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Arkansas Outdoors Weekly Newsletter
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us
September 30, 2009 Edition
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Today's Topics
Commission votes to close 2009 fall turkey hunting in Arkansas
 LITTLE ROCK – After voicing concerns about declining spring turkey harvests, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission voted last week to close all 2009 fall turkey hunting seasons in the state. The archery turkey season was scheduled to open on Oct. 1, followed by opening of the firearm turkey season on Oct. 26. The vote to close the season was 4-3 in favor of closing. Commissioners Emon Mahony, Ron Pierce, Rick Watkins and Commission Vice Chairman Craig Campbell voted in favor of the closure. Commissioners George Dunklin, Ron Duncan and Commission Chairman Brett Morgan voted against the closure.
Campbell said that he’s certain there is a problem with the state’s turkey population and one way to stop its continued decline is to close the entire fall season. “I’m convinced we have a heck of a problem, but I’m convinced we’re moving in the right direction. We’re going to mess around and not have a spring turkey season if we don’t do something,” Campbell said.
Dunklin said that he felt like a decision to close the season would polarize the Commission and Arkansas’s hunters. “What concerns me is we’re dividing our user groups. We’re saying the hunter is the problem. Hunters are our partners. Without hunters, the resource goes away,” Dunklin said.
The Commission also addressed concerns over boating safety on wildlife management areas by approving a horsepower restriction on Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA. Boat motors will be restricted to 50 horsepower or less during the state’s waterfowl hunting season. Airboats also will not be allowed in the WMA during the waterfowl season. A similar proposal to restrict motor horsepower and airboats on Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA failed.
A proposal to restrict airboats during waterfowl season on several wildlife management areas around the state was approved by the Commission. Airboats will not be allowed on Bell Slough, Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita (excluding the Ouachita River), Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area (excluding the Mississippi River), Cut-Off Creek, Cypress Bayou, Ed Gordon Point Remove, Earl Buss Bayou DeView, Galla Creek, Harris Brake (excluding Harris Brake Lake), Holland Bottoms (excluding Tommy L. Sproles Lake Pickthorne), Mike Freeze Wattensaw, Petit Jean River (excluding Petit Jean River and Kingfisher Lake), Seven Devils, Sheffield Nelson Dagmar, Sulphur River (excluding Sulphur River and Mercer Bayou) and Trusten Holder (excluding Arkansas River, Arkansas Post Canal, Merrisach Lake, Moore Bayou and Post Lake WMAs during waterfowl season. The new restriction is in addition to the airboat restrict passed last month that included Bayou Meto, Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’Arc (excluding Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d’Arc Lake), Shirey Bay Rainey Brake and Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMAs.
Two proposals on lengthening the catch-and-release area on the Norfork Tailwater were presented to the commission. The first option lengthened the catch-and-release area from 1 mile to 2.6 miles. The second option lengthened the area from 1 mile to 2 miles. In a 4-2 vote, the Commission voted in favor of the second option. The new regulation also allows the use of artificial lures with barbless treble hooks in special regulation areas on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters. It also removed Sylamore catch-and-release area on the Bull Shoals Tailwater. Commissioners Emon Mahony, Ron Pierce, Rick Watkins and commission vice chairman Craig Campbell voted in favor of second option. Commissioners George Dunklin and Ron Duncan voted against the second option. Commission Chairman Brett Morgan did not vote.
In other business, the Commission:
*Approved the 2009 Elk Plan Revision. The revision incorporated a large amount of public input on the initial stages of the plan development. A total of nine public meetings were held throughout the state along with consultation from elk advisory groups.
*Heard a proposal on four options for the spring 2010 turkey season. To see the proposal, go to http://www.agfc.com/!userfiles/pdfs/hunting/2010TurkeyProposalsSept09.pdf.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – There is an App for that…
 LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Information Network of Arkansas today announced the coming release of a free iPhone application, available through the Apple iTunes Store in the near future.
The iPhone application is the latest in a series of AGFC services planned for this hunting season. AGFC currently offers game check online at
http://gamecheck.agfc.com and by phone toll-free at (877) 507-GAME. The iPhone app will offer hunters another game check option and should be available soon.
“AGFC will be the first state conservation agency in the nation to develop and release an iPhone application with the ability to check game and search important hunting and fishing information,” according to the AGFC’s Assistant Chief of Operations Matt Hodges. “We want to be on the cutting edge of technology and provide convenience for our customers,” Hodges said. “This will be just another tool to help the public communicate with us,” he added.
iPhone users will be able to check their harvest, view season regulations and bag limits, get weekly fishing reports, purchase hunting and fishing licenses as well as get up to the minute news alerts. Links to the AGFC’s Twitter and Facebook pages will also be included.
Other features planned for the iPhone application include a personal trophy case to upload pictures of trophy fish or game to show off to your buddies via email and Facebook. There will also be a complete list of state fishing records including pictures and a fish finder species guide.
“In the near future, we will be adding a “Near Me” feature that takes advantage of the phone’s GPS location services to provide hunting zone and WMA information and mapping, bag limit details and fishing opportunities for the user,” Hodges explained.
Sticking with basics produces a bull elk for Bryant hunter
PONCA – Daniel Dickerson of Bryant didn’t have the easiest draw for an elk permit in the just-ended September hunt along the Buffalo River.
Dickerson’s permit was for Elk Zone 2, an area from Arkansas Highway 7 downstream to Arkansas Highway 123. It’s a section that is hard to get around in, and some of it includes private land not open to elk seekers.
But Dickerson, who is 23, and his helpers took their time, looked at several areas and settled on a tract called the Wilson field.
Dickerson also saw something he liked, a large oak tree that had fallen. This was concealment for him, and his pulse thumped when several cow elk walked into view then a 5x6 bull elk. He aimed carefully, fired and downed the bull. He was using a .300 Magnum bolt action rifle, a Ruger Model 77.
It was a nice one. Access with a vehicle was difficult, and a full weighing wasn’t possible.
Dickerson was one of four hunters who took bull elk during the September hunt. Three of four public land permit holders were successful, and one elk of a quota of three was taken in Elk Zone A, which is private land. The hunt was five days. Another hunt comes up Dec. 7-11, and there will be more permitted hunters on public land along with hunting in both Zone A and Zone B on private land.
The public land permits, which are free, were issued in late June after an application period of the month of May.
Of the four bull elk taken in the September hunt, Smiths had half of them. Horace Smith of Daytona Beach, Fla., had a 6x6 bull that weighed 800 pounds. Mike Smith of Little Rock got the Zone A bull, a 5x5, with his 7mm Magnum rifle.
The other bull fell to Mike Balenko of Cabot in an area called Jamison Field near Woolum in Searcy County. Balenko found the bull with a group of cow elk, took his time, sighted carefully and downed the bull with a .300 magnum rifle. It was a 7x7, meaning seven poin
ts on each side of its antlers.
Conditions were generally favorable for the September hunt. Temperatures were average for this time of the year, but a heavy rain the second night of the hunt raised creeks and made some areas of the Buffalo River country inaccessible for the hunters.
This is the 12th year of limited permit elk hunting in Arkansas. The big animals were once native to the state but disappeared nearly 150 years ago. They were restored beginning in 1981 with 112 imports from western states, mainly Colorado, in an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission project spearheaded by the late Hillary Jones of Pruitt (Newton County), an AGFC commissioner at the time.
The elk have done well and now number 450 to 500, with t
he National Park Service, which operates Buffalo National River, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joining AGFC in habitat improvement and other projects for the elk.
A major benefit has been the influx of visitors to the area just to view the elk. Many are easily seen along Arkansas Highway 43 in Boxley Valley, south of Ponca in Newton County. Best times for seeing elk are just after daylight and just before dark.
Check stations are out, Telecheck is in
LITTLE ROCK – Archery season in Arkansas begins Oct. 1 and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s telephone game check system goes online that day. To check your deer or bear this fall, you’ll want to keep (877) 507-4263 handy. The toll-free number is part of the new AGFC Telecheck system that replaces the check stations that were used for years.
If you are an over-65 hunter or a younger-than-16 hunter, make sure you write this number down and keep it in your billfold. The number is in the Hunting Guidebook of the AGFC if you carry that with you and is also on the game tags in the Guidebook.
For others with wildlife conservation licenses or sportsmen’s licenses, the checking number is on the tags.
Checking of deer and turkey can be done three ways – the call to (877) 507-4263 online at www.gamecheck.agfc.com, or on the AGFC’s new iPhone application. When you’ve finished checking your game, you’ll be given a check number that must be recorded on the license. So make sure you have a pen ready.
For those using the telephone, have your hunting license and an ink pen in hand. Once you have finished entering all the required information the system will provide you with a check number that must be immediately written on your hunting tag. After three failed attempts you will have the option to connect with a live operator who can assist you.
The telephone script is as follows:
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Please say your first and last name.
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Please say or enter your CID number. This number can be found on your hunting license. If you do not know or have a CID number press star or pound on your keypad to continue.
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Using your keypad, please enter your six digit date of birth. For example if you were born on June 12, 1975 please enter 061275.
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If your harvest date is today please press 1 if your harvest date was yesterday please press 2. If any other date press 3 to speak with an operator.
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Please select the county where the game was harvested by entering the first four letters of the county name.
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Please select the zone where the game was harvested.
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Please select the method of harvest. If modern gun press or say 1, if archery press or say 2, if crossbow press or say 3, if muzzleloader press or say 4.
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Please select the sex of the deer. If antlered press or say 1, if button buck press or say 2, if doe press or say 3.
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Using your phone keypad please enter the total number of points for the deer. (Antlered only)
Thank you. Your check number is ____. Please write this number on your transportation tag. Please press or say 1 to repeat your check number. Press or say 2 to check more game. If you’re finished, you may hang up to terminate this call.
Leftover WMA deer hunting permits go on sale Oct. 5
 LITTLE ROCK - Leftover Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Management Area deer hunting permits will be on sale at several AGFC regional offices and the Little Rock office beginning Monday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A limited number of the $10 permits for modern gun, muzzleloader and youth hunting are available. They are the leftovers from the Commission's permit process this year and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each buyer must furnish date of birth, address and current driver’s license number or Social Security number for each hunter. A buyer may purchase permits for up to four individuals for each type of hunt. Permits are not transferable or refundable. Cash, check, debit or credit cards and money orders are accepted for payment.
The Little Rock office is at 2 Natural Resources Drive, off Markham Street just east of Interstate 430, (800) 364-4263. Regional offices and toll-free phones: Hope, (877) 777-5580; Brinkley, (877) 734-4581; Monticello, (877) 367-3559; Hot Springs, (877) 525-8606: Russellville, (877) 967-7577 and Camden, (877) 836-4612.
Wildlife Management Area, Hunt Dates, Leftover Permits, Sales Location
Modern Gun Youth Permit Hunts
- Camp Robinson WMA, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 84, Little Rock
- Choctaw Island WMA (East Unit), Nov. 27-29, 23, Monticello
- Hope Upland WMA, Nov. 7-8, 38, Hope
- Howard County WMA, Nov. 7-8, 87, Hope, Hot Springs and Little Rock
- J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA, Oct. 10-11, 31, Russellville and Fort Smith
- Lake Greeson WMA, Nov. 7-8, 85, Hope, Hot Springs and Little Rock
- Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, Nov. 21-22, 109, Brinkley and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Nov. 7-8, 249, Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
Muzzleloader Permit Hunts
- Camp Robinson WMA, Nov. 22, 324,Little Rock
- Cut-Off Creek WMA, Oct. 10-14, 117, Monticello and Little Rock
- Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D'Arc WMA, Oct. 10-14, 84, Hope and Little Rock
- Fort Chaffee WMA, Nov. 29, 67, Fort Smith
- Lake Greeson WMA, Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21, 379, Hope, Hot Springs and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Oct. 17-22, 202, Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
Modern Gun Permit Hunts
- Camp Robinson WMA, Nov. 28-29, 43, Little Rock
- Cut-Off Creek WMA, Nov. 7-11, 236, Monticello and Little Rock
- Fort Chaffee WMA, Nov. 22, 21, Fort Smith
- Lake Greeson WMA, Nov. 14-25 and Dec. 5-16, 92, Hope, Hot Springs and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Nov. 14-19, 189, Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 217 Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Dec. 12-17, 241 Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA, Dec. 26-31, 239 Monticello, Camden and Little Rock
For more information, go to http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/deer/wma-permits.aspx.
Alligator hunters end season with good haul
 LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s third season of alligator hunting was another successful event for many Arkansans. The second and final weekend of Arkansas’s third alligator hunt much the same as the first weekend. Several hunters, who did not take an alligator during the first weekend, were successful during the final weekend of hunting.
In all, 12 hunters picked up their trophies before the Sept. 28 close of the season. Each applicant was required to have a valid resident big game license. Hunters were also required to attend one of three training workshops in August to become eligible to take an alligator.
Applicants were allowed to hunt 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, Sept. 18 until 30 minutes before sunrise on Monday, Sept. 21 and from 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, Sept. 25 until 30 minutes before sunrise on Monday, Sept. 28. The bag limit is one alligator at least 4 feet long.
Zone 1 Alligator Harvest
Kenny Starr - Bois D’Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 6’ 11”
Chris Mueller - Cypress, Hempstead County, 9’ 4”
John Howard - Swan Lake, Lafayette County, 7’
Brendan Burrell - Queen’s Plantation, Miller County, 12’ 11”
Zone 3 Alligator Harvest
John Taylor - Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex, 10' 11"
Jeff Olson - Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex, 5' 4"
Ronnie Cato - Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex, 4' 4"
Toby Stagg - Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex, 7' 5"
Anthony Brown - McClendon Wetland Comples, 4' 11"
Richard Hoss - Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex, 8' 7"
Rhonda Hampton - Hamptons Wetland Complex, 8' 3"
Reese Strickland - Private Land At Large Tag, 7' 11"
Urban deer hunts provide meals for less fortunate
 HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE - Urban hunts in Arkansas have proved to be extremely successful in not only reducing deer numbers in urban settings, but also in providing much needed meat for food banks. In the four urban hunts in Arkansas, a total of 220 deer have been donated to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry.
According to AHFH president Ronnie Ritter, the organization is a highly successful program that has been in place in Arkansas since 2000. “The success of the program depends upon the generosity of hunters to donate venison and other wild game, cooperation from meat processors throughout the state, support from local food distribution organizations and the financial contributions of businesses and other citizens,” he said.
Deer meat donations don’t only come from the urban hunts, hunters also can donate one deer or a portion of a deer from the state’s deer season and help the state’s less fortunate, Ritter says. “There are about 50 meat processors statewide who accept and process venison and other wild game from hunters for the program,” Ritter explained.
Four cities have utilized urban deer hunting to reduce deer numbers in their communities this year. According to Ritter, Hot Springs Village recently concluded their urban hunt with a total of more than 4,000 pounds of venison donated to AHFH. “Cherokee Village, Horseshoe Bend and Bull Shoals urban hunts will conclude in January, but they have already donated over 6,000 pounds of meat for needy families. These are some very impressive totals so far. I expect these urban hunts to be a big part of our future,” he said.
For more information on Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, go to http://www.agfc.com/hunting/ahfh.aspx.
Over 940,000 fish stocked in state’s waters during August
 LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission crews stocked over 940,700 fish in Arkansas lakes and rivers during August. The total stocking of fish weighed almost 159,000 pounds.
August stockings::
- Lake Atkins, Pope County, 1,125 catchable channel catfish
- Batesville City Park Lake, Independence County, 405 catchable channel catfish
- Bear Creek Lake, Lee County, 1,902 catchable channel catfish
- Beaver Tailwater, Carroll County, 10,277 catchable rainbow trout
- Booneville City Lake, Logan County, 904 catchable channel catfish
- Booneville City Lake Old, Logan County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Caddo River, Montgomery County, 513 catchable channel catfish
- Calion Lake, Union County, 762 catchable channel catfish
- Camp Clearfork Lake, Garland County, 250 catchable channel catfish
- Camp Preston Hunt, Miller County, 314 catchable channel catfish
- Cane Creek Lake, Lincoln County, 900 catchable channel catfish
- Cedar-Piney Lake, Yell County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Champagnolle Creek, Calhoun County, 320 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Columbia, Columbia County, 1,574 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Columbia, Columbia County, 90,000 fingerling threadfin shad
- Cove Lake, Logan County, 524 catchable channel catfish
- Cox Creek Lake, Grant County, 616 catchable channel catfish
- Cox Cypress Lake, Arkansas County, 375 catchable channel catfish
- Crossett City Park Lake, Ashley County, 250 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Des Arc, Prairie County, 1,050 catchable channel catfish
- Dewitt City Lake (Mitchell Lake), Arkansas County, 460 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Diffenbacher, Miller County, 308 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Diffenbacher, Miller County, 3,000 yearling bluegill bream
- Ed Gordon WMA Pond, Conway County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Entergy Park Lake, Garland County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Field Trial Pond, Prairie County, 500 catchable channel catfish
- Galla Creek Reservoir, Pope County, 650 catchable channel catfish
- Grandview Lake #1, Hempstead County, 308 catchable channel catfish
- Grandview Lake #2, Hempstead County, 11,000 yearling bluegill bream
- Lake Greeson, Pike County, 175,000 yearling black crappie
- Gurdon Lake, Clark County, 308 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Hamilton, Garland County, 1,728 catchable channel catfish
- Harris Brake Lake, Perry County, 1,293 catchable channel catfish
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 Hickson Lake, Monroe County, 150 catchable channel catfish
- Interstate Pond #2, Monroe County, 500 catchable channel catfish
- Interstate Pond #4, Monroe County, 150 catchable channel catfish
- Irons Fork Lake, Polk County, 459 catchable channel catfish
- John Benjamin Glenwood Community Fishing Pond, Pike County, 302 catchable channel catfish
- John Benjamin Glenwood Community Fishing Pond, Pike County, 6,000 fingerling bluegill bream
- Lake June, Lafayette County, 348 catchable channel catfish
- Keeland Lake, Yell County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Kingfisher Lake, Yell County, 292 catchable channel catfish
- Lee Creek, Crawford County, 392 catchable channel catfish
- Lee Creek Lake, Crawford County, 894 catchable channel catfish
- Lester Sites/Bois d Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 313 catchable channel catfish
- Little Missouri River, Pike County, 900 catchable channel catfish
- Little Red River, Cleburne and White Counties, 29,675 catchable rainbow trout
- Lake Lou Emma, Crawford County, 294 catchable channel catfish
- Magnolia Housing Authority, Columbia County, 406 catchable channel catfish
- Martin Luther King Park, Jefferson County, 500 catchable channel catfish
- Mercer Bayou, Miller County, 1,094 yearling grass carp
- Mike & Janet Huckabee Lake, Hempstead County, 608 catchable channel catfish
- Mirror Lake, Stone County, 2,500 catchable channel catfish
- Monticello High School Pond, Drew County, 500 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Monticello, Drew County, 81,000 fingerling threadfin shad
- Norfork River, Baxter County, 9,894 catchable rainbow trout
- Lake Norrell, Saline County, 899 catchable channel catfish
- North Fork Lake, Montgomery County, 280 catchable channel catfish
- Otter Creek Park Pond, Pulaski County, 250 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Ouachita, Montgomery and Garland Counties, 5,827 catchable channel catfish
- Ouachita River, Hot Spring County, 1,242 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Pickthorne, Lonoke County, 531 catchable channel catfish
- Piney Creek, Monroe County, 242,000 fingerling bluegill bream
- Piney Creek, Monroe County, 5,002 catchable channel catfish
- Plum Bayou, Lonoke County, 3,195 yearling channel catfish
- Robe Bayou, Monroe County, 300 catchable channel catfish
- Saline River, Saline and Grant Counties, 1,824 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Saracin/Lake Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, 1,596 catchable channel catfish
- Shady Lake, Polk County, 150 catchable channel catfish
- Spring River, Fulton County, 17,430 catchable rainbow trout
- Tri County Lake, Calhoun County, 437 catchable channel catfish
- Ward City Lake, Lonoke County, 160 catchable channel catfish
- Lower White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 1,202 catchable channel catfish
- Lower White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 63,000 fingerling threadfin shad
- Upper White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 1,202 catchable channel catfish
- White River, Izard, Stone, Baxter and Marion Counties, 123,320 catchable rainbow trout
- Lake Willastein, Pulaski County, 600 catchable channel catfish
- Lake Winona, Saline County, 1,711 catchable channel catfish
- Womble Pond, Montgomery County, 7,000 fingerling bluegill bream
- Yell County Wildlife Federation Pond, Yell County, 292 catchable channel catfish
Boating education class schedule
Click here for boating education information: http://www.agfc.com/education-class/boating-education.aspx
Hunter education class schedule
Click here for hunter education information: http://www.agfc.com/education-class/hunter-education.aspx
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What’s open for hunting
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Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Common Moorhen
Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove
Sept. 5-Oct. 18
Dec. 5-Dec. 30
Virginia and Sora Rail
Sept. 12-Nov. 20
Woodcock
Nov. 7-Dec. 21
Snipe
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Purple Gallinule
Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Early Canada Goose Statewide Season
Sept. 1-15
Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season
Sept. 26-Oct. 5
Late Canada Goose Statewide Season
Dec. 26-Jan. 30
Duck, coot and merganser
Nov. 21-29
Dec. 10-23
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Youth waterfowl hunt
Dec. 5-6
Snow, blue and Ross’ goose
Nov. 7-Dec. 24
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Conservation Order
Feb. 1-April 25, 2010
White-fronted goose
Nov. 14-Dec. 5, 2009
Dec. 12-24, 2009
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Deer
Archery
Statewide: Oct. 1-Feb. 28
Muzzleloader
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 29-31
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed
Modern Gun
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 3, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 10 and 11: Nov. 14-Dec. 6
Zone 4: Nov. 14-15
Zone 5: Nov. 14-159 and Nov. 21-22
Zones 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 14-Dec. 13
Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 14-22
Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 14-Dec. 20
Zones 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 14-Dec. 25
Christmas Holiday Modern Gun Deer Hunt is Dec. 26-28 statewide.
The Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt is Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3 statewide excluding certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt.
Bear
Archery
Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Muzzleloader
Zones 1 and 2: Oct. 17-25
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Modern Gun
Zones 1 and 2: Nov. 9-30
Zone 5: Dec. 5-13
Zone 5A: Nov. 28-Dec. 13
Zones 3, 4, 6 and 7: Closed
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt
Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 7-8
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Fall Turkey Season
Closed
Elk
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, A and B: Dec. 7-11
Quail
Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 7
Rabbit
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28
Fall Squirrel Season
Statewide: Sept. 5-Feb. 28
Spring 2010 Squirrel Season
May 15-June 13
Crow
Statewide: Sept. 5-Feb. 20
Furbearers (2009-2010)
Gray fox, mink, red fox and striped skunk hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb. 28
Opossum Hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1- sunset Feb. 28
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Oct. 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through the last day of spring squirrel season.
Coyote hunting: sunrise, July 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 14.
River otter hunting: sunrise, Nov. 4-sunset, Feb. 28
Raccoon night hunting: sunset, July 1-sunrise, Aug. 31
Raccoon day or night hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting: Closed
Furbearer trapping (other than beaver, coyote, muskrat, nutria): sunrise, Nov. 14-sunset, Feb. 21
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 14-sunset, March 31
The 2010 deer season opening dates:
Deer (archery):
Friday, Oct. 1, 2010
Deer (muzzleloader): Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010
Deer (modern gun): Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010
Upcoming
Public Meetings:
2010-2011 General Public Meetings
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
For further hunting changes regarding bag limits, deer zone boundaries, game checking and other information go to www.agfc.com.
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Coming up in the outdoors
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Oct. 1 – Southwest Arkansas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Hope Country Club. For more information contact Larry England at (870) 703-4944 or ashleywarehouse@gmail.com.
Oct. 2-4 - Women’s Outdoor Weekend, Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Lakeview. During this three-day, two-night workshop, participants can attend different sessions like basic camping/backpacking skills, nature journaling, beginning bird-watching, introduction to fly fishing, beginning kayaking, Dutch oven cooking and more. Plenty of free time will be allotted to building friendships and honing newly developed outdoor skills. All gear and meals are included in the $125 registration fee. Space is limited, so early registration is advised. To register and attain more information, contact Bull Shoals-White River State Park at (870) 445-3629 or e-mail julie.lovett@arkansas.gov. The park is located at 129 Bull Shoals Park in Lakeview. If you’re traveling from Mountain Home, drive six miles north on Arkansas 5, then go eight miles west on Arkansas 178 to the park entrance. Turn left on Powerhouse Road.
Oct. 3 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Arkansas’s Elk Herd.”
Oct. 3- Trinity Lodge and Scimitar Shriners Trap Shoot, adults $50 per person, youth (under 18) $40 per person. The price includes two rounds of trap, a rental gun (if needed), and ammunition. There will be three classes of shooters adult, youth, and veteran. The trap shoot will be held at the Remington Gun Club. Registration will be at 8 a.m. Fees will be collected the morning of the shoot. Registration forms need to be submitted in advance for the number of entrants to the event. Mail to: Mike Rushin, Jr. 14320 Cecil Drive, Little Rock, AR 72223.
Oct. 5 – Benton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, The Quail Barn in Bentonville. For more information contact Todd Etzel at (501) 613-1874 or toddetzel@sbcglobal.net or Blayne Estes at (479) 721-3394 or baestes@cox.net.
Oct. 7 – Garland County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, The Quail Barn in Bentonville. For more information contact Todd Etzel at (501) 613-1874 or toddetzel@sbcglobal.net or Blayne Estes at (479) 721-3394 or baestes@cox.net.
Oct. 10 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Arkansas Alligator Hunt.”
Oct. 10 - The Little Red River Action Team chapter 722 of Trout Unlimited in Heber Springs is hosting the 3rd annual fly fishing film tour in Little Rock. The event is a fundraiser for the chapter and will take place at the Clinton Library and Museum at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There will be finger food, a cash bar and TU merchandise for sale. This highly popular two hour mini-film festival features exciting segments from the sport's best filmmakers shot in foreign destinations like Papua New Guinea, Russia, Belize as well as domestic waters from California and Colorado to southern Louisiana and the Florida Keys. The films offer a great blend of sensational footage, hilarious comedy, poignant commentary and some of the largest and most impressive fish ever caught. The Fly Fishing Film Tour is an opportunity for fans of fly fishing to come together to celebrate their sport and support the Little Red River Action Team chapter of Trout Unlimited. The ticket sales are the fund raiser and will be available from TU board members as well as at the Little Red Fly Shop, Ozark Angler in Little Rock and Heber Springs, Lobo Landing, Lindsey's Rainbow Resort and Holland's Exxon in Heber Springs. Donations to the chapter will also be most welcomed. To learn more, please visit www.flyfishingfilmtour.com.
Oct. 10 - Union County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, American Legion in El Dorado. For more information contact John Mooney at (870) 310-3392 or john_mooney@arwp.uscourts.gov.
Oct. 12 – Crawford County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Boys and Girls Club in Van Buren. For more information contact David Martin at (479) 806-7761 or huntnduck@yahoo.com.
Oct. 15 - Pine Bluff Razorback Chapter of Ducks Unlimited banquet at the Harbor Oaks Golf Course Restaurant in Pine Bluff. For more information contact Brian Hornsby at (870) 267-3885.
Oct. 15 - Rice ‘n Wings Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Craighead County Fairgrounds in Jonesboro. For more information contact John Hardin at (870) 268-2449 or john.hardin@morganstanley.com.
Oct. 17 – Benton County Republican Women 1st Annual 2nd Amendment Fun Shoot, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Benton County Quail Barn located five miles west of Bentonville on Highway 72. For more Information contact Susan Johnston at sjohnston@daisy.com.
Oct. 17 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Largemouth Bass Fishing.”
Oct. 22 – Central Arkansas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Clear Channel Building in Little Rock. For more information contact Jeff Marcussen at (501) 831-3818 or jmarcussen@baldwinshell.com.
Oct. 22 – Conway Chapter of Delta Waterfowl banquet, Centennial Valley Country Club, 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per adult and $55 for couples. Youth tickets are $25. The ticket costs cover the cost of the meal and a one year membership to Delta Waterfowl. There will be raffles for guns, prints, etc. For more information contact Daniel Merritt at (501) 472-7012.
Oct. 23 – Hot Spring County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, The Quail Barn in Bentonville. For more information contact Todd Etzel at (501) 613-1874 or toddetzel@sbcglobal.net or Blayne Estes at (479) 721-3394 or baestes@cox.net.
Oct. 24 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Deer Hunting.”
Oct. 24 - Hurricane Lake Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Carmichael Center in Searcy. For more information contact Larry Winningham at (501) 827-5080 or shelma@sbcglobal.net.
Oct. 24 - Fordyce Moro Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet. For more information contact Chris Rich at (870) 313-2588 or bigrich_@hotmail.com.
Oct. 24 - Magnolia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Main Event Pavillion in Magnolia. For more information contact Greg Harrell at (870) 904-3710 or sra_sda@yahoo.com.
Oct. 26 - Drew County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Monticello Country Club. For more information contact Paul Griffin at (870) 723-4030 or golferpaul21@yahoo.com.
Oct. 29 - Northwest Arkansas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. For more information contact Matt Brasel at (479) 426-2585 or Mbrasel@communityfirstbank.com.
Oct. 30-Nov. 1 - Want to learn more about trapping? A workshop is being held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 to give interested people tips and techniques for trapping in Arkansas. The workshop is sponsored by the Arkansas Trappers Association, Southwest Arkansas Fur Takers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and North American Fur Auctions. Both advanced and beginner classes will be available. The workshop will be held at Camp Clearfork near Mount Ida on Highway 270. Lodging and meals are provided. Camping facilities and motels are located nearby as well. Groups are welcome. The cost for those 17 years of age and under is $10. For those 18 and over the price is $20. Reservations must be received by Sept. 30. For more information call Wallace Funderburk at (870) 867-2642.
Oct. 31 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Deer Season Forecast.”
Nov. 5 – Texarkana Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Four State Fairground Building. For more information contact James Morphew at (903) 832-5880 or morphewp@hooksisd.net.
Nov. 7 – The annual drawdown of both Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine will be five feet this year. Both drawdowns begin Nov. 7 and will be completed by Nov. 15. Both lakes will drop 5 to 8 inches per day until completion. The lakes will be returned to normal levels in early March 2010.
Nov. 7 – Greers Ferry Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Cleburne County Fairgrounds in Greers Ferry. For more information contact Larry Winningham at (501) 827-5080 or shelma@sbcglobal.net.
Nov. 7 – Delta Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, McGehee Country Club. For more information contact Troy Meaux at (870) 818-5658 or temeaux@yahoo.com.
Nov. 12 – Independence County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Batesville National Guard Armory. For more information contact Shannon Huff at (870) 612-3757 or black_mallard@hotmail.com.
Nov. 19 – Phillips County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Phillips County Community College in Helena-West Helena. For more information contact Jason Smith at (870) 995-6103 or jason6868@att.net.
Nov. 19 – Paragould Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Paragould National Guard Armory. For more information contact Jerrod Brown at (870) 215-3212 or william.brown@smail.astate.edu.
Nov. 28 – Brookings Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Big Tent at Brookings. For more information contact Eric and Carolann Wilmes at (870) 476-1580 or ufoundcarolann@hotmail.com.
Dec. 5 – Clear Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Alma Boys and Girls Club. For more information contact Jeremy Teff at (479) 409-4646 or duckranger@gmail.com.
Dec. 5 – Cypress Bayou Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Beebe National Guard Armory. For more information contact Barry Wolfe at (501) 681-4286 or wolfe.barry@gmail.com.
Dec. 5 –
Poinsett County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Trumann New Sports Complex. For more information contact Chris Gairhan at (870) 530-2899 or cgairhan@yahoo.com.
Dec. 12 – Brinkley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Brinkley Convention Center. For more information contact Jeff Robinson at (870) 734-1749.
Jan. 9, 2010 – Stuttgart Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Occasions Banquet Hall. For more information contact Lester Sieber at (870) 673-1739 or 1A572042@yahoo.com.
Jan. 9, 2010 – Grant County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet. For more information contact Gary Smith at (870) 413-9197.
Jan. 16, 2010 – Chicot County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Lake Village Country Club. For more information contact Daniel Clark at (870) 265-1616 or drc@pollution-management.com.
Jan. 23, 2010 – Bottomland Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Tri County Farmer’s Association. For more information contact Stanley Powell at (870) 270-7331 or spowell4@yahoo.com.
Jan. 29, 2010 – White River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, American Legion Building. For more information contact Rusty Lansford at (870) 468-6097.
Jan. 30, 2010 – Arkansas State Turkey Calling Contest, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in downtown Little Rock. Calling contest will begin at 10:30 a.m. Open winner pays $1,000, $500, $250, 150; friction winner pays $750, $350, $200 and youth winner pays $100, $75, $50. Sponsorships of the contest are available for $250. For more information contact Jim Wells at (870) 853-9262 daytime or (870) 853-6077 and leave a message or by email at jimw_71646@yahoo.com.
Jan. 30, 2010 – Three Rivers South Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Arkansas County Fairground in DeWitt. For more information contact Gary Boyd at (870) 946-9430 or g.tboyd@futura.net.
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