November 11, 2009 Edition

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Today's Topics

• Arkansas deer forecast looks promising

• Choctaw Island WMA renamed to honor former commissioner

• Make your advance plans with 2010 deer opening dates

• ‘Pet’ deer can’t be sold, swapped or given away

• Boating education class schedule

• Hunter education class schedule  

• What’s open for hunting

• Coming up in the outdoors

Arkansas deer forecast looks promising

LITTLE ROCK – So far, deer season in Arkansas has been very good. Based on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s online and telechecking harvest numbers, the statewide harvest is already above the numbers for last year. Arkansas’s modern gun season opens this Saturday, Nov. 14.

AGFC deer program coordinator Brad Miller says he expects a great year for deer hunters in The Natural State. “One thing hunters should keep in mind is that Mother Nature has dealt us a couple of obstacles this year. First, those hunters that hunt in the Ozarks and the northern Delta regions should make sure their usual spots haven’t been impacted by last January’s ice storm. Some areas may be inaccessible, and hunters should have a back-up plan,” Miller said. “Secondly, the recent flooding may have closed some areas, washed out roads, or water may still be covering some areas,” he added.

Given that mast production looks good across much of the state, hunters should identify the spots on their area with good acorn production to maximize their chances, Miller says. “Opening weekend has a substantial impact on what our final numbers will look like. The first two days of modern gun accounted for almost 19% of the total season harvest last year,” Miller explained. “I hope the weather is good this weekend so that hunters will want to get out, and the deer will be active. Ideally I’d like to see a cool day with minimal wind,” he added.

A short breakdown of the state's geographical regions follows:

Ozarks: Reports indicate that acorn production has been poor to fair. Ice damage has been severe in many areas.

Arkansas River Valley/Ouachitas: Field observations indicate moderate to good to excellent acorn production.

Crowley’s Ridge: Reports by regional staff are similar to those of the Ozarks. There has been some ice damage in the area, but acorn production has been fair to good.

Delta Region: Reports from southeastern Arkansas indicate fair to good mast production.

Gulf Coastal Plain: Acorn production by white oaks in the area is good. Additionally, the persimmon crop appears excellent this season.

Choctaw Island WMA renamed to honor former commissioner

ARKANSAS CITY – One of Arkansas’s most unique wildlife management areas now has a new name. The Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area was recently dedicated in honor of the former Lake Village commissioner.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission purchased the original 7,600 acres in 2001. A western acreage of 1,825 acres was added earlier this year. The acreage represents some of the most ecologically significant and productive habitat in the state. It is regarded as a prime area for hunting, fishing and valuable habitat for the endangered least tern.

Black, Chairman and CEO of Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas, was appointed to the Commission in 2002, replacing former commissioner Marion McCollum of Stuttgart. His term expired in June of this year.

In his last year, Black’s leadership capabilities were demonstrated when he supervised AGFC’s leases with Chesapeake Energy for drilling rights on Gulf Mountain and Petit Jean wildlife management areas, producing funds for numerous conservation programs, facility renovations and new projects.

Through gas lease funds, AGFC purchased the $2.12 million Wallace Land Trust. The original purchase of Choctaw Island WMA is now known as the East Unit and the Wallace Trust land is known as the West Unit of the WMA.

Make your advance plans with 2010 deer opening dates LITTLE ROCK – Some Arkansas deer hunters like to plan well in advance – scheduling vacations, making reservations, arranging other details of their favorite outdoor activity. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has set deer season openings for 2010 but subject to change in case of emergencies. These opening dates are: Archery: Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. Muzzleloader: Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Modern Gun: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010.

‘Pet’ deer can’t be sold, swapped or given away LITTLE ROCK – You think it would be fun to have a pet deer? Maybe, for a while. But the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission doesn’t recommend wildlife as pets. Period. They are legal, though, with some strong rules applying. Deer that have been caught in the wild have to be kept in pens with fencing at least eight feet tall and that are sufficient in size. These pet deer cannot be sold or transferred to a different owner, and they cannot be taken from Arkansas except with permission from the AGFC’s chief of wildlife management. Deer cannot be brought into Arkansas without a Wildlife Importation Permit from the AGFC. Deer from a long list of other states are banned completely as a preventive measure against chronic wasting disease (CWD). The AGFC suggests deer and other wildlife remain in the habitat where they belong and that Arkansans enjoy them from a distance.

Nov. 12 –Twin City Chapter of Delta Waterfowl annual banquet at the Clear Channel Metroplex on Colonel Glenn Road. The social starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $40, couple’s tickets are $55 and youth tickets are $15. For more information call (501) 772-4907. Tickets will be available at the door.

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. 13 – Muddy Waters Chapter of Delta Waterfowl dinner, Three Counties Fairgrouns in McCrory. Social begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. For more information contact Thomas Gaines at (870) 919-6364.

Nov. 14 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Duck Season Forecast.”

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. 21 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Wild Game Recipes.”

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.

Nov. 28 – Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Duck Decoy Carving.”  

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 – Cane Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet at the Piggot Country Club. For more information contact Joey Rahn at (870) 634-6775.

Dec. 5 – Caddo-Ouachita Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet at the Garland County Fairgrounds. For more information contact Scott Dawson at (870) 245-7974 or dawsonin2000@yahoo.com.

Dec. 5 – Hummingbird presentation, Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff. The first program begins at 9:30 a.m. A second program in the afternoon may be held at 1:30 p.m., if attendance requires a second program. The program consists of photos of not only Ruby-throated hummingbirds, but other species that come to Arkansas and spend at least a part of the fall and winter season, as well as other topics. For more information call (870) 534-0011 or visit www.deltarivers.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. 5 – Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Christmas Gifts for the Outdoorsman.”

Dec. 12 – Brinkley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Brinkley Convention Center. For more information contact Jeff Robinson at (870) 734-1749.

Dec. 12 –Gillette Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet at the Dough Boy Building in Gellette. For more information contact Randy Womack at (870) 830-4353.

Dec. 12 – Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Youth Duck Hunting.”

Dec. 19 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Urban Trout Fishing Hotspots.”

Dec. 26 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Bloopers.”

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.comm.

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. 22-24 - Arkansas Big Buck Classic, Arkansas State Fairgrounds. For more information go to bigbuckclassic.com or call Catherine at (501) 985-1533.

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. 23, 2010 – Fort Smith Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet at the Adelaide Hall Varsity Sports Bar in Forth Smith. For more information contact Chris and Raelyn Walthall at (479) 774-9737 or tynoiaca11@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.