Ten new wildlife officers join AGFC enforcement efforts
Oct. 6, 2017
Ten new faces will be joining the ranks of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officers this fall. The latest class of wildlife officer cadets celebrated graduation from the AGFC’s training program today at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway.
Special commercial fishing opportunity on Lake Chicot to combat Asian carp
Oct. 4, 2017
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will open a special commercial fishing season on Lake Chicot to target Asian carp from Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
Asian carp, particularly silver carp and bighead carp have been a nuisance to many waters connected to the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers since their escape from aquaculture and research facilities during floods in the 1970s. In addition to consuming vast amounts of plankton, which are the base of the food chain in many fisheries, silver carp have become a hazard on many waters where they are abundant because of their habit of jumping out of the water when startled.
Feral Hog Eradication Task Force seeks input on Kaput bait
Oct. 4, 2017
Feral hogs are a growing problem in Arkansas and across the United States. Feral hogs have an estimated total population between four and five million across approximately 39 states and cause approximately $1.5 billion annually in agricultural and ecological costs.
AGFC to fund public shooting sports facility in Jonesboro
Oct. 4, 2017
A long-awaited shooting sports complex in Jonesboro is closer to reality after the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Sept. 20 authorized AGFC Director Jeff Crow to complete a memorandum of agreement with the city to fund the complex’s development.
Hatchery-raised shad boost food chain in Arkansas fisheries
Oct. 4, 2017
Fisheries managers often hear cries from enthusiastic anglers, shouting for more bass stockings or more stockings of Florida-strain largemouth, but growing large bass is much more about improving their environment than adding more to the system.
Arkansas Wildlife Television kicks off with fast flying action, hurricane relief
Oct. 4, 2017
It’s only been a month since hunters had their first chance to dust off the shotguns and kick off the hunting season with a traditional dove hunt, and the Arkansas Wildlife Television crew was there to capture the season’s start. One of the crew also rode along and helped the AGFC’s Enforcement Division during its response to help victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and brought back some incredible footage from the effort.
Pine Bluff catfish stockings wrap up with big event
Oct. 4, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pond is stocked eight times a year by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, four times with catfish and four times with trout. The last catfish stocking of the year will coincide with a big new fall event: the Pine Bluff Get Youth Outdoors Day on Saturday, Oct. 21.