Monticello Live

Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, during their Thursday meeting, approved a budget increase of $100,000 in Marine Fuel Tax funds for repair of one mile of the Hunger Run Access Road at Lake Monticello.

The trophy bass fishery is a popular spot for largemouth anglers.

The City of Monticello is providing approximately $400,000 toward the total project cost of $500,000.  Plum Creek is expected to make a substantial contribution to the project, but a forml announcement hasn’t  been released yet.

Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission formally approved regulation changes as part of the 2010-11 hunting season-setting process. One change would allow hunters, 65 and older, to participate in the January portion of the statewide youth season.

The 2008-09 season was the first season that hunters 65 and over were allowed to harvest a deer when accompanying a youth hunter during the November youth season. After examining the harvest data, less than 5 percent of the harvest during the two-day youth season was attributed to 65+ hunters. The move will simplify deer hunting regulations, while providing additional hunting opportunities without negatively affecting the resource. (more…)

Shortly after Thursday night’s thunderstorn, a small alligator was seen crossing East McCloy Street by Drew County Deputy Steven Mitchell, near the city warehouse around midnight.

The alligator, estimated to measure around 2 1/2 foot long, was detained by city employee Charlie Hammock, with local law authorities present, and turned over to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commision.

Earlier this month, the USDA Forest Service announced that Congress has approved a $2.06 million Forest Legacy grant to the State of Arkansas to purchase approximately 2,400 acres of south Arkansas forestland in Bradley and Drew counties. (more…)

Lake Monticello has a new fishing dock.  The new dock is located just north of the parking area, at the south end of the lake.

Shown here are 2 Game & Fishworkers, with MEDC Director Truman Hamilton, adding another board to the construction.

The project was completed Wednesday, and was a joint effort of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the City of Monticello, with support from the MEDC.