All posts in Outdoors

LITTLE ROCK – The 2023 Arkansas Alligator Season drew to a close at sunrise Monday, and, when the smoke on the water cleared, hunters had tallied 202 legally harvested alligators, swamping the old record of 174 taken in 2020.  AGFC Biologist Mark Barbee, who works out of the Monticello Regional Office and has coordinated the…

LITTLE ROCK — A hot, dry summer has left Arkansas lakes and rivers lower than usual for the arrival of fall, and the weather has brought water hazards closer to the surface. Recreational boaters and anglers need to be extra vigilant these days. Jeremy Risley, the AGFC’s Black Bass Program coordinator, was working on Beaver…

MONTICELLO — The National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative recently awarded Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Biologist David Luker the 2023 Arkansas Firebird Award. The award is presented annually to a biologist in each nominating state who goes above and beyond to improve habitat for northern bobwhites and other grassland species through the use of prescribed…

The Drew County Fair hosted its trap shooting contest on September 23, 2023, at the Drew County fairgrounds. Among the participants from grades 9 to 12, the winners were as follows: Alex Wardlaw secured the first place, Mason Wardlaw came in second, and William Leslie clinched the third-place position.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’s archery deer season opens Saturday, Sept. 23, and hunters are busy making those last-minute preparations for success. Double-check your license purchase and electronic game tags on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s new mobile app or website before you hit the field so things run smoothly when you seal the deal…

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas duck hunters will get their first shot at some early birds this Friday when the early teal season opens at sunrise. The early teal season is open Sept. 15-30, so hunters can have an opportunity to harvest some of these small ducks that typically migrate before the rest of the crowd.…

LITTLE ROCK — According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s recently released “2023 Hunting Incident Report,” Arkansas hunters last year reported the fewest number of hunting accidents requiring medical attention since 2010. Sixteen incidents were recorded, including two resulting in fatalities. “With nearly 307,000 licensed hunters in the woods last year, that’s one serious…

BENTON, Ark. – The AGFC’s Watchable Wildlife Program finished installing signs at the newly remodeled Lyle Park Access to the Saline River in Benton last week, and cooler weather on the horizon may be just the reason to make a visit. By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and Fish Commission The signs are part of a…

EL DORADO — Visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s mobile aquarium and Education specialist at the 24th annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo 9 a.m-4 p.m. Sept. 9, at the El Dorado Conference Center. The event, hosted by the SouthArk Foundation promises a day full of hands-on activities, live entertainment and exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts, families and…

LITTLE ROCK — The 2023 Arkansas duck stamp was unveiled Aug. 26 during the 32nd annual Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet. The unveiling was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 1,800 gathered at the Little Rock Convention Center. Arkansas artist Justin Madding of Danville created the artwork for the stamp entitled “Pintails Over Penn…

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host a special Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend getaway, Oct. 6-8 at the C.A. Vines 4 H Center in Little Rock with workshops throughout each day to help ladies learn how to hunt, fish and be a larger part of conservation in Arkansas. By Randy Zellers…

LITTLE ROCK – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its report on the 2023 Waterfowl Population Status late last week, and the numbers of ducks slid from 2022’s estimate, with drop attributed to extremely dry habitat conditions on the breeding grounds of Canada and the northernmost U.S. Surveys were conducted in May and early June…

LITTLE ROCK – The heat of summer often leads anglers to large rivers where current breaks can position bass and other sport fish for fishing that lasts longer than the first hour after sunrise. But traveling on a river like the Arkansas and navigating some of Arkansas’s shallower, more cover-filled reservoirs can be a daunting…

BRADFORD – Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area nearby is far more renowned, and vastly larger, but there are three tracts of land just to the north in White County that make up Departee Creek WMA, which punches well beyond its weight in terms of wildlife opportunities. Departee Creek WMA, established as a WMA…

LITTLE ROCK — Renewing your hunting and fishing licenses this year will be easier than ever before, thanks to an upgraded online licensing portal launching this week. Smartphone users also will find a new AGFC mobile app to download and keep handy this hunting season.  The main license purchasing web page will be similar to…

EL DORADO — Visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s mobile aquarium and Education specialist at the 24th annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo 9 a.m-4 p.m. Sept. 9, at the El Dorado Conference Center. The event, hosted by the SouthArk Foundation promises a day full of hands-on activities, live entertainment and exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts, families and…

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved a special free fishing day during today’s regularly scheduled meeting at AGFC Headquarters. Anyone will be able to fish in Arkansas without a fishing license or trout permit Aug. 23.  By Randy Zellers Arkansas Game and Fish Commission The free fishing opportunity comes as…

All poultry to be entered into the Bradley County Fair must comply with the poultry health regulations by being tested for Pullorum-Typhoid.  The Bradley County Agent, John Gavin, will test chickens at the Bradley County Fairgrounds on Monday, August 28th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  No Pullorum-Typhoid testing will be conducted during the Fair.  Contact the Bradley…

FERNDALE, Ark. – The Bradley County 4-H Archery Team showcased their exceptional skills and marksmanship at the recent State Shooting Sports Competition held at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale. Leading the charge for the senior division was a triumphant trio – Landon Duncan, Jake Castleberry, and Mayli Castleberry. Their combined efforts earned them the…

PINE BLUFF — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in cooperation with the American Fisheries Society, led 30 prospective future fisheries biologists in establishing more than 300 yards of aquatic habitat in the Arkansas River in July. The project, coordinated by Jamie Kindschuh, Arkansas River/commercial fishing Biologist for the AGFC, was part of the agency’s…

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. Top photo: Apply to be one of…