LITTLE ROCK — Hunters interested in pursuing Arkansas’s largest big game animal can apply for a limited hunting permit draw from 8 a.m. May 1 through 11:59 p.m. May 15. Applications will be available beginning May 1 at the AGFC’s licensing site (www.agfc.com/license) under the “Special Hunt Applications” tab. By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and…
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Turkey-poaching trend troubling Arkansas game wardens
LITTLE ROCK — With last year’s increase in turkey reproduction and a strong start to the 2023 spring turkey season, biologists and staff at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are cautiously optimistic about recent trends in Arkansas’s turkey woods. One trend that still has AGFC game wardens concerned is the continued use of bait by some poachers…
Rare Mississippi River management area offers isolated experience for explorers at heart
HELENA — A trip to Buck Island Wildlife Management Area may take a little extra effort, but it offers an unspoiled view of the Mississippi River few have the pleasure of experiencing. The 1,510-acre island in the Mississippi River just north of Helena River Park is accessible only by boat and is an excellent point…
Backwoods Trap Shooters hosting trap tournament May 20
Great Outdoors Youth Day set for May 6
The Cooperative Extension Service of Bradley, Cleveland, Calhoun, and Dallas Counties is once again sponsoring The Great Outdoors Youth Day on Saturday, May 6th, at the Bradley County Park. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and events will include Fishing Derby, Learning Stations, and other special activities. Lunch is sponsored by L’Aigle Creek Conservation District. All…
Arkansas Youth turkey hunt tops seven-year slump
LITTLE ROCK — Excellent weather and receptive birds welcomed Arkansas’s youth hunters last weekend, and the young guns did not disappoint. According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s online checking system, hunters aged 6-15 harvested 1,068 turkeys during last weekend’s two-day youth hunt, the first time the harvest has exceeded 1,000 since 2016. The…
Arkansas growers lay out the season ahead
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers expect to plant approximately 52,000 more acres of principal crops in 2023 than they did in 2022, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report published March 31. While this is only a small ripple amidst the state’s 7 million acres of farmland, it reflects the encouragement of rallying markets…
Celebrating the animals that call Bradley County home this National Wildlife Week 2023
WARREN, Ark. – This week, the nation is celebrating National Wildlife Week, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about wildlife conservation efforts and the importance of protecting our natural habitats. This year’s theme is “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation,” highlighting the critical role that partnerships play in preserving our country’s wildlife and natural resources. From…
Local youth shooting sports team finishes second at Camden Tournament
CAMDEN, Ark. – In Camden, Arkansas, the Backwoods Trap Shooters have achieved a fantastic accomplishment. The local youth shooting sports team placed second at the Camden Tournament on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The team consists of Alex Wardlaw, Lee Johnson, Michael McCartney, Hazon Wheeler, and Nathan Spears. Cole Williams won the Junior Money Shoot, showcasing…
Bear den surveys reflect influence of summer drought
WALDRON — Last summer’s drought may have some lingering impact on Arkansas’s black bear reproduction, but there’s no immediate cause for alarm, according to Myron Means, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s large carnivore program coordinator. Each year Means works with biologists and technicians from the AGFC’s Wildlife Management and Research divisions during February and…
Master Gardener plant sales offer wide selection for green thumbs
LITTLE ROCK — For gardeners of all skill levels and ages, Master Gardener plant sales offer a wide variety of plants for purchase. More than 30 plant sales are taking place across Arkansas in April and May. Proceeds from the sales will benefit local Master Gardener beautification projects and educational programming. Many clubs also…
Bradley County 4-H Senior Shooting Sports Team takes second place in national qualifying event
WARREN, Ark. – The Bradley County 4-H Senior Shooting Sports Team recently made their debut at the national qualifying event held in Ferndale, Arkansas on March 22. The team, consisting of Landon Duncan, Jake Castleberry, and Mayli Castleberry, made their mark by winning second place in the competition. This was the first time that the…
Top 10 vegetables to grow in Bradley County with limited space and experience
Are you interested in starting a home garden in Bradley County, but have limited space, time, or experience? Don’t worry! With the right vegetables and a little bit of know-how, you can enjoy fresh and healthy produce from your own backyard. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 recommended vegetables for a home…
EIA Verification Class announced for April 13
Overnight freezing poses potential damage to Arkansas fruit
LITTLE ROCK — With the official start to spring less than a week away, winter is throwing one last curveball at fruit growers in Arkansas and the surrounding region. Below-freezing temperatures throughout much of the state made an appearance Monday night and Tuesday morning, with more cold weather on the way, particularly in the northwestern…
Turn spring break into a nature break this year with the AGFC
LITTLE ROCK — Each year thousands of parents across The Natural State spend the last week or two of March racking their brains trying to find fun family activities they can enjoy with their children while they’re out of school for spring break. Instead of wasting away the kids’ days off from school, take advantage…
2022-23 deer harvest up from 2021-22 season
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s 2022-23 deer season concluded Feb. 28, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s deer program coordinator expects the final harvest totals to finish higher than last year’s 181,379 total, but likely down about 15,000 deer from where the state has averaged during the last decade. “I’d expect around 185,000 deer harvested…
Aerial surveys show slight increase in Arkansas elk population
JASPER, Ark. – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists took to the skies during the last two weeks to evaluate the status of Arkansas’s elk herd, and preliminary results indicate the population is again on the rise. Wes Wright, elk program coordinator for the AGFC, said the initial tally of elk during the surveys was…
Ag Department hosts “Free Tree Fridays” in recognition of Arbor Day
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In recognition of National Arbor Day, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division will be hosting giveaways of bare root seedlings at various locations across the state each Friday from March 17 through April 28. “Adding trees to your yard or to a community forest is beneficial to all Arkansans, and…
Ozark outfitters tell tales in Arkansas Wildlife
PONCA — As the crow flies, Buffalo Outdoor Center is about 26 miles from Kings River Outfitters, which is 45 miles north of Turner Bend Outfitter, in turn, 38 miles west of Moore Outdoors. Those distances are greater, of course, via twisting, roller coaster roads. It’s a relatively small, mountainous world for these four canoe…
Recipe from the AGFC: Buttermilk fried goose with Bluewing Syrup
STUTTGART — With another end of duck season leaving most duck-hunting die hards in a slight state of depression, what could be better than a little comfort food using some of the geese you brought home during the last few months? This play on the classic chicken and waffles recipe uses goose but can be…