35th Annual Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet set 

Join the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation to celebrate the 2026 class of inductees to the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. 

Sponsored by Banded and chaired by Eddie and Jenifer Rodgers, the 35th annual banquet recognizes conservation icons from The Natural State and serves as a premier fundraiser to advance the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s mission of protecting habitat and fostering outdoor recreation. The evening will feature dinner, live music, raffles and a high-stakes auction, all aimed at securing the future of Arkansas’s natural resources. 

“The Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet is truly a highlight of our year,” said Deke Whitbeck, President of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. “It’s a cherished tradition for outdoor enthusiasts to gather, celebrate conservation and officially kick off the fall hunting seasons. We anticipate a crowd of nearly 1,600 to honor the champions whose leadership, passion, and generosity ensure Arkansas remains one of the greatest outdoor destinations in the country. The outdoors are part of Arkansas’s identity, and nights like this remind us why it is so vital to invest in the people and programs that protect it.” 

Tickets and tables are available by texting the word “Fish” to 44834 or visiting https://onecau.se/fish. 

Contact Deke Whitbeck at deke@agff.org for more information. 

The 2026 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Honorees: 

Mike Sullivan
As the former state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Arkansas, Sullivan secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to accelerate conservation on private lands. He led large-scale water quality and groundwater protection projects and was instrumental in creating the AGFC’s WRICE Program, which provides financial incentives to rice farmers for wildlife-friendly practices and public hunting access. 

Pat Fitts (1964–2025)
A devoted public servant, Fitts spent 32 years with the AGFC, rising from a hatchery technician to become the agency’s 18th director. A highly decorated law enforcement officer, he was named “Wildlife Officer of the Year” for both Arkansas and the Southeastern U.S. His legacy includes overseeing the completion of the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center and the development of the “Get It for Game Wardens” program. 

Mark Hedrick
A prominent voice in outdoor media and co-host of “The Wild Side” on 103.7 The Buzz, Hedrick has spent his career bridging the gap between professional conservation and the everyday sportsman. As founder of the Commissioners’ Cup Youth Bass Fishing Tournament, Hedrick is dedicated to passing on Arkansas’s fishing heritage not only to youth but to parents, empowering them to teach their children how to enjoy the state’s lakes and streams. 

Arkansas Waterfowl Association – Steve Smith Spirit of Giving Award
Since its inception, the AWA has been a cornerstone of Arkansas’s outdoor identity. Known for its youth summer camp program and the 160-acre Bennett Family AWA Outdoor Recreation Center, the association balances hunter advocacy with rigorous habitat restoration and education to ensure the next generation understands the science of waterfowl management. 

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CUTLINES:

TABLES
More than 1,600 people are expected to attend the 35th Annual Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet at the Statehouse Convention Center Aug. 29.

SPEAKER
AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock addressing the crowd with recent highlights of AGFC and AGFF work at the 2025 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame.