Arkansas Outdoors for July 2, 2008
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail:
kastephens@agfc.state.ar.usToday's Topics
26 hunters win elk permits for upcoming 2008 season
Cherokee Village urban deer hunt applications now available
Night fishing: Be prepared and catch a bunch
Boating education class schedule
Hunter education class schedule
What’s open for hunting
Coming up in the outdoors
26 hunters win elk permits for upcoming 2008 season
JASPER – As it is every year, the highlight of the 11th annual Buffalo River Elk Festival is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission drawing for elk hunting permits. Almost 8,000 people applied for this season’s hunt. The two-segment season will be held Sept. 22 to 26 and Dec. 8 to 12.
Again this year, the highlight of the drawing was an on-site registration and drawing for one of the coveted permits. Loretta Trammell of Mountain View was the lucky winner of that permit.
As in past seasons, this year's elk hunting will be on public lands of the Buffalo National River and the AGFC's Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area, as well as adjacent private lands within Elk Zones 1 through 4.
Just four of the hunters will be in the field in September. The other permits are for the December hunt, when weather will be cooler. Two of the 26 permits for hunting in Elk Zones 1 through 4, mostly public land, were earmarked as youth elk permits for hunters under 16 years old. This is the seventh year for youth elk permits. Commissioners of the AGFC continue tolook for chances to involve and encourage young people of the state to participate in hunting and fishing.
The youth hunter permits are unique in another way, too. It specifies either-sex elk, meaning the youth hunter can harvest either a bull elk or a cow elk. Since Arkansas elk hunting began in 1998, permits other than youth elk permits for elk hunting zones 1 through 4 have specified which kind of elk could be taken. The youth permits will be for the December segment of the 2008 elk hunt.
To be eligible to win the elk permits, youths must have successfully completed a hunter education course.
The September hunt will be by four winners of bull permits, two drawn Saturday and two others who were high bidders at fund-raising events sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which donates most of the proceeds to the Game and Fish Commission for elk program work
Youth Elk Hunt Permits (December Hunt, Either Sex):
Brent Shelton, Jacksonville, Zone 3
Nathan Creasey, Siloam Springs, Zone 3
September Bull Elk Hunt Permits:
Robert Burks, Hot Springs, Zone 1
Gary Jashinsky Jr., Cabot, Zone 2
December Bull Elk Hunt Permits:
Kyle Waller, Heber Springs, Zone 1
Donna Waldo, Lamar, Zone 2
Glenn Tatham, Bismarck, Zone 4
Loretta Trammell, Mountain View, Zone 4
December Antlerless Elk Hunt Permits:
Zone 1
Donald Davis, Bay
Aida Cabrera, Forrest City
Todd Wimberly, Conway
Zone 2
Edward Bernd, Guion
Tim Sharp, Camden
Virginia Sullivan, Oil Trough
Zone 3
Payton Burgess, Pine Bluff
George Morgan, Benton
Sherry Kentner, Benton
Edna Stout, Cave City
Christy Wheeler, McCrory
Zone 4
Joshua Douglas, Plainview
Laurence Duranleau, Hot Springs
Bobby Greene, Wynne
Barbara Mallett, Bull Shoals
Tyler Young, Western Grove
Permits purchased through auctions by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Horace Smith Jr., Ormond Beach, Fla., Zone 3 (September Hunt)
Mike Pallone, Rose Bud, Zone 4 (September Hunt)
The applications and permits were free, although a number of applicants sent donations earmarked for elk program work.
Cherokee Village urban deer hunt applications now available
CHEROKEE VILLAGE – Due to increasing nuisance deer complaints, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the City of Cherokee Village have joined together to offer a limited urban archery hunt t
o combat the overpopulated deer herd.
This special season requires more of hunters than most, although it’s worth the effort. Two hundred applications will be randomly selected. Chosen applicants must pass the International Bowhunter Education Course before they attend a hunter-orientation class and take the shooting proficiency test Sept. 13.
The hunt is to be held Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 and Jan. 1 to Jan. 31 – within the Cherokee Village city limits – has no bag limit, although the first deer taken by a hunter must be a doe. Deer taken after that may be either sex. Deer taken in Cherokee Village do not count in a hunter’s seasonal bag limit, and the three-point rule does not apply. Hunters must hold an Arkansas Sportsman’s License and an Urban Bowhunting Permit.
A $35 fee, which includes Arkansas Bowhunters Association membership, covers liability insurance. Only longbows, recurve bows or compound bows with at least 40-pound draw weight and arrowheads at least seven-eighths of an inch wide may be used. Hunters on private property must have written permission from the landowner. Other regulations also apply.
Pick up an application and a list of all regulations at Arkansas Game and Fish Commission headquarters, 2 Natural Resources Drive in Little Rock, or at the AGFC Calico Rock Regional Office on Highway 56 North. Applications also are available at www.agfc.com. Applications must be postmarked by July 31.
Night fishing: Be prepared and catch a bunch
LITTLE ROCK – When summer arrives and daytime temperatures climb past 90, the numbers of fishermen on Arkansas waters decline. It’s inevitable.
Many anglers grumble, “It’s just too hot. The fish won’t bite.” So other fishermen chuckle to themselves and get ready to work waters less populated with 
anglers. The reports come in from boat docks, marinas and sporting goods outlets that this species and that species are biting “early and late.” Yes, those are the best times all right and more so for the fishermen than the fish.
Two basics about fishing after dark, and they are obvious, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are (1) it is not as hot, and (2) you can’t see as well.
OK, the sun goes down and so does the temperature, but the drop may only be a few degrees. It is still warm, so take liquids with you. Water is best. You may choose to use two coolers – one for the fish you catch and the other for drinks. Or one can suffice. Keeping the drinks in a plastic bag may be a choice if you have a problem with fishy smells.
Taking ice from home or buying a bag on the way to the lake will get the coolers cool to start with. Consider using ice bottles. They last longer. These are just discarded plastic drink bottles of whatever size you choose. Fill them no more than three-fourths full and freeze. Do several. You’ll have efficient cooling although the drinks may not be quite as cold as when they are packed in crushed ice.
Get the drinks cold at home, before your fishing venture. This makes the ice go much farther.
When the sun goes down, it’s harder to see what you are doing on the lake or river. Choices of lighting vary greatly, and one quick suggestion is not to over-light. You don’t need things as bright as day around you as long as you can see to rig a line or bait a hook.
Gas or propane fueled camping lanterns are bright – usually too bright. So are quartz or halogen spotlights. Flashlights have to be held. Clip-on cap lights or headlights held by a band around your head leave both hands free for doing whatever. More than one type of light may be in order.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to put light where you are fishing. The fish don’t need it to see your bait. A white, orange or red bobber can be detected with just the minimum of night-time light, and moonlight is usually sufficient.
An exception to the idea of not using bright light is for anglers who work with floating lights. These are rigged to shine down into the water around the boat to attract insects which in turn attract fish. Most of the light goes into the water, but there is enough spill light to let you see what you are doing in the boat.
Take a tip from experienced fishermen and prepare everything you can before you launch the boat. Get items in place before leaving home and when you park. Rig the poles or rods. Put the coolers where you want them. Get lights ready.
Bumping around with gear in the boat on the water wastes time, and it also tends to make unnecessary, fish-alarming noise.
The fish are out there at night, and they are catchable – if you go after them.
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
What’s open for hunting
Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Deer:
Archery: All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun: Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader: Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.
The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt) scheduled for Nov. 1 to 2.
Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed.
Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.
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 18-26
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Modern Gun: Zones 1 and 2: Nov 3-30
Zone 5: Dec 6-14 Zone 5A: Nov 29-Dec 14
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. 1-2
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.
Furbearers (2009 Season):
Trapping (other than coyote, beaver, muskrat, nutria): sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 22.
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, March 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb 28.
Raccoon day or night hunting: sunrise, Sept 1-sunset, March 31.
Raccoon night hunting: sunset, July 1-sunrise, Aug. 31.
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Oct. 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 14.
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. 15-sunset, Feb. 28.
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting: Closed.
Elk:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 22-26.
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, A and B: Dec. 8-12.
Quail
Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 8.
Rabbit
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28.
Squirrel
Statewide: Sept. 6, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009 and May 16-June 14, 2009.
Crow
Statewide: Sept. 6-Feb. 23.
Projected opening dates for the 2009-2010 deer hunting season.
Archery:
Oct. 1, 2009
Muzzleloader:
Oct. 17, 2009
Modern Gun:
Nov. 14, 2009
Coming up in the outdoors
July 12 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Best Baits for Trout and How to Tie a Fly.”
July 11-13 – Scholastic Clay Target Program Arkansas Trap State Championship, Remington Gun Club, 1682 Highway 15 North in Lonoke. For more information contact Paul Acre, SCTP Arkansas State Director at (501) 679-4188 or sportingclays56@hotmail.com.
July 17 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include: early migratory bird season approval, proposed late migratory bird seasons (waterfowl seasons) and proposed general fishing regulations.
July 19 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Fly Fishing for Trout.”
July 26 - Arkansas Catfishing Association (ACA) Tournament at Bull Shoals (night tournament) for ACA members ($20 annual membership) hosted by the Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, Steve and Ricky Eastward, www.bullshoalsboatdock.com, 140 Boat Dock Road off Highway 178: Rod and Reel, catch and release, and, alive and well. Catfishing site will be available for launching and familization between 3 and 9 p.m. Registration at 11 p.m. and launching at midnight, with check-in NLT 8 a.m. Visit our new website that's being updated daily www.ArkCats.Org or contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294 or by email at big_vato98@yahoo.com, or, Coordinator Lee Fields of Russellville at (479) 331-0399 or by email at leefields@centurytel.net.
July 26 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Snakes of Arkansas.”
Aug. 2 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Extreme Fishing.”
Aug. 10 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 5 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Arkansas Alligators.”
Aug. 17 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Fish Management.”
Aug. 21 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include: late migratory bird season (waterfowl season) approval and 2009 fishing regulation approval.
Aug. 23-24 - Arkansas Catfishing Association (ACA) Charity tournament at Lake Millwood and Lake Earling in southwest Arkansas. Two-day event. No entry fee and no payouts, double limit blues and channel. Catch to Hope in Action, Hope, Arkansas. Details at ArkCats.Org or contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294 or by email at big_vato98@yahoo.com, or, Coordinator Lee Fields of Russellville at (479) 331-0399 or by email at leefields@centurytel.net.
Aug. 24 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 5 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Fishin for Talipia.”
Aug. 31 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 5 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Outdoor Resources.”
Sept. 7 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 5 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "All About Elk.”
Sept. 13 - Arkansas Catfishing Association (ACA). Arkansas River, Cherokee Landing, Morrilton, launching from Cherokee Park. Registration at 5 a.m. and launching at 5:40 a.m. Check-in time is 3 p.m. Details at ArkCats.Org or contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294 or by email at big_vato98@yahoo.com, or, Coordinator Lee Fields of Russellville at (479) 331-0399 or by email at leefields@centurytel.net.
Sept. 13 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "Fishing for Monster Catfish.”
Sept. 20 - Delta Wings Chapter of Delta Waterfowl will hold it's third annual banquet on at Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Contact Gary Harlow at gjharlow@aol.com for more information.
Sept. 18 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include the 2009 spring turkey season regulations proposal.
Sept. 28 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be "All About Archer.”
Oct. 18 - Arkansas Catfishing Association (ACA). Arkansas River, Ozark Taylor Lock and Dam. Registration at 5 a.m. and launching at 5:40 a.m. Check-in time is 3 p.m. Details at ArkCats.Org or contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294 or by email at big_vato98@yahoo.com, or, Coordinator Lee Fields of Russellville at (479) 331-0399 or by email at leefields@centurytel.net.
Oct. 22 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting in Pine Bluff, beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include:the2009 spring turkey seasons regulations approval and special fishing regulations proposal.
Nov. 20 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include: special fishing regulations approval.
Dec. 18 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m.
Jan. 22, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m.
Feb. 19, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include the 2009-2010 general hunting regulation proposals.
March 19, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. Topics include the 2009-2010 general hunting regulations approval.
April 16, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m.
May 21, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the AGFC Little Rock central office, 2 Natural Resources Dr., beginning at 9 a.m.
June 18, 2009 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting in Lake Village. Topics include the early migratory bird season proposals.
For the latest in Arkansas Game and Fish Commission information go to o www.agfc.comomm or call the Wildlife Information Hotline, (800)440-1477.