AGFC announces temporary WMA closure for feral hog control measures

OLA – Petit Jean River WMA will be closed temporarily to daytime public access for short periods of time during the week of Dec. 8. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will be conducting aerial operations to facilitate feral hog control efforts. The flights will be dependent on the weather.

The WMA will only be closed to public access for one to two days to allow for the aerial flights. The plan is to fly Dec. 8-9 if enough hogs are being found to warrant a second day.

Access will not be allowed during ongoing operations to provide public safety. Varying weather and site-specific conditions will not allow for specific closure dates. The closure dates allow some flexibility to take advantage of resources over large contiguous tracts of habitat. In the event that access to the WMA is restricted, AGFC and partnering agency staff will be on-site to maintain road and access closures.

“These aerial control operations are the direct result of coordinated planning between multiple partners,”  Ryan Farney, AGFC Feral Hog Program Coordinator said. “The AGFC and USDA APHIS appreciate the public’s understanding and patience while these essential activities are underway, and we apologize for any related inconvenience. These targeted efforts are vital to reducing feral hog populations and safeguarding the long-term health and sustainability of our wildlife management areas.”

For additional information, please contact Farney at 501-912-9541, or Robert Byrd, Arkansas APHIS Director at 501-835-2318.

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