LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded grants totaling $502,838.41 to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs to 183 schools, school districts, and conservation districts in 65 Arkansas counties. These grants are funded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission through fines collected from hunting and…
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Birders benefit from waterfowl habitat program
LITTLE ROCK — Duck hunters aren’t the only people who know and appreciate the soul-stirring sight of thousands of ducks, geese and other migratory birds descending on open fields in the Arkansas Delta. Each year, birders and other wildlife-watching enthusiasts flock to wetlands during winter to catch a glimpse of these birds as they make…
Teachers bring the outdoors into their classes with Project WILD
CABOT, Ark. – Teachers, homeschool coordinators and other educators can bring the outdoors into their classrooms with ready-to-teach materials, thanks to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Project WILD. When COVID-19 shut down schools across Arkansas, many people rediscovered the wonders of nature and took to exploring during those days with the kids. Now…
AGFC and USFWS to evaluate deer disease in south Arkansas
Strong, Arkansas – In response to the recent detection of a deer with chronic wasting disease in Union County, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services will conduct a sampling effort on Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge during the next week to further understand the prevalence of…
An interesting Monday morning catch at Moro Bay
According to Moro Bay State Park, Dale Ledbetter was jigging for crappie early Monday morning, January 31, 2022 when he thought he had hung a catfish. When his wife Judy netted the fish they both scratched their heads. Turns out it was a 7.4 pound walleye. Paul Butler of Moro Bay State Park said he’s…
Habitat conditions falling into place for Strong finish to season
Little Rock, Arkansas – With a deep freeze headed toward Arkansas, snow expected to be covering southeast Missouri, and with the recent rainfall that has filled the public hunting areas in state, habitat conditions for duck hunters should this weekend be the best they’ve been all year long. Friday and Saturday morning, waterfowl hunters may…
Arkansas public access to benefit from modernized Marine Fuel Tax Program
Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved at today’s regularly scheduled meeting a minute order authorizing AGFC Director Austin Booth to sign an agreement with the Arkansas Department of Transportation to update the existing Marine Fuel Tax program to enhance public boating access to The Natural State’s waters. “From the…
Winter bowhunting opportunities offer last chance to complete Triple Trophy Award for deer hunters
LITTLE ROCK – Modern gun deer hunting is in the rearview mirror for the 2021-22 deer season, but there’s still time to fill a tag with archery tackle until the end of February. For those who have already taken a deer during Arkansas’s modern gun season and one during Arkansas’s muzzleloader season, the Arkansas Game…
AGFC, partners stock more than 12.5 million fish in 2021
Little Rock, Arkansas – Anglers wetting a line in the waters of The Natural State have a lot of fishing, and fish, to look forward to. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trout hatcheries and other partners, delivered more than 12.5 million fish to Arkansas waters during…
Hunters hopeful for latest push of winter-like weather
Little Rock, Arkansas – As this week’s Waterfowl Report was being composed Wednesday morning, an usual sight was occurring: A steady rain was falling. Tha’s the best news for duck hunters in some time around these parts. The hope among most hunters is that this first line of rain passing through Arkansas at midweek won’t…
Donate your Christmas tree to boost angling action
Little Rock, Arkansas – Once the wrapping paper has been thrown away and the last drop of egg nog has been consumed, few people have a use for that evergreen tree that graced their home during the holiday season. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a new job for those leftover trees: fish habitat.…
Five ways to fight CWD in Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas – The recent news of chronic wasting disease being found far away from any previous detections has caused some hunters to worry about the future of deer hunting in The Natural State. CWD is a cause for concern for the health of Arkansas’s deer herd, but it does not mean the end of deer…
Dry conditions still prevail with Saturday’s restart of duck season
LITTLE ROCK – Duck season restarts for waterfowl hunters on Saturday, Dec. 11, and those hunters maybe facing worse conditions than when the 60-day season officially opened Nov. 20. “It’s doing nothing but getting drier on the landscape,” Luke Naylor, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl program coordinator, said Wednesday. “Conditions may be declining,…
CWD-positive deer found in south Arkansas
Strong, Arkansas – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission today confirmed that a hunter-harvested white-tailed deer taken in Union County tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The deer was harvested in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge during the permit-based annual modern gun deer hunt. A CWD sample was collected at the check station for that hunt.…
Season continues, hunters still searching for water
Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas duck hunters face the same conditions for the second weekend of the 2021-22 season as they did during the first: Little water can be found around the state. Anecdotal reports from around the state the past week indicated that where hunters had water in fields and timber, ducks were there…
Pull the plug on hitchhikers this duck season
LITTLE ROCK – The opening day of duck season is finally within reach, and for some that means a lot of gear shuffling and a last-minute dash to make sure boat motors and equipment are in working order. Biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission urge all hunters and anglers alike to pull the…
Pesticide applicator training course coming to Bradley County December 2
The Bradley County Cooperative Extension Service will host a Bradley County Pesticide Applicator Training session Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at 201 North Bragg St in Warren. There is a training fee of $20 to participate. Checks should be made payable to U of A System CES. Those who plan to attend must…
Motorists, be on the lookout for deer on highways
Little Rock, Arkansas – Deer are on the move in The Natural State. That means hunters and motorists in Arkansas should keep a watchful eye out, particularly at dawn and dusk. In addition to the increased deer activity, the shortened days place rush hour during the peak times of day when deer are on the…
Get your deer tested for CWD and win a lifetime of hunting and fishing
LITTLE ROCK — Getting your deer tested for chronic wasting disease not only is free through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, it might even land you a free hunting and fishing for life. Thanks to a donation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, every Arkansas resident who has their harvested deer tested for…
UAM celebrates fall Arbor Day
Monticello, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello recognizes the importance of a tree. UAM is home to the state’s only college forestry program, and much of southeast Arkansas’ economy is dependent on the forest and timber industry. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the UAM campus is a Tree Campus…
35th Annual Buck Fever Festival this Weekend
Banks, Ark — As the leaves change, hunters descend upon Banks for our favorite time of the year. On Saturday, November 13th, our vendor market will open at 10:00 am selling a variety of items including wooden artwork, welcome signs, home decor, antiques, custom t-shirts, flannel shirts, jewelry, epoxy cups, and sublimation cups. Sweet and…