MonticelloLive

ARKANSAS OUTDOORS 

The statewide deer forecast appears to be very good for the 2007-2008 season. Arkansas’ modern gun season opens Nov. 10.  According to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission deer program coordinator Cory Gray, many areas are seeing an increase in deer population numbers due to increased fawn production and recruitment.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries Division recently drafted management options for trout fisheries on Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters. The draft highlights management strategies that could be used to improve the size of trout in the tailwaters.

In its ongoing efforts to provide Arkansans with input opportunities on the state’s deer management plan, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission now has a public comment forum available on its website. The forum will be used to gather information from the agency’s deer management plan advisory groups, while also allowing the process to take place under public review. 

Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is a highly successful program that has provided approximately one million meals to the state’s most needy citizens.  The program has been in place in Arkansas since 2002. The success of the program depends upon the generosity of hunters to donate venison and other wild game, cooperation from meat processors throughout the state, support from local food distribution organizations, and the financial contributions of businesses and other citizens.  

Hunters are likely to see more deer this fall that show signs of hemorrhagic disease. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia is currently tracking an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, commonly called bluetongue, throughout the Southeast.  Click here to learn more

A parking lot at a popular weigh-in facility on Greers Ferry Lake has been paved with asphalt in a project approved by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at its August meeting. The project cost was about $89,000 for paving and approximately  $2,000 for striping.

What’s open for hunting
Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Squirrel:
Statewide – Sept. 8-Feb. 29.
Rabbit:
Statewide – Sept. 1-Feb. 29.
Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed.
Dove:
Dec. 15-Jan. 4
Duck:
Nov. 17-Dec. 18, Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 2008               and Jan. 12, 2008-Jan. 27, 2008
Youth Waterfowl Hunt:
Dec. 22-23
White-Fronted Goose:
Nov. 17-Dec. 18 and Dec. 26-Feb. 3 
Snow, Blue, and Ross’ Goose:
Nov. 8-Dec. 21 and Dec. 26-Feb. 3   
Snow Goose Conservation Order:
Feb. 4-April 27
Statewide Canada Goose:
Dec. 26 – Feb. 3
Statewide Falconry:
Dec. 19-21, Jan. 7-11 and Jan. 28-Feb. 17
Common Snipe:
Nov. 1, 2007 to Feb. 15, 2008
Woodcock:
Nov. 10 to Dec. 24
Virginia and Sora Rails:
Sept. 15 to Nov. 23
Common Moorhen and Purple Gallinule:
Sept. 1 to Nov. 9
Deer Archery:
Oct. 1-Feb. 29 statewide.
Deer Modern Gun:
Nov. 10-18 and Nov. 22-Dec. 2 for zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11
Nov. 10-11 for zone 4.
Nov. 10-11 and Nov. 17-18 for zone 5.
Nov. 10-18 - zones 4B and 5B.
Nov. 10-Dec. 9 for zones 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15.
Nov. 10-Dec. 16 for zones 9 and 12.
Nov. 10-Dec. 25 for zones 16, 16A and 17.
Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt is Dec. 26-28 statewide
The special modern gun youth deer hunt is Nov. 3-4 statewide excluding certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt.
Quail:
Nov. 1-Feb. 10 statewide.
Crow:
Sept 1-Feb. 17 Thursdays thru Mondays only statewide.
Furbearers:
Furbearer trapping Nov. 17-Feb. 17 excluding coyote, beaver, muskrat and nutria.
Coyote trapping Aug. 1-March 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping Nov. 17-March 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting Sept. 1-Feb. 29.
Raccoon day or night hunting Sept. 1-March 31.
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Bobcat and coyote hunting Oct. 1-Feb. 29. 

The mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is to wisely manage all the
fish and wildlife resources of Arkansas while providing maximum enjoyment for the people.
Visit us on the web at http://www.agfc.com/.