Saline River Chronicle

No surprises; State aerial survey shows modern-day low in Mallards

No surprises; State aerial survey shows modern-day low in Mallards

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s December aerial waterfowl survey confirmed what many hunters and other observers were believing was the case in terms of the state’s early-season duck numbers: They’re at a modern-day low, both in estimated numbers of mallards and total ducks. The well-below-average count is attributed to no substantial rainfall to alleviate…

New cases of avian influenza confirmed in Arkansas

New cases of avian influenza confirmed in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Biologists conducting aerial surveys to generate waterfowl population estimates last week located a few small groups of dead snow geese and Ross’s geese in Arkansas, Craighead and Lonoke counties that were later collected and tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Additional suspected cases have been found in Prairie, Pulaski, Faulkner, Clay…

Congress sends Boozman, Manchin, Marshall, King legislation authorizing permanent electronic duck stamp to President’s desk

Congress sends Boozman, Manchin, Marshall, King legislation authorizing permanent electronic duck stamp to President’s desk

WASHINGTON – Congress is sending President Joe Biden legislation to sign into law championed by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME) authorizing an electronic stamp for use through the entirety of a waterfowl hunting season. The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the bipartisan Duck Stamp Modernization…

Memorialize their first outdoors adventure with first duck, first deer certificates from AGFC

Memorialize their first outdoors adventure with first duck, first deer certificates from AGFC

LITTLE ROCK – Want to memorialize those unforgettable first Arkansas hunting and moments? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a special way to say, “Welcome to the hunting community,” with customizable certificates that can be given to a person for their first success in the field. When your new hunter connects with their first…

WRICE opportunities increase for duck hunters in 2023-24

WRICE opportunities increase for duck hunters in 2023-24

LITTLE ROCK — Duck hunters will find a significant boost in acreage and fields available this season for private rice field hunting through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program. The number of fields available for drawn permits with WRICE has increased from 69 last season to 78 this year,…

Mountain lion spotted in Clark County; One was killed in Bradley County in 2014

Mountain lion spotted in Clark County; One was killed in Bradley County in 2014

AMITY, Ark. – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has confirmed a mountain lion sighting near Amity in Clark County. The sighting was reported by a hunter who captured the animal on a game camera. AGFC biologists have investigated the sighting and determined that it is credible.  Mountain lions – also known as pumas and…

A-State partners with Arkansas hunters feeding the hungry to process snack sticks for Arkansas children

A-State partners with Arkansas hunters feeding the hungry to process snack sticks for Arkansas children

JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University College of Agriculture Meat Market will partner with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) to produce and distribute shelf snack sticks for school children across the state in efforts to battle food insecurity. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, nearly 17 percent of Arkansas households were food insecure…

AGFC, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services unveil new nuisance wildlife hotline

AGFC, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services unveil new nuisance wildlife hotline

LITTLE ROCK — An expanded partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services Program should streamline the response to public reports of the occasional wild animal that poses a threat to people, livestock and property. A new nuisance wildlife hotline, 833-345-0315,…

Wetlands and Wildlife Festival returns to Pine Bluff nature center

Wetlands and Wildlife Festival returns to Pine Bluff nature center

PINE BLUFF — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center will again host its annual Wetlands and Wildlife Festival from noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 28. This family-friendly celebration of conservation is a great way to enjoy an afternoon with family and friends learning about all the outdoors has…

AGFC Shooting Sports Division aims for more opportunities

AGFC Shooting Sports Division aims for more opportunities

LITTLE ROCK — Growing recreational shooting sports is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s target in the coming years under Director Austin Booth, and much is underway to make that come to fruition. Booth expanded the AGFC’s focus on recreational shooting sports with the creation of a Shooting Sports Division in July, headed up by Chief…

Free CWD tests for hunter-harvested deer may land lifetime hunting and fishing license

Free CWD tests for hunter-harvested deer may land lifetime hunting and fishing license

LITTLE ROCK — With cooler weather on the horizon and archery deer season underway, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wants to remind all hunters to help monitor chronic wasting disease in the state by using one of the AGFC’s free CWD testing locations. All resident hunters who submit a sample for testing also will…