AGFC Proposes Waterfowl Hunting Draw for Portion of St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at today’s meeting in Little Rock heard the first reading of a regulations proposal from AGFC staff to establish a drawn permit hunt unit for waterfowl on a roughly 1,000-acre portion of the 30,000-acre St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area in northeast Arkansas.

The regulation proposal was introduced to combat continued comments of concern from hunters regarding crowding and pressure on WMAs during duck season. The draw and hunting process for this section of the area, if the proposal is passed, will be similar to waterfowl draw opportunities on 10 other WMAs, but hunting locations would be available for drawing seven days per week during regular duck season.

The draw hunt area spans just under 5 miles along a portion of the river known as St. Francis Lake, and permit winners will be assigned marked locations for the day of their hunt. Permit winners will be able to bring three hunting companions on their designated hunt day. Permit winners and their guests must remain on public land within 150 yards of their designated location. The exact number of locations has not been finalized, but will be based on safety and consideration to distance from area boundaries and private land. Traditionally popular locations within the unit will be prioritized for inclusion in the draw.

People can apply for a single day of the week about a week before (Thursday afternoon-Sunday night) the week they are applying to be drawn to hunt.

Application periods run Thursday-Sunday for the next Saturday-Sunday hunt days. For example, hunters would apply Nov. 12-15, 2026, for daily hunt opportunities Nov. 21-27. The next round would be applications Dec. 3-6 for Dec. 12-18 hunt days, and so on.

The Commission is accepting comments on the new proposal at regulations@agfc.ar.gov for the next 30 days, and comments will be compiled for consideration at the Aug. 19-20 meeting in Little Rock, when they are expected to vote on the regulation change.

Additional regulations changes proposed at the meeting included a clarification that hunters may carry any legal firearm during hunts that restrict their use, as long as they are not used for hunting purposes. This regulation initially allowed the legal carry of handguns and was clarified to include all legally owned firearms.

“This change is not changing the way our game wardens have been operating, but we are proposing it in an abundance of transparency to ensure there is no language in our code that infringes on people’s rights to possess firearms as determined by the state attorney general,” Brad Carner, AGFC deputy director, said. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

In his report to the Commission, AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock welcomed the agency’s newest commissioner, Steve Kueter, a fish farmer based in Paragould. He also highlighted the AGFC’s recent submission of the agency’s report to the Arkansas State Legislature regarding Act 817, which indicated the AGFC was responsible for adding 3,800 acres of additional public outdoor recreation opportunities in Fiscal Year 2026. He also congratulated the agency’s Information Technology, Fiscal, and Human Resources divisions for their diligence in transitioning to a new fiscal recording system adopted by the state of Arkansas on July 1. Not only did the AGFC manage a smooth transition, state auditors gave the agency a report of zero findings.

Schoenrock concluded his report with a nod to Arkansas game wardens, who have been diligently patrolling the state’s waters and assisting with boating issues throughout Arkansas, especially during the recent America 250 celebration on Independence Day weekend.

“Over the weekend, when most of us were enjoying hot dogs, 115 game wardens on various waters of the state contacted over 2,100 vessels containing some 7,500 people. Thanks to those officers who worked during that holiday period.” [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

The Commission also approved the donation of a public land elk hunting permit to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation to be auctioned at the upcoming Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame to raise money for conservation education programs such as the Youth Shooting Sports program and Archery in the Schools program. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

In other business, the Commission:

• Heard from Katherine Andrews, director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, who presented on the new Guide Ark program, which verifies and promotes hunting and angling guides and outfitters throughout Arkansas to help bridge the gap between newcomers and the outdoors. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

• Heard a presentation from Becky Bloomfield, AGFC postsecondary education program coordinator, about the AGFC’s internship program, which is funded by the sales of conservation license plates. This year’s class included 30 interns from across Arkansas as well as three interns who participated in the American Fisheries Society’s Hutton Scholar Intern Program. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

• Authorized Director Doug Schoenrock to convey a permanent right-of-way easement to Entergy Arkansas, LLC, for the construction and maintenance of an underground electric transmission line on Commission property within Lake Conway. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

• Approved new changes to the AGFC’s human resources policy regarding safety, employee performance evaluations and firearms carry and storage. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

A recording of the meeting in its entirety is available on the AGFC’s YouTube Channel.

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CUTLINES:

TWO MEN
AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock and Chairman Rob Finley heard the first reading of a proposal to establish a waterfowl permit hunt at St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA at the July AGFC meeting. AGFC photo.

AERIAL
A 1,000-acre portion of the 30,000-acre St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA is proposed to be included in a drawn permit hunt for ducks beginning this year. AGFC photo.

SPEAKER
AGFC Deputy Director Brad Carner proposed a few changes at today’s meeting to clarify the intent of recently adopted regulations. AGFC photo.

TWO WOMEN
Becky Flynn and Director Katherine Andrews from the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation spoke to the AGFC about a new guide verification program initiated this year. AGFC photo.