Fall 2004

What theElk?

NEED-TO-KNOW INFOON ELK IN ARKANSAS

Fall Into ColorARKANSAS FALLFOLIAGE TRAILS

A Total WashWHITE RIVERIRRIGATION PROJECT

Oh, Deer!NEW HUNTING REGULATIONS

Duck HuntingCHANGES ARE IN

THE AIR

FALL 2004

2 ARKANSAS WILD • Fall 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS4 Sustaining the Strawberry

10 Opinion: Hunting, Politics andSportsmanship

14 Autumn in Arkansas 22 Arkansas’s System of Natural Areas22 Photographing the Natural State26 Arkansas Tarantulas30 2004-2005 Deer Bag Limits31 Protecting the Deer Population36 Jerry McKinnis: Living a Dream38 Deer Harvest By County

40 Duck Hunting Changes on theHorizon

44 Waterfowl and Wetlands48 Ducks Unlimited Calendar52 White River Conservation

56 2004-2005 Hunting RegulationChanges

57 Hunting License Requirements64 Fishing License Requirements

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS

ARKANSAS WILD STAFFHeather Baker, PublisherJanie Ginocchio, EditorJill Donley, Account ExecutiveStacy Moran, Advertising Sales AssistantKellie McAnulty, Art DirectorPatrick Jones, Assistant Art DirectorRafael Méndez, Graphic ArtistBrian Chilson, PhotographerIra Hocut, Production ManagerRoland Gladden, Traffic ManagerJimmy Cheffen, Advertising CoordinatorClay Clayton, Office Assistant/BillingCortez Leeper, Advertising AssistantRobert Curfman, IT DirectorWeldon Wilson, ControllerLinda Phillips, Billing/CollectionsBetsy Otwell, Office ManagerAnitra Hickman, Circulation DirectorTrey Danaher, Circulation Assistant

SPECIAL THANKS TO:Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, DucksUnlimited, Audubon Arkansas, The NatureConservancy, Arkansas Parks and Tourism,National Wildlife Turkey Federation, RockyMountain Elk, Stuttgart Chamber Of CommerceAnd Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO:Bill “Wild Man” Wilson, Nancy Ledbetter, KeithStephens, Steve Cole, Kirk Jordan, Lisa H.Ackerman, Chuck Haralson, Amber Garrett, BobButler, Dr. Brian Davis, Craig Hilburn, BobRamsey Jr., Jeff Lawrence, Betty George, KenSmith, Ellen Fennell, Scott Simon, JulieMcSpadden, and Steven Bell.

PUBLISHED BY

201 E. Markham St. Suite 200Little Rock, AR 72201 • 501-375-2985

All Contents ©2004 Arkansas Times

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ending its way through theeastern Ozark Mountains on

a 70-mile journey, theStrawberry River meanders

through rolling hills of pasture and wood-land. Limestone bluffs rise sharply fromits banks to heights of 100 feet, and over-hanging tree limbs form a cool canopy— relief for anglers and canoeists in the

sun. The Strawberry is one of the fewremaining free-flowing rivers in Arkansas.What’s more, it happens to be one ofNorth America’s most biologically richstreams.

Think biodiversity, and an image ofa lush tropical rainforest might come tomind. But what the tropics boast in landspecies, the United States matches in

SUSTAINING THE STRAWBERRY

SustainingtheStrawberry

Protecting the Strawberry River’s banks benefits outdoors enthusiasts and ranchers alike.

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LANDOWNERS ANDAQUATIC WILDLIFE ALIKEBENEFIT FROM CONSER-

VATION PRACTICESSHOWCASED AT THE

NATURE CONSERVANCY’SDEMONSTRATION CATTLE

RANCH ON THESTRAWBERRY RIVER.

ARKANSAS WILD • Fall 2004 5

freshwater aquatic life. Over 800 knownspecies of freshwater fish exist within U.S.borders, as well as three fifths of theworld’s crayfish species and a third of itsfreshwater mussels.

Best known to fly fishers for its small-mouth bass, the Strawberry River harbors108 kinds of fish in all, making it one ofthe greatest collections on the continent.Particularly prized is the colorful, two-inch-long Strawberry River orangethroatdarter (Etheostoma fragi), found nowhereelse in the world. The river’s gravel bedand rocky shoals are awash in healthypopulations of 39 types of freshwatermussels and at least four species of cray-fish — two of the country’s most imper-iled species groups.

The Strawberry River has always beenamong the cleanest streams in Arkansas,but in recent years water quality andaquatic life have suffered significantdeclines as soil erosion has increased dueto the removal of soil-stabilizing treesfrom stream banks, extreme flood events,greater land use, and the effects of pastovergrazing. The loss of soil frompastures, roads and streambanks costslandowners and county governmentshundreds of thousands of dollars each

time it rains, as truckloads of sedimentwash into the Strawberry and the manystreams that feed it. (Based on ArkansasDepartment of Environmental Qualitydata, as many as 5,900 dump truck loadsof sediment may have fallen into the riverfrom eroding streambanks during2001–2002 alone.) Ranchers and otherlandowners can lose property and landproductivity, while county road crewsmust spend extra time and moneykeeping eroding roads driveable. Thosewho drive the back roads after a stormknow how eroded areas can increasewear and tear on vehicles.

Erosion is also hard on aquaticspecies. The extra sediment in the watersuffocates them, hampers reproduction,and makes it difficult for them to findand catch prey. It affects the depth,current, and temperature of the water— changes to which sensitive speciescannot adapt. Ultimately fish and otheraquatic animals lose their habitat as itfills in with sediment.

Fortunately there are workable solu-tions to conserve the Strawberry Riveras a living ecosystem and a sustainablenatural resource for generations to come.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The Strawberry teems with aquatic life.

Life in theStrawberry

WITH NAMES AS COLORFUL AS THESPECIES THEY REPRESENT, THESE ARETHE RARE ANIMALS OF THESTRAWBERRY RIVER:

FISHCRYSTAL DARTER, Crystallaria asperella**RAINBOW DARTER (White River subsp.),

Etheostoma caeruleumWESTERN SAND DARTER, Etheostoma clarum

**ARKANSAS SADDLE DARTER, Etheostomaeuzonum euzonum

***STRAWBERRY RIVER ORANGETHROATDARTER, Etheostoma fragi

**STIPPLED DARTER, Ethostoma punctulatum**BLEEDING SHINER, Luxilus zonatus

WEDGESPOT SHINER, Notropis greenei**OZARK SHINER, Notropis ozarkanus

SABINE SHINER, Notropis sabinae**OZARK MINNOW, Notropis nubilus**OZARK MADTOM, Noturus albater

SLENDER MADTOM, Noturus exilus**GILT DARTER (Ozark subsp.), Percina evides

STARGAZING DARTER, Percina uranideaEASTERN SLIM MINNOW, Pimphales tenellusviceps

MUSSELS**ARKANSAS BROKEN RAY , Lampsilis reeveiana

BUTTERFLY, Ellipsaria lineolataBLACK SHANDSHELL, Ligumia recta

**BLEEDINGTOOTH, Venustaconcha pleasiELKTOE, Alasmidonta marginataFATMUCKET, Lampsilis siliquoideaFRAGILE PAPERSHELL, Leptodea fragilisGIANT FLOATER, Pyganodon grandisOHIO PIGTOE, Pleurobema cordatumOUACHITA KIDNEYSHELL, Ptychobranchus occidentalis

**OZARK BROKEN RAY, Lampsilis reeveianabrevicula

**OZARK PIGTOE, Fusconaia ozarkensisPLAIN POCKETBOOK, Lampsilis cardiumPURPLE WARTYBACK, Cyclonaias tuberculataPYRAMID PIGTOE, Pleurobema rubrumPURPLE LILLIPUT, Toxolasma lividus glansRABBITSFOOT, Quadrula cylindrica cylindricaSCALESHELL, Leptodea leptodonSNUFFBOX, Epioblasma triquetraWESTERN FANSHELL, Cyprogenia abertiYELLOW SANDSHELL, Lampsilis teres

CRAYFISH**Hubbs Crayfish, Cambarus hubbsi**Ozark crayfish, Orconectes ozarkae**SPOT HANDED CRAYFISH, Orconectes

punctimanus

REPTILESALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE, MacroclemystemminckiiMISSOURI RIVER COOTER, Pseudemys concinnametteriINSECTS**Ozark Dragonfly, Somatochlora ozarkensis**Endemic to the Ozarks ***Endemic to the Strawberry River watershed

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The potential for recovery is high, andThe Nature Conservancy is working inpartnership with individuals, groups andagencies in the watershed to reverse theriver’s downward progression before thedamage becomes too severe.

Anchoring the Conservancy’s workin the watershed is its Strawberry RiverRanch between Evening Shade andPoughkeepsie in southern Sharp County.

Part nature preserve and part working

cattle ranch, the 1,107-acre propertyfronts a five-mile stretch of the StrawberryRiver. The Conservancy bought the land,which formerly supported cattle opera-tions, in 2000 and 2001 and establishedthe ranch as a demonstration programto showcase river-friendly grazing andland management techniques. Adjoiningthe ranch is a 350-acre tract with anothertwo miles of river frontage that is volun-tarily protected through a conservationeasement donated to the Conservancyby the landowner.

John Stark runs the Conservancy’sStrawberry River conservation programout of a small office on Main Street inCave City, but most days he can be foundworking at the ranch, helpinglandowners with stream bank restora-tion projects or conducting research onthe river. Stark explains the benefits ofthe demonstration ranch: “We want toput our money where our mouth is. TheConservancy believes in demonstratingthat the land management practiceswe advocate are practical, workable, andof economic benefit to ranchers andother landowners, in addition toimproving water quality on the river.Many of the land conservation tech-niques employed on our ranch areeligible for government assistance, andthe cattle grazing methods actuallyimprove productivity per acre.”

Working in partnership with a neigh-boring rancher, the Strawberry RiverRanch demonstrates a short-rotationgrazing method known as ManagementIntensive Grazing (MIG) that is designedto produce greater cattle weight gain,improve pasture productivity, and reducesoil erosion from pastures and streambanks.

Under the MIG system, pastures aredivided into small paddocks with tempo-rary, movable fencing. Cattle are allowedto graze only half of the grass height inone paddock before rotating into thenext. Because the cattle are always eatingthe best part of the grass, they gain weightfaster than in traditional, large-pasturegrazing systems. Manure is distributedmore evenly throughout the pasture,boosting productivity in marginal areasand reducing the need for expensivecommercial fertilizer. By increasing theorganic matter in the soil and preventingovergrazing, forage diversity expands toinclude more legumes and grasses, andpastures are better able to withstanddrought. Eventually more cattle can begrazed in the same space, and soilerosion is reduced because most of theranch remains in high grass cover.

Some of the worst erosion alongthe Strawberry River occurs wherecattle have trampled paths down tothe river, so the Conservancy hasinstalled fencing and an alternativewatering system to keep them out.Excluding cattle from the river alsomakes good economic sense, because

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

SUSTAINING THE STRAWBERRY

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a cow lounging in the river spends lesstime eating and gaining weight and isprone to waterborne infections. Farfrom the nearest electrical lines, theStrawberry River Ranch uses a solarpowered pump and nearly two milesof flexible piping to distribute water(up to 3,000 gallons per day) to thecattle, even in bluff-top pastures.

Maintaining forested buffer zonesalong the river is another importantpart of reducing stream bank erosionand pasture runoff. With the helpinghands of several fly fishing groups andlocal citizens, the Conservancy in 2002planted some 1,700 native hardwoodtrees and shrubs on the ranch toreestablish a 6-acre buffer zonebetween the pasture and the river. TheConservancy is working with other

landowners up and down the river tostabilize banks and replant bufferstrips on their lands as well.

To get the word out to landownersabout MIG, the Conservancy hosts freeworkshops led by grazing experts andranchers who use the short-rotationgrazing system. The workshops coverthe basics of paddock design and watersupply options, and instructors helpparticipants design systems specific totheir own ranches. The Conservancyalso helps landowners take advantageof cost-shares and other financial assis-tance available for water qualityimprovement projects on privatelands. The first two workshopsattracted ranchers from the Strawberryand nearby watersheds, and severalfamilies now are working towardimplementing MIG on their lands.

Future plans call for the Conservancyto work with county officials to adoptsimilarly compatible maintenance andsediment control procedures for

unpaved roads, another major source ofsoil erosion. This would include tech-nical training for county road crews,investigation into alternative roadsurfaces, and identification of fundingto implement changes.

Through these activities, The NatureConservancy is committed to long-termcooperation with communities,landowners and all who use theStrawberry River to keep clear watersflowing — and smallmouth bass biting— for generations to come.

For more information about theStrawberry River conservation program,contact project manager John Stark at:

The Nature ConservancyEastern Ozarks OfficeP.O. Box 233Cave City, AR 72521 (870) [email protected]

The Nature Conservancy is on theWeb at nature.org. ■

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very four years, some huntersquit thinking and cast theirvotes based on a solitary and

usually highly emotional issue. Thisphenomenon often happens duringpresidential elections. I have seenmore than once how one issue willdecide a hunter’s vote. For my 75-yearold dad, it’s gun control. It does notmatter whether or not the candidatesupports efforts to drain wetlands orto cut fish and wildlife budgets — crit-

ical habitat issues on which huntingdepends — it is just about the candi-date’s position on gun control! Forother hunters, the issue might beanimal rights. Woe to the candidatethat supports humane treatment ofanimals or receives a contributionfrom the Humane Society.

If hunters really want to pass ontheir hunting heritage to their grand-children, they must focus on the issuesthat directly affect their sport and

become more involved and betterinformed. Hunters must look at thebalance of a candidate and cast voteson the full spectrum of a candidate’sbeliefs and positions.

The key hunting issue is habitat.Why habitat? Without habitat and alot of it, we won’t have wildlife to huntor fish to catch. Without habitat, weare resigned to sitting in our easychairs staring at our rusting collection

AUDUBON ARKANSAS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Hunting, Politics,& Sportsmanship

BY KEN SMITH, STATE DIRECTOR, AUDUBON ARKANSAS

RIVERSIDE16100 Chenal Parkway • Little Rock, AR 72223 • 501-448-8000


of lever actions, bolt actions, over andunders, side by sides, and semi-auto-matics, remembering days gone by.

The issue of habitat is more than“I’m for it.” A candidate has to walkthe talk. Most candidates will pose forphotographers draped in camouflageholding their Browning 12-Gauge, butwhen it comes time to make a toughdecision affecting wetlands, that candi-date may side with the box-store devel-opers. When a person sponsors a billexempting a federal agency from

complying with the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA), thefoundation of conservation law,his/her true colors come out.

In the coming election, huntersshould ask their candidates four ques-tions.

• Do you support a reasonablebudget for a state or federalwildlife agency to properlymanage fish and wildliferesources?

• Do you support the EPA and its

state regulatory partners tocontrol and reduce air and waterpollution? I call attention to theClean Water Act, which is themost important habitat law in thenation and its provisions toprotect wetlands.

• Do you support the sanctity ofstate and federal public lands —national parks and forests, stateparks, and wildlife refuges — andtheir funding?

• Will you oppose legislation forspecial interests that comes at theexpense of wildlife and wildlifehabitat?

I admit these are loaded questions,but these questions reach a candidate’spolitical marrow. Some of you maythink I am a “bleeding heart liberal”(my Dad’s nickname for me) but I takeumbrage. I long for the days whenhabitat conservation was a bipartisanissue when the political parties triedto outdo each other. I long for TeddyRoosevelt, Nelson Rockefeller, GaylordNelson, and Dale Bumpers — realconservation leaders. I long for lead-ership that does not pit conservationagainst development. I am tired oflosing environmental battles andseeing urban sprawl eat up our forestsand wetlands, all in the name ofprogress. Several critical environ-mental issues are before us right nowthat you should be aware of.

The Environmental ProtectionAgency and the Corps of Engineersissued new guidelines in 2003directing their staff to stop protecting“isolated” water bodies. The currentadministration estimates that the newguidelines remove Clean Water Actprotection for 20 million acres of thenation’s wetlands or (20 percent ofremaining wetlands in the lower 48states) and which are necessary tosatisfy a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.However, the new guidelines gobeyond what the Supreme Courtrequired and place at risk thousandsof small streams, ponds, potholes, andother water bodies that could bedefined as “isolated.” To my knowl-edge every mainline conservationorganization including DucksUnlimited, Audubon, and theNational Wildlife Federation opposethe 2003 guidelines.

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Hunters have a responsibility to protect wildlife and its habitat for future generations, saysSmith.

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what good are they if you can’t drivea four-wheel truck through them?Roadless areas are the best huntinghaunts for wild turkey and fat graysquirrels. The small pristine streamsoften found in these areas are terrificfor smallmouth bass and long-earsunfish. The Bush Administrationproposes to undo the executive ordercreating roadless areas and to placetheir designation in the hands of stategovernors. While I respect our topstate executives, this is an inappro-priate and potentially devastatingintrusion into the federal public landsystem. An overwhelming percentageof Americans, 95 percent of 2.5 millionpublic comments, support the protec-tion of roadless areas.

Three U.S. Congressional Membersand one U.S. Senator have sponsoredHR 3320, a bill to authorize the Animaland Plant Health Inspection Service(APHIS) to manage migratory birds, aresponsibility that has been the soledomain of federal and state fish andwildlife agencies since 1918. Further,this bill exempts APHIS from complyingwith National Environmental Policy Act.I am told the bill was introduced onbehalf of fish farmers to control double-crested cormorants, however the bill’sunintended effect will cause drasticharm to NEPA and to the MigratoryBird Protection Act of 1918. Every duckhunter and bird watcher in the stateshould cry “fowl!”

Aldo Leopold in his essay “WildlifeIn American Culture” reminds us ofour dependency on the soil-plant-animal-human food chain.Ruminating on the effect of tech-nology on hunting, Leopold definessportsmanship as an “ethical restraint”or a “voluntary limitation” of thosetechnological tools that give us sucha decided advantage over our prey. Iencourage you this fall to exerciserestraint in the use of your huntingtools that give you such an over-whelming edge and to practice theprinciples of a fair chase. Our huntingfuture depends to a large degree onhow non-hunters view our favoritepastime. Most non-hunters are indif-ferent or support our huntingheritage, but with further weakeningof environmental protections, thatcould change, further impairing ourvalued hunting heritage. ■

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Clip out and mail this form to:Audubon Arkansas, 201 East Markham Street, Suite 450

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utumn in Arkansas isconsidered by many to be

the best time of the year toenjoy the beauty of The Natural

State. The crisp, cool air and theglorious fall foliage are just a few ofthe reasons, especially for outdoorenthusiasts. Hardwoods are abundantthroughout the countryside, providing

brilliant hues of orange, russet, limegreen, yellow, gold and red that shineeven brighter when backed by the darkgreen of the pine forests.

Taking to the trails is a pleasurableway to spend a fall afternoon, a day oreven a week in Arkansas. More than250 hiking trails are scattered through

AUTUMN IN ARKANSAS

Autumnin Arkansas

A pretty palette of fall colors await outdoor enthusiasts.

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THE STATE’SHIKING, WALKING

AND BIKING TRAILSOFFER A

SPECTACULARVIEW.

BY KERRY KRAUS


the state’s U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers recreation areas, NationalForest areas, National Parks, and StateParks.

Ouachita National HikingTrail/Ozark Highlands Trail

Possibly the two best-known trailsin the state are the Ouachita NationalHiking Trail and the Ozark HighlandsTrail. Both traverse large portions ofthe state and are over 100 miles inlength. At 222 miles, the Ouachita isthe longer of the two and runs fromPinnacle Mountain State Park, justwest of Little Rock, to Talimena StatePark in Talihina, Oklahoma. Onehundred and ninety two miles of itmeanders through the OuachitaNational Forest and is overseen by theU.S. Forest Service (USFS). This east-west corridor provides the hiker a widerange of opportunities with elevationsranging from 600 feet to 2,600 feetas the trail passes through forestedmountains, clear streams, high ridgesand verdant valleys.

Trailhead access points can befound along the trail, making it

manageable for day hikes or forovernight backpacking trips. TheUSFS estimates the 192 miles can becovered in approximately 25 days oneway, based on an average of one milefor every hour hiked, assuming thehiking time per day is eight hours.

The Ozark Highlands Trail crossesthe northern part of the state and

passes through the Ozark NationalForest. The 165-mile trail can bedivided into three sections: western,middle and eastern. The westernportion was originally 56.3 miles inlength and began at Lake Fort SmithState Park. (The park is currentlyclosed and undergoing a complete



Hiking trails provide access to some of the state’s most beautiful spots.

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overhaul. The starting point has beenmoved 10 miles east to Dockery’s Gap.The trailhead will be moved back toLake Fort Smith State Park when thepark re-opens in early 2006.) Alongthis length of the trail, hikers will findwaterfalls, lakes, Forest Service camp-grounds, an enclosed rock house,rivers, scenic overlooks, and cabinsatop White Rock Mountain.

The middle section is 49.2 milesand covers territory that featurescreeks, rivers, scenic valleys, and water-falls. The easternmost portion (51miles) features picturesque mountainstreams, whitewater rivers, fishing,wilderness areas, campgrounds, water-falls, and the Buffalo National River. Cedar Falls Trail

Cedar Falls Trail leads to one of the“natural” focal points in the state —Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park.The park is located atop Petit JeanMountain in the Arkansas River Valleyand is the flagship of the ArkansasState Parks System. This 2.25-mile trailbegins at the Mather Lodge breezeway,heads to the bottom of the canyon and

AUTUMN IN ARKANSAS

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follows Cedar Creek to the falls. CedarFalls, at 95 feet, is one of the tallestwaterfalls in the mid-South. The trailis rated moderate-to-strenuous and amap is available at both the park visitorcenter and the lodge. The Grand Promenade

Trails in Arkansas aren’t just for therugged outdoors person. There areseveral easy routes that afford thosewith accessibility needs, the elderly,

and those just wanting a relaxing strollan opportunity to enjoy the greatoutdoors. One is the GrandPromenade National Recreation Trailin Hot Springs National Park, at thefoot of Hot Springs Mountain. Thisbrick-paved walkway runs parallel toCentral Avenue in downtown HotSprings. The tree- and plant-linedpathway, one-third mile in length,becomes quite a showplace during fall.Native and ornamental plants, anabundance of birds and friendly squir-

rels also highlight the walk. Benchesand concrete game tables make thearea a great place to sit for a while andplay a game of checkers. Numerousoverlooks showcase the beauty ofBathhouse Row, a National HistoricLandmark. The Promenade allowsaccess to the only public area of thehot springs that made the townfamous, located at the park’s orig-inal grand carriage entrance. An addi-tional hot water display cascades downthe hillside at the north end of thepromenade. Ramps at both the southand north ends of the walkway allowthose in wheelchairs to experience thescenery and history. A map is availableat the National Park Visitors Center.

These are just a few of the hikingand mountain biking trails awaitingvisitors to The Natural State. Moreinformation can be found online atwww.arkansas.com/outdoors/hiking.To receive a copy of the ArkansasAdventure Guide, which includesdetailed information and maps, visitwww.arkansas.com/helpful-info/free-vacation-kit. ■

AUTUMN IN ARKANSAS

Information on individualtrails is online at thefollowing websites:

• Ouachita National HikingTrailwww.fs.fed.us/oonf/rec/ouachita_tr.htm

• Ozark Highlands Trailwww.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/oht.html

• Cedar Falls Trail www.petitjeanstatepark.com

• Syllamo Mountain Bike Trailwww.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/syllamo_bike.html

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When the Englishnaturalist Thomas Nuttall

journeyed through Arkansasin 1819, he saw a “vast and tracklesswilderness of trees.” There were alsoextensive prairies and huge canebrakesat that time — landscapes teeming withwildlife. Bison, red wolves, and greaterprairie chickens, species no longer foundin Arkansas, thrived here.

Nearly two centuries later, much ofwhat Nuttall observed has been lost,with tallgrass prairies converted intoagricultural fields, old-growth forestscut-over and replaced with pine plan-tations, and free-flowing rivers dammedand channelized. With loss of habitat,many plant and animal species havedeclined.

This widespread loss of habitat andspecies did not go unnoticed, however.By the 1960s, interest in conserving whatremained of Arkansas’s natural diversitywas building. Perhaps no other agencyin Arkansas state government owes itsexistence more to that movement thanthe Arkansas Natural HeritageCommission (ANHC). Created in 1973by Governor Dale Bumpers as theArkansas Environmental PreservationCommission, and renamed in 1975 whenit became an agency of the Departmentof Arkansas Heritage, this agency nowmarks its 30th anniversary. One of theANHC’s objectives was to establish a stateSystem of Natural Areas through whichlands of significant ecological value could


Arkansas’sSystem of

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be protected.

What is a Natural Area?Although factors such as urbaniza-

tion, agriculture, and fire suppressionhave resulted in significant changes tothe natural landscape of Arkansas, frag-ments of undisturbed habitat can still befound in our state. These fragments arewhy natural areas exist. In Arkansas,natural areas are lands specificallymanaged to preserve, and sometimesrestore, natural communities. TheANHC works to locate and identify these

ecologically important lands and thenprotect them for future generations.

The System of Natural Areaspresently consists of 60 areas, totalingover 21,000 acres, scattered acrossArkansas. Ecologically significant areasnow part of the System include high-quality bottomland hardwood forestsat Seven Devils Swamp Natural Areain southern Arkansas. The CossatotRiver State Park-Natural Area protectsone of the best examples of a high-quality Ouachita Mountain stream.In the heart of Harrison, Baker Prairie

Natural Area provides one of the onlyopportunities left to view an undis-turbed Ozark tallgrass prairie.

Along with protecting increasinglyrare natural communities, natural areasalso provide critical habitat for animaland plant species associated with them.Indeed, in many instances, these naturalareas host species that are now feder-ally threatened or endangered due tohabitat loss. For instance, WarrenPrairie Natural Area in Bradley andDrew Counties is one of only a handfulof sites in the world where the federallythreatened plant Geocarpon is knownto occur. Pine City Natural Areasupports the only population of thefederally endangered red-cockadedwoodpecker in eastern Arkansas. In theOzarks, Slippery Hollow Natural Areaprovides critical habitat for the feder-ally endangered Ozark big-eared bat.

Visiting a Natural AreaEven though natural areas protect

natural communities and species that arenow rare in Arkansas that does not meanthat they can never be visited. Whilecamping and use of all-terrain vehiclesare prohibited, low-impact activities suchas hiking and bird-watching are allowedon natural areas. Natural areas such asBig Creek, Cossatot River, Iron Mountain,and Kings River Falls Natural Areascontain primitive foot-trails. Others, suchas Lorance Creek and Louisiana PurchaseNatural Areas, possess handicapped acces-sible boardwalks.

Through a cooperative agreementwith the Arkansas Game and FishCommission (AGFC), 33 natural areasare also included within that agency’sWildlife Management Area System. Asa result, over 6,000 acres of public huntinglands are available to Arkansans. Someof the more notable areas include FalconBottoms Natural Area, which consists of2,074 acres of bottomland hardwoodforests along Bayou Dorcheat in southernArkansas, and the 1,327 acre Big CreekNatural Area in Cleburne County and itsdiverse upland forests. The specific typeof hunting allowed on each natural areavaries, so check the AGFC’s 2003/2004Hunting Regulations for details. To learnmore about Arkansas’s System of NaturalAreas, log onto www.naturalheritage.com.There you will find descriptions, drivingdirections, and maps for all natural areaswithin the System. ■

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS

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.C. “Chuck” Haralsonknows Arkansas.

The Arkansas Parksand Tourism chief

photographer has traveled all overthe state in the past 25 years,capturing its splendor on film. Fromwildlife on the White River to fly fish-ermen is mid-cast, Haralson has beenthere to record each event, grantinghis audience a chance to see afleeting moment in time.

His work invokes a sense of

wonder and awe in the viewer —he seems to catch the spirit, theessence of his subject and is able todraw out its inherent beauty. Onegets the sense of seeing the statethrough Haralson’s eyes, and whatan amazing place it is indeed.

But mere words can’t describe theimpact of these photos, so on thefollowing pages, Arkansas Wild pres-ents a selection of Haralson pictures,taken mostly in the fall around thestate. �

PHOTOGRAPHING

theNaturalState

Photographer Chuck Haralson capturesfall in Arkansas.

Little Red River

Ouachita Stream near Shady Lake


Deer are plentiful inSouth Arkansas

Snow geese at Holla Bend NationalWildlife Refuge

In flight over theArkansas Delta


A morning sunrise in Southeast Arkansas

Retrieving aduck at

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Bull Elk nearBuffalo

National Riverat Ponca.

Camping atVillage Creek

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or many people, the word“tarantula” conjures up night-

marish images of giant,menacing spiders. Tarantulas havebeen shrouded in such fear forcenturies and the negative stigmasurrounding these spiders persists intothe 21st century. Spiders, in general,have a bad image, but being the

biggest of spiders seems to furthermagnify that image. The true heavy-weight of tarantulas, the goliath bird-eater of South America, can weigh upto a quarter-pound as an adult. Thethought of such a spider crawling intoyour house would be enough to strikefear into anyone. However, the taran-tula species found in the U.S. don’t

reach anywhere near that size and arerelatively puny by comparison.

The Texas Brown TarantulaAlthough tropical locales are typi-

cally thought of as the stompingground of tarantulas, Arkansas has itsown giant spider. Only one species of

ARKANSAS TARANTULAS

Above: The Texas brown tarantula is Arkansas’s only native giant spider.Right: Among the rocks and flowers, you’re likely to find a tarantula’sburrow.


ArkansasTarantulas

ArkansasTarantulas


tarantula occurs in Arkansas, the Texasbrown tarantula. The Texas brownranges from Arkansas up into Missouriand west into Oklahoma and Texas.

The Texas brown tarantula is a rela-tive newcomer to Arkansas, having onlyarrived in the state about 8,000 yearsago. During that time, the climate inthis part of North America was muchwarmer and drier than it is today. Asa result of higher temperatures andlower amounts of rainfall, habitats moretypical of the desert southwest andGreat Plains expanded further eastwardinto places like Arkansas and Missouri.Along with these drier habitats cameanimal and plant species associatedwith them, such as the Texas browntarantula, striped bark scorpion,collared lizard, prickly pear cactus, andyucca. As climatic conditions shiftedabout 4,000 years ago, becoming coolerand wetter, these species did not retreatback west. Instead, they becameisolated within suitable patches of open,dry habitat surrounded by increasingamounts of forest.

Life UndergroundIn these habitats, the Texas brown

tarantula spends the majority of its lifein burrows in the ground. The lifespan of a Texas brown tarantula isuncommonly long by spider standards.Sexual maturity is reached at about 10years of age and although males dieshortly after mating, females can liveup to 20 years of age. In fact, a femaletarantula may spend the majority ofthose years within the same burrow.Tarantulas generally dig their ownburrows, although sometimes oldrodent burrows are used. Burrows canbe up to 10 to 24 inches deep. Texasbrown tarantulas do not generally straytoo far from their burrows, thoughas you will read later, adult males willabandon their burrow homes at acertain point in their lives. In fact, ifthey do move some distance away fromtheir burrows they will attach adragline of silk to themselves and theirburrow to find their way back home.

During the winter months — some-time between late September and earlyNovember — the Texas brown plugsthe entrance of its burrow with soilheld together with silk. Once theburrow is plugged, the tarantula enters


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a dormant state and remains in itsburrow until the coming spring.

As temperatures begin to warmfrom March into May, the tarantulawill unplug its burrow and prepare tocapture prey. The Texas brown taran-tula is not an active, roaming hunterbut rather sits in within one to two feetof its burrow and waits for somethingjuicy to pass by. Once detected, thetarantula rushes forward, seizing the

prey, inserts its fangs, and injectsvenom to immobilize its capture. Avariety of beetles, grasshoppers,crickets, and other spiders make upthe typical diet of a tarantula inArkansas.

The Birds and Bees of Tarantula LifeAs spring turns to summer, adult

female tarantulas that mated theprevious year begin to construct eggsacs. Anywhere from 200 to 800 eggsare deposited in these silken sacs by

the female. Once finished, the eggsac is vigorously guarded and tendedby the doting mother. About 45 to 60days later the eggs hatch. The youngspiderlings that emerge stay in closeproximity to their mother for a fewdays, then disperse to construct theirown homes. It is thought that youngspiderlings don’t disperse too far fromtheir mother’s burrow and so looseaggregations of tarantulas can developin an area.

After raising one brood of young,the female is now ready to mate again.Whereas females spend their entirelives in or near their burrows, oncemales reach maturity they leave theirunderground lair and become itin-erant wanderers. Mature males gener-ally leave their burrows sometimebetween August and October. It isthese wandering males that accountfor most sightings of tarantulas inArkansas. Males may wander longdistances, up to 1 mile, in search of amate. There is speculation that maleswander such long distances to avoidthe potential of inbreeding withsiblings close to home.

In their search for mates, males mustrely more on touch than sight to locatethe burrow of a receptive female. Texasbrown tarantulas have very poor eyesightand can’t see much beyond two inches.In the absence of sight, males most likelylocate females through the presence ofsilk at the entrance of the female’sburrow. Once located, the male will tapthe silk in an attempt to draw her out.As the female exits, the male will hookher fangs on special appendages, lift herbackwards, and insert sperm. Oncemating is completed the male beats ahasty retreat. The female then returnsto her burrow and prepares for thecoming of winter. The male is less fortu-nate. Having completed his mission, thesuccessful male will slowly succumb tocold weather and death by starvation.

Tarantula defensesAs tarantulas go, the Texas brown is

not a particularly aggressive or dangerousspecies, though it can defend itself. Themain defenses of a tarantula are avenomous bite and stinging hairs. Fora human, the bite is comparable to a beesting and is rarely life-threatening.Although just as with bee stings, some


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individuals may be allergic to tarantulavenom and develop more serious compli-cations. The second line of tarantuladefense lies in the hairs that cover theabdomen of the spiders. These hairs areknown as urticating or “stinging” hairsand possess large numbers of micro-scopic backward pointing barbs. Whenbothered, tarantulas will sometimes rubtheir abdomens with their back legs,creating a small cloud of these stinginghairs. The barbs on these hairs can lodgethemselves in skin, nasal passages, andeyes, causing an itching and stingingsensation.

Tarantula ConservationWith their long life spans, delayed

maturity, dependence upon limited habi-tats, and tendency to live in one place foryears, tarantulas have the hallmarks of agroup that could be at risk to localizedextinctions. Unfortunately, very little infor-mation exists regarding how populationsof this tarantula are faring in Arkansas.We really don’t even know where theyoccur in the state. To address this situa-tion, the Arkansas Natural HeritageCommission has developed the ArkansasTarantula Survey. Arkansas is a relativelybig place and it would take a team of biol-ogists a long time to conduct a tarantulasurvey of the entire state. The ArkansasTarantula Survey is a citizen-science effortin which individuals who come acrosstarantulas in the wild (or in their yard)are asked to submit their observations viathe web, e-mail, snail-mail, or phone.Participation in the survey is easy. Youdon’t have to be an expert in spider iden-tification to be able to recognize a Texasbrown tarantula. The goal of the surveyis to simply gather data regarding taran-tula sightings from across the state so asto better understand their distribution inArkansas. It must be stressed that, inthis survey effort, you are not asked tocapture tarantulas. In fact, picking up alive tarantula could be potentiallydangerous to both you and the tarantula.Just observe the tarantula and let it goalong its way. To learn more about theproject and report sightings, visit theArkansas Tarantula Survey website athttp://www.naturalheritage.com/taran-tula or call 501.324.9634. ■

Disclaimer: The Arkansas Natural HeritageCommission assumes no responsibility for anyinjuries sustained by individuals choosing tohandle live spiders.

An American Original. A Tradition. A Legend.

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sloughs, everything about Arkansas is a hunter’s paradise.

Wildlife Farms’ 1,750 acres rest along the White River, whichis considered one of North America’s most importantwintering grounds for migratory waterfowl. In addition to

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The statewide seasonalbag limit is three deer, ofwhich no more than twomay be legal bucks.Hunters may not takemore than two does usingfirearms. Within zonesand Wildlife ManagementAreas (WMAs), there arefurther restrictions.

Archery: In zones 1, 2,6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, a huntermay take one legal buckand one doe or two does.In zones 3, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 9,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16A and17, a hunter may takeeither two legal bucks andone doe, two does andone legal buck or threedoes.

Muzzleloader: In zones1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, ahunter may take one legalbuck and one doe. Ahunter in zones 4A, 5A, 9,12, 14, 15, 16, 16A and 17may take either two legalbucks and one doe or twodoes and one legal buck.In zones 3 and 13, ahunter may take two legalbucks and one doe. Zones4 and 5 are closed.

Modern gun: In zones1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, ahunter may take one legalbuck and one doe. Ahunter in zones 4A, 5A, 9,12, 14, 15, 16, 16A and 17may take either two legalbucks and one doe or twodoes and one legal buck.In zones 3, 4, 5 and 13, ahunter may take two legalbucks and one doe.

Hunters, includingarchery hunters, arereminded that a zone doequota permit is requiredto take a doe in zones 1, 2,3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 duringfirearms season. Deadlinefor permit applications isJune 30.

For a zone map, visitwww.agfc.com. �

2004-2005Deer BagLimits


You can obtain more information about changes to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’shunting regulations in the following ways:

Hunter’s Information Hotline: 1-800-440-1477Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website: www.agfc.com

THE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION IMPLEMENTS NEW HUNTING REGULATIONS.

Protecting the Deer Population PHO

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he Arkansas Game and FishCommission changed some

deer hunting regulations thisyear, responding to shifts in the state’sdeer population. Populations in somemanagement areas and deer zonesaren’t at desired levels, so the AGFChas implemented a more conserva-tive approach to bag limits and point

rules. The statewide seasonal bag limit is

three deer, of which no more than twomay be legal bucks. But for the firsttime in decades, the bag limit in somezones has been reduced to one buck,said Donny Harris, AGFC’s wildlifemanagement division chief.

According to Harris, the reason

for the change is to make sure thereare enough mature bucks availableto breed. Last year’s regulationchanges limited the doe harvest —the number of does killed by hunters— but a conservative buck harvestthis year is needed to ensure abalanced sex and age distribution in


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the state. Another measure to protect young

bucks is the use of a three-point ruleacross the state. This means that abuck must have three points on oneside of the antlers to be legallyharvested. And on some wildlifemanagement areas, a four-point orfive-point rule may be in effect. Oneside benefit is that by graduallychanging the antler characteristics,there will be a greater number ofbucks with the genetics to producetrophy racks in the years to come.

Response to the regulation changeshas been a “mixed bag,” Harris said.“There’s been a considerable amountof opposition, but hunters in thoseareas know something needs to bedone. Everyone can understand it,they just don’t want it to impact them.”

But Harris believes the regulationchanges won’t last long. “It will bedetermined by the response of thedeer,” he said.

Herd health checks are made at theend of the hunting season. As soonas the deer harvest improves to desiredlevels, the AGFC will seriously considerrelaxing the restrictions.

The process to determine huntingregulation changes spans a six-monthperiod. After the herd health checksare made, AGFC field personnel puttogether recommendations for theirregion. The deer team, whichincludes the deer project coordinatorand other biologists, review the recom-mendations and make sure they areconsistent with the AGFC’s strategicdeer management plan’s specific goalsand objectives. The regulationspackage is then submitted to AGFCheadquarters, where the AGFC admin-istration reviews them and makesneeded changes.

In January, public meetingsannouncing the proposed changes areheld all over the state. AGFC considersany opposition and may make revi-sions based on the issues raised.

The proposed regulation changesare then presented to the AGFC inMarch or April, and the commissionvotes to accept or reject the changesin April.

“We’re getting input from thepublic throughout the process,” Harrissaid. “It’s a living and ever-changingprocess.” ■

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Jerry McKinnis

Living adream.

or viewers of ESPN’s outdoorsprogramming, Little Rock resi-

dent Jerry McKinnis, host of thelong-running show “The Fishin’ Hole,”is probably a familiar face. But what youmay not know is that McKinnis is alsothe driving force behind the otheroutdoor shows ESPN airs.

McKinnis and his company, J.M.Associates, produce dozens of series andspecials for the sports network, includingthe Stihl Timbersports series; “The OrvisSporting Life;” the Citgo B.A.S.S. MastersTournament and the ESPN GreatOutdoor Games.

Part of his success, he said in a recentinterview, comes from the freedom the

channel grants him to develop his ideas.“There are a lot of creative people outthere who don’t get an opportunity to cutloose,” he said. “We have that opportu-nity and it comes from our relationshipwith ESPN. They’ve been pretty wonderfulat embracing our ideas.”

While fishing is something McKinnishas been doing for 60 years, he didn’tconsider it a career at first. The St. Louisnative was a major league baseballprospect for Kansas City in the 1950’s.

“I was a good minor league ball player,but as far as the big boys, I just could notcut it,” he told the Arkansas Times in 2002.“I couldn’t throw hard enough. I was tooyoung and too immature. You didn’t go

to college back then, you went to theminors. I was 17 and not done growingyet.”

McKinnis’ career path changedduring a guided fishing trip on the WhiteRiver. His guide was Forrest Wood,creator of Ranger boats. After the fishingtrip, the moved to Arkansas and becamea guide himself, making about $3 a day.

“Fishing is something I did my wholemy whole life as far back as I canremember,” McKinnis said in a recenttelephone interview from his weekendhome in north Arkansas. “There’s some-thing about a fish strike — you never getrid of that.”

McKinnis was introduced to Little

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Rock businessman Brick Lile, whooffered to purchase a marina on LakeMaumelle if McKinnis would run it forhim. While working at the marina,McKinnis had a chance encounter withKATV’s Bud Campbell, who suggestedMcKinnis do a fishing report for the TVstation’s newscast.

The fishing report soon grew to a half-hour show called “The ArkansasSportsman,” which was syndicated andrenamed “The Fishin’ Hole.”

McKinnis took the show to ESPN in1979. Next to “SportsCenter,” “TheFishin’ Hole” is ESPN’s longest runningseries. He’s fished in almost every stateand several countries around the world.

His show has also put him intocontact with several famous people, buthe hasn’t thought too much of it. “I’venever really been into the celebrity stuff,”he said. “If someone famous calls to fishwith me, I have to be convinced theyreally do like the sport.”

There have been a few through theyears that have shown a genuine interestin fishing. McKinnis said he’s developedgreat relationships with people like noto-rious college basketball coach Bobby

Knight and the late major league base-ball legend Ted Williams.

Although his show has been on the airfor more than four decades, McKinnis saidit’s now a low priority, taking a back seatto the other shows JM Associates producesand edits. “We’re producing somethingevery minute of every day,” he said.

These days, he has little time to fish.In fact at the time of this interview,McKinnis has taken a rare day off to visithis weekend home. The next day, heplans to be back to producing television— his crew left the day before to go ona location shoot.

Even this day off involves work —there’s grass to mow and other littlechores. But he hopes to get them donebefore dark so that he can cast a few linesout at his pond in back. No doubt hisDaschund, Archie, will be with him.

Does he look forward to slowing downafter 40 years in the television business,having more time to fish without theglare of the lights and the cameras? Nota chance, he said.

“I don’t think it’s in the cards,” hesaid. “I’ll never stop what I do – I’llnever retire.” ■


COUNTY BUCKS BUTTON DOES TOTALBUCKS

Arkansas 1436 245 1048 2729Ashley 1750 560 1661 3971Baxter 878 64 135 1077Benton 1013 49 206 1268Boone 424 11 64 499Bradley 1992 425 1665 4082Calhoun 1399 398 1200 2997Carroll 591 20 84 695Chicot 387 24 396 807Clark 1882 427 1351 3660Clay 414 98 344 856Cleburne 1205 79 244 1528Cleveland 1938 476 1398 3812Columbia 1493 322 1147 2962Conway 694 57 161 912Craighead 102 12 72 186Crawford 776 47 192 1015Crittenden 105 3 48 156Cross 243 64 189 496Dallas 1740 451 1363 3554Desha 892 70 886 1848Drew 1789 592 1617 3998Faulkner 685 46 138 869Franklin 620 30 81 731Fulton 1039 102 241 1382Garland 956 42 143 1141Grant 1483 355 1032 2870Greene 459 151 437 1047Hempstead 1146 210 727 2083Hot Spring 800 171 481 1452Howard 1103 101 435 1639Independence 1203 38 214 1455Izard 772 38 116 926Jackson 165 18 54 237Jefferson 805 184 580 1569Johnson 873 21 69 963Lafayette 539 131 421 1091Lawrence 574 59 148 781

COUNTY BUCKS BUTTON DOES TOTALBUCKS

Lee 238 13 67 318Lincoln 920 221 731 1872Little River 726 166 509 1401Logan 693 44 58 795Lonoke 413 56 242 711Madison 1257 39 119 1415Marion 536 19 59 614Miller 410 71 300 781Mississippi 89 5 23 117Monroe 451 110 308 869Montgomery 569 21 35 625Nevada 1423 349 1154 2926Newton 673 22 55 750Ouachita 1824 395 1350 3569Out of State 2 2 2 6Perry 390 23 67 480Phillips 222 24 128 374Pike 1339 211 581 2131Poinsett 166 32 114 312Polk 667 43 78 788Pope 973 29 130 1132Prairie 853 132 543 1528Pulaski 626 68 252 946Randolph 785 111 156 1052Saline 1250 110 442 1802Scott 375 24 40 439Searcy 389 23 29 441Sebastian 449 68 228 745Sevier 662 60 251 973Sharp 1287 123 362 1772St. Francis 225 24 129 378Stone 789 41 95 925Union 2550 522 1955 5027Van Buren 850 38 84 972Washington 1377 28 159 1564White 1214 155 421 1790Woodruff 416 87 285 788Yell 743 47 83 873


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Changes on the horizon

he Arkansas Game and FishCommission has recently

formulated it recommendationsfor changes to the state’s duck

hunting regulations. These recom-mendations are based on the seasonstructure formulated by the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service. Although statescan’t be more liberal in their regula-tions than the Fish and WildlifeService, states can choose to be moreconservative. The final decision onregulation changes will be made inAugust or September.

The Arkansas Wildlife Federation,a conservation group, advocates amore conservative approach. DonnyHarris, the AGFC’s wildlife manage-ment division chief, said the ArkansasWildlife Federation issued a reportwith 8 to 10 recommendations for

changes to the state’s duck huntingregulations. Those recommendationsincluded outlawing the use of spin-ning-wing decoys, placing restrictionson the use of outboard motors andreducing bag limits.

To help with the decision-makingprocess, the AGFC commissioned itsown study, conducted by the University

of Arkansas at Little

Rock. The study polled a randomsample of duck hunters whopurchased duck stamps last year.Harris said the study showed themajority polled weren’t in favor of state

regulations that were more conserva-tive than the federal guidelines. (Thestudy results are available at the AGFCwebsite: www.agfc.com)

“Everybody wants want everybodyelse gets,” Harris said. Since ducks aremigratory, they are managed on acontinental basis. Not only is eachstate setting their own guidelines, butthe U.S., Canadian and Mexicangovernments oversee conservation andhunting regulations in their own coun-tries.

“There is a growing feeling thatducks need a more conservativeapproach, but to make an impact everystate would have to be more conser-vative in their regulations,” Harris said.“Everyone has a vested interest in goodstewardship.”

One example of how other states’

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission consider mechanical decoys and other duck harvest issues.


regulations make an impact onArkansas duck hunters is the contro-versial issue of using spinning wingdecoys, which are sometimes calledrobo-ducks. These are motorizeddecoys that at a distance appear tobe a duck alighting or landing onwater, which attracts ducks flying over-head. Juvenile ducks are the mostsusceptible.

The mechanical decoys do improveharvest for the short term, especiallyin Northern states, Harris said. But as

ducks continue to fly south, they’vealready been exposed to the robo-ducksand are more likely to avoid them.

It would be best if every state in theflyway to restrict the use of the decoysbecause it penalizes Arkansas whenother states use them. A flyway is agroup of states that coordinatehunting and conservation efforts formigratory birds. Arkansas is part ofthe Mississippi flyway. Harris, who wasinterviewed before the Mississippiflyway council met in July, said the issue

would probably come up at themeeting, but it’s possible that no deci-sion would be made.

If the flyway council doesn’t adopta restriction on robo-ducks, its possibleArkansas may adopt one on its own,Harris said. But the issue won’t besettled until the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService makes a ruling.

For more information on huntingregulations, call the toll free hunter’sinformation hotline at 1-800-440-1477or visit www.agfc.com. �


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WATERFOWL AND WETLANDS

Wa t e r f o w lA New Boon For Waterfowl And Wetlands In

Northwest ArkansasJ. Brian Davis, PhD, Regional Biologist, Arkansas Ducks Unlimited

It was a typical clear, sultry Arkansas summer after-noon in 2002. We stood in a dusty field looking aroundand admiring the vast, open bottomland. The crop fieldsseemed to stretch to infinity, only to be corralled by theOzark Plateau to the north and the Arkansas River to thesouth. Standing there, it is not impossible to imagine your-self in some Montana mountain valley. Indeed, large openplaces fed by rivers and surrounded by hills or mountainscarry a mystique that can defy explanation, but definitelyenrich the soul.

Kiah Gardner, an area manager of the Arkansas Gameand Fish Commission (AGFC), led us to this strikingpiece of land. With his usual disposition that includesgleaming eyes and an infectious chuckle, Kiah remarkedto me, “Well, mister biologist, what do you think of thisplace?” The first excited words out of my mouth, minusa few positive expletives, were, “Wow, this could be theRaft Creek of western Arkansas!” Here was a piece of realestate that clearly had great potential for wetland restora-tion.

The field in which we were standing was part of theKibler Bottoms, located just south of Dyer, Arkansas.Nowadays, the area is farmed intensively and consists oflarge, open and well-drained fields. However, there’s no



Conservation

A n d W e t l a n d sdoubt the local waterfowl hunters could tell tales all nightabout stellar hunts and the ducks and geese that haveswarmed these bottoms following downpours. I made thecomparison to Raft Creek, located near Georgetown,Arkansas, because of the large, open bottoms there,too. Ducks Unlimited (DU) worked with AGFC and theNatural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to estab-lish the Raft Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA)in 2000-2002 (see Arkansas Wild, spring 2004). The bottomsthat Raft Creek occupies have always been a favorite hauntof waterfowl and other birds migrating through orwintering in Arkansas. No matter where we may be, manywaterfowl biologists become euphoric when viewing placesthat just look “ducky,” as they do both in the Kibler andGeorgetown bottoms.

On that day, we chatted about the what ifs and thefeasibilities of acquiring some of Kibler Bottoms for restora-tion. The scene we viewed there reflected much of whatwe have witnessed elsewhere in North America for morethan a century — an incredible area but one that hasendured devastating wetland loss.

As we talked and the dust swirled a bit, two obviousfactors fed our excitement about the potential project.First, much of the focus on wetlands and waterfowlhabitats in Arkansas occurs, for good reason, in the Deltaregion. Nonetheless, the Arkansas River, certainly longbefore man realized that ducks like to follow rivers, is andhas been an important “waterfowl highway.” Get in anairplane at even a few thousand feet, fly southeast down

the Arkansas River, and when you arrive at the Delta theimportance of the Arkansas River waterfowl highway toduck hunting in the Arkansas Delta will become imme-diately clear. However, significant loss of wetlands hasoccurred in the Arkansas and other river systems, so DUworks with agencies like AGFC to identify and restoreimportant habitats.

The opportunity to restore wetlands in Kibler Bottomsis invigorating because it links habitats in the Centraland Mississippi Flyways. Waterfowl wing southward infall from the prairies and into southern Central Flywaystates — like adjacent Oklahoma — before moving intoArkansas and elsewhere. Likewise, the area could benefitspring migrants. Waterfowl and shorebirds travel up theArkansas River Valley towards critical habitats likeCheyenne Bottoms in Kansas and the Rainwater Basinin Nebraska during their return journey to the northernprairies of the U.S. and Canada — many ducks’ nestingterminus.

A second attribute is that Kibler Bottoms wetlandscould provide unique opportunities for waterfowlhunters. DU members, volunteers, and other huntersare quite vociferous about access to public areas in theNatural State. Rightfully so, especially considering that

over 80,000 hunters eagerly take to Arkansas’ agricul-tural fields, wetlands, and bottomland hardwood forestseach year in search of a quality waterfowling experience.Moreover, waterfowling opportunities on public landsin western Arkansas pale compared to those in the Delta.Thus, this opportunity was way too good to pass up.

With this in mind, DU, AGFC, and the NRCS workeddiligently to obtain the Denman-Wheeler property, orwhat has become Frog Bayou WMA. Jody Pagan, WetlandReserve Program (WRP) coordinator with NRCS, andothers worked closely with the Denman and Wheelerfamilies to acquire the 790-acre site. After lengthy butamicable negotiations by DU, the property was finallypurchased in May 2004. DU and NRCS engineers werebusy in spring 2004 collaborating on survey and designand other restoration plans for Frog Bayou. Our teamhas also worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers to obtain permits and develop protocol forthe wetland development venture.

After intensive planning, the engineering teamrecommended that the project be developed in twophases. First, via the highly popular WRP that restorescritical wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest, DUwill establish seasonally-flooded habitats at Frog Bayoubeginning in late summer 2004. Bottomland hardwoodtrees will be planted there in winter 2004-2005. Anestimated 315 acres of wetlands in 7 different units aretargeted for restoration. It will take over 81,600 cubic


Conservation

yards of soil to construct the leveesand a minimum of 6 large watercontrol structures will be used in waterdelivery. In the second phase, perma-nent pumps will be installed insummer 2005. Pumps will ensure thatwater is deliverable to wetland unitsat important times, such as early fall,during waterfowl hunting season, andagain later during spring migration.The number of pumps needed toadequately flood the units is still beingevaluated. Wetland units will be care-fully planned to ensure that floodingand drainage schedules can meet theneeds of waterfowl, hunting access,vegetation management, and manyother factors.

Despite other objectives that still needfine-tuning, agency staff and DUmembers and volunteers are very excitedabout this new wetland venture. Not onlywill it benefit migrating birds and localwildlife, it will also provide additionalhunting opportunities for Arkansans.DU is indebted to the Denman andWheeler families for making thisendeavor possible. Also, we are indebtedto staff of AGFC, NRCS, and the Corpsof Engineers for their cooperation andefforts in making this restoration dreamcome true. Lastly, DU volunteers givetirelessly to meet the goals of our water-fowl and wetlands programs; for that,DU, our partners, and the waterfowlresource are indebted. Without theirsupport, this new WMA would not havebeen possible. No matter your outdoorpreferences, we hope that you enjoy thenew AGFC WMA in northwesternArkansas. ■


■ PINE BLUFF, PINE BLUFF 8/20/04 • “ DRAW-DOWN” • IP Supervisors Club • Doors Open at6:00 • Tickets $100 • Limit 150 Tickets • CaraMiller 1-870-879-1838 ■ NE AR HENS, PARAGOULD 8/20/04 •“DRAWDOWN” • Ellington’s • Cindy Cross■ INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, BATESVILLE8/21/04 • “Golf tournament” Batesville CC • JimButler 870-307-5338■ LAFAYETTE COUNTY, LEWISVILLE 8/21/04• AgriPlex at Hwy 82 – Lewisville • Danny Rodgers870-533-4173■ PARAGOULD, PARAGOULD 8/22/04 GreenWing Fun Day at Cross Farm • Hamburgers andHotdogs provided by DU Committee • BryanMurray 870-335-6049■ TEXARKANA, TEXARKANA8/28/04 • “DEAW-DOWN” Elks Lodge • Joe Dowd 870-774-2505■ PINE BLUFF, PINE BLUFF 9/9/04 • HarborOaks • John O. Lytle 870-534-3449■ INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, BATESVILLE9/11/04 • Timber Ridge Lodge • Paul Holifield870-793-4179■ NORTH LITTLE ROCK, NLR 9/16/04 •Location Sherwood Forest • Doors Open 5:30 •Dinner 6:00 • Live Auction 7:00 • $25 (DinnerOnly) • $40 Single • $60 Couple • $250Sponsorship • $500 or $1000 Corporate Tables •Cathie Sams 501-753-0269■ RICE & WINGS, JONESBORO 9/16/04 •Ridgepointe Country Club • David Vance 870-935-4221■ FORT SMITH MEMBERSHIP EVENT 9/17/04 • Holiday Inn City Center • Doors Open6:00 • Dinner 7:00 • Live Auction 8:00 • $20Geeenwing • $50 Single • $80 Couple • HolidayInn City Center will offer Special Room Rates forDU Members $59 plus tax • Early Bird Print &Gun Give Away Must register and send in paymentby 9/3/2004 • Michael Rose 479-494-3751■ NORTHWEST AR, FAYETTEVILLE 9/17/04 •Fayetteville Town Center • Doors Open 5:30 •Dinner 6:00 • • Live Auction 7:00 • $35 Single • $50Couple • $300 Sponsorship • Outdoor Show starts at12:00 • Mitch Weigel 479-466-2369■ CLEAR CREEK, ALMA 9/18/04 • Alma SchoolCafeteria • James Winborn 479-648-4938■ RICE & WINGS, JONESBORO 9/18/04 •AGFC Crowley Ridge Nature Center • DavidVance 870-935-4221■ TOAD SUCK, CONWAY, D 9/24/04 • DoorsOpen 6:00 • Dinner 7:00 • Dinner Provided byToad Suck Chapter • $45 Couple • $35 Single •Rusty Page 501-269-1035■ MAUMELLE SPONSOR 9/26/04 • BobwhiteHill Ranch • Sporting Clay Shoot starts at 3:30 •Doors Open 5:30 • Dinner 6:00 • Live Auction 7:30• Dinner Provided by Bobwhite Hill Ranch • $40Single • $60 Couple • James Serra 501-851-9204 ■ ARG&F ‘HALL OF FAME’, LITTLE ROCK10/1/04 • State House Convention Ctr. • CocktailHour 6:00 • Dinner 7:15 • Dinner Provided ByCajun Country Cookers • Tickets $100 • ReservedTable of 10 $1000 • Steve Smith 501-223-6396■ DELTA HENS, MCGHEE 10/2/04 • McGheeCountry Club • Doors open at 6:00 • Tickets$35.00 • Catfish and Trimmings, ladies only please• Call 870-392-2680


Join DucksUnlimited Today!You can be a part of the effort by attending the upcoming events in the Metro area. For information on other banquets or questionsabout Ducks Unlimited call Bob at 501-955-9264

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■ SCOTT COUNTY, WALDRON 10/2/04 • To BeAnnounced • James Bynum 479-637-3719■ FOURCHE RIVER, PERRYVILLE 10/2/04 • PerryCounty Fairgrounds • Doors Open 6:00 • Dinner7:00 • $10 Greenwing • $35 Single • $50 Couple •$250 Sponsorship • Robbie Stout 662-4992■ BENTON COUNTY, BENTONVILLE10/4/04 • Benton County Quail Barn Doors Open 5:00 • Dinner 7:00 • DinnerProvided By Catering Unlimited, Brinkman, &Charbroil • $50 at Door • $45 in Advance • $300Sponsorship • David Bane 479-381-4791 ■ HOT SPRINGS, HOT SPRINGS 10/9/04 •TBA • Peter Couch 501-321-0405■ AR RIVER VALLEY, RUSSELLVILLE10/9/04 • Hughes Center • Doors Open 6:30 •Dinner 7:00 • Dinner Provided By Knights ofColumbus • Michael Keener 479-968-5338■ HOT SPRINGS COUNTY, MALVERN10/12/04 • Hot Springs County Fairgrounds • JimHoman 501-337-7788■ CENTRAL AR, LITTLE ROCK 10/14/04 •Clear Channel Metroplex • Doors Open 5:00 •Dinner 6:00 • Live Auction 7:15 • JenningsOsbourne providing Dinner • Advance Tickets:$35 single • $55 couple • $15 Green Wing •Tickets at Door: $40 single • $60 couple • $20Green Wing • $250 Sponsor Tickets • $500Corporate Tables • Bill Craig 501-455-4143■ OZARK/ALTUS, OZARK 10/16/04 • St. MarysLawrence Hall • Bronson Ruston 479-667-7771 ■ JACKSONVILLE 10/16/04 • Jacksonville Inn •Doors Open 6:00 • Dinner 7:00 • Live Auction8:00 • Matt Robinson 501-412-8055 or [email protected]■ PINE BLUFF , PINE BLUFF • 10/22/04 • PineBluff Convention Center • $40 Dinner • DoorsOpen 5:30 • Dinner provided by King Kat • Cara

Miller at 870-879-1838■ PARAGOULD, PARAGOULD 10/23/04 •Paragould Country Club • Jay Boone at 870-476-1167■ CABOT • 10/28/04 • Garden Gallery, Hwy 321• Doors Open 6:00 • Dinner 7:00 • Live auction at8:00 • Dinner provided by Outback Steakhouse •Ken Kincade 501-941-3369■ CRAWFORD COUNTY, VAN BUREN10/30/04 • Wheels in Motion Skating Rink with atentative date • Doors open at 5:30 • $40.00 fordinner and membership ticket, Seafood BuffetOver 100 guns raffled, Drakes only • Gary Millerat 479-471-5400 or David Martin at 479-806-7761■ DELTA CHAPTER, MCGEHEE 11/2/04 •McGehee Country Club • Doors open at 6:00 • $40Dinner Ticket, Quail dinner • Call 870-392-2680■ ENGLAND 11/4/04 • Doors Open 5:30 • Dinner6:30 • Live Auction 7:30 • $15 Greenwing • $35Single • $40 Couple • 10/31/04 • Greenwing Shoot2:00 UAP Chemical Hwy 165 Mile East of England •Don Compton 501-842-2801 or Jeb 870-766-8638■ TEXARKANA, TEXARKANA 11/4/04 • DoorsOpen 6:00 • Dinner 7:00 • Provided by CattlemensSteakhouse • Silent Auction, Live Auction , BoatGiveaway • Tickets $50 • Joe Dowd 870-774-2505■ DEQUEEN, DEQUEEN 11/6/04 • DeQueenCountry Club • J. Mark Bigham at 870-642-2212■ WYNNE, WYNNE 11/6/04 • Knights ofColumbus Club • Gary County at 870-238-7440■ OUACHITA COUNTY, CAMDEN 11/6/04 •Riverwoods • Doors open at 6:00 • Dinner ticketsare $45.00 • Steak Dinner and Open Bar • MickeyLindsey at 870-836-7785■ HELENA, HELENA 11/18/04 • Phillips CountyCommunity College • Pete Hardy at 870-827-4466■ JOHNSON COUNTY, CLARKSVILLE12/31/04 • Johnson County Armory • DeneFeikema at 479-754-3924

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he White River and itswetlands and bottomland hard-

wood forests are in serious andimmediate jeopardy. The U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers wants to beginconstruction of the WhiteRiver/Grand Prairie Irrigation PumpStation as soon as possible. Thatagency also wants to build a deepernavigation channel on the LowerWhite so barges can use it more daysof the year. Both of these projects willbe devastating to fish, wildlife andother natural resource treasures inand along the White River. They willalso damage the pocketbooks ofAmerica’s taxpayers.

Grand Prairie/White RiverIrrigation Project

When completed, the GrandPrairie Irrigation Project and itsmassive White River pump will suckmore than 100 billion gallons out ofthe river annually, lowering waterlevels in the river’s ecosystems. Overthe long term, this will severely affecthunting and fishing throughout theriver basin, and it could change this

area’s unique fish and wildlife habi-tats.

For a comparison of how muchwater 100 billion gallons is, considerthe following statistic: In 2002, CentralArkansas Water, the utility that servesLittle Rock and surrounding commu-nities, provided a little more than 18.9billion gallons of water to 366,395people. In other words, the WhiteRiver pump will be providing more

than 5 times the amount of water thatCentral Arkansas Water provided toits nearly 400,000 residential, indus-trial and business customers. The $319million Grand Prairie IrrigationProject and its White River Pump willbe supplying water to fewer than 900farmers.

The White River pumping stationwill be located above DeValls Bluff,

WHITE

RiverCONSERVATION

GROUPS ANDFARMERS ARE

WORKING TO STOPCORPS’ PROJECTS

THAT WILL DAMAGEWHITE RIVER

By Terry W. HortonExecutive DirectorArkansas Wildlife Federation


The Arkansas Wildlife Federation, the Claredon Chamber of Commerce, the AugustaChamber of Commerce, several conservation groups and many farmers along the LowerWhite River are opposed to the proposed deepening of the navigation channel to ninefeet on the Lower White River.

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The Arkansas Wildlife Federation and 17 other co-plaintiffs, including farmers, landownersalong the river and other conservation groups, have filed a federal and a state lawsuit tostop the construction of a massive irrigation pump on the Lower White River. The pumpwould suck more than 100 billion gallons of water out of the river annually and it wouldbe built near the Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area and the Cache River NationalWildlife Refuge.

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near the Arkansas Game & FishCommission’s Wattensaw WildlifeManagement Area and across the riverfrom lands within the Cache RiverNational Wildlife Refuge.

In mid-February, the ArkansasWildlife Federation and 17 other co-plaintiffs (including the NationalWildlife Federation, farmers andothers who own land along the LowerWhite River) filed lawsuits in federaland state courts to stop the GrandPrairie Irrigation Project and itsconstruction of the pump. Presently,construction of the pump is on holduntil the federal lawsuit, which beginsAug. 11, is decided. A full hearing onthe state lawsuit has not yet beenscheduled, although a short hearingon a motion to dismiss it was sched-uled for July 26.

The Arkansas Wildlife Federationis the lead plaintiff in both lawsuits. Itis noteworthy that one of the co-plain-tiffs, Neal Galloway, is a Grand Prairiefarmer who is on the board of direc-tors of the White River RegionalIrrigation Distribution District, theStuttgart-based local supporter of theirrigation project.

The purpose of the Grand PrairieIrrigation Project is to reduce theneed for pumping groundwater outof the Alluvial and Sparta aquifers.Scientists say some areas of the Alluvialaquifer (a shallow-water aquifer)could be depleted by 2015 if presentpumping rates continue. Agriculturepresently accounts for approximately90 percent of the water pumped annu-ally out of the Alluvial aquifer on theGrand Prairie, primarily for growingrice. In some areas of the GrandPrairie, farmers are drilling their wellsdeeper to reach the Sparta aquifer.This aquifer supplies drinking waterfor many cities in the state. It is morecostly for a farmer to drill into theSparta.

Approximately 1.5 million acres ofrice are grown in Arkansas each year.The amount of rice grown on theGrand Prairie represents about sixpercent (90,000 acres) of those acres.In the mid 1970s, Arkansas farmersgrew 500,000 acres. As rice acreageincreased, demands for irrigationwater increased significantly.

Congress recently approved morethan $3.5 million to begin construc-

tion of the “withdrawl” features of theGrand Prairie Project. This includesstarting construction of the massivepumping station. Corps of Engineersrepresentatives originally said theagency wanted to advertise forconstruction bids in March 2004 andbegin construction on the pumpingstation in June 2004, but the lawsuit

changed their plans. The Arkansas Wildlife Federation

has supported other aspects of theGrand Prairie Project, includingconstruction of reservoirs and tail-

water-recovery systems to help farmersuse irrigation water more efficiently,but the organization has stronglyopposed construction of the WhiteRiver pump.

Richard Mays, a Little Rockattorney, is representing the plaintiffs.The federal suit is against the UnitedStates Army Corps of Engineers,Colonel Jack Scherer, DistrictEngineer in Memphis, and Brig.General Don T. Riley, president,Mississippi River Commission. The suitseeks declaratory and injunctive reliefagainst the Corps of Engineers for itsfailure to comply with the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act.

Mays explained that among otherthings, the plaintiffs are asking thatthe Corps of Engineers be perma-nently enjoined from constructing andoperating the pump, canals, pipelines,ditches or other conveyances for theremoval of water from White River.

The state lawsuit is against theArkansas Soil and Water ConservationCommission and the White RiverRegional Irrigation Water DistributionDistrict. A main point in the statesuit contends that the Soil and WaterConservation Commission does not

AMONG OTHER THINGS,THE PLAINTIFFS AREASKING THAT THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS BE PERMANENTLYENJOINED FROMCONSTRUCTING ANDOPERATING THE PUMP,CANALS, PIPELINES,DITCHES OR OTHERCONVEYANCES FOR THE REMOVAL OF WATERFROM WHITE RIVER.



have constitutional authority over thesale or transfer of water from theWhite River. Mays says that authorityis held by the Arkansas Game & FishCommission, under Amendment 35to the state constitution. Hiscontention is that the constitutionalamendment says only the ArkansasGame & Fish Commission can deter-mine the minimum water flowsneeded to protect fish and wildlife.Laws in Arkansas that give the Soil andWater Conservation Commission thatauthority are unconstitutional.

The state suit asks that the Soil andWater Conservation Commission andthe Irrigation District should bedeclared to be acting “in excess ofauthority” in proposing to enter intoa contract with the Corps of Engineersfor the construction and operation ofa pump for the removal of water fromWhite River.

David Carruth, president of theArkansas Wildlife Federation and aresident of Clarendon, is one of the18 plaintiffs. He says he joined the suitsas a plaintiff because the river hasmeant so much to him his entire life.“The pump will change the riverforever, and it will harm the uniqueecosystem that tens of thousands ofhunters and anglers have enjoyedfor decades,” he said. “It will negativelyimpact the abundant species of fishand wildlife in the White RiverNational Wildlife Refuge, the CacheRiver National Wildlife Refuge andmany Game and Fish Commissionwildlife management areas. Farmersand many other citizens in the LowerWhite River don’t want the pump inthe river because they know how muchecological damage it will eventuallydo. The area here is as special as theFlorida Everglades — and just asfragile. Billions of dollars are beingspent to try to repair the Evergladesfrom projects that stole water fromit. Let’s not make the same mistake onWhite River.”

Carruth emphasized that this is nota battle between conservationists andfarmers. He estimates that half thefarmers on the Grand Prairie areagainst the project. Many of thosefarmers built reservoirs years ago andhave adequate supplies of water, he

explained. Carruth said farmers inother parts of the state are upset thatthey may have to compete with GrandPrairie farmers who are getting a $319million government project to helpthem have enough water. “The ricegrowers in other areas would be at acompetitive disadvantage,” he said.

The Arkansas Wildlife Federationhas established the White RiverDefense Fund that is being used to payfor the lawsuits. Carruth says dona-tions are needed and wanted from“everyone who cares about WhiteRiver, from Northwest Arkansas to theSoutheast where it joins the MississippiRiver. We had hoped we would neverhave to file lawsuits to protect the riverfrom such an ill-conceived project.Our goal is to raise $50,000, and so farwe have raised about $36,000.”

The Lower White RiverNavigation ChannelImprovement (Deepening)Project

A 250-mile navigation channel ispresently maintained on the LowerWhite River. Basically, it provides foran 8-foot deep channel to Augusta,Arkansas, and about a 4.5-foot deepchannel to Newport. Since the orig-inal project was finished 30 years ago,barge interests and the Corps ofEngineers have been promoting thecreation of a nine-foot deep channel,similar to other large navigable water-ways. Even though barge traffic isminimal on the river, navigation inter-ests wanted to spend millions moredollars to make the channel deeper.First, they promoted a plan to dredge

the shallow areas. The public andpoliticians responded quickly and shotthat idea down. It was even de-author-ized by Congress in 1988.

Then in 1996, the study was re-authorized to examine the potentialfor deepening the channel throughthe use of approximately a hundredwing dikes scattered at more than 30locations along the river. The studyhas received some funding fromCongress, but it has often been slowedbecause of intense opposition fromArkansans. The expanded navigationproject is opposed by virtually everymajor conservation group and the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service. Thousandsof citizens have signed petitions callingfor the de-authorization of this project.On four occasions in the winter andspring of 2001, Arkansas’s state legis-lators failed to pass bills that wouldhave provided money to construct thedeeper channel.

The dikes and some continueddredging would negatively impactwildlife refuges on the river, siltationwould impact sloughs and oxbowlakes, and other hydrologic changeswould occur. Under the most recentplan, dredging within the nationalrefuges would actually increase by 12percent. The ecologically importantdiversity of channel depth would disap-pear forever, taking spawning habitatwith it. If there is reduced flooding ofbottomland forests, important wetlandhabitats will undergo changes, thusimpacting ducks, fish and otherspecies that depend on them. As theenvironmental integrity of the regionis changed, the dollars from hunters,anglers, and other visitors to the areawill diminish.

White River under attack by theCorps of Engineers

Every person who cares aboutWhite River should write to theirelected officials urging them to opposeboth the Grand Prairie IrrigationProject and the White RiverNavigation Channel DeepeningProject. Time is of the essence. Thisriver is too important ecologically andaesthetically to let the Corps ofEngineers ruin it.

The Lower White River Region canbe described as a fantastic fishing and

AS THE ENVIRONMENTALINTEGRITY OF THEREGION IS CHANGED,THE DOLLARS FROMHUNTERS, ANGLERS,AND OTHER VISITORSTO THE AREA WILLDIMINISH.


WHITE RIVER


hunting paradise. This portion of theriver is possibly the finest and lastexample of the massive floodplain thatonce dominated the Mississippi Riverregion. There are endangered andthreatened species, such as the inte-rior least tern and pink mucketmussels. Ducks, bear, deer, turkey,neotropical songbirds, alligators anda host of other species make this areaspecial. There are more than 100species of fish. More mallards winterhere than any place in the world.On the lower reach of the river, theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ownsapproximately 112 miles of river bank.More than 280,000 acres of bottom-

lands in the Lower White River Basinhave been acquired and protectedby state and federal agencies. In 1989,the Cache River-Lower White Riverfloodplain joined seven other sites inthe nation on the “List of Wetlands of

International Importance.”The hunting, fishing, and other

tourism dollars generated by the White

River reach into the millions. City offi-cials in Stuttgart, Arkansas, located onthe Grand Prairie near the White,say a million dollars per day comesinto their city every day of the duckseason. Clarendon and Augusta, twocities located along the river, are alsovery dependent on the ecodollars theriver brings.

If you have questions about eitherof these projects, call the ArkansasWildlife Federation at 224-9200 or 1-877-945-2543. Email us at [email protected]. The Arkansas WildlifeFederation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,private, conservation organization thatwas founded in 1936. ■

THIS IS NOT A BATTLE BETWEEN CONSERVATIONISTSAND FARMERS.

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RegulationChanges2004-2005Hunting Season

Below you’ll find a summary of therecent changes to Arkansas hunting regu-lations. For more information, contactthe Arkansas Game and Fish Commission:

General:■ License buyers may purchase a

hunting or fishing license by phone oronline but must wait until a valid licensearrives in the mail to hunt big game(deer, turkey, bear or elk). Other huntingand fishing privileges are effective at thetime of purchase.

■ Three-year disability hunting andfishing licenses are available to disabledresidents at a reduced price.

■ Youths are no longer required tohave a hunter education card to apply

for a deer, turkey or elk hunt permit. ■ Slippery Hollow Natural Area

(Marion County) has been added as aWMA.

Deer:■The bag limit for deer has changed

(see page 30).■ Boundaries for deer zones 9, 11,

13, 16 and 17 have changed. ■ Hunting deer from watercraft on

public waters is prohibited.■ Hunting deer over bait is prohib-

ited from January 15 through February15.

■Youths under 16 may take any buckwithout regard for antler restrictions astheir first buck harvested, except on

Choctaw Island WMA, where they mustcomply with area restrictions.

■Permit deer hunts have been addedto the St. Francis National Forest WMAand Galla Creek WMA (youth hunt).The quantity of muzzleloader andmodern gun permits has increased forU of A Pine Tree Experiment StationWMA and Madison County WMA anddecreased for Gulf Mountain WMA.

■Legal buck antler restrictions havechanged for Henry Gray/HurricaneLake, U of A Pine Tree ExperimentalStation, Wattensaw and Choctaw IslandWMA, Cut-off Creek, Bayou Meto, LittleBayou, Trusten Holder and Seven DevilsWMAs and all National Wildlife Refuges.

■On Ed Gordon/Point Remove andGalla Creek WMA, antler restrictions donot apply and any buck may be taken.

■ Horses and mules are prohibitedon the Choctaw Island WMA during deerseason.

■Choctaw Island WMA has a specialbag limit for deer.

■Choctaw Island WMA closes to deerhunting when the gauge at Arkansas Cityexceeds 35 feet.

Fowl:■ Hunters enrolled in the Check

Sheet Program must check deer orturkey no more than four hours afterharvest.

■ During the spring youth turkeyhunt, the use of dogs to chase wildlife isprohibited during daylight hours.

■ During the spring youth turkeyhunt, youths may hunt coyotes.

Elk:■Additional points are assessed against

violators who fail to properly record andcheck their game and for hunters whoviolate elk season regulations.

Bear:■Bear hunters in zones 5 and 5A are

required to check bears by phone. ■ In some zones, muzzleloader bear

and early muzzleloader deer huntingseasons are five days longer.

Coyote:■ Dogs may be used for coyote, fox

and bobcat hunting on Casey Jones andCherokee WMAs when furbearer seasonis open and firearms deer season is closed.

■ A new coyote trapping season isopen from August 1 to March 31. ■

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f you are 16 years or older, anArkansas hunting license is

required to hunt wildlife unlessyou are on a licensed commercialshooting resort that supplies pen-raisedbirds. The license must be carried withyou. You may not possess a license thatbelongs to someone else or one thathas been altered, backdated or coun-

terfeited. If you are a nonresident, youmay not possess a resident license. Ifyou guide, aid or assist someone elsefor pay or other value, you must havea guide license.

Nonresidents under 16 do not needto purchase a hunting license exceptin these instances: after bagging a deer,turkey or bear or before hunting or

trapping furbearers. In the latter case,a nonresident fur takers permit isrequired as well.

Hunter Education RequirementsA hunter born after 1968 must carry

a valid Hunter Education card.Hunters under 16 years do not need




to have a card if they are under thedirect supervision of a holder of a validhunting license at least 21 years old.Arkansas honors the home stateHunter Education cards of nonresi-dents. Call 1-800-482-5795 for classschedule.

Migratory Bird HunterRequirements

Any waterfowl or coot hunter, 16years or older, must carry:

• a valid Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp($7.00),

• a federal Migratory Bird Huntingand Conservation Stamp ($15.00),each signed in ink across the face. SeeFederal Duck Stamp website atwww.duckstams.fws.gov.

• proof of Arkansas HIP registra-tion and one of the following huntinglicenses:

$10.50 Resident Wildlife

Conservation License (HNT)$25.00 Resident Sportsman’s

License (RS)$35.50 Resident Combination

Sportsman’s License (CS)$25.00 65+ Resident Sportsman’s

License (PLH)$35.50 65+ Resident Combination

License (PLC)$25.00 3-year Disabled Sportsman’s

License (RDH)$35.50 3-year Disabled

Combination License (RDC)$55.00 Nonresident 5-Day Small

Game Hunting License (SG5)$80.00 Nonresident Annual Small

Game Hunting License (NRH) $100.00 Nonresident 3-Day All

Game Hunting License (AG3)$125.00 Nonresident 5-Day All

Game Hunting License (AG5) $225.00 Nonresident Annual All

Game Hunting License (NBG)

$1,000.00 Lifetime Sportsman’sPermit (state stamp not required)(LSP)

Mandatory StampsAny waterfowl or coot hunter, 16

years or older, must carry a validArkansas Waterfowl Stamp ($7.00), afederal Migratory Bird Hunting andConservation Stamp ($15.00), eachsigned in ink across the face.Harvest Information Program (HIP)

All migratory bird hunters inArkansas over 16 are required toregister with Harvest InformationProgram (HIP). The registration is freeand forms are available from licensedealers or any Arkansas Game & FishCommission office. You’ll be asked toprovide information on the types ofmigratory birds you hunted theprevious year and how many of eachtype you killed. You will receive proof

HUNTING

Governor Mike Huckabeeenjoys a day of duckhunting.

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of Arkansas HIP registration, whichmust be renewed annually. Registrationexpires June 30 each year.

Hunters are required to carry proofof registration when hunting ducks,geese, doves, coots, woodcocks, snipe,rails, gallinules or moorhens. If youhunt migratory birds outside Arkansas,you’ll need to register with each statein which you plan to hunt. HIP is nowmandatory nationwide, except inHawaii.

A randomly selected sample ofhunters from each state will be askedto complete a more detailed surveyof migratory bird hunting activities. Ifselected, you’ll receive a letterrequesting your cooperation and aform for recording your harvest. Afterthe seasons, participating sportsmenwill return their completed forms tothe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Waterfowl Guide RestrictionsWaterfowl guides are prohibited

from guiding on Commission-ownedor controlled Wildlife ManagementAreas. Points assessed for violationsare increased to nine for waterfowl

hunters who are guided onCommission-owned or controlledWMAs.

Non-resident hunters who wish toseek waterfowl on any one of 23wildlife management areas used forduck and goose hunting are requiredto purchase a $10 permit for five daysand a $100 permit for the full season.Separate permits would be needed foreach WMA the hunter visits.

Other Wildlife License andPermit Requirements

Commercial activities that requirea license or permit are: Resident FurDealer ($50), Nonresident Fur Dealer($200), Commercial WildlifeBreeder/Dealer’s Permit ($25),Commercial Hunting Resort Permit($500), Special Commercial QuailPermit ($25) and Commercial(Gamebird) Shooting Resort ($150).These licenses expire on June 30th.

Other wildlife activities that requirea license or permit include falconry,alligator or alligator snapping turtlecommerce or farming. Call (501) 223-6456 for information about these

licenses or permits.License Retailers

Most licenses can be purchasedfrom sporting goods stores, huntingand fishing supplies stores, somediscount chains and the AGFC’s LittleRock or regional offices.

You can call 223-6349 between 8:00a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Little Rockarea. Or you can call 1-800-364-GAME(1-800-364-4263) 24 hours a day, 7 daysa week. Please have your credit cardand an identification number ready.Your identification number can be adriver’s license, social security number,hunter education number, state IDnumber or passport number. Yourhunting or fishing privileges becomeeffective immediately and your licensewill arrive in the mail in a few days.Lifetime and commercial licenses arenot available by phone or online.

Licenses can now be purchasedonline. You will be asked to supplypersonal information and a Visa orMastercard number. The license itselfwill be printed on your homeprinter.


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License or Hunter EducationCard Replacement

Call 501-223-6349 to replace a lostlicense and 501-223-6377 to replacea Hunter Education card.

Resident License QualificationsA resident is any person who has

established a bona fide or actual resi-dence for at least sixty days prior toapplying for a license, and whodeclares intentions of becoming acitizen of Arkansas.

Also, the following students (whomust carry proof of full-time enroll-ment in schools, colleges or universi-ties while hunting or fishing inArkansas) are eligible to purchase aresident licenses: Resident foreignexchange students attending schooloutside of Arkansas; nonresidentforeign exchange students attendingschool in Arkansas; residents ofArkansas enrolled as full-time students

in colleges and universities outside ofArkansas; and nonresidents enrolledas full-time students in colleges anduniversities in Arkansas.

Ownership of Arkansas real estateby a person living outside the state doesnot qualify the owner as a resident.

Active duty servicemen and womenpermanently assigned in Arkansas aregranted resident privileges for huntingand fishing. Active duty servicemenand women who were Arkansas resi-dents at the time of entering serviceare also granted resident privileges forhunting and fishing, regardless ofwhere they are currently stationed.

Lifetime License Qualifications65 Plus Lifetime Hunting License

- PLH ($25.00) entitles Arkansas resi-dents 65 years of age and older tothe privileges of the ResidentSportsman’s License. HIP registrationis required to hunt migratory game-

birds. To hunt waterfowl, a state life-time waterfowl permit (purchasedonce after age 65) and federal water-fowl stamps are required in additionto HIP. Proof of applicant’s age andthree-year’s Arkansas residency isrequired to apply for this license.

65 Plus Lifetime CombinationLicense - PLC ($35.50) entitlesArkansas residents 65 years of age andolder to the privileges of the ResidentSportsman’s License (hunting) andthe Resident Fisheries ConservationLicense (fishing). HIP registration isrequired to hunt migratory gamebirds.To hunt waterfowl, a state lifetimewaterfowl permit (purchased onceafter age 65) and federal waterfowlstamps are required in addition to HIP.A lifetime Trout permit (purchasedonce after age 65) must also bepurchased to fish in certain waters.Proof of applicant’s age and three


HUNTING

To hunt duck, you must purchase ahunting license as well as state andfederal duck stamps.

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year’s Arkansas residency is requiredto apply for this license.

These two licenses are availablefrom the Commission’s Little Rockoffice or AGFC regional offices. If youwish to purchase a license in person,bring proof of your age, such as adriver’s license, birth certificate or mili-tary record and proof of three yearsArkansas residency, such as propertyassessments, Arkansas income taxforms, driver’s licenses etc.Applications and information are avail-able by calling 1-800-364-4263 or (501)223-6388 in the Little Rock areaMonday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and4:30 p.m. Lifetime licenses are notavailable by phone order or online.

Non-Expiring Lifetime ResidentHunting and Fishing Sportsman’sPermit - LSP ($1,000.00) entitlespurchasers of any age to the privilegesof the Resident Sportsman’s License(hunting) and the resident FisheriesConservation License (fishing). Feesfor trout permits, leased land permits,elk permits, state waterfowl stamps andwildlife management area permithunts are waived with this license.License holders must, however, applyfor WMA hunts and be successfullydrawn before being issued a permit.HIP registration is required to huntmigratory gamebirds. To hunt water-fowl, federal waterfowl stamps arerequired in addition to HIP.

This permit is only available fromthe Commission’s Little Rock office.If you wish to apply in person, bringproof of identification and residency,such as a driver’s license, birth certifi-cate, marriage license or militaryrecord. Applications are available atAGFC regional offices or by calling1-800-364-4263 (223-6388 in the LittleRock area). Lifetime licenses are notavailable by phone order or online.Proof of one year’s Arkansas residencyis required to apply for this license.

3-Year Disability LicenseResident 3-Year Disability Hunting

License - RDH ($25.00) entitles all100% totally and permanentlydisabled persons privileges of theResident Sportsman’s License. HIPregistration is required to hunt migra-tory gamebirds. To hunt waterfowl,state and federal waterfowl stamps arerequired in addition to HIP.

Certification will be accepted fromSocial Security, Veteran’s Affairs orRailroad Retirement. Proof of oneyear’s Arkansas residency is requiredto apply for this license. Valid for threeyears from date of purchase, recerti-fication is required for license renewal.

Resident 3-Year DisabilityCombination License - RDC ($35.50)entitles all 100% totally and perma-nently disabled persons privileges ofthe Resident Sportsman’s License(hunting) and the Resident FisheriesConservation License (fishing). HIPregistration is required to hunt migra-tory gamebirds. To hunt waterfowl,state and federal waterfowl stamps arerequired in addition to HIP. A Troutpermit must also be purchased to fishin certain waters. Certification will beaccepted from Social Security,Veteran’s Affairs or RailroadRetirement. Proof of one year’sArkansas residency is required to applyfor this license. Valid for three yearsfrom date of purchase, recertificationis required for license renewal.

These two licenses are only avail-able from the Commission’s Little

Rock office. If you wish to purchase alicense, bring proof of one yearsArkansas residency, such as driver’slicenses, state ID, property assessments,Arkansas income tax forms and accept-able proof of disability. Applicationsand information are available bycalling 1-800-364-4263 or (501)223-6349 in the Little Rock area Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30p.m. 3-Year Disability licenses are notavailable by phone order or online.

License Prices & Descriptions

Resident Hunting LicensesResident Combination Sportsman’s

License entitles the holder to hunt allgame species using modern gun,muzzleloader or archery; to take a totalbag limit of deer; and to fish the watersof the state with noncommercialtackle. A resident trout permit mustbe purchased to retain trout or to fishin certain waters. Valid one year fromdate of purchase. (CS, $35.50)

Resident Sportsman’s License enti-tles the holder to hunt all game species


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HUNTING

using modern gun, muzzleloader orarchery, and to take a total bag limitof deer. Valid one year from date ofpurchase. (RS, $25.00)

Resident Wildlife ConservationLicense entitles the holder to huntfurbearers, migratory birds, quail,rabbit, and squirrel and to take onedeer using modern gun. Valid oneyear from date of purchase. (HNT,$10.50)

Nonresident Hunting LicensesNonresident Annual All Game

Hunting License entitles the holderto hunt all game species, exceptfurbearers. Expires on June 30th. Stateand federal waterfowl stamps must also

be purchased to hunt waterfowl.(NBG, $225.00)

Nonresident 5-Day All GameHunting License entitles the holderto hunt all game species, exceptfurbearers, for the 5-day period spec-ified. State and federal waterfowlstamps must also be purchased to huntwaterfowl. (AG5, $125.00)

Nonresident 3-Day All GameHunting License entitles the holderto hunt all game species, exceptfurbearers, for the 3-day period spec-ified. State and federal waterfowlstamps must also be purchased to huntwaterfowl. (AG3, $100.00)

Nonresident Annual Small GameHunting License entitles the holder

to hunt migratory birds, quail, rabbit,and squirrels. State and federal water-fowl stamps must also be purchasedto hunt waterfowl. Valid one year fromdate of purchase. (NRH, $80.00)

Nonresident 5-Day Small GameHunting License entitles the holderto hunt migratory birds, quail, rabbit,and squirrel for the five-day periodspecified. State and federal waterfowlstamps must also be purchased to huntwaterfowl. (SG5, $55.00)

Leased lands permits are availablefor $20.00 each. A permit entitles thehunting license holder to hunt, trapand camp on leased lands. A CherokeeWMA leased land permit is alsorequired to use motorcycles, bicycles,ATVs and horses from Oct. 1, 2003 -Feb. 29, 2004, and during springturkey season on Cherokee and JimKress leased land WMAs. State andcounty roads are exempted from thepermit requirement. Youths under 16years are not required to have apermit. Permits are valid one yearfrom the date of purchase. Maps ofleased properties are provided whenpermits are purchased.

Permit holders should be awarethat the areas covered in the permitare “working forests” and that forestmanagement activities may be takingplace. Permit holders enter these prop-erties at their own risk.

Some areas have limited access andit becomes the hunter’s responsbilityto obtain permission to access adja-cent private landowner’s property.

The following Hunting GuideLicenses can only be purchased at oneof the Arkansas Game and FishCommission Regional Officesincluding Little Rock.

Hunting Guide LicensesResident Guide License entitles an

Arkansas resident to guide hunters,for pay or other consideration, on landnot owned or leased by AGFC.Hunting guide licenses expire June30 and do not include hunting privi-leges. (GLH, $25.00)

Resident Special Guide Licenseentitles an Arkansas resident, whoprovides proof of at least one year’sresidency, to guide hunters, but notwaterfowl hunters, for pay or otherconsideration, on land owned or


Sen. Mark Pryor takes amoment from his hunting toenjoy the scenery.


leased by AGFC. There is no nonres-ident equivalent of this license.Hunting guide licenses expire June30 and do not include hunting privi-leges. (GLS, $150.00)

Nonresident Guide License/Hunting entitles a nonresident toguide hunters, for pay or other consid-eration, on land not owned orcontrolled by AGFC. Hunting guidelicenses expire June 30 and do notinclude hunting privileges. (GNH$150.00)

Reciprocal Agreements withAdjacent States

Mississippi and Arkansas jointlyrecognize the validity of Arkansas resi-dent hunting licenses on Mississippilands that lie west of the main channelof the Mississippi River. Mississippiresident hunting licenses are valid onArkansas lands that lie east of themain channel. Resident licenseholders of either state may huntmigratory waterfowl only on flowingwaters of the Mississippi River, onwaters accessible by boat from themain channel of the Mississippi Riveror on state line lakes when the seasonis open in both states. The St. Francis,White and Arkansas rivers and theiroxbows are excluded from this agree-ment. Floodwater which has over-flowed natural banks is not includedin this agreement. Hunters must obeythe regulations of the state in whichhunting occurs.

Tennessee and Arkansas recognizethe hunting licenses of both states onthe flowing waters of the MississippiRiver, adjacent waters which are acces-sible by boat from the river proper andthe old river chutes that form acommon boundary. Excluded arewildlife management areas establishedby either state and the Wolf,Loosahatchie, Hatchie, Forked Deerand Obion rivers. Migratory waterfowlmay be hunted on these waters by alicense holder of either state when theseason is open in both states. Huntersmay not hunt from, nor attach anydevice or equipment to, land under thejurisdiction of the state in which theyare not licensed. Hunters must obeyregulations of the state that issues thelicense. Holders of nonresident licensesissued by either state have the sameprivileges as a licensed resident. ■

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f you are 16 years or older, anArkansas fishing license is requiredto take or attempt to take game fish,

turtles or frogs in Arkansas, unless youare fishing in a licensed “put and takepay lake.” The license must be carriedwith you.

If you are a nonresident, you may notpossess a resident license. To qualify for aresident license, you must have establisheda bona fide or actual residence for at least60 days prior to applying for a license.Students and members of the military canobtain a resident license under certainconditions. For information about licensequalifications, visit the Arkansas Game andFish Commission’s website:www.agfc.state.ar.us.

If you guide, aid or assist someoneelse in fishing for hire, you must have aguide license. To find out if you need acommercial license, call 501-223-6386for a copy of Commercial FishingRegulations.

Three, seven or 14 day licenses are avail-able, as well as a 3-year disability license;all other licenses are good for one year.

Most licenses can be purchased fromsporting goods stores, hunting andfishing supplies stores, some discountchains and the AGFC’s Little Rock orregional offices.

You can call 223-6349 between 8:00

a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Little Rock area.Or you can call 1-800-364-GAME (1-800-364-4263) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Please have your credit card and an iden-tification number ready. Your identifica-tion number can be a driver’s license,social security number, hunter educationnumber, state ID number or passportnumber. Your hunting or fishing privi-leges become effective immediately andyour license will arrive in the mail in a fewdays. Lifetime and commercial licensesare not available by phone or online.

Licenses can now be purchasedonline at www.ark.org/agfc/license/index.php. You will be asked to supplypersonal information and a Visa orMastercard number. The license itselfwill be printed on your home printer.

You may be able to get a replacementfor a lost license at a reduced cost. Call501-223-6349 for details.

Reciprocal Agreements withAdjacent States

Mississippi and Arkansas jointly recog-nize the validity of Arkansas residenthunting licenses on Mississippi lands thatlie west of the main channel of theMississippi River. Mississippi residenthunting licenses are valid on Arkansaslands that lie east of the main channel.Resident license holders of either state

may hunt migratory waterfowl only onflowing waters of the Mississippi River, onwaters accessible by boat from the mainchannel of the Mississippi River or onstate line lakes when the season is openin both states. The St. Francis, White andArkansas rivers and their oxbows areexcluded from this agreement.Floodwater which has overflowed naturalbanks is not included in this agreement.Hunters must obey the regulations of thestate in which hunting occurs.

Tennessee and Arkansas recognizethe hunting licenses of both states onthe flowing waters of the Mississippi River,adjacent waters which are accessible byboat from the river proper and the oldriver chutes that form a commonboundary. Excluded are wildlife manage-ment areas established by either stateand the Wolf, Loosahatchie, Hatchie,Forked Deer and Obion rivers. Migratorywaterfowl may be hunted on these watersby a license holder of either state whenthe season is open in both states. Huntersmay not hunt from, nor attach any deviceor equipment to, land under the juris-diction of the state in which they are notlicensed. Hunters must obey regulationsof the state that issues the license.Holders of nonresident licenses issuedby either state have the same privilegesas a licensed resident. �

PHOTO BY KIRK JORDANFollow Governor Huckabee’s example: go fishing.

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Fall 2004

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