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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
January 13, 2010 Edition
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Today's Topics
Hunters asked to participate in online survey
 LITTLE ROCK – Most Arkansas hunters have opinions on what needs to be done in the way of regulations, season dates and bag limits. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking those hunters to share those opinions as they begin the regulation-setting process for the 2010-11 seasons.
They can participate in an Internet survey that takes only a few minutes to complete. The website is
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VFB6ZDF. Identities of survey responders are not included in the process. Deadline for comments is Jan. 30.
Listed are 25 topics of discussions – not proposals – from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s wildlife management staff. At the end is space for additional comments.
The survey is part of efforts by the AGFC to learn what Arkansas sportsmen want, what they are thinking and to help guide the setting of rules and regulations. Input from hunters will be brought to the AGFC’s commissioners as part of the annual regulations process. Proposals are made in February then the commissioners set the regulations in March for the 2010-2011 hunting seasons.
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Over 100,000 pounds of fish stocked in state’s waters
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission crews stocked almost 500,000 fish in Arkansas lakes and rivers during December, according to Mark Oliver, chief of fisheries. The total stocking of fish weighed more 100,000 pounds.
December stockings:
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Amon’s Lake, Baxter County, 600 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Atalanta, Benton County, 3,378 catchable rainbow trout
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Baucum Tree Nursery Pond, Pulaski County, 200 catchable channel catfish
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Baucum/Willow Beach Lake, Pulaski County, 25,000 fingerling redear bream
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Bear Creek, Searcy County, 3,900 catchable channel catfish
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Beaver Tailwater, Carroll County, 2,500 catchable rainbow trout
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Boyle Park Pond, Pulaski County, 600 catchable rainbow trout
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Bradl
ey County Lake, Bradley County, 600 yearling channel catfish
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Burdett City Park Lake, Mississippi County, 3,348 fingerling bluegill bream
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Burdett City Park Lake, Mississippi County, 800 fingerling redear bream
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Burdett City Park Lake, Mississippi County, 700 yearling channel catfish
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Cabot Community Pond, Lonoke County, 1,500 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Catherine, Garland and Hot Spring Counties, 4,135 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Charles, Lawrence County, 1,200 yearling channel catfish
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Cherrywood Lake, Pulaski County, 965 catchable rainbow trout
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Cove Creek Lake, Perry County, 2,500 fingerling redear bream
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Cox Creek Lake, Grant County, 2,060 fingerling white crappie
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Craighead Forest Kids Pond, Craighead County, 400 catchable rainbow trout
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Crowley’s Ridge State Park Lake, Greene County, 300 catchable channel catfish
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Darby Lake, Franklin County, 500 yearling grass carp
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Lake Diffenbacher, Miller County, 1,000 fingerling redear bream
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El Dorado City Pond, Union County, 2,000 yearling bluegill bream
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El Dorado City Pond, Union County, 500 yearling redear bream
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Entergy Park Lake, Garland County, 600 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Enterprise, Ashley County, 40,000 fingerling redear bream
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Family Park Lake, Garland County, 250 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Grampus, Ashley County, 1,400 yearling blue catfish
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Greers Ferry Lake, Cleburne County, 22,536 yearling blue catfish
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Lake Hamilton, Garland County, 4,520 catchable rainbow trout
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Lower Lake Hogue, Poinsett County, 500 yearling channel catfish
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Jewed Lake, Pulaski County, 400 yearling grass carp
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John Burns Pond, Montgomery County, 200 yearling channel catfish
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Kiwanis Park, Pulaski County, 750 catchable rainbow trout
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Little Bear Creek Lake, Perry County, 2,000 fingerling redear bream
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Little Missouri River, Montgomery County, 1,730 catchable rainbow trout
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Little Red River, Cleburne County, 7,475 catchable rainbow trout
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Little Rock AFB Lake, Pulaski County, 1,000 catchable rainbow trout
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Little Rock Recycling Center Pond, Pulaski County, 250 catchable channel catfish
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MacArthur Park Lake, Pulaski County, 485 catchable rainbow trout
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Macedonia Pond, Montgomery County, 250 yearling channel catfish
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Mallard Lake, Mississippi County, 900 catchable channel catfish
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Martin Luther King Park, Jefferson County, 750 catchable rainbow trout
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Mauldin Ponds, Montgomery County, 400 yearling channel catfish
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Mirror Lake, Stone County, 1,000 catchable rainbow trout
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Mound Lake Toltec, Lonoke County, 2,000 yearling channel catfish
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Murphy Park Lake, Washington County, 606 catchable rainbow trout
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Narrows Dam Tailwater, Pike County, 8,120 catchable rainbow trout
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North Fork River, Baxter County, 13,022 fingerling brown trout
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North Fork River, Baxter County, 21,420 fingerling brook trout
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North Fork River, Baxter County, 2,026 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Norrell, Saline County, 16,000 fingerling redear bream
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Otter Creek Park Pond, Pulaski County, 750 catchable rainbow trout
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Ouachita River, Hot Spring County, 900 catchable rainbow trout
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Ouachita River, Felsenthal Pool Union County, 29,510 yearling hybrid carp
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Ouachita River Upper, Polk and Montgomery Counties, 600 yearling channel catfish
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Pleasant View Park Pond, Pope County, 600 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Poinsett, Poinsett County, 1,000 yearling channel catfish
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Rich Mountain Community College Pond, Polk County, 600 catchable rainbow trout
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Rifle Range Pond, Montgomery County, 100 yearling channel catfish
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Rock Creek, Pulaski County, 1,500 catchable rainbow trout
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Rock Creek Watershed Lake, Perry County, 1,500 fingerling redear bream
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Salem City Lake, Fulton County, 400 catchable rainbow trout
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Sherwood City Pond, Pulaski County, 200 catchable rainbow trout
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Spring River, Fulton County, 3,675 catchable rainbow trout
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Spring River, Fulton County, 10,000 fingerling brown trout
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Springdale Lake, Washington County, 700 catchable rainbow trout
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Story Pond, Montgomery County, 250 yearling channel catfish
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Lake Sylvia, Perry County, 1,000 fingerling redear bream
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Lake Valencia, Pulaski County, 1,000 catchable rainbow trout
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Lake Wallace, Chicot County, 1,400 yearling blue catfish
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War Memorial Park, Pulaski County, 1,350 catchable rainbow trout
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Wells Lake, Sebastian County, 1,700 catchable rainbow trout
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West Memphis City Park Lake, Crittenden County, 750 catchable rainbow trout
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White River, Stone County, 1,600 fingerling channel catfish
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White River, Stone, Izard, Baxter and Marion Counties, 35,549 catchable rainbow trout
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White River, Baxter, Marion, Stone and Izard Counties, 146,643 fingerling brown trout
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White River, Marion and Baxter Counties, 22,130 fingerling brook trout
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Lake Winona, Saline County, 10,000 fingerling redear bream
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Womble Pond, Montgomery County, 500 yearling channel catfish
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Womble Pond, Montgomery County, 15,000 brood fathead minnows
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Squirrel turning remains a winter hunting technique
 LITTLE ROCK – “Squirrel turner.” You didn’t want to hear it directed your way in bygone times. It was derogatory, something akin to being called a peckerwood or an apple knocker.
All the meanings were that a person was not good for much else except these simple tasks. So just what was squirrel turning?
First, it is a hunting technique as useful here in 2010 as it was a century ago. Second, derogatory label or not, a squirrel turner can help put meat in the bag on a slow winter day in the woods.
Hunters at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission suggest looking toward a squirrel outing for outdoor pastime now that gun deer season has ended and duck hunting just has a few more days to run. Squirrels are plentiful, they are in every county of Arkansas, and usually you are not bothered by crowds of people in the woods.
Another factor, the AGFC hunters say, is acorns and other squirrel food become harder for the tree-living animals to find as winter moves on. They have to search for food, and their searching means movement that can catch a hunter’s eye.
If you make that two hunters, then the squirrel turning ploy comes to the forefront.
Whether it is gray squirrels or fox (red) squirrels, the wary animals have a habit of seeing a human approaching, often before the hunter sees them. The squirrel simply moves to the back side of the tree or slips around a limb to conceal itself from the hunter.
The hunter eases around the tree, but the squirrel has much less distance to travel and keeps solid wood of the tree between itself and the hunter.
But the scenario changes quite a bit if two hunters are working together. Squirrels may be wary and may possess sharp senses, but they have a drawback in that they can’t count.
Two hunters approach, the squirrel slips around the back side of the tree, and the hunters pause. “You stay here and get ready to shoot. I’ll ease around to the other side of that tree.”
A squirrel turner goes into action. If the trick succeeds, the squirrel moves back around the tree into view and range of the waiting shooter.
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AGFC intern program deadline is Feb. 12
LITTLE ROCK - It may still be winter in Arkansas, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s spring and summer intern program deadline is fast approaching. For those college students interested in pursuing jobs in various conservation capacities need look no further than the AGFC. The application deadline for internships is Feb. 12.
Internships in wildlife, forestry, communications, fisheries management, interpretation and environmental education, biological research and monitoring are just a few of the areas available to college and graduate students through the program.
AGFC’s internship programs allow students to obtain practical experience and meet hands-on training requirements necessary to earn
their degrees and gain valuable career oriented experiences. Students will be required to apply through their universities.
Students participating in the competitive internship program are provided with a unique opportunity to:
- Gain important and practical job skills in the conservation field while also helping AGFC meet education and conservation goals;
- Choose a career-path in conservation and make a long-term commitment to the management of Arkansas natural resources;
- Obtain college credit;
- Network with various public and private agencies concerning environmental programs and projects.
To qualify for an internship, an applicant:
- Must have a declared degree.
- Must have 60 hours of college credit by the time the internship begins.
- Must be a full-time student at an Arkansas college at the time of application.
- Must be an Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition.
- Must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- Must be enrolled in a summer internship course or plan to attend college the semester after the internship.
- Must demonstrate course-work or knowledge related to work area.
Selected interns will coordinate directly with their universities to obtain course credit for their work. Priority will be given to interns from universities who provide course credit hours for internships.
For more information on the internship program, go to:
http://www.agfc.com/education-class/internship-program.aspx.
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Help is available for improving wildlife habitat
 LITTLE ROCK – If you own some land that you would like to see more wildlife use, there are several avenues for assistance in improving the acreage for habitat.
One encouraging factor is that the first step doesn’t cost you anything.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has several trained staff members in the role of private land biologists, and their primary duties are to work on habitat for wildlife that is in private ownership.
One of these private lands biologists is stationed at each of the AGFC’s 10 regional offices. Decide what your wildlife goals for your land are, call a regional office and make an appointment for a biologist to visit your land.
The private lands biologists can suggest what needs to be done on the land, and they can give information on a variety of state and federal programs that provide assistances and partial payments for this wildlife habitat improvement. Some of the federal programs are complex, meaning landowners often need interpretation and guidance in considering them.
Answer a question that often pops up, enrolling in a state or federal habitat improvement program does not mean control of the land is given away by the landowner. It is still private land with access limited to the owner and his invited guests.
 A long-established habitat program is Acres for Wildlife, a joint venture of the Game and
Fish Commission and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Plants in the form of seeds and seedlings that are used by wildlife are provided to landowners. Applications for Acres for Wildlife participation must be made by Feb. 1.
The federal programs come with a variety of alphabet labels – CRP, P, EQIP and others. Some of these flourish and diminish every couple of years with the passage of new farm bills by the U.S. Congress. Most are administered at local levels by Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency offices in each county. Most of the federal programs have timetables for enrollment.
The programs have many aspects. Some encourage landowners to convert cropland to wildlife habitat. Some focus on erosion control, animal manure control and ground water conservation and usage.
The planting of trees is involved with many of the programs as is the eradication of fescue from land formerly used as pasture.
For more information, interested farmers and landowners can contact their county Farm Service Agency, county Natural Resources Conservation Service or an AGFC regional private lands biologist at one of these offices, toll-free: Brinkley (877) 734-4581, Camden (877) 836-4612, Fort Smith (877) 478-1043, Jonesboro (877) 972-5438, Mayflower (877) 470-3650, Monticello (877) 367-3559, Hope (877) 777-5580, Calico Rock (877) 297-4331, Eureka Springs (877) 253-2506 or Russellville (877) 967-7577.
David Long is the AGFC’s coordinator for the private lands work. He can be reached at (877) 972-5438.
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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:
Snipe
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Late Canada Goose Statewide Season
Dec. 26-Jan. 30
Duck, coot and merganser
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Snow, blue and Ross’ goose
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Conservation Order
Feb. 1-April 25, 2010
White-fronted goose
Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 31, 2010
Deer
Archery
Statewide: Oct. 1-Feb. 28
Fall Turkey Season
Closed
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
Public Meetings:
2010-2011 General Public Meeting
Voice you opinion about
hunting regulations and seasons. For further hunting changes regarding bag limits, deer zone boundaries, game checking and other information go to http://www.agfc.com/hunting/misc_hunting/public-meeting.aspx.
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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Jan. 16 – 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. 16 – Languille River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, National Guard Armory in Harrisburg. For more information contact Jason Stewart at (870) 219-0782 or duckdaddystew@yahoo.com.
Jan. 19 – Looking for a spot in central Arkansas where you can enjoy nature? The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center will be hosting a seminar on three public areas that offers abundant opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. The three areas that will be featured include the R. Kenny Vernon Nature Trail and Bell Slough WMA, Camp Robinson SUA and Dr. James E. Moore Jr. Camp Robinson Firing Range. The seminar will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the nature center in River Market District in downtown Little Rock at 602 President Clinton Ave. Seating is limited, so call (501) 907-0636 for reservations.
Jan. 21 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
Jan. 22-24 – Arkansas Marine Expo, Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center. Admission is $5 for adults while children 12 and under get in free. Show hours are Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information contact Ken Griffey at (501) 225-6177.
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 – 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 – Lawrence County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Walnut Ridge Country Club. For more information contact Bill Davis at (870) 886-3820.
Jan. 23 – 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 – White River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, American Legion Building. For more information contact Rusty Lansford at (870) 468-6097.
Jan. 30 – 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 – 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.
Feb. 6 – Arkansas State University Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, the Moose Lodge in Jonesboro. For more information contact Jeffrey Higgins at (870) 821-0505 or Jonathan Higgins at (870) 821-1306 ob by email at
jeffrey.higgins@smail.astate.edu.
Feb. 6
- Central Arkansas Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet, 5 p.m., Robinson Center in Little Rock. For more information call Betty Thornquist at (501) 516-0439.
Feb. 6 – Grant County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Old Fiser Building in Sheridan. For more information contact Gary Smith at (870) 413-9197.
Feb. 11 – Arkansas Tech University Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, The Rock in Blackwell. For more information contact Andrew Williams at (870) 834-4166 or aawilliams66@yahoo.com.
Feb. 18 – Cabot Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, The Hanger in Cabot. For more information contact Kenny Fraley at (501) 982-9421 or
mattrobinson@arkansasleader.com.
Feb. 18 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
Mar. 6 – Logan County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, First National Bank Community Building in Paris. For more information contact Shane Vincent at (479) 847-6156 or Marcus Berry at (479) 970-2176.
Mar. 13 – Paragould Chapter of Ducks Unlimited membership banquet, Paragould Country Club. For more information contact Jarrod Kersy at (870) 476-2549.
Mar. 18 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
April 22 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
May 20 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
June 17 – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission monthly meeting, 9 a.m., AGFC central office in Little Rock.
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