ROGERS — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists teamed up in late June with several partners in northwest Arkansas, including the Army Corps of Engineers, Beaver Watershed Alliance and Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to herd and band roughly 280 Canada geese that had taken up residence on Beaver Lake. Top photo: Biologists use boats to…
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Sweat the details for summer angling safety
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission often talks about caring for fish during hot weather to prevent their mortality, but we’re just as concerned with angler health during the dog days of summer. The three most common issues AGFC game wardens run across during the heat of summer are life jacket use,…
Senate approves permanent electronic duck stamp
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously advanced legislation led by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME) to authorize an electronic stamp for use through the entirety of a waterfowl hunting season. The bipartisan Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 will allow hunters immediate access to an electronic duck…
Dove field applications available Aug. 1-15
LITTLE ROCK — The opening weekend of dove season is celebrated throughout The Natural State as the unofficial celebration of fall hunting. Although most dove hunting takes place on private agricultural land, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has some special opportunities hunters should take an interest in. By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and Fish…
Summer course keeps archers at full draw
MAYFLOWER – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Bowhunters Association will hold a special “Introduction to Bowhunting and 3-D Archery Tournaments” workshop from 8:30-11:30 a.m., Aug. 5, at the AGFC’s Fiocchi Shooting Sports Complex in Mayflower (formerly known as the Camp Robinson Shooting Range). By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Otis Lambright, vice…
Nonresident hunters should check twice for new permits when renewing licenses
LITTLE ROCK – Every July, many Arkansas hunters make it a point to renew their hunting licenses to ensure they’re legal and ready for the next year of enjoying all The Natural State has to offer. This year, nonresidents also may have to purchase a few additional permits if they plan to engage in a…
Gov. Sanders announces Brandon Adams as newest Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner
LITTLE ROCK – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Brandon Adams will serve as the newest member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Brandon’s seven-year term will last until July 1, 2030. “Bryan (Sanders) and I have made no secret that promoting our state’s outdoor economy is one of the top priorities we…
Local photographer Michael Weather delivers stunning photo of a cottonmouth in the Saline River bottoms
Local photographer Michael Weatherford spent a day wandering around the Saline River bottom in Cleveland County just north of the Bradley County line recently. He snapped this beautiful photo of a venomous cottonmouth snake. Photo taken June 26, 2023.
WMA deer permit hunt applications available July 1-31
LITTLE ROCK – Deer hunters shooting for some of Arkansas’s best public land opportunities will have the full month of July to apply for one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Wildlife Management Area Deer Permit hunts. Applications for these hunts are available from 8 a.m. July 1 until midnight July 31 through the…
Renovated Lake Monticello sees first batch of Florida Bass
MONTICELLO — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists stocked nearly 1,000 extra-large pure Florida largemouth bass fingerlings into Lake Monticello during May to lay the foundation for trophy-sized bass potential in this southeast Arkansas reservoir. Lake Monticello underwent an extensive renovation from 2019-2021 as a result of repairs needing to be completed at the dam…
Apply for a 2023 Arkansas alligator hunt permit
LITTLE ROCK – Applications for the 2023 Arkansas alligator season are available at www.agfc.com from 8 a.m. June 10 through midnight June 18. Anyone interested in pursuing alligators on public land in Arkansas must apply for one of the six hunting locations within two of Arkansas’s three open Alligator Management Zones. By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and…
Lizards bred in zoo scurry off to new homes
LITTLE ROCK — Forty-three eastern collared lizards bred at the Little Rock Zoo found new homes in the Arkansas Ozarks last week thanks to an innovative partnership between the zoo, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Top photo: Affectionately called…
Exciting summer ahead at Moro Bay State Park; boater ed, Perch Jerk Tournament, day camps, and more await visitors
MORO BAY, Ark. – As the summer season approaches, Moro Bay State Park is gearing up to offer a range of exciting programs and activities for visitors of all ages. From educational opportunities to thrilling tournaments, here’s a glimpse of what’s in store at this picturesque Arkansas destination. Boater Ed: Enhancing Water Safety One of…
Stay safe making waves this Memorial Day
LITTLE ROCK — Memorial Day weekend may still technically be part of spring, but it’s the unofficial beginning of summer in most Arkansans’ minds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wants everyone to have a great weekend enjoying all The Natural State has to offer, but please remember to take safety seriously. Wear your life…
Acres for Wildlife sees revamp for golden anniversary
LITTLE ROCK – Landowners in Arkansas wishing to improve their private land for wildlife can apply for up to $15,000 in cost-share incentives through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s newly revamped Acres for Wildlife program, offered through the agency’s Private Lands Habitat Division from now until July 1. By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and…
Former AGFC Commissioner Bill Bridgforth dies at 82
LITTLE ROCK – William C. “Bill” Bridgforth, 82, of Pine Bluff, a former Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner, died Thursday, May 11, at his home. Bridgforth was a senior partner in the law firm Ramsay, Bridgforth, Robinson and Raley, and represented legal needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. He was appointed to the…
Arkansas Monument Trails named Best Mountain Biking in the U.S.
LITTLE ROCK – Monument Trails and Arkansas have won Outside’s 2023 Travel Award for best mountain biking in the United States. Outside announced the award today in its annual Travel Awards article appearing on Outside Online. The Outside print magazine with the news hits newsstands May 16. This year’s Travel Awards celebrate the 18 best trips…
Apply for an Arkansas elk hunting permit May 1-15
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…
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…