Sports

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking for public comments on possible changes to fishing regulations for 2021. Changes to general fishing rules, rules for commercial anglers and fish farms are all being evaluated before the Fisheries Division formally proposes them to the Commission in August. A survey will be available at www.agfc.com for the next 45 days to gather public input. ...

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, championed federal funding for the conservation of additional waterfowl habitat at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Ashley and Union Counties. “Arkansas’s world-class duck hunting tradition is only enhanced when we preserve wildlife habitat. ...

If you’re looking for an extra opportunity to put some meat in the freezer this fall, feed needy Arkansans and help control urban deer populations, now is the time to start planning. Registration for the 2020 Arkansas Urban Archery Hunts is open until midnight August 12 at https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/big-game/deer/urban-archery-hunt...

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, championed federal funding for the conservation of additional waterfowl habitat at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Ashley and Union Counties...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is encouraging Arkansas rice producers to take advantage of a habitat incentive program that enables them to earn extra money while maintaining rice production on their fields that are within 10 miles of a WMA that has a waterfowl management focus. A webinar will be offered at 6 p.m., Thursday to learn more about this opportunity. Visit www.agfc.com/wrice for details...

A friend of mine who grew up in Yell County was a regular visitor of the creeks that zig-zag through the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. One of his favorite fishing, swimming and paddling spots was Big Piney Creek in Pope County. Big Piney’s Long Pool Recreation Area is popular among folks who canoe and kayak, and this young man knew well the 5-mile run down to Twin Bridges...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission voted today to approve many changes to the Commission’s Code of Regulations, including many wildlife regulations that may impact hunters during the 2020-21 hunting seasons. The proposals were presented to the public through an online survey in March and were formally proposed to the Commission during its April 23 meeting...

The sounds of gunfire were a welcome change of pace at Dr. James E. Moore Jr. Camp Robinson Firing Range in Mayflower Wednesday. Last week marked the first time the range had been open in more than a month. “The unmanned Jack Cox Range at W.E. Brewer Scatter Creek WMA in Paragould opened last week as well,” said Grant Tomlin, assistant chief of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Education Division. ...

Trophy or table-fare? Catch a notable fish and you’re stuck with the choice. Besides the high cost, taxidermy requires handing over your prize instead of enjoying it as a meal. A quick photo of the fish at the time of the catch is nice to share with friends via social media, but rarely are worthy of hanging on a wall...

Outdoorsmen have as much fun tinkering, fiddling and piddling as they do hunting, fishing or looking for wildlife. They break down rifles and shotguns, clean and oil the mechanisms, and put the pieces back together. They clean binoculars and cameras so they’ll be ready for the next sighting of a favorite critter. And they tear into fishing reels to make them spin smoother than the day they came out of a box...

With turkey hunting season wrapped up, deer and waterfowl hunting season may look like a million years away, but there’s another spring season that gives Arkansas hunters plenty of reasons to be excited. Arkansas’s squirrel season opens May 15, and for those who enjoy chasing these treetop targets, it’s a great excuse to be in the woods...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is accepting applications from rice field owners to enroll in its expanded Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program. Landowners may receive as much as $150 per acre annually while still maintaining the current production of rice fields by following post-harvest guidelines and allowing permit-based hunts during waterfowl season on their properties. ...

Trumann's Ben Turner capped off a fantastic senior year and career at Trumann High School by being selected to the East team for the Arkansas High School All-Star basketball game. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game will not be played as all high school sports were canceled for this school year...

“It's one of the simplest items on our list — just a piece of bent wire, sometimes sporting a barb on the end. But throughout modern human history, the fish hook has proven to be one of our most dependable tools. Fishing allows us to eat, without the danger of hunting or the hard work of farming.”...

More golden rainbow trout have been stocked in the White River system below Bull Shoals Lake dam. About 500 of the rainbow trout that have a color variation making them appear a bright golden yellow were part of a shipment of 10,000 rainbow trout stocked Monday from the access here to other points upriver toward the dam...

Residents of a White Hall neighborhood had an early awakening Sunday morning as authorities responded to a call about a large black bear that had climbed into a tree nearby and had to be removed. Mark Hooks, wildlife management supervisor for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said the best course of action during similar situations is to clear an area and allow a bear to come down on its own, but that was not an option in this case...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission heard the first reading of 100 changes to the AGFC Code of Regulations last Thursday.  Although concerns for the current coronavirus emergency prevented the normal formal meeting at one location, a teleconference was held and was made publicly available through the agency’s YouTube page and a special emergency proclamation was issued to carry forward with today’s meeting...

Many species of wildlife have their young in spring, and many well-meaning Arkansans regularly call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to report young animals that look abandoned. But moving these animals can actually cause more harm than good. Most wildlife parents cannot be with their young nonstop. ...

Let’s start an argument. Not about politics, best brand of truck or the best snack for a fishing trip. This is a real argument, one in which everyone has an opinion and are willing to stand up for their side. What is the best jig color to use while crappie fishing?...

The week of April 20-26 is recognized as Native Plant Week, thanks to a proclamation signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson Feb. 10, 2020. The proclamation, promoted by Audubon Arkansas and the Arkansas Native Plant Society recognizes the importance of native plants in bird-friendly communities and beyond...

It’s natural that anglers and conservationists would be concerned about heavy flooding and how it could affect Arkansas fisheries. Spawning periods that coincided with major spring floods last year will be affected. Some fish production years aren’t as good as others, but it’s okay, biologists say. This helps keep sport fish and the populations of the fish they feed on in balance...

Arkansas is home to 16 species of turtle, but only two are land dwellers — the three-toed box turtle and the ornate box turtle. Box turtles are the only turtles in North America with a flexible hinge on their belly to close the front and rear halves of the shell tightly like a “box.”...

Another wet spring is upon us, and many anglers who rely on rivers, oxbows, backouts and bays have been met with high, muddy water that can create frustrating fishing conditions. But in a state with so many bodies of water, anglers still have some great opportunities to go fishing...

Despite a major cold front and Easter services for many families last weekend, the annual Arkansas youth turkey hunt showed a 27 percent increase from last year. Hunters under the age of 16 checked 882 birds during the two-day hunt to open the 2020 spring turkey season...

Although turkey season and fishing get top billing in April, another season opens each April 15, and to those who chase this quarry, it’s a powerful draw. Frogging season runs April 15-Dec. 31 in Arkansas, and offers a great escape that’s a little different than most folks are accustomed to...

Arkansas Activities Association cancels all spring sports for high schools.

Dead period pushed to May 30.

With many states issuing orders to “stay at home” or “shelter in place,” some Arkansas anglers may worry that their favorite outdoor pursuits are in jeopardy. Although a couple of these states have ordered partial or complete halts to fishing within their borders, most, including Arkansas, are trying to keep the outdoors open for people to enjoy during this time of social distancing. ...

Spring is a great time to stretch your legs and do some woodland exploration, especially for those people who are experiencing some added cabin fever this year. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission urges hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts to be aware of hunting activities that may be taking place while on public land this spring...

Crown Lake (updated 4-8-2020) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) is now closed until the end of April because of coronavirus. There is still lake access via the launch ramp. There is a deposit box set up for the launch fees. The bass tournament that was scheduled for April 18 has been postponed...

Arkansas Activities Associated made announcement on state finals today.