Arkansas Out-of-Doors July/August 2013

JULY/AUGUST 2013

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E A R K A N S A S W I L D L I F E F E D E R AT I O N A F F I L I AT E D W I T H T H E N AT I O N A L W I L D L I F E F E D E R AT I O N

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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit 128 Russellville, Ark. 72801

VOL 41

NO 4

Observing & Conserving

Photo by Wayne Shewmake

2 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

August is the end of Arkansas Wildlife Federation’s fiscal year. I would like to take a look at what AWF has accomplished over this past year.

First of all we ended this year in the positive in our finance, which is always a good thing. Actually, we have ended on the positive for the past 4 years now.

Last December board member and supporter Dr. Charles Logan and his wife Joyce donated 32 acres of land to AWF on Bingham Road, off Interstate 530 to Pine Bluff. AWF purchased a small building and placed it on the land for our new interim office. Thanks to some help from board members and volunteers from Little Rock Air Force Base, we finished the inside so it could be used as an office, cleaned up trash and debris on the land, and disposed of more than 300 tires at a recycling facility. We filled up both a 40 Cubic Yard dumpster and a 30 yard dumpster thanks to Waste Management of Little Rock.

AWF now has its own office and no longer pays rent thanks to Dr. Logan and wife Joyce.

We also received a very generous donation from Ms. Mary O’Boyle, III in honor of her godfather, Mr. Ron Fletcher. The donation has been very helpful to AWF and the many projects we are working on.

We again received a conservation grant from National Forest Foundation and have finished up this year’s work on Bearcat Hollow, including planting over 5000 trees with the help of AWF volunteers and affiliates. This is located in the Ozark National Forest in Searcy and Newton counties. We, along with our many partners, have created 450 acres of opening for wildlife throughout approximately 6,600 acres. The AGFC and the USFS have agreed to make this area a new Wildlife Management Area for elk and, starting this year, three elk will be allowed to be taken on Bearcat Hollow WMA. We feel very good about this because it proves that all the work AWF and our partners have done for conservation is working, benefiting wildlife and the sportsmen of Arkansas.

Speaking of Bearcat Hollow, we will begin

Phase II this year and need your help. The work weekend will be September 27 – 29 and we need volunteers to help us, not to mention we have a great time and are surrounded by beautiful scenery. Please contact AWF for details.

AWF, along with several other environmental groups, fought against the hog farm on Big Creek in Newton County. We feel like this is a disaster waiting to happen with the potential of pollution runoff into the Buffalo National River. The Buffalo River is the first national river to be designated in the United States. AWF was one of the partners that worked to get the Buffalo National River designated as the first national river in 1972 and we all need to work hard to protect the river and its watershed.

We, along with National Wildlife Federation and several other environmental organizations, spoke out after the Mayflower Oil Spill and all the damage it has caused, and may continue to cause in the future to, fish, wildlife, and our environment.

AWF and Creative Ideas, one of our affiliates, co-sponsored the “Wildlife of Arkansas” Student Art Contest once more for all K-12 students in Arkansas. This year we had over 600 students compete and 52 winners were chosen and presented awards at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center. For the first time the art work traveled the state, exhibited in the AGFC Nature

Centers for a month at a time for everyone to see. We also made a 2014 calendar that we will be selling to help promote and support the art contest.

AWF sponsored the largest event for the Wounded Warriors Project for the men and women who have come home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are over 34,000 wounded warriors who have come back from Iraq and, to date, over 19,000 from Afghanistan. Along with our partners we invited 50 wounded warriors to come to Lake Dardanelle State Park and go fishing for the day, which occurred on the free fishing weekend thanks to AGFC. We asked for, and found, 50 boat captains who donated their time and expertise to take these wounded warriors fishing for the day and enjoy a great meal and fellowship afterwards. They had a great time and we plan on repeating the event and having it once again in June of 2014.

Arkansas Wildlife Federation’s Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet is our way of saying thank you to those that have gone the “Extra Mile” for conservation in Arkansas, the Natural State. AWF appreciates your help and support, so please join us and be part of the team for conservation for future generations.

Wayne Shewmake President AWF

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President - Wayne Shewmake 1st VP - Ellen McNulty 2nd VP - Jerry Crowe Treasurer - Gary Bush Secretary - Lucien Gillham Arkansas Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization and AWF (tax# 71-6059226) IRS Requirements: You are receiving $10 in goods for your membership, through AWF bi-monthly newspaper

Arkansas Wildlife Federation P.O. Box 56380 Little Rock, AR 72215 (501) 888-4770 arkwf@sbcglobal.net www.arkansaswildlifefederation.org

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 3

Bearcat Hollow Volunteer Weekend Approaching

by Ethan Nahté

It’s that time of year again! The last Saturday in September, known as National Public Lands Day, is also the same Saturday that AWF works on the Bearcat Hollow Project up in the Ozark Highlands. Although the organization’s volunteers, affiliates, and some of the projects cooperative partners tend to make a weekend out of it, camping out Friday evening before with some people staying through until Sunday morning.

AWF and its partners will be installing some gates to protect the fields which have had most of the invasive species removed and have been replanted over the past few years with native grasses and clovers that attract fauna which exists in the region. The gates do not prevent people from walking in to the area to hike, camp, legally hunt, or bird watch. They are installed to keep people from driving onto the food source for the local animals or potentially ruining the habitat of those who live or nest on the ground.

In addition, there will probably be duties such as spreading/planting seed, checking on the 5000+ plum trees that were planted throughout different fields this past winter and spring, picking up litter and other minor duties. Quite honestly, when AWF gets 50-60 volunteers like they’ve done the past couple of years, the work isn’t too difficult,

gets finished early, and is rewarded with a delicious meal prepared by Lola Perritt and her kitchen camp volunteers.

Volunteers generally consist of AWF members, employees of U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, students from Arkansas Tech University and University of the Ozarks, and just friends. You don’t have to be a member of any of the above organizations to volunteer. If you are interested in finding out what any of the organizations, university clubs or agencies is about, or if you are interested in seeing what the Bearcat Hollow Project is all about, AWF welcomes you to sign up and join them for the day or the entire weekend. There is no guarantee you will see wild game such as an elk, turkey, black bear, or hawks, but the possibility is there. It is a very surreal feeling when an elk bugles in the middle of the night as the moon shines down on the field one is standing in, away from electric poles and lights, traffic, trains and even planes. It is extremely peaceful and a chance to get away from the rigors of society for a few hours or a couple of days.

If you are into herpetology then there are a handful of salamanders that are rare or unique to this region of Arkansas. Besides the rocks and cliffs that volunteers may

be working near each field that volunteers work on has a pond or some water source.

Assuming that there is no draught the ponds should contain water and possibly a chance to see a salamander. There are normally a lot of tadpoles and frogs, a lot of butterflies, and yes, even the occasional snake. Not all the snakes that have been seen are poisonous but they are there. You go your way and they’ll go their way, trust me.

AWF supplies the food and equipment to do the work. Volunteers just need to bring their own work gloves, bug spray, sunblock, and it’s wise to have some good work boots or hiking boots. If you are planning on camping then bring your general equipment of tent, sleeping bag, etc. but AWF will have all the cooking supplies needed for the weekend.

To volunteer or if you have questions please contact the AWF office at 501888-4770 or arkwf@sbcglobal.net. You can also contact AWF president Wayne Shewmake at 479-229-2298 or via his new email address wshewmake@gmail.com.

It’s important for AWF to know who is planning to volunteer and how many days volunteers plan to be in attendance so the proper amount of food and beverages can be purchased. Generally there are two pickup trucks filled with the food and cooking supplies to feed the small battalion of volunteers that get out and enjoy the outdoors in the Ozark Mountains with AWF each year. Don’t forget to bring your camera because there are plenty of gorgeous shots to be had. See you there.

Game and Fish Commission.

Randy Wilbourn helped launch the Arkansas Nature Conservancy and later served as chairman. He served two terms on the ArJr. of Little Rock have been closely involved kansas Pollution Control and Ecology Comwith the Arkansas Nature Conservancy mission and as chairman was instrumental since it was launched in the 1970s. Both in developing regulations for in-stream minhave been chairmen of the organization, and ing, the protection of the undammed upper both have helped it with numerous land ac- Saline River watershed and the start of the quisitions and conservation easements for White River minimum flow campaign. He has been in leadership roles with the Game private and public use.

Mike Freeze of England is a fisheries bi- and Fish Foundation for two decades. ologist who has been a major national figure Jerry McKinnis originated the long runin aquaculture and fisheries conservation, as ning «The Fishin› Hole» TV show featuring well as a leader of Arkansas Farm Bureau a teaching element for young people. He activities. He is a former Game and Fish joined ESPN where he developed and proemployee, who was later appointed to and duced outdoors programming. Most recentserved a seven-year term on the Arkansas ly, he and partners purchased Bass Anglers

Sportsman Society (BASS), the internationally known fishing organization.

Forrest L. Wood developed the modern bass boat with his Ranger plant in Flippin, and he was the leader of FLW Outdoors, a premier series of sport fishing tournament competitions. As chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, he spearheaded efforts to establish minimum flow on Arkansas’s acclaimed trout streams.

The 22nd Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Sept. 6 and will begin at 6 p.m. at the Governor’s Halls I, II and III of the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Steve Smith at 501-223-6396 or Wendy Henderson at 501-223-6468.

Four Arkansans tapped for 2013 Outdoor Hall of Fame LITTLE ROCK – A half dozen Arkansans with years of leadership and achievements in the state’s outdoors are this year’s selections for the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Inductees are David Snowden Sr., David Snowden Jr., Mike Freeze, Randy Wilbourn.

Also to receive recognition are sport fishing icons Forrest Wood and Jerry McKinnis as this year’s Legacy Award recipients.

The 2013 Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony will be Friday, Sept., 6, 2013 in Little Rock.

David Snowden Sr. and David Snowden

4 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

April XX, 2013 Dear Senator Pryor and Senator Boozman, On behalf of the undersigned sportsmen, wildlife, outdoor recreation and other conservation organizations and businesses, and our thousands of members who depend on Arkansas’ rich natural resources for our livelihoods and recreation, we urge you to improve oil pipeline safety by supporting the rulemaking petition currently under consideration by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.1 In light of the recent disaster in Mayflower, it is clear that better regulations are required to protect our wildlife and public health.

AWF Speaks up on Keystone

by Geralyn Hoey

On June 21, 2013, Ellen McNulty, 1 vice president of Arkansas Wildlife Federation, joined an all-star line-up for a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. calling on President Obama to reject Keystone XL and illustrating the dangers of transporting dirty tar sands oil. The press conference was organized by Tom Steyer, a billionaire philanthropist and businessman who opposes dirty fuel development and is a leading national voice – and President Obama supporter – who is promoting sensible energy policies to reduce carbon pollution and holding leaders accountable for poor energy policy decisions.

McNulty spoke on behalf of the many Arkansas residents who have seen their lives and natural resources severely harmed by a tar sands oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas, near fishing mecca Lake Conway, this past spring.

She detailed the devastation to Arkansas families, wetlands, and streams and the unique and dangerous threats to communities and wildlife of transporting this dirty fuel through our neighborhoods and important wildlife areas.

She was joined by many noteworthy speakers, including former Senators Tim Wirth and Van Jones, elevating both National Wildlife Federation and Arkansas Wildlife Federation as important spokespeople advocating for wildlife protection and sound energy policy on one of the most controversial and important climate issues of the day.

After the press conference, Ellen visited Arkansas House and Senate offices to share AWF’s message about dirty fuels like tar sands.

In addition, AWF board member Odies Wilson, III attended a fly-in on July 29-30 along with representatives from other states to speak with the EPA about the safety around transporting tar sands. Wilson also delivered a letter to Senators Pryor and Boozman from various Arkansas based conservation and sportsmen groups asking for their support of the EPA rulemaking petition to improve oil pipeline safety. See “Arkansas Tar Sands” letter on this page, to the right. st

According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2011 survey, 1.3 million people participated in fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation in Arkansas.2 Additionally, the Outdoor Industry Association reported that activities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing bring in $10 billion in annual consumer spending and create 126,000 Arkansas jobs.3 Pipeline accidents threaten jobs and valuable resources like Lake Conway (one of Arkansas’ premier fisheries for crappie, catfish and bass) which narrowly avoided Exxon’s 200,000 gallon spill, and your voice is urgently needed to prevent similar disasters in the future.

One of our key concerns is that tar sands pipelines (like the “Pegasus” line that ruptured in Mayflower) may be more prone to spills but are currently subjected to the same rules as conventional oil pipelines. As we are seeing in Faulkner County, tar sands can be extremely difficult to clean up—particularly when it enters a water body—and presents an array of health concerns due to its high concentration of benzene and other toxins. The Pegasus pipeline, to take just one example, runs through the Lake Maumelle watershed, the drinking water source for the city of Little Rock and many smaller towns, putting hundreds of thousands of Arkansans at risk of the health impacts of a spill. Congressman Tim Griffin as well as the Central Arkansas Water and the Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed have all requested Exxon relocate its pipeline out of this pathway.4 Making matters worse is that the industry is exploiting a loophole in tax law, allowing tar sands shippers to avoid paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which helps pay for cleanup and liability costs among other important provisions.

The agency rulemaking petition we referred to above would replace outdated regulations with ones that factor in these differences, giving pipeline operators, regulators, and spill responders a better framework for avoiding and minimizing disastrous spills. While tar sands remain a serious climate threat, and better regulations will not entirely prevent future accidents, there are effective ways to minimize the spill hazards that plague the current system. In the meantime, we should not be allowing new or expanded tar sands pipeline projects to move forward given the extreme safety risks.

We urge you to support the petition and call for EPA and PHMSA to act by moving forward with new, protective rules. By doing so, you will send an important message that you are fighting to protect Arkansas citizens, wildlife habitat and our treasured outdoor heritage.

Sincerely, XX (Endnotes) 1 National Wildlife Federation: Coalition Calls for Stronger Tar Sands Pipeline Standards: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/ News-by-Topic/Global-Warming/2013/03-26-13-NWF-Led-Coalition-Calls-for-Stronger-Tar-Sands-Pipeline-Standards.aspx 2 USFWS: 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation: http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/fhw11-ar.pdf 3 Arkansas: The Outdoor Recreation Economy: http://www.outdoorindustry.org/images/ore_reports/AR-arkansas-outdoorrecreationeconomy-oia.pdf 4 Central Arkansas Water: Resolution No. 2013-03: http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/katv/documents/20130411_CAWExxonMobilResolution.pdf

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 5

Gordon Bagby AGFC Education Specialist Central Arkansas Nature Center

Changes at AGFC

by Gordon Bagby

The midsummer is always a time of transition for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The governor names a new member to the seven-member board that oversees the agency and establishes hunting and fishing regulations as one member’s seven-year term expires in June each year.

Gov. Mike Beebe introduced Ken Reeves of Harrison as the newest addition to the commission at a news conference at the Central Arkansas Nature Center in Little Rock on July 17. “Ken grew up hunting and fishing in the natural beauty of north Arkansas, and has experienced our entire state’s outdoor destinations that need to be both enjoyed and conserved. His lifetime of legal experience will also serve him well as matters come before the Commission requiring thoughtful and objective review,” Beebe said.

Reeves is a vice president and general counsel for FedEx Freight in Harrison. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. A fisherman on Bull Shoals Lake since childhood, Reeves is also an avid turkey hunter, and enjoys hunting duck, deer, squirrel and quail.

Reeves’ term will expire June 30, 2020.

He replaces Ron Pierce of Mountain Home.

The commission named Ron Duncan of Springdale as its 2013-14 chairman and Ty Patterson of Texarkana as vice-chairman.

AGFC SETS EARLY MIGRATORY BIRD SEASONS The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released early migratory bird hunting season dates and reviewed proposed late migratory bird season dates at its monthly meeting in July. The late migratory season dates will be voted on by the commission at its August meeting. Early season dates released were: Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove Sept. 1-Oct. 20 and Dec. 21-Jan. 9 Teal Season Sept. 7-22 Rail Season Sept. 7-Nov. 15 Woodcock Season Nov. 2-Dec. 16 Common Snipe Season Nov. 1-Feb. 15 Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen Season Sept. 1-Nov. 9 Early Canada Goose Season Sept. 1-15 Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season Sept. 21-30

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER Sept. 5, 6:30-7:30pm: Wildlife Habitat Management for Landowners. Call the center at 501-907-0636 to register to attend and learn what you can do to enhance property (minimum 40 acres) for wildlife.

Sept. 21, 12:00-2:00pm: BB Basics offers supervised instruction on how to safely shoot a BB gun at the center. Reservations are not necessary.

Sept. 28, 9:30am-3:00pm: Natural Hunting and Fishing Day. Special displays, activities and demonstrations for all ages to show the importance of hunting and fishing in managing wildlife and fish populations in the US. Li’l Wild Ones (Programs for kids 8-14 yr. old) Sept. 14, 2:00pm: Something to Bugle About: Elk in Arkansas. Sit in on an exciting class about these huge creatures and get a chance to hear the booming call bull elk make to attract the girls.

Oct. 12, 2:00pm: First Impressions: Bats.

Bats aren’t the evil bloodsuckers you see in the movies. In fact, bats are extremely helpful in ridding us of pesky insects. Come learn how Arkansas just wouldn’t be the same without these winged wonders.

Corps Closes Waveland Park Swim Beach at Blue Mountain Lake Until Further Notice

HAVANA, Ark. - The Corps of Engineers, Blue Mountain Project Office has closed Waveland Park swim beach until further notice. The temporary closure is the result of higher than acceptable E. coli levels that were found during routine testing conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health.

According to Corps officials, the high bacteria level is a result of heavy rains and possible fecal material from the resident flocks of geese. The Corps has posted signs and swimming will not be allowed at this location until test results indicate it is safe to do so.

Corps officials said the main body of water has not been tested but is not believed to have elevated bacterial levels.

For more information on the status of other recreation areas on Blue Mountain Lake log on to http://www. swl.usace.army.mil or call the Blue Mountain Project Office at 479-9472372, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information about recreation on Little Rock District waters, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/littlerockusace, and on twitter at twitter.com/ usacelittlerock.

6 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

AWF Recycles Dumped Tires

by Al Wolff

A warm and muggy August morning saw AWF director-at-large Bobby Hacker, along with four helpers which included his family and young friends, and executive director Ethan Nahté out at the new AWF property to haul off tires. For those of you who have read the previous articles about AWF’s clean-up days at the new property on Bingham Road you might remember that besides two dumpsters totaling 70 yards, Hacker and secretary Lucien Gillham have already hauled off approximately 60 tires to Davis Rubber Company (1600 E. 15th Street, Little Rock). So many tires had been found on the property, both behind the slab that once housed a truck stop and especially alongside the fencerow that runs parallel to the on-ramp to I-530 South, that another work day was needed along with some coordination from other agencies.

Nahté contacted the Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District (RRWRD) to speak to them about the tires which ranged in size from ATV-to automobile/passenger-to semi-trucks. He eventually spoke with Stacy Edwards, the Regional Recycling District Waste Tire Coordinator, about the Inter-District Waste Tire Management Program and what AWF could do that was both environmentally friendly, yet inexpensive for the non-profit organization. Tires range from two to five dollars if they are not on a rim.

The price goes up from five to thirty dollars if the rim is still attached. Considering AWF still had 200+ tires on the property, the organization was looking at a minimum cost of $400-$1000.

Nahté met with Edwards at the property, took her on a short tour of the land and the areas where the majority of the tires were located. With the assistance of Edwards and her department along with ADEQ, AWF was granted permission to dispose of the tires at no charge at Davis Rubber Company, where the tires will be possibly used for fuel at paper mills, or for recreational use on playgrounds or ball fields in a mulched version of their former selves.

AFAEF Offers Grant to Schools

Cranford Construction, which is currently leasing some of AWF’s property while working on I-530 construction, piled the tires along the on-ramp up in the same location that AWF volunteers had recently piled the other tires found throughout the 32 acres. Hacker, who owns Hacker’s Lawn Care, and his crew, met with Nahté bright and early in the morning before the mercury climbed too high. The five of them began loading the tires while being observed by the bridge construction crew, Manhattan Road and Bridge, sub-contractors for Cranford who were waiting to begin their workday. The six crew members assisted with the loading of tires onto the trailer, twice. There were so many tires, 263 in all, that it took two trips.

As Hacker took the tires down to the recycling facility, his assistants took turns staying on property with Nahté. They mowed, weed-eated, pruned, and sprayed the weeds and invasive plants growing up in front of the office and through the concrete segments that was once where trucks fueled. Nahté went behind them picking up litter either blown onto the property or thrown out vehicle windows.

The approximate overall count of tires taken for recycling this year is 323 tires. There were enough semi-truck tires to support almost three tractortrailers and enough passenger tires to balance out somewhere between 65-70 cars. That’s a lot of waste and a lot of dumping. Thanks to the cooperation of RRWRD and ADEQ, AWF was able to find a good home where the tires will be put to practical reuse.

The Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation (AFAEF) is accepting proposals for the 2013 Outdoor Learning Center Grant. AFAEF is offering one $1000 grant for public or private schools in Arkansas to construct and implement an Outdoor Learning Center on their school campus. Grant funds may be used for any grade level, pre-school through college level, as long as the applicant can show how an outdoor learning center can positively impact their students and school curriculum.

Any educator may apply but preference will be given to those who have received training in Project Learning Tree (PLT). If you need to attend a PLT workshop, visit http://www.arkforests.org/events.html to view upcoming workshops or contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org to schedule a workshop in your area.

The grant application period runs through October 31, 2013. Grant guidelines and application form can be found online at http://arkforests. org/environmentaleducation.html.

Second Annual Squirrel Cook-Off Set for September 7th

In just a few short weeks, Bentonville will host the second annual World Championship Squirrel Cook-Off on Saturday, September 7th.

Over 40 teams from all over the nation will compete for a $500 grand prize, trophies, and bragging rights.

Deadline for team registration was Thursday, August 15th. Entrants paid $50 to enter the cooking competition with the proceeds from the event; including a raffle for quality scopes, air rifles, and outdoor cooking equipment, will be donated to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Teams must provide their own squirrel meat for the competition as well as all cooking equipment and ancillary items. Chefs have twoand-half hours to create their dish and everything must be prepared on site. No off-site preparation is allowed.

Dishes will be tasted by a panel of judges including Phyllis Speer from Arkansas Outdoors, Chef Matt McClure of the Hive at 21c Museum Hotel, and Benton County Judge Bob Clinard. The 2012 event received tons of press ranging from the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods,” CNN, and the Huffington Post. The 2013 event has been featured on ESPN Radio, Realtree.com, Sirius Satellite Radio, Minnesota’s Star Tribune and many other media outlets.

The Annual Squirrel Cook-Off is free and open to the public. It will be held on the downtown Bentonville Square in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market.

For more information visit www.squirrelcookoff.com.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 7

Trail Tales

By Johnny Sain, Jr.

Truth in the Swamp

by Johnny Sain, Jr.

Distractions abound. They range from the innocuous; like royal babies and millionaire-redneck-callmakers to things that require serious thought, like our economy. If you can get past these layers though there are more pressing concerns. You know, things that really are a matter of life or death, things like water.

Americans take water for granted. It barely registers a blip on the radar most of the time. We appreciate a cool drink after a couple rounds with the mower. We might notice water clarity when picking just the right color for our crankbaits, but we don’t lose sleep about running out of water. Even in our most arid regions water is no more than a faucet turn away. It’s always raining somewhere, right?

Sometimes though, like last summer, it doesn’t rain.

In my 42 years on Earth I have never experienced a summer like 2012. I recall a few evenings of absolute silence last August. Step outside tonight and listen to the cicadas as the sun sinks into the west. Now listen for the katydids and treefrogs as the sky turns purple.

You don’t have to listen hard, it’s most likely deafening. That wasn’t the case for a few nights last summer. Those silent summer evenings were eerie and unnatural. Unrelenting heat had sucked the life force out of nature. Parched oak and hickory leaves littered my yard and I thought that the old blackjack oak just east of my garden was a goner for sure. The north fork of the Illinois Bayou, my local smallmouth creek, was reduced to a few puddles with long stretches of nothing but dusty creek bed. It was scary.

Scarier still is what’s going on in the arid regions of

our nation. Aquifers (underground water tables) in New Mexico are running dry. We’re talking about the desert of course, but recent years have been dry even for the driest area in North America. Water is at a premium and has now become a marketable commodity. Farmers that don’t have enough water to sustain crops have resorted to selling the water left in wells to natural gas extraction companies. It’s a short-term gain that does nothing to address the long-term problems. Sadly, this type of short-term thinking has led to many of our long-term problems.

The water worries in Arkansas this year center around pollution. They range from the in-your-face stinky black mess of the Pegasus pipeline spill to the threat of nutrient overload in the Buffalo River. The damage from the Mayflower debacle is done. There will be long-term affects no doubt, but for all practical purposes damage control ended when the corroded pipe started to weaken. Down on pristine Big Creek, one of the Buffalo River tributaries, a hog farm stands.

Another ship has sailed here as well, but we have the power to reign this one in if need be. Keep a tight grip on that tether folks.

As a former hog farm owner, I can see both sides of this debate. I know of the fellows that own the infamous operation and they are by all counts good men with a strong track record of playing by the rules regarding environmental regulations. But it only takes one “uh-oh” moment for that to change. The Ozark’s water-soluble karst topography would be a super highway for contaminated water to flow throughout the watershed and the effects could be devastating.

The key word when it comes to water is vigilance, always keep a watchful eye over of what is happening to our water. Who is taking it, who is selling it and who is putting what in to it.

Mosby named to Sportswriters Hall of Fame

CONWAY – The first outdoor article Joe Mosby authored was about possum hunting, and he was a high school junior.

Sixty-seven years later, he has written thousands of newspaper articles and is still going. Mosby was honored for his long and distinguished career by being named to the Arkansas Sportscasters-Sportswriters Hall of Fame during a banquet at Centennial Country Club in Conway.

Steve Sullivan was inducted as a sportscaster and Jimmy ‘Red” Parker received the lifetime achievement award. Sullivan has been a sportscaster in Arkansas for 30 years, including 14 years at KATV. Parker is a veteran football coach with stints at Clemson, the Citadel, Ouachita Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University and the first coach of the Benton Harmony Grove Cardinals.

Mosby’s longest tenure was as the Arkansas Gazette’s outdoor editor. He was with the Little Rock newspaper from 1969 until it closed in 1991. He later joined the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as news editor and continues today as a part-time writer for the agency. Mosby is a different kind of outdoor writer because he was a newsman assigned to the outdoor beat instead of an outdoorsman becoming a writer. “My early journalism years were with rural newspapers, where I learned to appreciate the intense interest in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation,” he said.

All through his 61-year professional career, in addition to train wrecks, murders and school board meetings, he’s covered sports at the high school and college levels.

Mosby seldom crusades as a writer. Instead, he presents both sides of controversies for readers to make up their own minds. “I place importance on background articles, the “why” material that led to new or changed regulations in hunting and fishing and with habitat work,” he explained. He has a special interest in stories of ordinary people, especially youngsters, who find excitement and enjoyment in the outdoors.

Mosby was a 2002 inductee into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, was recognized by the Arkansas Press Association for 50 years in journalism and was given the Arkansas Activities Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his years of covering high school athletics.

He and his wife of 59 years, Mary Starr Mosby, live in Conway and have four children, eight grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.

8 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Walking where Thoreau walked

By Bob Morgan

During the summer of 1846, Henry David Thoreau made the first of three trips from his home in Boston to the Maine woods. His goal was to experience the wilderness and the glorious Penobscot River and lake scenery and to climb Mt. Ktaadn (also spelled “Katahdin”) the second highest mountain in New England. Thoreau wrote the account of his adventure in “The Maine Woods”, which is now available as an ebook on the internet for free. I encourage everyone to find it and give it a read.

I know of what I speak, since earlier this year I was reading “The Maine Woods” for the first time. And, in what some might call a synchronistic moment, my friend David Thrasher called and said that he was headed to New England this summer to climb Mts. Katahdin in Maine and Marcy in upstate New York. As luck would have it, he asked if I wanted to go along. Of course I said yes, then immediately set about the task of convincing my wife, Sharon, that she wanted to go to upstate New York and Maine for vacation this summer. I was successful, and when July came around, we loaded up the red truck with two kayaks, a tandem bicycle, backpacks, hiking sticks and boots and headed off for the great north woods.

In Thoreau’s time, just getting to the Katahdin region was an adventure. To get from Boston to Bangor Thoreau traveled via a steamer and then rail. From Bangor he traveled by coach to Lincoln in Maine. The 45-mile trip took two days. Once in Lincoln, another 45 miles trek to Katahdin was in store. This leg of the trip was made by batteau (a flat-bottomed boat) and on foot.

Sharon and I had it much easier. We just

drove our air conditioned truck right into Millinocket, Maine, on modern highways.

Then it was 16 miles on a secondary road to Baxter State Park and 7 more miles on well maintained dirt roads to the base of Katahdin. The whole trip could be made in 7 hours from Boston if necessary.

As mentioned earlier, a batteau, as far as I can tell, is a long, flat-bottomed boat, possibly similar to the jon boats that we use today for trout fishing on the White River except bigger. Thoreau described the batteau as “light and shapely vessel calculated for rapid and rocky streams”. They were 20 to 30 feet long and 4 to 4 ½ feet wide and made of white pine. Later he gave his estimate of the weight of a batteau at 3 to 5 or 6 hundred pounds. They paddled and poled these boats up the Penobscot River, into its tributaries and across the many lakes of the region.

The thing that impressed me most about Thoreau’s trip was the condition that people must have been in during the era. Sharon and I tried paddling our kayaks up the river starting from Medway near East Millinocket, Maine. The guidebook said that from this put-in we could either paddle 2 miles upstream or 5 downstream. Since we had only one truck and no shuttle, upstream seemed the logical choice. The Penobscot is a wide and fast river. I nosed out into the current; it wasn’t white water, just fast flowing water. By paddling hard I could make some headway. Quickly I figured out that I had to eddy hop if I was going to get anyplace. In an hour, we managed to make about a half mile up river. Thoreau’s crew traveled miles up this river and its tributaries, even pushing up through rapids and waterfalls. When the river became impassable, Thoreau and his crew carried the boats upstream on primi-

tive portage trails. We turned around and drifted back to the truck in fifteen minutes.

As Thoreau and company worked their way upstream, the river gave way to a series of lakes and streams. Lakes in Maine are very different from Arkansas’ reservoirs. In the first place, they are natural lakes created by glacial action. Secondly, because they are natural lakes, the water surface elevation only fluctuates a few inches through the year. That allows the shoreline vegetation to become very well developed. In addition, being natural lakes, they are much rounder than our reservoirs, making them very wide in places. However even in Thoreau’s time, damming had enlarged some of these lakes.

Thoreau’s crew paddled their batteau all the way across these large lakes taking turns paddling to maintain progress. We pushed our kayaks out into Millinocket Lake. Katahdin dominated the skyline just as it had for Thoreau. We hugged the leeward shoreline to avoid heavy waves.

It is hard to tell exactly what route Thoreau followed from Lincoln to Katahdin. Most of the lakes and streams that he mentioned

cannot be found on today’s topographic maps. The names, or at least the spelling of the names, have changed over the years. I could find just enough similarity to know that his route was close to the road going from Millinocket to Baxter State Park today. Further upstream toward Katahdin, the lakes became smaller. Mainers refer to these lakes as ponds, even though some cover over a hundred acres. We drove into Baxter and launched our kayaks in Abol Pond. I believe Abol is very close to where Thoreau’s crew made their last camp before heading up the mountain.

Even though there was a road leading to the launch, Abol was basically a wilderness lake. All of its watershed is contained within the forested area of Baxter State Park.

Other than two loons and several ducks, we were the only ones on the lake. Abol is a shallow pond. In places we paddled through wide swaths of Pickerelweed with its blue flowers sticking a foot and a half above the water. There were also yellow and white lilies. The shore was lined with Spruce, White Pine, Arbor vitae, Birch and

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 9 Maple. Most of the shoreline had understory vegetation of bushes and ferns, except one hillside that was almost clear under the trees.

The water was very clear. We paddled for a couple of hours. All was silent.

From Abol Thoreau went overland roughly 12 miles to Katahdin. Today those 12 miles are the northern end of the Appalachian Trail.

Several times Thoreau described the inner forest as being “dark.” It was dark. The dense vegetation overhead kept sunshine out. The forest duff was a thick, three-dimensional matrix of moss, lichens, bunchberry and ferns. The dark green color seemed to absorb light. It was here that we fully encountered the nemesis of the north woods, the black fly.

After a few hours of hiking, and swatting, Sharon and I headed back into Millinocket to rough it in our bed and breakfast.

The next morning, my friend David met me at the B & B and he and I headed out to climb Katahdin. We drove the sixteen miles out to Baxter State Park. Then we waited in line for 30 minutes while the ranger checked everyone’s entry permit. I wonder what Mr. Thoreau would think of having to purchase a permit in advance to visit a wilderness?

I won’t say much about the climb except that it was the hardest 10-mile hike that I have ever made and it was all on the Appalachian Trail.

From the summit we could see hundreds of thousands of acres of forest and dozens of lakes.

Much of it in as good or better health than it was during Thoreau’s visits. It was comforting to see so much wild land remaining in one place.

I came away from the trip to Katahdin with the deepest respect for how rugged our ancestors were. They worked and traveled this rugged land with equipment that we would laugh at. Our little expedition with our high tech equipment and lightweight boats was nothing compared to their adventures. Nevertheless, there we were, two old geezers walking where Thoreau walked.

Are Microbeads causing a Micro headache?

by Environmentally Ellie Mae

When I graduated, I remember that grand feeling as I held my diploma tightly, and said to myself, finally, the world is my loofah. Oh, wait, that was supposed to be oyster wasn’t it? Unfortunately, I always seem to get these things wrong , but you know what? There is some truth to that, actually.

According to marine scientists, the world is turning into one big loofah. Our globe is exfoliating with record speed, and we aren’t looking any younger for it. It’s causing major headaches, and even bigger problems as those little plastic beads that were added to body and face soaps, to enable us to scrape off dead skin, without using a trowel, have begun to fill up the oceans. What? You didn’t know there were little plastic beads found in a large variety of the soaps we use? Check the ingredients or the hyperbolic advertising on the bottle to see what’s in your bathroom.

Microbeads can be found in other cleaning products, including some that may be found in your shop or garage, but I’ll focus on those used in your bath for the moment.

According to a recent article by CNN, once these little scrubby beads get into our waters they are ingested by fish and other hungry little creatures. And, the biggest threat to us, as food consumers, is that the microbeads have this super ability to absorb toxins and contaminants otherwise free floating in our waters. Once consumed by the worms and hence the fish, and then by us, we are essentially taking a super vitamin of toxins.

This is really bad news for pregnant women and children, who already have trouble finding fish they can eat due to the potential hazards due to mercury.

Unilever, a major producer of such products has recently announced it will halt adding microbeads to their products. A huge pat on the back I must say to a corporation that has demonstrated a concern for

our ecosystem. Unilever is currently looking for alternatives, as exfoliating products are highly popular, hoping to phase out their use of the product by 2015. Some products use ground walnut shell. However, considering the low supply of walnuts, I highly doubt a company with the product demands of Unilever will be able to obtain them utilizing only shells.

Personally, I prefer body scrubs containing sugar and face scrubs made with salt. I find these to be soothing and healing to my skin. I have never found salt scrubs to be drying. I have not yet found any salt or sugar scrubs in Walmart, however, I will not tell you they are not there. Bath and Body carries a superb salt scrub--but with a hefty $20 price tag.

Let me share with you an easy way to make your own.

Fill an empty jar or sterile container to “almost full” with a skin nutritive oil. There are several, such as almond oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, rosehip oil, sesame oil, macadamia nut oil, sunflower oil and olive oil. Basically, use any oil you prefer, or just one you already have. You can even use canola oil.

Do not use Baby Oil, though, as it is a petroleum product and will actually make your skin feel drier.

Add Sea salt, Epson salt, kosher salt, or even table salt, one teaspoon at a time and stir as you go. Once you have the consistency you would like, it is time to get all happy with essential oils. And, here, once again, you can do whatever you like. You have such options as; lavender (which is relaxing), peppermint (ooh, energizing), orange, lime/lemon, sandalwood, and vanilla. Or you can try extracts, like vanilla, almond, peppermint and coconut. Stir the salt scrub after you put add the essential oil. Now you have the perfect cleansing and refreshing all natural exfoliant custom made just for you, by you, at a much more affordable price.

And, now you and your bright shining face can enjoy your oyster...or at least your tuna sandwich.

10 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Farmers to continue their important role in wildlife management LITTLE ROCK – Does driving the rice combine ever get monotonous, or do the long days of harvesting leave you looking for creative ways to stay awake? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a new game you can play to help pass the time.

It’s the farmer’s version of “I Spy,” with king rails getting you the most points in the game. The commission is asking that you look for all marsh birds, but the king rail is the most important species for this effort. Rice fields are the home for rails in the late summer through winter. The majority of observations of king rails have come from farmers or bird enthusiasts riding on rice combines during harvest. The other marsh bird species to keep an eye out for are the Virginia rail, yellow rail and black rail.

The king rail is known to frequent rice fields in Louisiana and they were historically common in Arkansas rice fields. Their love of rice fields has even provided their nickname of the rice chicken.

Participants should look for a slightly reddish bird, roughly 15 inches tall, with a white underside to its tail. The tail is one of the key marks to look for.

When flying, which will only be about 20 yards or so, their legs will be dangling below them. The other rail species will have the same white underside to the

AWF HAS MOVED!!!

The property donated by the Logans is AWF’s new home!

tail and also will fly with their legs dangling below them. If you think you see a rail, send the AGFC your observation.

It’s been well over 50 years since a thorough survey of king rails has been carried out in Arkansas rice fields.

To help with future research projects and to try and estimate the king rail population, the AGFC is hoping farmers can help report their observations. You only have to be as specific as you want to be, but the more detailed information you can provide the better.

According to the AGFC’s nongame migratory bird program coordinator Karen Rowe, examples of desired location information include GPS coordinates, sectiontownship-range, or the nearest road intersection. “If you’re not comfortable with that, that is fine. What we would prefer at a minimum is the county of your observation,” Rowe explained.

The commission would also like reports of the species observed and the number of birds. To report your observations contact Karen Rowe at 877-873-4651 or send an email to krowe@agfc.state.ar.us.

New Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56380 Little Rock, AR 72215

501-888-4770

Forest Awareness Day for 5th Grade Register your fifth grade classes to attend the Forest Awareness Day scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2013 at Lake Wedington.

The Arkansas Forestry Association would like to invite you and your fifth grade students to participate in our annual Forest Awareness Day event to be held at Lake Wedington west of Fayetteville on Friday, September 27, 2013. Space is limited for this event so make plans to attend now. Reservations will be accepted on a first-received first-reserved basis until we reach capacity. This event has filled up in previous years so make your reservations soon!

A limited amount of funds are available to help offset transportation costs to attend this field day. Each school who registers and attends the event will receive a $100 transportation reimbursement check issued to the school. Funds are limited and available to the first five schools who sign up. Checks will be mailed to the school following the event.

The Forest Awareness Day is a daylong educational field trip provided through partnerships with the Arkansas Forestry Association, US Forest Service Ozark National Forest, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Beaver Water District, Project Learning Tree, UA Cooperative Extension Service, and Hobbs State Park. Students will be in groups of no more than 25 (at least one adult chaperone per group required) and rotate between stations learning about the various aspects and importance of our forest habitats and how they are beneficial to us. Because we know how important it is to have quality instruction while students are doing field studies, we structure the day around topics that can be incorporated into existing curriculum. We have a great day planned with at least eight special topics including: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Wildlife and the Forest Archeology and the Forest Fisheries and the Forest Tree Identification

5.

6.

7.

8.

Nature Journaling Forest Reptiles Prescribed Fire Urban Forestry

Groups will need to arrive at the Lake Wedington picnic area around 9:00 a.m. with the program beginning promptly at 9:20 a.m. and ending at 2:00 p.m. Students will have to provide their own sack lunches for the day.

Registration is now open to reserve space for your fifth graders. Please respond back to me to let me know if you and your students will be attending this free educational field day. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a First Received – First Reserved basis. I will also need to know how many students you plan to bring.

I hope you and your students will be able to join us in September. We look forward to the opportunity to educate your students about the environmental and economic importance of Arkansas’s forestlands. If you have questions, please contact me at my office (501) 374-2441 or by email at rbeadel@ arkforests.org.

This event is being sponsored in part by the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation, The Ouachita Society of American Foresters, and Iberia Bank.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013 - 11

AWF Banquet Supports Our Troops

by Ethan Nahté AWF’s annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet encompasses a lot of things during an event that spans a single late afternoon and progresses throughout the evening. It’s a night of family-friendly fun with the highlight for attendees ranging from winning something interesting in the silent auction; the excitement of bidding in the live auction, including the opportunity for children to bid (with their parents’ permission) on special items for kids only; the bestowing of the conservation awards to those deserving recipients who have traveled from all over the state of Arkansas; the wonderful and delicious meal that is cooked fresh, on—site, for 500+ people; the camaraderie of all those people enjoying one another’s company in a relaxed atmosphere with a lot of the same common interests as they visit the vendor tables to learn more about some of AWF’s affiliates and friends.

It’s difficult to put a finger on a favorite with so many wonderful choices, but this year AWF is adding to the event. The winning Arkansas student art that has been touring AGFC Nature Centers around the state will be coming straight from the Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff and will be on display at the banquet. In addition, the artwork has been collected in AWF’s first calendar that runs from December 2013-December 2014. The holidays are just around the corner and so is 2014. What better time to get a jump on a simple, yet beautiful holiday gift, especially since AWF & Creative Ideas will be selling them at a special price for this event only.

AWF has also produced a special etched glass for this year’s banquet, very similar to the sturdy etched glasses that AGFC’s Foundation has their banquet. They will look nice sitting on the dinner table with your plate full of smoked Cornish hen, fried quail, smoked catfish, sirloin tip steak, homemade bread, veggies and dessert.

Another event special will be a membership drive for either new or renewing members plus a friend. Purchase two annual memberships at the minimum level for only $40 at this event only.

As some of you who are members or who read Arkansas Out-of-Doors may know, AWF co-sponsored a relatively successful fishing tournament this past June for the Wounded Warrior Project. Readers might also remember that in addition to our AWF board members and both our ATU and University of the Ozarks affiliates that the Little Rock Air Force Base assisted with cleaning up the new AWF property where the office is now located. These same groups also helped to plant more than 5,000 trees at Bearcat Hollow. As a thank you to our nation’s military and to the freedoms we enjoy, AWF is dedicating this banquet to Supporting Our Troops.

This year’s ceremony will be emceed by Army National Guard Master Sergeant Vince Sherrill “Big Sarge” brings you his Arkansas Fishing Forecast weekly on KARK-TV’s Arkansas Sports Nation. “Big Sarge” is a member of the Army National Guard’s professional bass angling team.

AWF also proudly welcomes Brigadier General Keith A. Klemmer – Deputy Adjutant General, Army, Arkansas National Guard as the guest speaker for this year’s event. He will be joined by Wounded Warriors CPT Patricia Yearout, SSG Perry Hopman, and SPC Scott Hutton. AWF salutes them as well as the law enforcement officers that keep our forests, lakes and other natural habitats safe.

Tickets will be available at the door - $25/single or $40/couple – and ticket holders get put into the running for door prizes. So come have a fantastic Saturday at The Center of Bryant on Saturday, August 24. Doors open @ 4: 00 pm to view art, vendor tables and silent auction items. Programming begins at 6:00 pm and lasts until the last award and the last prize is given away.

Winners of the Governor’s 2013 Conservation Achievement Awards Harold Alexander Conservationist of the Year Zach McClendon, Jr. Carol Griffee Conservationist Communicator of the Year KARN News Dr. John L. Gray Forestry Conservationist of the Year Deltic Timber Corporation Water Conservationist of the Year Arkansas Stream Team Rex Hancock Wildlife Conservationist of the Year City of Fayetteville Student Conservationist of the Year Lauren Ray Student Conservationist of the Year Jared R. Schluterman Corporate Conservationist of the Year ConAgra Foods, Inc. Conservation Organization of the Year Central Arkansas Master Naturalists Conservation Educator of the Year Creative Ideas AGFC’s Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Mary Zirkle AGFC’s Boating Education Instructor of the Year Gregory Deen AGFC’s Wildlife Officer of the Year Joel L. Campora NWF’s National Conservation Award for Special Achievement Mayor Jordan—City of Fayetteville

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF

F ANDREW STEVENS

14 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Arkadelphia’s DeSoto Bluff Trail opening set for July 30 ARKADELPHIA – The City of Arkadelphia announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the DeSoto Bluff Trail held July 30 in Arkadelphia.

Arkadelphia City Manager Jimmy Bolt said the city is excited to make the DeSoto Bluff area more accessible to the public while celebrating our natural resources, culture and history. «Our community has longawaited development of the DeSoto Bluff, and many, many individuals are to thank for their vision and support in seeing this project to completion,» Bolt said.

The flat, 2.5-mile trail winds through a secluded natural area, ending at the historic DeSoto Bluff, so named due to accounts that brought Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto to the area in search of famed gold. The Ouachita River la-

zily winds along nearly 80 feet below the bluff overlook.

The work for the DeSoto Bluff trail was completed with the assistance of an $80,215 grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Observation Trails Pilot Program.

Interpretive signs have been erected along the trail to educate the public regarding the local wildlife, culture, and history of the area. Seven panels erected along the trail side and bluff area provide information about the famed Hunter-Dunbar expedition and local native American cultures, including the Caddo Indians, who once resided in the area.

This project was supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Department of Heritage.

From Little Rock, the trail entrance is

AW F membe r s , pick u p a copy of N at ural Awa ke nings today!

H E AL T HY

L I VI NG

H E ALT H Y

PL A N ET

located approximately 3.8 miles from Exit 78 on Hwy. 7 South/10th Street in Arkadelphia.

Turn left at the balloons and trail sign.

Overflow parking is located across the street from the trail entrance. Immediately following the ribbon cutting, the public

is also invited to attend a reception at the Diamond Lakes Regional Visitors Center.

For more information on the DeSoto Bluff Trail and interpretive sign project, contact Deborah Sesser at dsesser@cityofarkadelphia.com or 870-246-9864.

AWF Communications Update

by Johnny Sain , Jr.

We live in the communication age. Updates and information are never more than a mouse click or phone touch away. Businesses and organizations across the globe utilize social media to keep associates in the loop and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation is no exception.

There is the official AWF website, www. arkansaswildlifefederation.org, where we can now take general donations or membership payments via PayPal. Although we have been capable of accepting Visa and Mastercard in person or over the phone for a number of years, we also now accept American Express and Discover Card, mak-

ing it more convenient for you to renew or become a member.

AWF can be found on Facebook under Arkansas Wildlife Federation, on LinkedIn, and you can follow AWF on Twitter @ArWildlife. You can also read and share the Green version of Arkansas Out-of-Doors for free. Just visit http://issuu.com/AOOD and select the issue you want to read.

These social media outlets can provide members with updates on current AWF activities, notification of upcoming events, as well as general information about AWF. The next time you find yourself on the computer or smart-phone, take a minute to friend or follow AWF.

Commission proposes late migratory season feel good • live simply • laugh more

Your Healthy Lifestyle Magazine in Print, Online and Mobile Natural Awakenings Magazine 501.664.5050 www.arknaturalawakenings.com Facebook: Natural Awakenings Central Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – It’s still months away, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission discussed duck hunting during last week’s monthly (July) meeting. The proposed late migratory bird season dates were reviewed and the early season migratory bird dates approved during the meeting.

AGFC Waterfowl Program Coordinator Luke Naylor presented the Commission with the late migratory season proposals.

Proposed duck season dates: Nov. 23-Dec. 1 Dec. 5-Dec. 23 Dec. 26-Jan. 26 Youth Hunt: Feb. 1-2 Federal regulations now allow for a possession limit of three times the daily bag limit. The proposed white-fronted, snow, blue, Ross’ and late Canada goose season is Nov. 14-Jan. 26.

The late migratory bird season dates will be approved at the August commission meeting.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 15

2013-2014 LEEC Sustainability Initiative Project (Sip) Grant This grant is being offered by the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC), which is under the direction of Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF). The LEEC is offering this grant in order to encourage sustainability initiatives in the EPA Region 6 area. Volunteer opportunities, educator workshops, and other projects that have a fundamental environmental education component and clear sustainability message will be considered. Projects are to involve environmental steward ship initiatives that focus on voluntary commitment, behavior, and action that result in environmental protection or improvement. Open to local education agencies (accredited public & private schools), colleges, universities, state education or envi-

ronmental agencies, or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Maximum award: $5000. Round 1* Deadline: September 6, 2013 *Additional rounds will be offered as funding permits. Project funds are provided via a grant from the EPA Office of Environmental Education Sub-Grants Program to LDWF.

LITTLE ROCK – What do 35 counties, three state parks, one national park, three conservation education centers, two nature centers, four wildlife management areas, one commission meeting and 11 high school seniors have in common? All were elements of the first annual Youth Conservation Institute held July 11-18 all across the State of Arkansas.

YCI is a competitive, merit-based, weekGUIDELINES: 2013-2014 LEEC long journey into Arkansas’s conservation Sustainability Initiative Project (SIP) story and serves as a springboard for conserGuidelines APPLICATION: 2013-2014 LEEC Sus- vation-minded teens who want to make an tainability Initiative Project (SIP) Application impact on the community in which they live.

Contact Venise Ortego vortego@wlf. Participants were selected from a state-wide la.gov if you have questions about this grant pool based on criteria including grade point average, letters of recommendation and opportunity. proven interest in conservation and wildlife management.

Students participated in field activities that showcased the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s management of the state’s fisheries and wildlife. It also gave the particdo throughout the year.

Phillip Kastner of Trader Bills Outdoor ipants a snapshot of possible career choices Sports told Arrison, “I think it is one of the in the field of conservation. They studied best promotions for the city ever devised. It Arkansas’s different ecosystems by visitnot only attracts tourists but the locals can ing the Ozark Mountains, the Gulf Coastal Plains, Delta and Crowley’s Ridge. take advantage of it as well.”

This year 11 of 53 prize fish were caught The students went catfishing in the south with a total prize payout of $9,500, Arrison and smallmouth fishing in the north. They said. That’s 21 percent of the fish released hiked the flatlands of the plains and mouninto Lakes Hamilton and Catherine in late tains in the Ozarks. With each experience, April. The challenge ran from May 1 to July they learned the importance that each region 31. In 2012, 15 of the 53 fish (28 percent) were caught, with a prize payout of $9,750.

Arrison said Visit Hot Springs will confer with its partners at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Andrew H. Hulsey Fish Hatchery and with interested members of the public for suggestions on how to make the next Fishing Challenge better if it’s decided to continue it in 2014.

Fishing challenge ends with $10,000 Big Al II still at large HOT SPRINGS – The 2013 $60,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge ended last week with Big Al the Second still on the lam.

“Despite all our efforts to apprehend him, which included tips on his location and species and tips on how to catch him, the $10,000 grand prize fish once again eluded all of our expert fishing pursuers,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, the city’s convention and visitors agency. “Big Al the First wasn’t caught in the 2012 Challenge, either.”

“We are going to take some time and evaluate the Fishing Challenge before deciding whether to do it for a third year in 2014,“ Arrison said. “We’d like to hear from the public before we make a decision. “I know from talking with people who operate marinas, lodging, restaurants and fishing supply stores that they believe the Fishing Challenge is one of the most popular things we

High school seniors take week-long conservation journey

plays in making Arkansas home to such a diverse population of wildlife and what must be done to maintain that population.

Personnel from the AGFC, Arkansas State Parks, Buffalo River National Park and other organizations were on hand to demonstrate on-going conservation efforts throughout the state.

Even after camping during the hot July heat, YCI students declared the experience to be the “best week of my life” and “one of the best learning experiences I have had.”

Their challenge after returning home is to develop and implement a project in their own communities which will have a lasting impact on local conservation efforts.

Youth Conservation Institute attendees: Hunter Almond - Maumelle Seth Bickford - Conway Austen Evers - Harrison Travis Gray - Oden Bailey Hankins - Ward Jared Hett - Pottsville Jacob Jones - Humnoke Joe McAlee - McRae Brody Smith - Guy Caty Jo Spivey - Horseshoe Bend Kaleb Wornick - Mena

For more information about Youth Conservation Institute, visit www.agfc.com.

16 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Want Butterflies? Then Feed Their Caterpillars

by Dr. Rita Littrell

If you have not visited the Butterfly House at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, plan your trip now – before the first frost! This is a magical experience you will not want to miss, especially since the numbers of most species of butterflies are declining in our natural world. At the Butterfly House you will see a congregation of native butterflies.

Everything here is naturally occurring in Arkansas. The swallowtails include the Giants, Easter Blacks, Pipevines, Zebras and even Spicebush. You can find them floating from cone flower to phlox in your yard. Darting much more frantically you will find the Variegated and Gulf Variegated Fritillaries. One morning, while providing the daily maintenance, I entered the structure with arms loaded with passion vine to feed caterpillars. I was swarmed by the Fritillaries who rushed the passion vine to lay eggs on it. The amazing occurrence was that one of them laid an egg right on the tip of my thumb. I gently rubbed it onto a leaf hoping it would remain attached and survive until adulthood.

If you look closely, you can watch the butterfly uncoil its proboscis or long drinking straw, and sip nectar from the flower. The butterfly is refueling. The nectar gives it energy to keep fluttering about transferring pollen from plant to plant. Many people plant what is commonly called the butterfly bush for this purpose. This bush will attract butterflies to your yard as it is a popular nectar plant. But if you want to have more of them fluttering about your yard, you need to plant a butterfly garden. An increasing number of people in Northwest Arkansas now have butterfly gardens. And several schools are integrating them into their outdoor classrooms. This is great news for butterfly survival! Education about butterfly conservation is desperately needed if we are going to protect our remaining butterflies. It is very heartening to hear of a child who taught adults that each butterfly lays eggs on very select plants known as host plants since the caterpillar of each butterfly species eats only one of two types of plants.

The butterfly will search the garden until she finds the plant that she knows her babies will eat when they emerge from the egg. For example, a Spicebush Swallowtail is so named because she lays eggs on the spicebush - a plant that is native to the Arkansas woods. A

second host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail is the sassafras. The Pipevine Swallowtail only lays eggs on the Ducthman’s pipevine, another native plant. The Giant Swallowtail lays eggs on rue or wafer ash. After growing a tropical passion vine that hosted no caterpillars, I discovered that our field was filled with passion vine, which I now protect from the hay baler.

Most people know that the milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch butterfly. There are several varieties of milkweed that vary throughout the Monarch migration from Mexico to Canada. The bright orange ‘weed’ that you see growing along roadsides or in fields is commonly called the butterfly weed. A very alarming statistic is that our butterfly enthusiast group saw zero naturally occurring monarchs this year. We hope to find that somehow their numbers increased throughout their northern migration so we can identify some on their southern journey. We are busily growing stands of milkweed.

So how do you create a butterfly garden? What is the trick to hosting a party for our fluttering friends? This is the question we are frequently asked and it is really quite simple. The nectar plants are step one so that you can attract the butterflies to your yard. But then if you will plant host plants, providing a place for the metamorphosis of the butterfly, you will have many more caterpillars, chrysalides and butterflies. You’ll have eggs too but will not find these until you develop a practiced eye. This is when it really gets exciting! Our enthusiasts probably get more excited about the various caterpillars and their habits than spotting the actual butterflies.

If the natural world has declining numbers of butterflies, then how do we have so many in the Butterfly House? We remove predators. The Butterfly House is a screened structure filled with host and nectar plants. The butterfly metamorphosis occurs within the structure.

Birds cannot get to the caterpillars or butterflies – except for the occasional one who outsmarts us. Spiders are relocated as are other insects that will harm out butterflies. Ninetyfive percent of caterpillars do not make it to the chrysalis stage. By removing predators, we greatly increase the survival rate. We actually find it necessary to release butterflies when we have overpopulation. A program unique to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is our Butterfly Nanny training program. This is basically a docent training which results in educated volunteers who help with butterfly education, tours and maintaining the Butterfly House.

So how do you start a garden at your house? It is really quite simple. You can either designate a garden or simply integrate butterfly nectar and host plants into your existing garden. You can find lists of host plants on the Internet and in many print sources, but below you will find the ones with which we have had the greatest success. Most of these prefer a sunny location.

Butterfly

Host Plant

Nectar Plant

Eastern Black Swallowtail

Dill, fennel or parsley

Butterfly bush or butterfly weed

Monarch

Milkweed – any variety

Milkweed, tall verbena

Zebra Swallowtail

Pawpaw tree

Milkweed, zinnia

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush, sassafras

Lantana

Giant Swallowtail

Prickly ash, rue

Butterfly bush, coneflowers

Pipevine Swallowtail

Dutchman’s pipevine

Tall garden phlox, milkweed

Variegated Fritillary

Passion vine

Lantana, butterfly bush

Tiger Swallowtail

Tulip poplar, sweet bay magnolia

Coneflowers

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 17

Arkansas Wildlife Federation P.O. Box 56380, Little Rock, AR 72215 Telephone: (501) 888-4770

“Your voice for hunting, fishing and conservation since 1936”

Arkansas Out-Of-Doors Advertising Agreement

This list can be overwhelming. We are often asked where to start.

My suggestion from ten years of butterfly gardening experience would be to plant bronze fennel. This is the preferred host plant by the Eastern Black Swallowtail.

If you then plant butterfly milkweed, you will have a great nectar plant that is also a host to the Monarch and other butterflies.

Of course cone flower is a favorite nectar plant of many butterflies and makes a nice complement to the bronze fennel. It is long blooming too.

Tall garden phlox has been a long time favorite nectar plant of the swallowtails in our garden. The phlox and cone flowers spread easily so you don’t need to buy a lot of plants. Give them space and practice patience.

My next pick would be to plant Dutchman’s pipevine if you have a place for a vine that gets fairly unruly. This is the coolest caterpillar and very few people have pipevine. You do need to put it in a place where you don’t mind that it spreads and vines. It takes three years before you see

substantial growth.

I would then include a spicebush if you can locate one because this is the second most interesting caterpillar. You will find it curled inside of the leaf, leaving only to feed. It looks like a Chinese dancing dragon with fake eye spots.

If you have space for trees, I would include pawpaw and prickly ash to host the Giant and Zebra Swallowtails.

Tall verbena is a very interesting plant that is favored by many smaller butterflies for nectar.

Passionvine, again a bit on the wild side, but host for Fritillaries and a very beautiful flower.

If you are a meticulous gardener, please know that caterpillars care what they eat but they do not care where they eat. Feel free to transfer them from a pretty plant in the front of your garden to one with many bite marks in the back. We sincerely hope you will make a trip to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to visit the Butterfly House and experience the magical gathering of our silent but beautiful fluttering friends. And then perhaps you will add some butterfly plants to your yard and invite your neighbors to do the same. Maybe someday we can get the Arkansas Highway Department to seed butterfly plants and parks to include stands of native host plants with signage to educate Arkansans and visitors. We invite you to help us save the butterflies for future generations.

Dr. Rita Littrell - When Rita is not teaching economics to educators, she can be found training Butterfly Nannies at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of Education Programs. She is not an expert – just a hobbyist.

Arkansas Out-Of-Doors is the official publication of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation established in 1936, a non-profit, hunting, fishing, and conservation organization dedicated to promoting the wise stewardship of our natural resources. It is a newsprint tabloid publication that is published 6 times per year for the following issues: Jan.-Feb., March-April, May-June, July-Aug., Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec. The publication contains information about hunting, fishing and other outdoororiented activities. It also contains articles about conservation. It is mailed near the end of the first month of each issue date to approximately 4500 AWF members and it has an estimated readership of 13,500 to 17,500 people each issue. Those who read this publication enjoy the great outdoor, and they are interested in conservation.

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by Jan. 1. Camera-ready art due Jan. 5. Mailing date near the end of January. March – April issue, reserve space by March 1, Camera-ready due by

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Advertising layout and space: Advertising may send a slick or a black and white copy of a previous ad, a negative for black and white ads, a color key and four-color separations for color ads, or ads may be sent on a disk on CD (PDF, JPEG or EPS) to the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. We utilize 90-line screen, right reading, emulsion down. The AWF can assist in making the ad for the client. Depending on amount of time to layout ad, there may be additional fees for this.

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18 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Award of $1 Million to Illinois River Watershed Partnership Submitted by Alicia.Agent

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is pleased to announce it has been awarded more than $1 million in grants to fund green infrastructure and natural water filtration projects in the Illinois River Watershed in Benton and Washington counties.

The grants, which total $1,028,736, were announced Thursday by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership Board of Directors.

The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission awarded $586,000 for a Green Infrastructure Development Project, and a Low-Impact Development Demonstration and Education Project. The state Natural Resources Commission administers the grant program, which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program.

Program director Tony Ramick said, “We are happy to continue our partnership with the IRWP and to assist in the efforts to enhance education, outreach and demonstrate implementation techniques to improve water quality within the Illinois River Watershed. The work and projects being implemented are significant, have been effective and will continue to be in the effort to enhance water quality. We look forward to another successful project from the IRWP, participation from watershed stakeholders and the continued improvement of water quality.”

The three-year $1,028,736 grant award

includes $442,000 in matching funds from the Illinois River Watershed Partnership’s sponsors, including the Walton Family Foundation , Wal-Mart, AT&T, Del Monte Foods, Crafton Tull, Waste Management, Water Tech, McKee Foods, AEP-SWEPCO, Southwestern Energy, Cargill, Simmons, George’s Inc. and Tyson Foods.

Partners in this grant also include the cities of Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, and Cave Springs.

Dr. Delia Haak, executive director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, said the two funded projects are designed to demonstrate the environmental benefits of natural water filtration while educating the public about best management practices for urban land use and land cover.

“The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is so grateful for the support of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission,” Haak said. “These projects help to fulfill our mission of improving the integrity of the watershed, as well as educating those who want to take positive actions to preserve, protect and restore the watershed.”

The Illinois River Watershed comprises 758 square miles within Benton and Washington counties.

Of the grant award, $526,315 will be used to implement green infrastructure elements at five trailhead locations along the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway. The Greenway is a 36mile, paved hiking and biking trail from Bella Vista to Fayetteville and is slated for completion early next year.

The five trailhead locations are in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. The infrastructure elements include: rain gardens, porous pavers, phosphorous removal structures, land forming contouring, and vegetation and structures to improve water quality. According to the EPA, green infrastructure is an approach that communities can choose to maintain healthy waters, provide multiple environmental benefits and support sustainable communities. Unlike single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure, which uses pipes to dispose of rainwater, green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to manage rainwater where it falls. By weaving natural processes into the built environment, green infrastructure provides not only stormwater management, but also flood mitigation, air quality management and many more benefits. In funding Section 319 grants, the EPA states, “At a time when so much of our infrastructure is in need of replacement or repair and so few communities can foot the bill, we need resilient and affordable solutions that meet many objectives at once. Green infrastructure is one solution.”

As part of the Razorback Greenway project, interpretive signs will be installed at the trailheads to build awareness and educate people about the green infrastructure elements. The Illinois River Watershed Partnership also will host educational meetings in each of the cities through a partnership with Alta Greenways Planning and Design, the architects of Razorback Greenway.

The second project, funded by $502,421, will implement low-impact development features at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership’s new “Watershed

Sanctuary at the Lake” in Cave Springs.

The Watershed Sanctuary is on 30 pristine acres along Arkansas 112 in Benton County, with a cave that is home to the largest population of Ozark Cavefish and a large population of gray bats, both on the endangered and threatened species list. The Sanctuary is also home to the rare purple trillium plant and a diverse urban forest.

The low impact development and education project is designed to provide stakeholders with knowledge and appreciation of clean water within a natural environment and protection of sensitive ecosystems using low-impact development. The project will improve water quality, and serve as demonstration for what homeowners, business owners, urban and rural residents can do on their property to improve and protect our natural resources.

Both of these projects follow recommendations from the Upper Illinois River Watershed-Based Management Plan approved in November 2012 by EPA, which the Illinois River Watershed Partnership uses to define strategies to pursue best management practices to improve the watershed.

The projects are expected to be completed by August 2016.

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a not-for-profit organization, working to protect the Illinois River and its tributaries in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The focus is on improving the integrity of the Illinois River through public education and community outreach, waterquality monitoring, and the implementation of conservation and restoration practices in the watershed. For more information, or to become a sponsor, please visit irwp.org.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 19

JULY/AUGUST UPCOMING EVENTS

AWF Annual Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet

Saturday, August 24, 2013 Doors open at 4:00 pm—Dinner at 6:00 pm The Center of Bryant in Bishop Park 6401 Boone Road Bryant, Arkansas Come help celebrate this year’s conservation winners. Menu TBA but will most likely include roasted Cornish hen, fried quail, other game meats, vegetables and all the fixin’s. Participate in the silent auction, be in the running for door prizes, and bid in the liveauction. This year’s live auction will once again include a Youth elk hunt permit courtesyof AGFC! Tickets now available through the AWF office or through AWF board members - $40 Couple or $25 Single.

Contact (501) 888-4770 or arkwf@sbcglobal.net for more information or to order your tickets in advance.

AWF Quarterly Meeting

Saturday, September 7, 2013 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM AWF Office 401 W. Bingham Road Little Rock, AR 72206 The first quarterly meeting of AWF’s fiscal year will be held at the new office in an outdoor, picnic-like setting. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be served during a working lunch. Please R.S.V.P. and bring your own fold-out chair. You are also welcome to bring snacks or desserts if you’d like to contribute.

The meeting will include the election of board members, discussion of this year’s annual banquet, Bearcat Hollow volunteer day, progress of the strategic plan, and more. If you would like to be on the agenda please submit your information no later than August 30th to arkwf@sbcglobal.net.

Squirrels Unlimited 2nd Annual World Championiship Squirrel Cook-Off Saturday, September 7, 2013 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Bentonville Square Bentonville, Arkansas

Come watch over 40 teams compete in the world championship. Last year’s event was featured on CNN, Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” and more (see article this issue). Dishes will be tasted by a panel of judges including Phyllis Speer from Arkansas Outdoors, Chef Matt McClure of the Hive at 21c Museum Hotel, and Benton County Judge Bob Clinard and the grand prize winning team takes home $500. Visit http://squirrelcookoff.com for more information.

5th Annual Conway EcoFest

Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Rain or Shine Laurel Park, Conway, AR Food, Fun, Music, Magic and an Exploration of Our Environment! Come spend a day to celebrate our connections to our environment. If you would like to be part of helping to develop any part of this exciting event, please contact us at http:// www.conwayecofest.com/ or call Debbie at 472-0901.

PLT’s Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood workshop Saturday, September 14, 2013 9:00 Am – 3:30 PM ASU-Heber Springs campus 101 River Crest Drive Heber Springs, AR 72543

Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM UA Monticello campus Willard Hall, room 117 160 University Drive Monticello, AR 71656 Choose from one of the two workshops!

PLT’s Early Childhood Guide integrates nature-based exploration, art, literature, math, music and movement, and outdoor play into early childhood education programs. The guide contains eleven activities that encourage young children to explore the senses, the seasons, and neighborhood trees. PLT’s Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood encourages children to explore, discover, and communicate in expressive ways, and provides an introduction to environmental education at a key developmental period in children’s lives.

Curriculum meets Arkansas Frameworks for Early Childhood, NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Frameworks.

This workshop is approved through the TAPP Registry as an approved professional development training for early childhood educators.

COST: FREE - but you must pre-register TO REGISTER: For Monticello class please contact C. Morrell Jones at jones@ uamont.edu For Heber Springs class please contact Jody Rath at jlrath@hebersprings.asub.edu Please provide: Your name School or organization Email address Phone number Please bring a sack lunch.

Participants must stay for the full 6 hour training in order to receive the curriculum guide and the 6 hours of PD. No partial credit will be given.

Space is limited and registrations are taken on a first-received first reserved basis so register TODAY!!!

Bearcat Hollow Volunteer Day

Friday-Saturday, September 2728, 2013 Bearcat Hollow/Ozark Mountains Near Lurton, AR

Once again, the last Saturday in September is National Public Lands Day. Why not spend your weekend enjoying the beauty of the Ozarks while helping AWF and our cooperative partners (i.e. NWTF, NFF, RMEF, AGFC, USFS, ATU Fisheries & Wildlife Society, University of the Ozarks and others) in our effort to help nature?

Feel free to camp out, or you can show up early on Saturday morning.

To volunteer and for more details contact Wayne Shewmake @ (479) 229-2298 or wayne093@centurytel.net, or the AWF office @ (501) 888-4770 or arkwf@sbcglobal.net

20 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

Fine money goes back to county where collected

LITTLE ROCK - When the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collects fines from game law convictions, the money goes back to the county where it was collected. The money is used to fund educational programs focused on fish, wildlife and conservation in the counties where the offenses occurred.

During fiscal year 2013, more than $632,000 was collected in fines. The highest amount of fine money went to Baxter County with just over $24,000. The next highest amount went to Benton County with more than $21,000 in fines.

Each county’s quorum court allocates all fine money to their school districts and conservation districts. The AGFC and the Arkansas Department of Education do not have a role in determining which programs are funded. School and conservation district officials must contact their local quorum court with requests for fine revenue and suggestions concerning the best method of distributing funding.

Fine money may be used only for AGFC programs. The Arkansas Department of Education and the AGFC have established school programs for fish and wildlife conservation and for other purposes consistent with the AGFC’s mission.

Arkansas ���������������������������������� $15,229.20 Ashley �������������������������������������� $ 4,120.90 Baxter �������������������������������������� $24,150.22 Benton ������������������������������������ $ 21,280.95 Boone ���������������������������������������� $3,520.00 Bradley ������������������������������������ $12,079.52 Calhoun ������������������������������������ $ 7,173.60 Carroll ��������������������������������������� $9,646.50

Chicot �������������������������������������� $11,774.80 Clark ������������������������������������������ $9,599.10 Clay ������������������������������������������ $ 7,153.67 Cleburne ����������������������������������� $ 8,060.50 Cleveland ���������������������������������� $9,437.40 Columbia ���������������������������������� $ 5,277.30 Conway ������������������������������������ $ 5,098.45 Craighead ��������������������������������� $ 5,646.22 Crawford ���������������������������������� $ 9,387.50 Crittenden ��������������������������������� $ 5,159.32 Cross ����������������������������������������� $8,244.25 Dallas ���������������������������������������� $7,021.39 Desha �������������������������������������� $ 11,691.40 Drew ������������������������������������������ $4,586.40 Faulkner ����������������������������������� $ 8,426.61 Franklin ������������������������������������� $7,511.70 Fulton ���������������������������������������� $4,508.00

The following AGFC programs meet the criteria for funding: • Arkansas Has It All Workshops and Professional Development for teachers.

• Arkansas Stream Team Program • Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program • Boating Education • Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs • Hunter Education • On Target For Life-Archery P.E. Program (additional matching money is available through AGFC) • School Yard Habitats Site Development • Underwater Arkansas • Watchable Wildlife • WILD Workshops • Wings Over Arkansas • 4-H Responsible Environmental Stewardship Quest (RES-Q).

For more information, contact Joel Gill at C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, 501-821-6884.

• Specialized AGFC conservation education or educator training workshops focused on the programs above (a partnership with county conservation districts). Contact Pat Knighten at AGFC, 870-917-2085.

Funds also may be used by educators to take students on field trips to AGFC nature centers and conservation education centers.

Fine money by county: Garland �������������������������������������� $7,793.45 Grant ����������������������������������������� $6,405.00 Greene �������������������������������������� $ 3,754.65 Hempstead ������������������������������� $14,698.04 Hot Spring ������������������������������� $12,307.30 Howard �������������������������������������� $4,777.99 Independence ���������������������������� $5,291.06 Izard ������������������������������������������ $4,602.84 Jackson �������������������������������������� $1,631.70 Jefferson ���������������������������������� $11,270.00 Johnson ������������������������������������� $9,034.15 Lafayette ����������������������������������� $9,920.00 Lawrence ����������������������������������� $7,504.35 Lee ��������������������������������������������� $1,577.80 Lincoln �������������������������������������� $4,958.80 Little River ������������������������������ $11,804.10 Logan �������������������������������������� $17,584.31 Lonoke �������������������������������������� $3,998.56 Madison ������������������������������������ $6,286.70 Marion ������������������������������������� $11,369.25 Miller ����������������������������������������� $9,942.10 Mississippi �������������������������������� $5,932.33 Monroe ������������������������������������ $16,322.60 Montgomery ���������������������������� $14,266.19 Nevada �������������������������������������� $4,542.30

Newton �������������������������������������� $3,145.00 Ouachita ������������������������������������ $5,122.46 Perry ������������������������������������������ $3,572.10 Phillips �������������������������������������� $4,085.00 Pike ����������������������������������������� $18,507.94 Poinsett ������������������������������������ $11,035.42 Polk ������������������������������������������� $2,619.68 Pope ��������������������������������������� $ 10,615.36 Prairie ���������������������������������������� $7,621.20 Pulaski ��������������������������������������� $7,467.59 Randolph ����������������������������������� $5,291.00 St. Francis ��������������������������������� $3,634.97 Saline ����������������������������������������� $9,089.80 Scott ������������������������������������������ $6,463.10 Searcy ���������������������������������������� $6,420.00 Sebastian ����������������������������������� $7,204.50 Sevier ���������������������������������������� $9,282.92 Sharp ����������������������������������������� $5,208.70 Stone ����������������������������������������� $7,446.04 Union �������������������������������������� $14,005.00 Van Buren �������������������������������� $12,585.00 Washington ����������������������������� $10,472.21 White ��������������������������������������� $16,140.00 Woodruff ����������������������������������� $4,860.80 Yell �������������������������������������������� $6,831.89

Small lakes and WMAs offer summer camping

LITTLE ROCK – Summer is camping time for legions of Arkansans. And people have many opinions on how to camp and where to camp.

For some, the popular and often crowded campgrounds of state parks and on the big lakes are first choices. For others, remote sites away from the throngs are preferred.

Possibilities for the latter group are wildlife management areas and small lakes of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Designated campsites at these WMAs and lakes are all over the state. They are do-it-yourself places for camping. The AGFC has small black and white signs at most of them, “undeveloped campsite.” Some are marked with blue paint on trees. Campers may be more familiar with the term “primitive camping.”

Take that “undeveloped” literally. It means no facilities, just a place to pitch a tent or park a camper. There is one attractive feature at these “undeveloped” sites – they are free.

The sites have no electricity, with a few exceptions. They have no drinking water supply. They have no trash receptacles or toilets. No staff is on hand to answer questions or to give directions.

And this time of the year, you may well be the only campers around.

Some of these WMA and small lake campsites are in scenic area. Just one example is along Robe Bayou on Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA. That is a few miles northwest of Brinkley in east Arkansas. A string of designated campsites are along the cypress lined bayou that has several places for launched canoes, kayaks and small boats.

Advance scouting, always suggested for hunting WMAs, is suggested for finding one or more campsite possibilities. Visit the area or the lake ahead of your planned trip.

See what is there in the way of designated campsites. AGFC regulations on most facilities specify that camping can only be at designated campsites. There is a 14-day limit on camping at all AGFC sites.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August- 21

Striped bass program offers big fish and big fun to Arkansas anglers

HOT SPRINGS – Arkansas anglers looking for a deep-sea fishing thrill don’t need to travel far to tangle with a trophy. Thanks to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s striped bass program, stripers regularly topping 20 pounds swim in many Arkansas lakes to test angler’s equipment and raise their heart rate.

Striped bass are naturally found in salt water, but migrate into freshwater rivers and streams to reproduce. They also can adapt to life in in landlocked freshwater lakes if the conditions are right.

Stripers can grow to tremendous sizes in fresh water. Arkansas’s state record striped bass weighed 64 lbs. 8 oz. and was caught below Beaver Lake in 2000. But they can’t reproduce naturally in Arkansas’s reservoirs.

“With the exception of a few striped bass on the Arkansas River, every striped bass in Arkansas is a product of our hatchery system,” said Don Brader, AGFC assistant fisheries chief. “We also produce a hybrid striper by crossing striped bass with native white bass.”

The process for producing striped bass and

hybrid striped bass is a labor of love, one the AGFC has been conducting annually since the 1970s.

AGFC fisheries biologists and technicians spend between 1,000 and 1,500 man hours each year to offer anglers this added opportunity.

In mid-April, netting crews intercept stripers at night as they make their annual spawning runs upstream.

“We check the nets every few hours, collect male and female stripers, and carefully transport them to (Andrew) Hulsey Hatchery near Hot Springs,” Brader said.

Once at the hatchery, a weeks-long vigil begins.

“AGFC staff watch the fish around the clock, checking the stripers to see if they’re ready,” Brader said. “Once a female striper begins to ovulate, we have less than half an hour to collect those eggs.”

Hatchery technicians massage eggs from female stripers and milt from male stripers (or white bass, if hybrids are being produced) and mix them together in sterile containers to ensure fertilization.

“The eggs are placed in glass containers with constantly flowing water to keep them aerated,” Brader said. “The water has to stay 64- to 66 degrees, or the eggs may not develop.”

The eggs hatch in about 48 hours and the fry are moved to holding tanks for about four days. Once fully developed, they are moved into hatchery ponds to grow.

By July the fry will be about 2 inches long and are ready to be stocked.

Much like Arkansas’s famed trout fisheries, lakes with stripers have gained a devoted following among anglers interested in battling big fish. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about 63,000 anglers fished for white bass, striped bass and hybrids in 2011.

“Many anglers who catch the occasional striper when fishing for other species often want to learn more about how to catch them,” said Mark Oliver, AGFC chief of fisheries.

“One of the best resources a person can use is a local striper fishing club or guide that operates on our striper lakes. These people stay on top of the fish year-round and can definitely cut down the learning curve for newcomers.”

Some anglers worry that striped bass eat black bass and other game fish, but their diet is almost entirely shad.

“There have been several studies done on the eating habits of stripers in reservoirs,” said Brett Hobbs, AGFC fisheries management biologist in Hot Springs. “All of these studies indicate striped bass are extremely unlikely to eat black bass.”

Hobbs explains that adult striped bass stay in the cool open water of the lake, not around shoreline cover like black bass.

“A Lake Hamilton study showed shad made up 92 percent of prey items found in sampled striped bass,” said Hobbs. “And that was during a winter drawdown, when bass, crappie and other game fish were forced into deeper open water where stripers stay.”

Because of this high dependence on shad, waters where stripers are stocked are scrutinized each year to ensure that the food chain remains balanced.

“Stripers help control the amount of large gizzard shad in a lake that have grown too large for other game fish to prey upon.” Brader said. “But if we see the shad populations decline, we immediately cut down on the number of stripers stocked in those waters.

Because they don’t reproduce naturally, we can directly control the population to keep our fisheries healthy and keep this opportunity alive for Arkansas anglers.”

MEMORIAL GIFTS & HONORARIUM Remember Loved Ones "Forever"

You can remember a loved one with a memorial gift or honorarium to the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

Memorial gifts: If you would like to remember someone who loved wildlife, and the great outdoors of Arkansas, you can make a gift in that person’s name. What a beautiful tribute to their memory. Your memorial gift will continue the work of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and keep a loved one’s spirit alive through wildlife conservation.

Honorarium Gift: Are you puzzled what to give friends or family members who “have everything?” Will an ordinary gift just not be enough? Then, consider making a donation to the Arkansas Wildlife Federation in their honor and acknowledge their special day, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or whatever they are celebrating.

Your gift is a special recognition to this individual or family in support of wildlife conservation programs. Gifts of $ 100 or more will receive wildlife print. All donations will receive a tax deductible receipt.

Make a Difference “Forever Memorials or Honorariums” Right Now by Completing this Information Below: Name of honoree_____________________________________________________________ Name of donor______________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________State_____________ Zip Code______________

City________________________________ State_____________ Zip Code______________

Visa_________ Master Card____________ Credit Card #_____________________________________________________________ Expiration Date______________________________ Memorial______ Honorarium_____________ Amount of Gift $______________________ *The Arkansas Wildlife Federation can accept checks, and Master Charge or VISA Credit Cards *

Designation of Gift____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We now accept MC/Visa/AMEX/Discover

Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation! Send to: Arkansas Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 56380, Little Rock, AR 72215; or call 501-888-4770

22 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013

July/August 2013 POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to: P.O. Box 56380, Little Rock, AR 72215

ISSN0884-9145

Arkansas Wildlife Federation Officers and Board of Directors October, 2012 to September, 2013

Arkansas Out-of-Doors

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION Arkansas Out-of-Doors is published 6 times per year by Arkansas Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 56380, Little Rock, AR 72215. Third Class postage paid at Russellville, AR and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to Arkansas Outof-Doors, P.O. Box 56830, Little Rock, AR 72215, or call 501-888-4770.

This is the official publication of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Printed matter includes hunting and fishing news, sporting information, articles on pertinent legislation, with special emphasis on environment and pollution problems. All Arkansas Wildlife Federation members are entitled to receive one copy of each issue of AOOD for one year.

Permission is granted to reprint any news article or item printed in Arkansas Out-Of-Doors with credit, please.

Executive Director �������������������������������������������� Ethan Nahté Editor in Chief ����������������������������������������� Wayne Shewmake Layout/Design ������������������������������������������Chris Zimmerman ZimCreative Views and opinions, unless specifically stated, do not necessarily represent the positions of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

Deadline Information: Unless other arrangements are made with the editor, copy for club news, features, columns and advertising must be in the Arkansas Wildlife Federation office by the close of business (noon) on the 20th of the month preceding publication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Executive Committee President: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle 1st Vice President: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff 2nd Vice President: Jerry Crowe, Dardanelle Treasurer: Gary W. Bush, Marion Secretary: Lucien Gillham, Sherwood Executive Director: Ethan Nahté Board of Directors At Large Clay Spikes, Benton Charles W. Logan, M.D., Little Rock Lola Perritt, Little Rock Odies Wilson III, Little Rock Jimmie Wood, Dardanelle Bobby Hacker, Little Rock Mike Armstrong, Little Rock Chrystola Tullos, Rison Regional Directors District 1: --vacant- District 2: Patti Dell-Duchene, Augusta District 2 Alternate: Linda Cooper, Augusta District 3: --vacant- District 4: --vacant- District 5: Mary Lou Lane, Dardanelle NWF Region: David Carruth, Clarendon NWF Special Projects: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff NWF Regional Representative: Geralyn Hoey, Austin, TX President Emeritus and First Lady Emeritus: Bob and Rae Apple, Dardanelle National Wildlife Federation Delegates: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT Ralph Oldegard, Mt. Home Larry Hedrick, Hot Springs Charles McLemore Jr., Bryant Affiliate Clubs: ATU Fisheries & Wildlife Society Jared Schluterman, President - Russellville, AR Arkansas Chapter of American Fisheries Arkansas Trappers Association Gary Helms, President - Texarkana, AR Cane Creek Hometowner’s Association Jessica Thompson, Sec./Treasurer – Scranton, AR

Creative Ideas President: Sharon Hacker - Little Rock, AR Friends of Pontoon Park Friends of Bigelow Park Friends of Delaware Park Greene County Wildlife Club Rick Woolridge, President - Paragould Little River Bottoms Chapter, Arkansas Wildlife Federation Vickers Fuqua, President Mike Young, Secretary & Treasurer University of the Ozarks - Clarksville Jamie L. Hedges, Director of Outdoor & Evironmental Experiences Westark Wildlife G. David Matlock, Fort Smith White River Conservancy Gayne Preller Schmidt, Augusta Yell County Wildlife Federation James Manatt, President – Dardanelle Northeast Arkansas Wounded Warriors Project Yell County Youth Conservation Club Randy Cole, Dardanelle, AR Arkansas Wildlife Federation Staff Executive Director - Ethan Nahté Editor in Chief - Wayne Shewmake Contributing Writers – Wayne Shewmake, Gordon Bagby, Dr. Robert Morgan, Johnny, Sain, Jr., Ethan Nahté, Al Wolff, AGFC, NWF, Rita L. Littrell, Ph.D., Ellie Mae, Alicia Agent, Jerry W. Davis, Geralyn Hoey Contributing Photographers – Dr. Robert Morgan, Mike Wintroath, Ethan Nahté, Wayne Shewmake, Jack Bardwell, Lisa Taylor, Andrew Stevens Arkansas Wildlife Federation Address: P.O. Box 56380 Little Rock, Arkansas 72215 Office: 501-888-4770 // Cell: 501-414-2845

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • July/August 2013 - 23

Nandina Berries Kill Birds

by Jerry W. Davis

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS – You know this shrub as “Nandina”, “Sacred Bamboo” or “Heavenly Bamboo”. Nandina domestica is found in most landscaping mixes in yards, parks, hospital grounds, and other locations in the lower 48 states.

Its bright red berries and contrasting dark green foliage is planted for color and texture by commercial landscapers. Some home owners plant Nandina to provide food for Cedar waxwing, American robin, Northern mockingbird, Eastern bluebird and other birds that depend on winter fruits to survive.

Nandina berries last for months attracting hungry birds when food is in short supply.

When dozens of Cedar waxwings were found dead in Thomas County Georgia, Moges Wolderemeskel and Eloise L. Styer (2010), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, found the cause to be Nandina berries, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005831/. All birds had intact berries of N. domestica in their crops. There was hemorrhaging in the heart, lungs, trachea, abdominal cavity and other organs (Figure 1).

Nandina berries contain cyanide and other alkaloids that produce highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) which is extremely poisonous to all animals. Sudden death may be the only sign of cyanide poisoning and death usually comes in minutes to an hour Wolderemeskel and Styer report.

Figure 1 Toxicity of Nandina domestica in Cedar Waxwings. (a). Photograph showing berries of N. domestica in a crop of dead Cedar Waxwing. The arrows show congested and hemorrhagic trachea. (b).

Photograph showing mediastinal and pulmonary hemorrhage.

The US Department of Agriculture and most states classify Nandina domestica as a noxious non-native invasive weed from China and Japan. It has naturalized and invaded our National Parks, Widlife Refuges, National Forests and other habitats throughout the United States. Home owners and commercial landscapers are still

USDA Funds Available For Arkansas Water Monitoring

planting this toxic species without constraint. In addition to bird deaths in Georgia, bird deaths have been reported in Houston and other parts of the country. Hydroen cyanide (HCN) is a painful, and unnecessary way for birds and other animals to die.

“Over 220 bird species nationwide are in serious decline, including our most common birds. Birds are being killed on all fronts” Davis said. “For people to ignore poisoning birds and other wildlife is inexcuseable. By working together we can eliminate this toxic and noxious invasive plant.

If you are not doing your part, the job is not getting done.”.

Jerry W. Davis, Certified Wildlife Biologist, 172 Heritage Drive, Hot Springs, AR 71901, jwdavis@cablelynx.com.

by Associated Press

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says more than $2.3 million is now available for Arkansas farmers and landowners to monitor edge of field water quality on agricultural lands in watersheds throughout the state.

Funding comes from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for voluntarily monitoring practices in priority watersheds which have been targeted for funding.

Arkansas State Conservationist Mike Sullivan says the agency is working aggressively to improve the health of the watersheds in the state and the Mississippi River Basin.

Sullivan says the edge of field monitoring projects requested by Arkansas producers will help document the positive environmental benefits of conservation practices.

Producers can use the data from water quality monitoring to measure the effectiveness of conservation practices and systems such as nutrient management, cover crop, and irrigation water management. **For more information on the EQIP program and application: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/ Or contact your local NRCS office.