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Public meetings set for input on waterfowl regulations
Hunters may voice their opinions about the upcoming Arkansas waterfowl hunting regulations and seasons at one of 12 public meetings across the state Tuesday, June 3.  These meetings are part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s hunting regulations-setting process. They give hunters and other interested parties the opportunity to make comments and proposals on the 2008-09 waterfowl hunting seasons.The meetings will be 7 p.m.-9 p.m. 
Seemingly unattended birds may not be abandoned
Arkansas is blessed with an abundance of wild birds and their offspring. Throughout spring and summer, it is not uncommon to come across unattended baby wild birds. During this time, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is flooded with calls about abandoned fledglings and what to do with them.  

Mississippi County lakes stocked with tilapia
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has stocked two Mississippi County lakes with tilapia. Mallard Lake and Youth Lake received almost 10,000 of these exotic bream.

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

Spring Turkey:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, and 10 - April 12-May 2

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 8.
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-Feb. 28 and May 16-June 14.

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
 
May 22 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting, 2 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, 9 a.m.
May 24 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 9 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be “Boating Safety.”
May 31 - Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café with Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 8:30 a.m. on KARK Channel 4. Topic of the show will be “Fishing Free for All.”
June 7 – Marion Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Motorcycle Poker Run, Barton Ag Center. For more information call David Jett at (901) 848-9720
June 7 - Arkansas Catfishing Association Tournament at Lake Norfork at the Gamaliel Access. For ACA members: rod and reel, catch and release, and alive and well. Launching behind the Highway 101 Grocery and Bait and sponsored in part by the Lake Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. For an ACA application form, constitution and bylaws, local conditions and information along with the rules and regulations, contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294
June 7 - The Independence County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is hosting their Waterfowl Hunter Party at the BUBBA Hut in Batesville. For more information please contact: Shannon Huff at (870) 612-3757
June 10 – Deadline for application for AGFC conservation scholarships. Considering a career in conservation? Many fields of study can lead to a career in conservation. Education in law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, public relations, environmental education and interpretation and many other fields is always a benefit to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The Conservation Scholarship Program uses funds from the sale of conservation license plates to let students reach their potential and create tomorrow’s conservation professionals. Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be Arkansas high school seniors or Arkansas college undergraduates pursuing a career in the field of natural resources conservation with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) the first year. A 3.0 GPA will be required thereafter, beginning with 2009 fall semester renewals. Applicants must not have received a full scholarship or grant from another source. Only resident students paying in-state tuition may apply. Selections are based purely on merit, without discrimination to race, sex, religion, age, color or national origin. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Completed applications must be postmarked by June 10, 2008, for the fall semester. Successful applicants will be notified by July 15, 2008. Application forms and instructions may be downloaded at http://www.agfc.com/education-class/programs/conservation-scholarship-program.aspx.
June 19 – AGFC Commission monthly meeting at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith beginning at 10 a.m.
June 21 - The Paragould Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is hosting their Waterfowl Hunter Party at the National Guard Armory. For more information please contact: Bryan Murray at (870) 335-6049
July 26 - Arkansas Catfishing Association (ACA) Tournament at Bull
Shoals (night) for ACA members: Rod and Reel, Catch and Release, and Alive
And Well. For an ACA application form, constitution and bylaws, local conditions and information along with the rules and regulations, contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294
June 28 - The Benton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is hosting their 11th annual David Bain Memorial Ducks Unlimited Golf Tournament, 1 p.m. shotgun start at the Kingswood Golf Course in Bella Vista. For more information please contact: Blayne Estes at (479) 721-3394
Aug. 23-24 - Arkansas Catfishing Association ACA Charity tournament at Lake Millwood and Lake Earling in southwest Arkansas. For an ACA application form, constitution and bylaws, local conditions and information along with the rules and regulations, contact ACA president James Freeman of Pocahontas at (870) 810-3294
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 .
Sept. 20 - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Youth Expo at the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro,  For more information or to sign up a class call Shaun Merrell at 870-933-6787

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/