conference Center Pond, Conway County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Saracin, Jefferson County, 3,078 yearling blue catfish
• Pine Bluff Regional Park Pond, Jefferson County, 250 catchable channel catfish
• Regional Park Pond, Jefferson County, 400 catchable channel catfish
• Searcy City Lake, White County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Spring River, Fulton County, 15,880 catchable rainbow trout
• Lake Springdale, Washington County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Storm Creek Lake, Phillips County, 2,520 yearling blue catfish
• White River, Baxter County, 87,190 catchable rainbow trout
• White River, Baxter County, 24,796 fingerling cutthroat trout
• White River, Izard County, 20,894 catchable rainbow trout
• White River, Marion County, 17,853 catchable rainbow trout
• White River, Marion County, 12,000 fingerling cutthroat trout
• White River, Stone County, 13,787 catchable rainbow trout
• White River, Stone County, 3,000 fingerling cutthroat trout
• Willow Beach Park Lake, Pulaski County, 300 catchable channel catfish
• Lake Wilson, Ashley County, 612 yearling blue catfish