Increased applications leaves few turkey leftovers
Feb. 22, 2021
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is still seeing an increased interest in hunting and angling, this time in the form of increases in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Wildlife Management Area turkey permit applications. This year saw 4,425 applicants for regular turkey hunting applications and 368 applicants for youth hunts on some WMAs, representing a 35 percent increase in both categories.
AGFC’S Hogan hatchery improvements to increase efficiency
Feb. 17, 2021
LONOKE — Thanks to a planned renovation, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery will soon be able to increase efficiency and provide even more benefit to Arkansas anglers. The next phase of the Hogan renovation, slated for this year, includes the engineering and construction of an indoor spawning and hatching facility for warmwater species raised at the hatchery.
WRICE program fields still offering benefits for waterfowl, birdwatchers and wildlife viewers
Feb. 17, 2021
LITTLE ROCK — There’s still time to enjoy one of the many private-land locations reserved throughout the state through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Wildlife Management Division’s Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement Program, you’ll just need to switch from the shotgun to binoculars, spotting scope and camera. Until February 28, people interested in viewing wildlife on any of the WRICE program locations may do so without any special permits or permissions.
Schools’ archery score deadline extended to Feb. 24 to qualify for state
Feb. 17, 2021
LITTLE ROCK – The coronavirus pandemic already made the Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program tournaments – both the February regionals throughout Arkansas and the annual state finals usually staged in Hot Springs the first weekend in March – a virtual affair. Now with a double-whammy of a major winter storm in mid-February, the deadline for qualifying scores from virtual regional tournaments will be delayed a second week, to Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Arkansas hunters swat aside black bear record
Feb. 17, 2021
LITTLE ROCK — In the world of wildlife management, harvest records usually are broken by small percentages. But bear hunters in Arkansas broke the record of 577 set during the 2018 season by taking 665 in 2020 – a jump of 15 percent.
Wildlife of Arkansas student art contest moves to online format
Feb. 17, 2021
LITTLE ROCK – Once again, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and Creative Ideas have come together to promote wildlife education through the arts in the annual Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest. For the 2021 contest, students from kindergarten through 12th grade will submit artwork online through a portal on the AWF website, www.arwild.org.
AGFC adds two recruits to K-9 program
Feb. 10, 2021
MAYFLOWER — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Enforcement Training Center sees new recruits every year, but this year’s class will include two “cadets” who see things from a four-legged perspective. The AGFC’s popular K-9 program is currently training two new dogs to help with enforcement efforts.