Arkansas Out-of-Doors

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Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June - 1

MAY/JUNE 2011

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

VOL 39

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

NO 3

Center of Bryant Home of the 74th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet

Arkansas - Fun for All Ages!

Photo by Wayne Shewmake

2 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

“Volunteerism” What kind of person volunteers and why?

I can’t answer for anyone but myself. I don’t want to get into my life history, it would take 2 books to write that all down. Just to tell you a little about myself, I grew up in a very large family. "How large," you say? Well my mother gave birth to 16 kids and my dad had been married before and had 5 children, so that makes 21 of us. I have 10 brothers and 10 sisters, and half have now passed on. We, like a lot of other families, had a very hard time after World War II, so I grew up in an orphanage, entering at age 5 and leaving at age 17. Enough about my family history. As I said, that would take another book.

After I got out of school and started my career working for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.). We moved around quite a lot for promotions. As the kids, oh, I have 2 children, grew up, I found that for them to participate in sports someone had to help coach. So I tried to do my part so they could play and others could play sports. This was my introduction to

volunteering. It was fun and I felt very good about being involved in their lives.

As I did my part I noticed a lot of kids whose parents did not participate with their kids, nor did they even come to their games. How disappointing for the kids.

I’ve seen several kids do exceptionally well in sports and then be very upset that none of their family members were there to see them. This made me realize the importance of doing what I could to give those kids a mentor - someone they could look up to and hopefully try to do better for themselves, and maybe become a better parent themselves someday.

I feel like we all owe a debt to society so I became a volunteer. This is one of the reasons I volunteer with AWF and try to do what I can for conservation, so future generations will be able to enjoy wildlife and the outdoors as much as I have with my family.

I have been a volunteer for conservation for most of my life and have come to realize the importance of wildlife and what it means

to us in our everyday lives. My generation didn’t have anything to do with the market hunters and all of the animals that are now gone, never to be seen again. We can make a difference today by volunteering our time, knowledge, and experience to do what we can to make a difference for conservation and the wildlife that need our help to survive.

We all need to do our part to help conserve what we have for future generations to see and enjoy, by volunteering, recycling, or just not wasting needlessly.

So please join AWF and we can and will make a difference by recycling, keeping our water clean, and our air safe to breath, and keep Arkansas the Natural State.

If you would like to volunteer and get involved with AWF or your organization would like to partner with us on a project such as Bearcat Hollow or Lake Ouachita Vista Trails, please contact the AWF office by email of phone. We would be glad to have your participation and help, all of us working together can make a difference. (501) 2249200 or arkwf@sbcglobal.net.

We all need to do our part to help conserve what we have for future generations to see and enjoy, by volunteering, recycling, or just not wasting needlessly.

This is the 75th Anniversary for the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. The pin you see above is a covenant collector's pin. Not many organization can or will be able to say that they have been in business for 75 years.

This year to encourage you to become a member and help support AWF our mission of conservation and protecting fish, wildlife, and our natural resources in Arkansas. We will give one of these pins to each paid member, along with a membership card.

You can also purchase an extra pin for $10 plus shipping.

Also, I know times are hard for most everyone, it is also hard for AWF. So if you want to continue to receive our newspaper, we would appreciate your membership support.

For those that choose not to renew their membership, this will be your last issue of the AOOD newspaper. AWF regrets this decision but we have to pay for the editing, printing and mailing of the paper. We will be glad to send it to anyone that wants it by email, just send us your name, address and email address and we will add you to our growing email list.

President - Wayne Shewmake 1st VP - Ellen McNulty 2nd VP - Larry Hillyard Treasurer - Garry Bush Secretary - Lucien Gillham

Arkansas Wildlife Federation 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101 Little Rock, AR 72205

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 3

Arkansas Wildlife Federation show of support for AGFC Arkansas Wildlife Federation, formed in 1936, is one of Arkansas’ most effective conservation organizations. The AWF brings together the concerns of every Arkansan who enjoys fishing, wildlife, wild places, and the many ways to enjoy them. As part of this commitment, we have worked alongside the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for many years and support its role as a conservation leader in The Natural State.

Most recently, AWF has worked in conjunction with the AGFC on the Bearcat Hollow Cooperative Habitat Project in Newton and Searcy counties. The cooperative project will create 36,000 acres of high-quality wildlife habitat within the Ozark National Forest. The project area is adjacent to the AGFC’s Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area and the National Park Service’s Buffalo National River. Ongoing, comprehensive habitat-improvement programs have created thousands of acres of high-quality habitat for the state’s wildlife.

The enhanced habitat from the Bearcat Hollow Project will improve the quality, quantity and distribution of food and

cover for all native species in the area, including elk, quail, deer, black bear, turkey, prairie warbler and small animals. The project promises to enhance the AGFC’s mission to provide recreational opportunities on public land.

The project calls for restoration of oak and pine woodlands, as well as savannas, creation of forage openings and wildlife water resources. Rotational, prescribed burning will be used across the project area to benefit wildlife. This is only one of several projects AWF and AGFC have worked together on over the years.

In every corner of Arkansas, the AGFC works to protect and conserve the state’s natural resources. The AWF works with the AGFC in its conservation efforts and to enhance Arkansas’s nature watching, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Over the years, AWF has worked hand-in-hand with the AGFC to achieve many conservation victories. Two of the more important cooperative efforts included sponsorship of Amendment 35 in 1944, which created the modern-day Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and support in the development and passage of the 1/8th-Cent Conservation Sales Tax. AWF would like to see Amendment 35 continue as the way AGFC continues to operate, and manage fish, wildlife, and Arkansas Natural Resources.

AWF will continue to support AGFC and the conservations efforts they strive to achieve for the people, the sportsmen and sportswomen of Arkansas.

Wayne Shewmake - President

Arkansas' 175th Anniversary

AWF may be celebrating our 75th anniversary, but our great state of Arkansas is 175 years old. It was voted through the Arkansas State & Parks Tourism to officially be called the Septaquintaquinquecentennial Celebration.

That may be a mouthful to say, but they’ve developed a nice Top 10 list of places to visit that are easy to say and to drive to entertain yourself. Get out and see some of the beauty of Arkansas.

They’re listed in alphabetical order, not by the number of votes each received.

• Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock • Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs • Eureka Springs Downtown Historic District • Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs • MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock • Ozark Folk Center State Park, Mountain View • Ozark Medieval Fortress, Lead Hill • Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton • Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale • Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Eureka Springs

PAST CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENTS 1982

1985

Robert E. Apple Youth: Wilbur Smith Wildlife: Eleanor Stewart Organization: Independence County Wildlife Federation Forestry: Clayton Owen Education: Dr. Richard J. Baldauf Communicator: Moylan Trice Hunter Safety: George F. Hart Legislative: David Pryor 1983

Carol Griffee Wildlife: Florence Mallard Legislative: Rep, Mike Wilson Education: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Water: Natural and Scientific Rivers Commission Youth: Northeast High School Wildlife Club Forestry: Newton County Wildlife Association Hunter Safety: Howard Clark Communicator: Arkansas Educational Television Network Conservation Organization: Northeast Arkansas Sportsman's Association 33 1986

Conservationist of the Year:

Taking a Look Back 1982 - 1990 ~Past AWF Presidents~ 1982 Nesbit Bowers, Pine Bluff 1983 Nesbit Bowers, Pine Bluff 1984 Clyde Temple, Warren 1985 Clyde Temple, Warren 1986 Ed Haas, Batesville 1987 Ed Haas, Batesville 1988 Ed Haas , Batesville 1989 Price Holmes, Newport 1990 Price Holmes, Newport

Conservationist of the Year:

Harold E. Alexander Youth: Jon Lucas Educators: Richard "Dick" Fox Wildlife: Kay Kelley Arnold Water: Committee For A Clean Saline Communications: Terry Caldwell Forestry: Wilderness Task Force Hunter Safety: Robert M "Bob" Blackburn 1984 Conservationist of the Year:

Nesbit Bowers Wildlife: Sam Slagle Forestry: Thomas Ross Water: Rachel F. McGrew Youth: Rhonda Griffin Soil: Ralph Greenwalt Hunter Safety: Westark Wildlife Conservation Club Communicator: North Little Rock Times Education: Paris High School Biology II Class Conservation Organization: Arkansas Power & Light Company

Conservationist of the Year:

Conservationist of the Year:

Jane Gulley Wildlife: Neil Curry Education: Ginger Wallace Youth: David Moyers Hunter Safety: Murl E. Goodin Communicator: William Cole Conservation Organization: Greene County Wildlife Club 1987 Conservationist of the Year:

Jefferson Wildlife Association Forestry: Concerned Citizens of Hot Springs Hunter Safety: Frank and Bobbie Highfill Education: Beth Ann Z Carnes Youth: Dollarway Junior High Wildlife Club Water: Citizens Against the Landfill

Wildlife: Marge Gardner

Communicator: Aubrey Shepherd

Legislative: State Rep, Jodie Mahony

1988

Conservationist of the Year:

Jim Stanley

Organization: Boy Scout Troop 381,

Little Rock

Wildlife: AI Johnston Youth: Billy Griffin

Forestry: Jim Wood

Water: Clyde Temple

Hunter Education: Ray McGehee Educator: Little Rock Zoo Docent

Council 1989

Conservationist of the Year:

Richard Mason

Education: Judy Haley

Communicator: Herb Evens

Soil: Ozark Small Farm Visability Project Youth: Aden High School Woods and

Waters Club

Water: Pat Horan

Hunter Education: Jack Warnock

Conservation Organization: Ouachita

River Basin Group of the Sierra Club 1990 Conservation Organization:

Citizens Against Pollution of the Natural State Wildlife: St, Francis Lake Association Youth: AWF Youth Counselors Club Forestry: Ken Lake Water: The Captain Sewer Program Hunter Education: Charles Bridwell Educator: David Saugey Communicator: Sharon Lee

4 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

Wilderness First Responder Certification

Ozarks Outdoors @ University of the Ozarks is sponsoring WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER CERTIFICATION by WMI-NOLS in the Ozarks!!

This program trains you to respond to emergencies in remote settings.

In this nine-day course designed for outdoor professionals, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to make complex medical decisions in remote environments. The realm of practice for a Wilderness First Responder is an emergency when and where other medical response is over an hour away… …LIKE MANY PLACES IN NORTHWESTERN ARKANSAS! The Wilderness First Responder 80-hour curriculum includes standards for urban and extended care situations. Special topics include: • Wound Management & Infection • Realigning Fractures & Dislocations • Improvised Splinting Techniques • Advice on Drug Therapies • Patient Monitoring & Long Term Management Problems • Up-to-Date Information on All Environmental Emergencies Emphasis is placed on prevention and decisionmaking, not the memorization of lists. Half of your time will be spent completing practical skills, case studies and scenarios designed to challenge your decision making abilities. WMI Adult & Child CPR is included in this course.

environmental ethics to people of all ages in some of the world’s wildest and most aweinspiring classrooms.

Founded in 1990, the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS provides the highest quality education and information for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of wilderness emergencies.

REGISTER TODAY! Location: Clarksville, AR Dates: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 thru Sun, 31 Jul 2011 Pricing: $520 - Registration $495 - Registration for Ozarks Student/Staff/Faculty $162 - Optional Flat Rate for All Meals during Course $170 - Optional Flat Rate for All Lodging during Course FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact us: E-mail outdoors@ozarks.edu or phone 479-979-1FUN (1386)

STUDENTS, STAFF & FACULTY CAN REGISTER FOR $495 College credit is available! The Wilderness First Responder course is pre-approved for 3 semester credits by the Department of Health Promotion and Education at the University of Utah, 70 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours (CEH) by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS).

A nationally recognized program! Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) teaches technical outdoor skills, leadership, and

White-nose Syndrome Update & Bat Count Volunteers Needed

By Ethan Nahté In the September/October 2010 issue of AOOD an article on White-nose Syndrome in Bats was our lead story. Arkansas was one of the many states given grant money from Bat Conservation International (BCI) to assist with doing a study in Arkansas’ caves to see if the deadly disease had stricken the bat colonies in Arkansas.

“We did not come across any White-nose Syndrome in Arkansas this year,” reports Blake

Sasse, Nongame Mammal/Furbearer Program Leader for Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Other locations in North America aren’t as fortunate. The disease has spread across Indiana, Tennessee, and Missouri and into Canada according to BCI’s website on May 9, 2011.

The mortality rates are reaching almost 100% in some areas and devastating bat colonies. Since 2006 the disease has killed over one million bats.

Visit http://www.batcon.org/ for more information and updates.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is also looking for volunteers that have bathouses currently containing bats that would be willing to participate in a population monitoring project.

Volunteers will be asked to count the bats as they fly in the evening during summer, according to Sasse. “This project will help us obtain baseline population trend information for several species, such as the big brown bat, that are known to be vulnerable to White Nose Syndrome,” Sasse said. “WNS is a disease associated with a newly discovered fungus that has caused disastrous declines in bat populations in the northeast,” he explained.

This problem was first documented at four sites in eastern New York in the winter

of 2006-07 and has rapidly spread west and in the winter of 2009-2010 was confirmed in Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma, but hasn’t yet been seen in Arkansas.

Constructing bathouses is a relatively simple woodworking project and plans and tips for building and installing your own are available at http://www.agfc.com/resources/ Publications/building_bat_houses.pdf/.

More information on WNS is available at http://www.agfc.com/species/Pages/ WhiteNoseSyndrome.aspx/ . If you’re interested in participating, contact the AGFC’s nongame mammal biologist, Blake Sasse at dbsasse@agfc.state.ar.us or call 877-470-3650.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 5

MAY/JUNE HISTORY 1976: 35-years-ago, Arkansas Community Foundation was created by the estate of the late Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller through The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

1971: 40-years-ago, Ziggy, the bald, plump little guy with a big nose and bigger heart first debuted in a daily syndicated comic in June. The one-panel cartoon appeared in a handful of newspapers. Tom Wilson, creator of the character, originally designed Ziggy for greeting cards. The character is now drawn by his son, Tom Wilson, Jr. & appears in more than 600 newspapers worldwide.

1936 History:

Wake up and smell the devastation, political leaders

in DC. Geneva Boyer wrote and performed this poem outside the White House at the Global Warming Education Network’s “Citizen’s Climate Congress” in D.C. on Earth Day 2010. She also performed it at the National Wildlife Federation’s Annual Conservation Achievement Awards/75th Anniversary Banquet April, 2011.

Call Byto Action Geneva Boyer Well aren’t you lucky You can wake up and say You don’t mind climate change You can live for today

And who gives a hoot That when rivers stop flowing When rain season stops coming When the crops stop from growing

Because here in D.C. What’s a blizzard or two?

It may be climate change, But it’s not bad for you

That this set up brings conflict I swear you can time it The genocide in Darfur?

Yah you betcha that’s climate

So what do you care If in Asia the tide Is rising and flooding And children have died

And what’s the big deal Pollen season’s extended And many children with asthma Cannot breathe unattended

Because nothing will grow In dirt full of salt So their lives are ruined But it’s our nation’s fault

And why does it matter That the ocean’s acidic That the coral is dying From the carbon we give it

And what difference is there If birds that have flown Down south for the winter Find they don’t have a home

Global warming’s not coming, It’s already here But don’t think for a second We’ve got nothing to fear

Because trees that once grew there Can no longer thrive And now it’s not clear If these birds will survive

Cause the stuff that is happening So far away Will be right here tomorrow If we don’t act today

And worsening hurricanes?

Politicians don’t care That happens down south And they’re poor So it’s fair

The time is upon us We owe it to all We must lead on climate We must heed the call

May 2: 62nd Kentucky Derby: Ira Hanford aboard Bold Venture wins in 2:03.6 May 2: Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” premieres in Moscow May 3: New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio makes his major-league debut. He gets 3 hits.

May 5: Edward Ravenscroft patents the screw-on bottle cap with a pour lip.

May 8: Jockey Ralph Neves is unexpectedly revived after being declared dead from a fall. His wife fainted when he returned to track.

May 9: 1st KLM airplane to land on Bonaire.

May 24: Tony Lazerri has 2 grand slams (11 RBIs); Ben Chapman sets record by reaching 1st base 7 times safely, Yankees beat A’s 25-2.

June 1: The Queen Mary completes its maiden voyage, arriving in New York.

June 6: 68th Belmont: James Stout aboard Granville wins in 2:30.

June 8: The 1st parking meters are invented.

June 11: Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), one of the most famous pulp writers in history and creator of characters such as Conan the Barbarian, Solomon Kane, King Kull as well as many other characters, dies from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head several hours after pulling the trigger at his home in Cross Plains, TX. His mother, Hester Howard, had fallen into a coma, sending Robert into a depression that resulted in his actions. She died the following day.

June 12: 1st 50 Kw U.S. radio station, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

June 15: Arkansas is admitted to the Union as the 25th state.

June 16: Dutch queen Wilhelmina opens the Waalbrug Bridge over the Waal River in the Netherlands. Arkansas Historical Fact: Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Mena, Arkansas) was built and opened in honor of Queen Wilhelmina on June 22, 1898.

June 19: German boxer Max Schmeling World Champion KOs Joe “The Brown Bomber” Louis in 12 rounds, his first of two fights with the Detroit boxing legend.

June 20: Jesse Owens of U.S. sets 100 meter record at 10.2 seconds.

June 22: Virgin Islands receives a constitution from U.S., Organic Act. June 24: Joe DiMaggio becomes 5th player to hit 2 home runs in 1 inning.

The Yankees beat the Browns 18-4.

June 30: 40 hour work week law approved.

June 30: The novel Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is published.

By December of 1936 it sells 1 million copies at the unprecedented price of $3.00 per copy. It took her 10 years to write.

6 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

How to Identify Poisonous— and Itchy—Plants

Poison ivy, oak and sumac can make skin itch, burn and blister

by Lynn Coulter April 24, 2011 Reprinted With Permission Of American Profile Magazine Poison ivy, oak and sumac often lurk in the woods, but you may encounter them in sunny areas, too. These plants contain urushiol, an oil that makes skin itch, burn and break out in watery blisters. Remembering the old saying “leaves of three, let them be” can help you avoid poison ivy and poison oak.

Here are a few more tips to help you identify these undesirables when you’re outdoors.

Poison ivy Poison ivy grows as a low shrub or vine across most of the United States. The leaves are attached in clusters of three per stem. In fall, the green leaves turn red and yellow.

Poison oak The leaves of this plant resemble oak leaves.

Tolerant of sun or shade, poison oak grows as a vine in the West, and as a vine or shrub in the Southeast. It typically has three leaflets per stalk, but you may find plants with five, seven or nine per stalk.

Poison sumac With seven to 13 leaflets arranged in pairs, this plant grows as a shrub or small tree in swampy areas throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast. Sumac turns red, yellow and pinkish in autumn.

You can remove poisonous plants in your yard or garden by pulling or digging them, but wear protective clothing.

Urushiol can transfer from shoes, clothes—and even from pets and garden tools—to your skin. Don’t burn the plants, since smoke spreads the oil. You may prefer to apply an herbicide to kill actively growing plants. Follow label directions carefully.

Over-the-counter products are available that, if applied in advance or soon after contact with these toxic plants, can help prevent a rash from developing; other products can soothe the itching if you’ve already broken out in blisters.

If necessary, your doctor can prescribe something stronger to stop the itching and oozing.

One of the many reasons that tourists, campers, hikers, hunters and fishers come to Arkansas is for its natural beauty. Sometimes that natural beauty needs help and protection. That’s where the Arkansas Wildlife Federation comes in. We are the state’s oldest non-profit conservation organization and we have worked hard to conserve the things that help make Arkansas a great state.

Poison Ivy - Rhus Dermatitis

ADEQ - Who We Are

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is set to begin a state-wide tour aimed at educating Arkansas citizens about the department’s work. ADEQ will visit six locations across the state for a free lunch-time meeting.

“We are thrilled we will be able to explain our mission and the inner workings of our agency to people around the state,” says ADEQ Director Teresa Marks.

The tour is designed to give Arkansans a chance to see a multi-media presentation and learn more about ADEQ, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback.

Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch that they can eat during the presentation.

Included is a complete list of tour dates and locations. All events begin at noon: June 14 – Monticello Monticello Fire Training Center 1665 Hwy 278 East July 27 – Forrest City Learning Resource Center Room B129 East Arkansas Community College 1700 Newcastle Road

Poison Sumac - Toxicodendron vernix

August 16 – North Little Rock Commission Room Department of Environmental Quality headquarters 5301 Northshore Drive September 13 - Batesville Independence County Extension Center 1770 Myers Street October 11 – Arkadelphia Recreation Center 2555 Twin Rivers Drive

Poison Oak -Toxicodendron pubescens

For as little as $25/year you can become a member of AWF. That’s an average of $2.08/ month; 7 cents/day to help the Natural State maintain its natural habitats and native species. Isn’t Arkansas worth a couple of bucks a month to you?

Help AWF to conserve our wildlife, wetlands, woodlands and waterways for our children and our children’s children. Donate or become a member today. Simply fill out the form located in this issue of Arkansas Outof-Doors or contact AWF: arkwf@sbcglobal. net or 501-224-9200.

November 15, 2011 – Van Buren Crawford County Extension Office 105 Pointer Trail West

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 7

Barnes, Henderson selected for Outdoor Hall of Fame LITTLE ROCK – Two people who have been instrumental in several arenas of Arkansas outdoors and recreation advancements are the 2011 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees.

Scott Henderson is the former director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Bill Barnes is a longtime member of the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission and developer and operator of Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita.

Henderson and Barnes will be recognized at the 2011 Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony Friday, Sept.9, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame began in 1992 as a project of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Ducks Unlimited to recognize Arkansans’ achievements in outdoor fields and promote conservation education and conserve wildlife habitat.

This year’s inductees:

Bill Barnes of Mount Ida has served for many years on the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission, promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in Arkansas. He also devoted many hours of active support in the effort to pass Amendment 75, better known as the Conservation Amendment, in 1996. Barnes developed Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita. It continues to be one of the state’s largest outdoor recreation destinations in Arkansas.

Scott Henderson began his career with the AGFC as a biologist, working and wading in hatcheries across the state, and advanced to chief of the AGFC Fisheries Division. He spent more than 15 years as assistant to the director, and served seven years as director of the agency. t Henderson was in the forefront of major growth and expansion of the AGFC, including his work for the passage of Amendment 75, and the oversight of the construction of four nature centers.

“We are extremely proud to salute Scott Henderson and Bill Barnes in our 20th year of Outdoor Hall of Fame celebrations,” said Steve Smith, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation “Both of them have demonstrated the importance of leadership, ingenuity and diversity in bettering our state’s conservation and environment. They will make our induction banquet on Friday, Sept. 9, another attractive, successful event for all Arkansas. In our past inductions, we have raised well over a million dollars for conservation education and wildlife habitat.”

Members of the Outdoor Hall of Fame are: 1992 -- Forrest Wood, Ben Pearson, Henry Gray, Ruth and Rollie Remmel and Neil Compton; 1993 -- Win Rockefeller, Harold Alexander, Rex Hancock, Larry Nixon, Jane Gulley and Jerry McKinnis; 1994 -George Purvis, Bobby Murray, Jane Stern and Charlie Craig; 1995 -- Dave Whitlock, Jane Ross, Bill Apple and George Fisher; 1996 -- Pat Peacock, Joe Nix, George Cochran and Bill Norman; 1997 -- Gene Rush, Kay Kelley Arnold and Cotton Cordell; 1998 - Dale Bumpers, Bob Apple, James Flanigan and Rayo Breckenridge; 1999 -- Jim Gaston, Carol Griffee and Chick Majors; 2000 – Mike Huckabee, Steve N. Wilson, Mary Klaser and Fred Berry; 2001 -- Carl Garner, Richard Davies and Nancy DeLamar; 2002 – Steve Frick, Joe Mosby, Barbara Pardue and John Selig; 2003 – Charlie Hoover, Andrew Hulsey, Zettie Jones and Steve Smith; 2004 -- Janet Huckabee, Larry Grisham and Ron Duncan; 2005 -- Dr. Mamie Parker, Butch Richenback and Randy Hopper; 2006 -- Kirk Dupps, Cathie Matthews and Kaneaster Hodges; 2007 – Jim Hill, Rick Hampton and Phyllis Speer; 2008 – Gene Denton, Marion McCollum and Carl Hunter; 2009 – Bert and Cheryl Haralson, Greg Butts and Tommy Sanders; and 2010 – Kim Ward and Zach McClendon.

For more information on the Outdoor Hall of Fame and for tickets to the induction banquet, contact Smith at 501-223-6396 or Wendy Glover at 501-223-6468.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Arkansas Post Water Trail This event has already occurred, but for those of you whom canoe, kayak and enjoy water trails we thought you would like to be informed about this new area to enjoy the outdoors.

ARKANSAS POST – Arkansas’s newest water trail will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 4 at the Moore Bayou Access near Arkansas Post in Arkansas County.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and canoes will be available to explore the new water trail. Arkansas Post is in the Mississippi River’s Delta region of Arkansas, an area rich with history.

The Arkansas Post Water Trail provides wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities, according to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Watchable Wildlife Coordinator Kirsten Bartlow. “Paddlers can enjoy the narrow channel of Moore Bayou and watch for migratory song birds and aquatic mammals,” Bartlow said. “Or, the open water around Arkansas Post National Memorial is a great place to watch resident bald eagles and wintering flocks of ducks and geese.” The area also is home to the American alligator.

The water trail is a partnership among the AGFC, Arkansas Canoe Club, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service.

Waters around Arkansas Post also provide great fishing opportunities.

The area boasts excellent crappie, bream and black bass.

To find out more about Arkansas’s water trails, visit the AGFC website at www.agfc.com. Or, if you have a good paddling opportunity in your community and are interested in partnering with the AGFC, fill out an application found on the website. Contact Bartlow for more information at 501-993-3910.

UPCOMING EVENTS 74th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet

Saturday, August 27 Kid Fishing events begin @ 8 am Vendor events - 11 am – 4 pm Awards Banquet – Doors open @ 5:30, Dinner @ 6:00 Center of Bryant @ Bishop Park Contact Ethan Nahté: arkwf@sbcglobal.net 501-224-9200 2011 Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet & Ceremony Friday, Sept. 9 Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock For more information on the Outdoor Hall of Fame and for tickets to the induction banquet, contact: Steve Smith at 501-223-6396 or Wendy Glover at 501-223-6468 Lee Creek Clean-up Saturday, September 10 9 am – 1 pm Devil’s Den State Park

Contact John Pennington: jhpennington@uaex.edu Becoming an Outdoors-Woman 2011 Friday – Sunday, Sept. 16-18 Arkansas 4-H Center, Ferndale Enrollment is limited.

Contact: 501-831-1504 or algreen@agfc. state.ar.us Adult Natural History Workshops: Presented by Arkansas Audubon Society Saturday – Sunday, September 24-25 Ferncliff Camp, Little Rock, Arkansas Many workshops to choose from.

For more information and for registration forms, email Eric Sundell: esundell42@ gmail.com or call 870-723-1089.

Download a registration form: http:// www.arbirds.org/ Log A Load For Kids (Charity Event for Arkansas Children’s Hospital) Saturday, September 24 L.V. Williamson Boys & Girls Club in Russellville @ 5 p.m.

For more information contact AFA Communications Director Anna Swaim: aswaim@arkforests.org 3rd Annual Outdoors Expo Saturday, Sept. 24 8am – 2pm Nashville City Park, Nashville, AR Events & Activities Include: • Kid’s Fishing Derby • Car, Truck & Rusty Relics Tractor Show • Boat Dealers • ATV Dealers • Primitive Bow Making • Game Camera Photo Contest • Monster Whitetails of Arkansas • Squirrel Dog Demonstrations • Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstrations • Kid’s Casting Contest • Daisy B. B. Gun Shoot • ATV Safety • Geocaching Treasure Hunt • Turkey & Duck Game Calls • & more!

For more information or to apply as a vendor, contact the Nashville City Park: (870) 845-7405

Bearcat Hollow Project

Friday – Saturday, Sept. 23-24 Details coming in next issue.

8 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

Prince House Reported by: KARK 4 News Monday, April 18 2011

The Environmental Law Institute announced today that Scott House, owner of Bearitage Farms in Arkansas, received the 2011 National Wetlands Award for Landowner Stewardship.

Mr. House has invested time and capital on his northeast Arkansas property, creating and expanding wetland habitat in the critical Mississippi Flyway. Mr. House began by restoring 203 acres along the L’Anguille River in 1997. Today his personal contribution totals 1,260 acres and contains diverse habitats like green tree reservoirs, moist soil and wetland areas, hardwood forests, and tupelo-cypress swamps.

“I was thrilled to learn that Scott House was chosen for this important award and recognition,” said Dr. Robert Potts, interim ASU System President. “I know of no one who is more deserving. From his donation of a field station to Arkansas State University for use by its biology and wildlife management students, to creation of wetlands for waterfowl and other wildlife, he has been a leader in Arkansas and the nation in his dedication to maintaining and enhancing habitat for wildlife in an exemplary and environmentally sound manner.”

When starting out, Mr. House had no knowledge about creating wildlife habitat. With the help of Dennis Widener, federal game warden and refuge manager of Cache River and Bald Knob refuges, along with program assistance from the

As Bumblebees Go, So Do Rare Plants

By Mary Hightower U of A Division of Agriculture FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Because of their unique buzz pollination tactic, bumble bees fit in a special niche in Arkansas, said Amber Tripodi, a bumblebee researcher at the University of Arkansas.

Tripodi is working to establish baseline populations for bumblebees in Arkansas, something not done since a 1964 survey. The bad news is that bumblebee populations have declined worldwide and Tripodi wants to see if that’s the case in the Natural State.

Natural Resources Conservation Service and support from Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mr. House has reshaped the landscape through a number of actions: taking marginal cropland out of production; planting over 60,000 trees almost single-handedly; contouring large land tracts; adding pumps to actively manage water depths and vegetative composition; and building a 265-acre levee system to form a green timber impoundment area for wintering waterfowl.

“By donating his time and resources to this extraordinary conservation, Mr. House has proven himself a true steward of the land,” said Michael E. Sullivan, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Not only has he converted all but a few acres from agriculture to natural wetlands, but has convinced his neighbors to do their part as well. Hundreds of nearby acres are now flooded annually for waterfowl.”

Mr. House reached out to his neighbors along the L’Anguille River and encouraged them to consider participating in wetland conservation. As a result, approximately 14,500 acres of new habitat have been created for migratory birds.

Mr. House recently donated an additional 85 acres to create a “prairie pothole” wetland, providing mixed-depth habitat for dabbling and diving ducks, and in 2009 awarded Arkansas State University a permanent wetland easement for research and education. During field trips to Bearitage Farms, students have recorded 97 species of birds, including 23 species of waterfowl.

Over the past 10 years, Mr. House has worked closely with staff in the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Farm Bill conservation programs to carry out numerous

Arkansas has seven or eight species of bumblebees. One of them – Bombus fervidus, the golden northern bumblebee – hasn’t been recorded since the early 1900s, she said.

The 1964 study said that the most common species in Arkansas was the American bumblebee.

“This just doesn’t seem to match with what we find now,” she said. “In preliminary surveys last year, the American bumblebee accounted for less than 10 percent of our sample.

“If bumblebee populations crash, many of our native plants will be at risk as well,” she said. “As for native plants, French’s shooting star, Dodecatheon frenchii, is an … imperiled plant in Arkansas that depends on buzz pollinators for reproduction.”

Tripodi said bumblebees are thought to be good pollinators to some threatened species of milkweed.

A 1994 study “found that bumblebees were highly effective pollinators in many of the species they looked at, and two of our local species, Bombus griseocollis, the Brownbelted bumblebee, and Bombus auricomus, the Black and Gold bumblebees, were major pollinators of swamp milkweed,” she said.

“Other groups of rare or threatened plants that might benefit from a boost to their potential pollinator populations are larkspurs, mints and bee balms, as well as members of the aster family, including coneflowers and daisies.”

habitat improvement projects that have restored hydrologic function and native vegetation, including bottomland trees on land previously in agricultural production,” said Dr. Ronnie J. Haynes, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southeast Region Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator. “These habitat improvements are now providing important habitat for numerous species of waterfowl, hawks and eagles, and other migratory birds, as well as providing important habitat for white-tailed deer and other native wildlife in an area previously lacking such habitat.”

In addition to his efforts in Arkansas, Mr. House has taken his passion abroad to restore and create wetlands for migratory birds in Argentina, where levees and canals have been put in place to flood a 125-acre moil soil unit. Mr. House plans to use this new habitat to pursue duck hunting during the months of May through July.

In 2007, Scott House received the prestigious Rex Hancock Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award, and was one of several American’s honored in May 2010 as a winner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director’s Award for Conservation.

The National Wetlands Awards program is administered by the Environmental Law Institute and supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Forest Service, and Federal Highway Administration. A committee of wetland experts representing federal and state agencies, academia, conservation organizations, and the private sector selects the Award recipients.

For more information on bees, contact your county extension office or visit www. uaex.edu.

[Editor’s Note: In May, 2011, a report came out that scientists in both the UK and Sweden have supposedly proven that cell phone transmissions are causing what is known as CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder).

The hives are being wiped out. When you dial a cell phone in the vicinity of the bees its

transmission sends a signal to the bees that causes them alarm. They begin swarming, leaving the hive and not continuing with their work within the hive. This could lead to the death of the hive which affects human society by the non-production of honey but, more importantly, the lack of pollinating flowers. ] Bombus-Sunflower Image: All rights reserved by uacescomm Bumblebee ID Card Image: All rights reserved by uacescomm

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Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June - 9

The State of Health for Our State

by Ethan Nahté As a parent; as a step-brother to younger siblings; as a former teacher, both in the public education system as well as continuing education, I see the affect and control that technology has taken over today’s youth from firsthand experience. That’s not to say that technology doesn’t have its benefits in improving the quality of life as well as some skills for future generations, including dexterity and computing skills. The problem is that many of today’s youth have no energy or drive and, let’s face it, America is just getting fat.

Weight gain can be the cause of a medical condition or from poor habits learned from parents. The accessibility of fast food restaurants and unhealthy meals/snacks that can be eaten on the go or tossed quickly into the microwave makes it all too easy. Yet one of the major culprits has to be handheld technology MP3 players; cell phones with texting, internet and games; handheld videogames, etc.

Some prime examples: While teaching at a very affluent school district (not in Arkansas) I was a substitute teacher many times for P.E. (physical education). Once the P.E. class got past 8th grade level it seemed as though the schools and/or coaches really didn’t care.

It was a different story if it was a team for football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc., but when it came to the noncompetitive students who were required to take P.E. the attitude primarily came across as, “They don’t really want to be here and they’re wasting my precious time as the head coach of (insert sport here).”

The classes generally ran ninety minutes in length. During that time the students were not required to change into clothes appropriate for

P.E. As a matter of fact they weren’t required to change at all. Role was taken and the students used the ninety minutes as they pleased as long as they didn’t get too out-of-hand. Some shot baskets or played ping pong while others used the time for studying. The majority used the time to play videogames, listen to music on their players or socialize, either in person or on their phone via text or internet. Some snuck in a phone call or two while surrounded by a group of peers, hidden away from the coaches sitting across the gym talking shop and more or less ignoring the students. A lot of times the students would either walk out of the gym with or without permission and go across the hall to the vending machines to get a soda, candy, chips and even ice cream bars, bringing them back to the gym and generally making a sticky mess.

I once asked a coach why they didn’t make the kids dress out and exercise. His reply, “It’s too late in the day to go through that much hassle with kids this age.” This was in a class that met before lunchtime.

I always made the kids go out and at least walk to the track. Even if they didn’t do laps it got them outside and away from the vending machines. It also got them to walk a little, even if just to the track. Some of the kids would actually walk and talk, a couple would even jog. Some would goof off chasing each other on the field, but as long as they weren’t hurting each other I was okay with that because, whether they were consciously aware of it or not, they were exercising.

In an article from Forbes magazine in January, 2011, an article by Jim Nash entitled “America’s Healthiest & Unhealthiest States” had a subtitle, “States in New England perform best, while the South still

Communication Conservationist Award Renamed in Honor of Carol Griffee

by Ethan Nahté Carol Griffee was not only a superb journalist; she helped with conservation and wildlife. Her articles have graced the pages of numerous papers across the state as well as Arkansas Out-of-Doors.

The AWF office had a couple of members call with a suggestion to rename the Communication Conservationist of the Year Award in honor of Mrs. Griffee. I spoke with her nephew, John Griffee III of Marion,

Arkansas. He said the family would be proud of the honor. I made a motion at AWF’s quarterly meeting in June.

The motion passed and the award is now the Carol Griffee Communication Conservationist of the Year Award.

To discover who the winners of this year’s awards are contact AWF to purchase tickets for the banquet located this year at The Center of Bryant. Help us celebrate 75 years and honor those who have gone the extra mile to help with conservation in Arkansas.

falls behind”. True, someone has to be first and someone has to be last, but in this study (by the nonprofit United Health Foundation, which is funded by UnitedHealth Group) 4 out of 5 of the worst 5 states were all from the south - 46) Oklahoma; 47) Nevada; 48) Arkansas; 49) Louisiana; 50) Mississippi.

The state where I taught wasn’t in the worst 5.

I guess Arkansas can be proud that we aren’t Louisiana or Mississippi but I wouldn’t have athletic T-shirts made up just yet.

The rankings have been conducted for 21 years. They are based on 22 activities in each state that predict future health, such as smoking and exercising, as well as events that have already occurred, like deaths and violent crime. I’m not quite sure how that all pertains to schools, but I do know that each year the schools where I taught were required by the state to have a physical evaluation based on a variety of exercises. We, as teachers, had to keep records and send it in to the state as well as give the performance to the students for their parents to see.

The study claims that the three major things that are a serious challenge were childhood poverty, increasing obesity and inadequate insurance coverage. I don’t know what to do in these tough times about poverty and our government sure can’t figure out what to do about inadequate insurance. In regards to the obesity, I think some of the information I have provided speaks for itself.

I want to quickly mention another article from the March 25-27, 2011 edition of “USA Weekend” found in most Sunday newspapers.

There was an article with advice from the Emmy-winning daytime TV program The Doctors called,” 4 energy tips to put spring in your step.” First, Switch to a high-fiber cereal; Second, Easy on the caffeine (this should include the sodas and energy drinks a lot of kids love); Third, Drink more water; Fourth, Take a walk outside.

Walking outside - I try to do it everyday, and

I generally depend on a walking cane due to health issues and the tendency to fall on my face when I don’t have a cane. Sometimes I fall even with the cane, but I still try. The walking paragraph mentions that regular exercise reduces fatigue. A 10-minute brisk walk can increase your energy levels and sustains it for up to two hours. Another series of studies shows that spending twenty minutes outdoors can significantly increase your vitality.

So instead of watching TV in a gym while on the treadmill, get outside and walk. Make it a family event. Start to educate yourselves and recognize the different types of trees, flowers, bird species or even dogs while out walking with your kids. With all of the craze of new mixed breeds such as Labradoodles there’s bound to be something out there such as a Saint Bassett or a Schnauchsund, the ultimate German tank and submarine all-in-one.

A walk outdoors doesn’t have to be boring.

Walk briskly for 10 minutes, take a break and identify things in nature, drink some water or stretch, then walk another 10 minutes.

Getting away from all the gadgets can be beneficial in many ways but, then again, you can use that suped up phone to figure out how many calories you just burned while on your walk as well as helping to figure out what the beautiful flowers are along the trail.

10 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

2011 YELL COUNTY WILDLIFE FED

Photos by Wayne Shewmake

Arkansas Wi

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Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June - 11

DERATION YOUTH FISHING DERBY

ildlife Federation

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12 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

Craig Campbell closes his AGFC term of major change LITTLE ROCK – If you had to summarize Craig Campbell’s term as an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission commissioner in a word, it would be “change.”

Campbell points that out in looking back over his nearly five years on the Commission, the last year as its chairman. He also quickly explains, “The Commission made these changes. The Commission.”

Campbell was appointed in 2006 by then Gov. Mike Huckabee to fill the remaining term of John Benjamin of Glenwood, who had resigned.

For beginners on this change topic, the commissioners with Campbell as chairman last year revamped the way it functions. It went to a system of committees to look over myriad matters brought up before acting on them in the regular monthly meetings. “This is the way the Legislature works, Campbell said “We had seven committees, but we saw a need to change that, and now there are five committees.”

A key component of the new system is the Governance Committee, which reviews all AGFC policies, practices and procedures.

A tightening of financial operations took place, highlighted by the creation of an internal auditing system. The Commission

collaborated with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to review AGFC fiscal practices to make sure proper internal controls and procedures were in place.

When a furor developed early in 2011 over state-owned vehicles, Gov. Mike Beebe ordered changes for the agencies under his wing. Campbell pushed for the AGFC to follow the governor’s initiatives, and the fleet of AGFC vehicles was reduced by 145.

It is not immediately visible to Arkansas’s legion of hunters, fishermen and other outdoors people, but the AGFC is in the process of sharply reducing its code book, the manual of regulations used in the field by wildlife officers. It is now 90 pages slimmer.

“We had regulations in there that had never, not once, been used by our officers,” Campbell said.

This trimming of superfluous policies extended all through the agency, too.

Outdated procedures were curtailed.

A major event during Campbell’s year as chairman was the search for a new director to replace Scott Henderson, who stepped down to an assistant director position, with his retirement not far off. The search

was nationwide, “the most diligent search AGFC has ever conducted,” Campbell said. The new director was close at hand.

Deputy Director Loren Hitchcock, a veteran with the agency, moved up. “Loren is doing an exceptional job,” Campbell commented.

For hunters, milestones came with the raising of the statewide season limit on deer from four to five in 2010 and to six in 2011. This is in keeping with the expanding number of deer across the state. In some areas, they have reached the nuisance level. A doe-only season was created for this fall.

With the continued declining turkey numbers in Arkansas, drastic action was needed.

Hunting season was shortened, and the fall turkey season was ended.

Testing of mercury in fishing waters was stepped up in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

Acting in concert with the Arkansas Legislature, the Commission provided special lifetime licenses for military retirees who are over 60 and residents of Arkansas, and lifetime licenses for totally disabled military veterans who are residents of Arkansas.

During Campbell’s chairmanship, the AGFC established off-site and secure storage for all its computer files. It began construction on a regional office at Jonesboro to replace a cramped and hard-to-reach existing office.

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Campbell is married to the former Elizabeth Stephens. An enthusiastic hunter and fisherman, he has plans now for more of these activities with his children and friends.

His service as an AGFC commissioner is not the first in his family. Grandfather John Campbell was a commissioner from 1948 to his death in 1954, and brother-in-law Witt Stephens Jr. was a commissioner from 1993 to 2000.

AGFC honored Campbell by renaming Lake Conway as Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir.

Still time for comments on waterfowl regulations

Hunters were able to voice their opinions about the upcoming Arkansas waterfowl hunting regulations and seasons at one of six public meetings that were held around the state on Tuesday, June 7.

These meetings are part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s hunting regulation setting process. They were held to give hunters and other interested parties the opportunity to make comments on the 201112 waterfowl hunting seasons.

If you missed the meeting and/or would like to comment, you still have time. Written comments may be submitted by mail to the AGFC, attn: Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Proposals, 2 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. They can also be emailed to information@agfc.state.ar.us. The deadline for comments is July 31.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 13

Unattended baby wild animals may not be abandoned

Beebe, Greenwood squads snag AYSSP titles LONOKE – The Mavericks from Beebe and the Outlaws from Greenwood Bulldogs were the top shooters in the senior and junior divisions at the recently completed state finals of the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program. The tournament was held June 3-4 at the Remington range near Lonoke.

Team members for the Beebe Mavericks were John Hall, Darren Newell, Dustin Jeffress, Buck Henry and Drew McVey. Team members for the Greenwood Bulldogs Outlaws were Brady McAlister, Tanner Cooper, Brody Mizel, Pierce Evans and Blake Campbell.

In the senior division, Squad No.1 from Huntsville took second place and Squad No. 3 from Corning took third place. In the junior division, the Seal Team Six squad from Greenwood placed second and AAA from Harrisburg placed third.

Each member of the top three senior division teams was awarded a college scholarship ($1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third).

Teams from across the state competed in

four regional competitions to qualify for the championship. Each region was represented by 16 teams in the junior and senior divisions.

In addition to team competition, shooters with perfect scores during regional tournaments were invited to compete individually in the Champion of Champions event at the state finals. Austin Odom from Benton took top honors in the senior division, and Joshua Kaiser from Harrisburg was the highest scorer in the junior division.

Chuck Woodson, AYSSP coordinator, said the weather was unusually cooperative for all of the shoots. He added that the sport has grown to approximately 5,400 shooters and scores have increased with the steep competition.

The AYSSP is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission program that encourages youth to learn to shoot shotguns safely while enjoying the outdoors. To learn more about the AYSSP or to become a coach, visit http://www.agfc.com/ education/Pages/EducationProgramsAYSSP. aspx to download a brochure or contact Woodson, 501-230-4738.

LITTLE ROCK – With flooding prevalent in many areas of Arkansas, the problems of people finding baby wildlife may increase sharply.

Arkansas is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and their offspring. Throughout the spring and summer, it is not uncommon to come across unattended baby wild animals. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission receives many calls about abandoned animals and what to do with them.

Many people discover apparently lost or abandoned wildlife young and take them in, thinking they are doing the right thing. This almost always does more harm than good, said AGFC biologist Karen Rowe.

A few simple guidelines can help determine whether the animal is in need of help. First and foremost, don’t assume that these animals have been abandoned and need to be rescued. One or both of the parents may be just out of sight and disturbing them could jeopardize their well being. Three simple questions can help determine the animal’s situation.

Is the animal abandoned? An “orphan” is a young animal that is not able to care for itself and whose parents cannot be found or are known to be dead.

If you find a healthy young animal that is able to walk and is fully feathered or furred, it may not need your help. Its parents are usually nearby. Baby birds almost ready to fly will often hop around in the tree branches exercising their wings, and fall out of the tree. Parents will feed these youngsters where they find them on the ground. Observe the young animal from a distance before approaching it.

Is the animal in danger? Young wild animals in danger do not necessarily have to be taken from the wild, just protected from the danger. Pets and children are the most immediate hazard to a young wild animal in your yard. Pets may attack the young animal and children may cause injury by mishandling it. Some wild animals carry diseases. Keep pets and children away from the animal while you keep watch.

Is the animal injured or weak? If the young animal appears weak or injured, it may have some disease. Nature has provided that many more animals are born every year than are able to mature and reproduce. This surplus of animals goes to feed other animals. In other words, by rescuing one wild animal, you may be depriving another of its prey. It may sound cruel, but an orphan animal helps another animal survive by becoming its food.

It may also be against the law to possess wild animals, according to Rowe.

“It is illegal to possess migratory birds such as songbirds and that includes cardinals, mockingbirds, blue jays, etc. as well as hawks and owls. Also, most wild animals don’t spend very much time at their young’s side in order to not attract predators to the nest. In fact, a female rabbit only spends about one hour out of every 36 with her baby rabbits, so observing them from a distance and waiting for the adult to return can be a long wait,” Rowe explained. “Bottom line, just leave them alone,” she added.

Half of all baby birds may hop out of the nest and fall to the ground where the adults just chase after them and feed them wherever they are, she said. “It is best to keep pets, children and oneself away and let nature takes its course.

It’s also important to keep in mind that in prolific species such as songbirds and rabbits, up to 80 percent of the young die their first year, so attrition is part of nature’s way,” Rowe said.

14 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

AGFC Enforcement Division Activity Report for February 2011 District A-1 All Officers attended a 4-states meeting with Wildlife Officers from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Assisting other agencies included: assisting Missouri with an investigation of selling crayfish illegally, assisting Kansas with an investigation of illegal deer harvest and assisting Colorado with an on-going investigation of Arkansas residents illegally purchasing resident licenses in Colorado and hunting deer, elk and turkey. Cpl. Treat investigated an injury boating accident. Three Night Hunting arrests were made this month. Officers continue to work deer decoy operations and increased patrols on Bull Shoals during the youth waterfowl hunt. Also all officers increased patrols targeting trout fishing violations on the Beaver Tailwaters. Officers met with Berryville Airport personnel in reference to deer depredation complaints and with the Eureka Springs Parks Commission in regards to feral hogs. Public Relation events included: Cpls. Guthrie and Eubanks gave a career presentation talk to various 5th grade classes, Sgt. Johnson gave a boating safety program to a local VFD, Officer Sanders and Capt.

McKinzie each gave multiple newspaper interviews, proctoring hunter education exams and several officers organized shadow projects for next month.

District A-2 Officers worked 150.50 hours of Waterfowl Enforcement, 42.50 hours of Night Hunting Enforcement and 40.25 hours of Boating Enforcement. Due to the snow events several officers spent considerable time assisting their counties with weather related issues. Officer Campora and Cpl. Bailey investigated a Hunting w/o Permission and stealing animals out of legal traps complaint; they located the suspects and issued several citations and discovered that one of the subjects had outstanding warrants. Cpl. Gray wrapped up an investigation of subjects hunting the impact area of Ft. Chaffee WMA. Officers began ATV patrols for the upcoming Turkey season.

Cpl. Tucker investigated a bear that turned up in Missouri which was proven to have been taken in Arkansas. He is working with Missouri Officers on filing federal charges.

PR events included the Rocky Mountain Elk Banquet and teaching Boating Education courses. Major violations cited this month include: 4 Night Hunting; 2 Hunting in Closed Season; 4 Hunting, Fishing, Trapping w/o

Statewide Officer Hunting: Fishing: Boating: Criminal: Other:

Permission; 2 Failure to Tag; 1 Failure to Check; 1 Interfering with a Wildlife Officer, 1 Road Hunting and 1 Littering.

District A-3 Officers spent several hours instructing the Cadets at the Training Center this month, attended AWIN training, served on the Arkansas Fire Boat School Committee and attended a 2 day Officer Safety and Survival Course. They also worked 111 hours of Night Hunting Enforcement, 105 hours of Boating Enforcement, 106 hours on WMA Enforcement, 23 hours Drug Enforcement, 133 hours conducting PR events, 48 hours Assisting other Agencies and 382 hours of Training. Lt. Rae made 2 Possession of Marijuana cases while checking fishermen and assisted ASP and Montgomery County with multiple accidents during the snow storms. Cpl. Whiley assisted USFS LEO’s with a Felony Possession of Methamphetamine arrest and assisted the 18th East Drug Task Force in an effort to clean up a large Meth dump which appeared to be the remains of at least 12 different labs; this site also had approximately 1520 needles (some uncapped). Sgt. Carmack coordinated 40 officers for security duty at the 2011 State Archery Tournament coming up in Hot Springs. Officer Black assisted Polk County with traffic due to the snow storm and Montgomery County and DTF with a probation search of a residence suspected to be a Meth lab. Cpl. Carpenter assisted Benton PD with a search for a suspected murder victim and Saline County with a search for suspects on ATVs setting 9 different arson fires. Officer Freyaldenhoven worked the Commission security detail this month. Cpl. Prince and Officer Taylor assisted Hot Springs SO and ASP on a search for an absconded person and attended an Emergency Preparedness Meeting; Cpl. Prince also assisted with a search for 2 escaped prisoners. PR events included the Rocky Mountain Elk banquet, Boating Education Instructor Course, Hunter Education and Boating Education classes and multiple shadow projects.

District A-4 Officers worked 1 boating accident on Dierks Lake this month and conducted a trout saturation in Pike County resulting in 15 OVCs for various trout regulation violations including over limits and wasting wildlife.

Officers attended Instructor Development

Violator Contacts 177 123 75 6 25

Statewide Officer Disaster Response Team: Dive Team: Public Relations: Assisting Other Agencies: Assisting Other Bureaus:

and Officer Survival courses. They assisted WMB with regulations meetings and conducted Boating Education classes. They spent 44 hours working area WMA’s.

District B-1 Officers worked a trout fishing enforcement special operation on the White River.

Several Officers conducted training at the Training Center for the new Cadets, worked on nuisance animal complaints, attended an Officer Safety and Survival class, assisted with a local youth shooting sports program and assisted motorists during the snow storms.

Stone County Officers assisted WMB locate a bear collar from a potential illegal bear kill and the SO with a search warrant. Cpl. Hagans and Pennington attended a meeting with ADEQ concerning gas exploration.

District B-2 PR events this month included attending the Boating Education Instructor class, AGFC state-wide public meetings, and instruction of a class at ATU-Russellville discussing the new fishing and boating regulations. Several Officers also provided instruction to the Cadets at the Training Center. Cpl. Spurlock answered a complaint on the river and was able to locate the subject and apprehend him for BUI and Wake Zone violations. Officer Gilliam assisted Fisheries at the Hwy 10 Nursery Pond. Cpl. King worked 2 separate dump sites, issued 1 night hunting citation and assisted White County SO on a traffic stop where the suspects had shot into a house. Cpl. Wallace completed an investigation request from a TX Game Warden and provided transportation for our radio dispatcher’s to and from the office during the snow storms. Cpl. Brewer assisted the SO with a shooting call and a stranded motorist that was hit on the highway and he assisted a USFWS Officer with an incident involving a bald eagle. Cpl. Rogers assisted the SO and ASP with a manhunt and accidents during the snow conditions and he assisted Fisheries with Land Use Policy inspections on Lake Overcup. Cpl. Stout was selected as Waterfowl Officer of the Year for District B-2 and Officer Pratt was selected as Boating Officer of the Year for District B-2.

District B-3 Officers spent 51 hours on Night Hunting Enforcement, 263.75 hours on Boating Enforcement and 166 hours on Waterfowl

Activity Hours 38 34 511.25 165 34.50

Enforcement. They assisted Dallas County SO with stranded motorists during the snow storms, an arrest of a felon in possession of a firearm, a search for a mobile meth lab and possession of a controlled substance. They assisted Fisheries with cormorant eradication on White Oak Lake and WMB with a nuisance bear. Officers also attended an Officer Safety and Survival class and Cpl. Key attended an LE Instructor Development Class.

District C-1 C-1 started the month promoting the youth waterfowl hunt. Several officers organized youth hunts on Shirey Bay/Rainey Brake WMA and braved the cold and snowy weekend as they attempted to introduce young hunters to a good green timber waterfowl hunt. Those that went had some success but weather conditions and ice made it tough for all. Fortunately, through contributions from local business, Officers were able to provide lunch and a warm fire for anyone hunting on the WMA that weekend. Officers placed flyers on all the vehicles in the area inviting them to have lunch with the Wildlife Officers and cooked hotdogs throughout the day. In addition to this effort C-1 officers assisted with several other public relations events including shooting sports programs, career days, polar bear fund raiser, youth expo, hunter education and a reception for the new director at Batesville. Officers have also spent a considerable amount of time training the new Cadets at the Training Center. They spent 162 hours working Waterfowl Enforcement, 439 hours working Boating Enforcement, 78 hours on PR events and 26 hours assisting other Agencies. Cpl. Nast located and was responsible for the recovery of a stolen vehicle in a remote area of Cherokee WMA. Cpl. Roger Tate attended the National Wild Turkey Federation’s National Convention in Tennessee and was recognized as their Wildlife Officer of the Year.

District C-2 Officers worked 40 hours of Night Hunting Enforcement, 250 hours of Waterfowl Enforcement and 284 hours of Boating Enforcement this month. Officers also worked on WMAs looking for illegal decoys and stands. PR events included the AGFC statewide public meetings, a Hunter Education class, Boating Education Instructor class and a Rotary Club meeting.

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Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 15

Mississippi River named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers American Rivers, who call themselves the nation’s leading voice fighting for clean water and healthy rivers; as they have protected and restored rivers, scoring victories for communities, fish and wildlife, and future generations for almost 40 years; released the following information on May 17, 2011, in the midst of the flooding along the Mississippi as it rolled through the Delta region throughout the South.

Record flooding earned the Mississippi River “special mention” on their annual list http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/ protecting-rivers/endangered-rivers/ As floodwaters swelled the Mississippi River to historic levels and overwhelmed communities in 10 states, American Rivers gave a ‘special mention’ to the river today in its list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers TM of 2011.

American Rivers made the last minute addition to the list due to the unprecedented nature of the flooding, and the opportunity to improve flood management for public safety and river health.

“Healthy rivers are great assets and give communities so many benefits, including clean water and natural flood protection,” said Andrew Fahlund, senior vice president of conservation at American Rivers. “This year’s list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a clear reminder that if we don’t protect and restore the Mississippi and all of

our rivers, then public safety, the economy, and the environment will suffer grave consequences.”

In listing the Mississippi as a “special mention,”American Rivers pointed to outdated flood management strategies and over-reliance on levees that have contributed to the record flood damage. While levees and floodwalls make sense in heavily populated areas, their overuse causes flood levels to rise as the river channel is narrowed and water has nowhere to go but up – making flooding worse for communities downstream. Levees should be our last line of defense, not our only line of defense.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected by these floods,” said Jennifer Browning, manager of the Mississippi River Network.

“Whether they are flooded because of a blown levee or because of the sheer volume of water, the devastation is heartbreaking.”

American Rivers called for a strategy that combines structural flood protection solutions like levees with natural defenses like healthy wetlands and floodplains that absorb floodwaters. Towns across the country from Nashville, TN to Tulsa, OK to Napa, CA are embracing innovative flood protection solutions and should be models for other communities.

On May 4, the Obama Administration laid out a vision to protect and restore our nation’s clean water and healthy rivers

and wetlands. American Rivers applauded that action and urged the Administration to improve flood management and policies that ensure public safety and river health.

American Rivers also called on Congress to use the upcoming Farm Bill as an opportunity to expand programs that would restore wetlands and floodplains along the Mississippi. Congress and the Department of Agriculture should replicate model initiatives like the Iowa River Corridor Project, which gives landowners and farmers incentives to restore wetlands in exchange for payment, and to experiment with land uses besides traditional row crops.

“We need to give the river more room to move,” said Fahlund. “Unless we restore our natural defenses, we will burden future generations with increasingly disastrous floods.”

The Mississippi has been on the America’s Most Endangered Rivers list a total of eight times, with threats ranging from flood control to pollution.

American Rivers is a member of the Mississippi River Network, a coalition of organizations working to protect the land, water and people of the Mississippi River.

The Network works with an-ever growing number of River Citizens through its 1 Mississippi program. River Citizens are dedicated to learning more about their River and taking action to protect it.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers 2011

SPECIAL MENTION: Mississippi River Threat: Outdated flood management 1) Susquehanna River (NY, PA, MD) Threat: Natural gas extraction 2) Bristol Bay (AK) Threat: Massive copper and gold mine 3) Roanoke River (VA, NC) Threat: Uranium mining 4) Chicago River (IL) Threat: Sewage pollution 5) Yuba River (CA) Threat: Hydropower dams 6) Green River (WA) Threat: Exploratory drilling and mine development 7) Hoback River (WY) Threat: Natural gas extraction 8) Black Warrior River (AL) Threat: Coal mining 9) St. Croix River (MN, WI) Threat: Rollback of longstanding protections 10) Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO) Threat: Overuse and poor management For more information visit http://www.americanrivers.org/

Fish measurement: Tip of nose to tip of tail

University of the Ozarks Takes 2nd Place

By Larry Isch The University of the Ozarks Shooting Sports Club recently competed in the 43rd annual Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships in San Antonio , Texas . The Ozarks team finished second in the nation in their division in both the

5-Stand and Sporting Clays competition and finished third in American Trap. The team included (from left) CharLee Sloan, Colton Qualls, Eston Klutts, Jeremy Provence, Jordan Gregory, Ethan Rogers, Cameron Vesperman, Cass Thompson, Evan Meagher, and Kelsey Meek. Coaches for the team were Mike Qualls and Mark Nowotny.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas fishing regulations on many waters include rules about the length of a particular species of fish.

Sometimes only fish longer than so many inches can be kept. Another example is a protected slot limit – fish within specified lengths must be immediately returned to the water.

How is a fish’s length officially determined?

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says it’s by measurement in inches.

Lay the fish on top of a ruler. The tip of the nose to the tip of the tail is the length.

If the measurement looks close, squeeze the tail together. If any part touches the proscribed length, you are OK. Many anglers have paper or plastic rulers fixed with adhesive to their tackle boxes or on the inside of their boats for this purpose.

Check the current Arkansas Fishing Guidebook for length rules on a body of water you intend to fish.

16 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

Flooding hurts eastern Arkansas wildlife but recovery likely LITTLE ROCK – Water, far too much of it, is dominant in eastern Arkansas these days, and it is having an impact on wildlife.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that wildlife can come back as shown down through history following disastrous floods.

Even ducks, absent from Arkansas at present, may change their patterns this fall and winter when migration occurs. Turkey nesting has been hit hard. Deer reproduction will be down. Small game will suffer, although squirrels can escape the water by staying in treetops, where buds can provide food.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau has estimated flood damage to agricultural crops will be in the range of $500 million. A secondary effect is the lost crops that mean lost food for wildlife. Deer, ducks, turkeys, rabbits and other wildlife make use of leftover grain and soybeans in fields after harvest. This will be absent in coming months in many areas, particularly in lowlands.

Flood effects in capsule form: Turkeys The already stressed turkey population of eastern Arkansas is sure to take a heavy hit.

The floods arrived with nesting season. The nests are gone. Turkeys often re-nest if the first attempt is destroyed, but biologists tell us the number of eggs laid on the second attempt is smaller. With the floodwaters likely to be around for weeks still, those second nesting attempts diminish in likelihood.

Adult turkeys can fly out of the way of floods, perhaps resting in trees here and there, but it could be quite a while before they return to home territory. Nesting in dry but strange country isn’t likely, biologists say.

Deer Dick Baxter, AGFC Deer Program coordinator, said, “The high flood waters will likely lead to poor fawn recruitment in some areas of eastern Arkansas this year.

Deer populations have adapted to deal with adverse weather or habitat conditions, and poor recruitment this year should not have long-term effects on the population. Deer populations are resilient and will respond quickly to favorable habitat and weather conditions.

“The rut in eastern Arkansas is typically the latest in the state; this means that fawns are born later in the Delta than other parts of Arkansas. The gestation period for white-

tailed deer is about 200 days, and parturition (birthing) dates range from late May to midJuly in the Delta.”

Ducks AGFC Waterfowl Coordinator Luke Naylor says the effects for waterfowl likely will be mixed.

“Extensive flooding may negatively impact food production for wintering waterfowl by shifting and shortening the growing season in habitats such as moist-soil wetlands managed by AGFC, the USFWS and private landowners.”

Habitat impacts in the extensive acreage of bottomland hardwood wetlands in the state are difficult to predict, Naylor said.

“However, if water ceases to flow but remains standing in forested impoundments and temperatures rise, we could see red oak mortality and decreased acorn production, both of which would reduce subsequent resource availability for waterfowl.

“On the other hand, continued flooding of agricultural lands in many areas will lead to later planting and harvest of waterfowlfriendly crops like rice, which in turn could actually increase food availability for waterfowl when they arrive this fall.”

Fish Mark Oliver, AGFC chief of fisheries, said, “The flooding may not hurt fish all that much. The spring spawn is over for the most part. The little fry (newly hatched fish) are swimming around, and they have plenty to eat with all the nutrients coming in from the floods.”

Oliver said smallmouth bass generally do not do well in flood conditions, but in Arkansas the smallmouth are mostly found in hill country, not in the lowlands and the Mississippi River regions where the flooding is prevalent.

The continued high water probably has more effect on fishermen than on fish. Many access areas and traditional boat-launching sites are unusable. Roads to some lakes and streams may be flooded.

With the Mississippi River water come fish, silt and debris. For many of those oxbow lakes, the effect is recharging them with new fish – game fish and rough fish. Past floods have shown that it’s not unusual for these oxbows to wind up with alligator gar, flathead catfish and blue catfish, in addition to buffalo, carp and some sturgeon.

29 Important Bird Areas Designated Across Arkansas LITTLE ROCK – Birds are everywhere in Arkansas, and they range from the popular ruby-throated hummingbirds to the magnificent trumpeter swans.

But some are in danger. Others struggle with changing habitats. This is the basis for designating 29 locales in Arkansas as Important Bird Areas by Audubon Arkansas, as part of a national project.

Dan Schieman, PhD., is the bird conservation director for Audubon Arkansas.

He issued a report on the Important Bird Areas (IBA) work that is ongoing in Arkansas. The project is funded by a State Wildlife Grant that was administered through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

He said, “The foundation of the IBA program is its emphasis on science-based identification, monitoring, and conservation of birds and the habitats they need to survive. Audubon chapters and volunteers constitute a true team of IBA citizen scientists and conservation stewards, studying species population trends, assessing breeding success, evaluating threats to bird populations, restoring and enhancing bird habitats, and keeping ever-watchful eyes on the places birds depend on.”

He added, “These places can be national wildlife refuges, national parks and other public, protected lands, but they can also be private farms, ranches, or reserves, local parks and other important private lands.”

The 29 Arkansas Important Bird Areas are: Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery at Centerton, Flint Creek Power Plant near Gentry, Cherokee Prairie south of Ozark, Fort Chaffee, Pine-Bluestem Area near Waldron, Blackland Prairie west of Hope, Millwood Lake, Little River Bottoms southwest of Hope, Ozark National Forest, Mount Magazine, Lake Dardanelle, Holla Bend NWR, Bird Island On Lake Ouachita, Bell Slough WMA near Mayflower, Camp Robinson SUA east of Mayflower.

Magness Lake near Heber Springs, Bald Knob NWR, Big Lake near Manila, St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA near Trumann and Jonesboro, Bayou DeView Raptor Area southwest of Jonesboro, Wapanocca NWR near Marion, Pine City Natural Area near Clarendon, Stuttgart Municipal Airport,

Cache-Lower White Rivers, Warren Prairie Natural Area, Shugart/Felsenthal between El Dorado and Crossett, Choctaw Island WMA near Arkansas City, Lake Chicot and Overflow NWR near Crossett.

Schieman said to qualify as an IBA, sites must satisfy at least one of the following criteria. The site must support: (1) threatened and endangered species); (2) species vulnerable because they are not widely distributed; (3) species that are vulnerable because their populations are concentrated in one general habitat type; (4) species or groups of similar species that are vulnerable because they occur at high densities due to their congregatory behavior.

Some of the individual bird species of concern in Arkansas are red-cockaded woodpecker, trumpeter swan, northern bobwhite, king rail, American woodcock, Swainson’s warbler and rusty blackbird.

How can concerned persons and groups help with IBAs? Schieman told of Bird Island. “When Audubon Arkansas brought a large purple martin roost on Lake Ouachita to the attention of nearby Mountain Pine High School students in 2008, the Environmental and Spatial Technology Lab students took on the challenge of estimating the roost size, nominating the site as an IBA, and creating an award-winning documentary.

In collaboration with the school, Audubon Society chapters, AGFC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Lake Ouachita State Park, Audubon has brought this natural phenomenon to the public’s attention and made it a popular tourist attraction, while at the same time taking steps to protect the martins from disturbance.”

For more information on the Arkansas IBA program, contact Schieman at 501-244-2229 or by e-mail at dscheiman@audubon.org.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011 - 17 ...cont. from page 14

Arkansas Wildlife Federation 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72205

Cpl. Aston issued 3 citations for 31.05 – Snagging Game Fish. Sgt. Norvell issued a citation for Hunting after Revocation and during the interview located illegal drugs on the subject, who was then turned over to DTF and charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver. Cpl. Ditto attended LE Instructor Development class.

District C-3 Officers conducted 2 special Night Hunting operations. An aircraft was used to fly Lincoln and Jefferson Counties – 1 Night Hunting Arrest was made. In Grant County, Officers issued a trapper a citation for untagged traps with the assistance of a bobcat decoy. The trapper was sight checking his traps and would not go to them unless there was a “catch”; the bobcat decoy was used to get him to commit to the untagged trap. Officers spent 65 hours on PR events which included: the Rocky Mountain Elk banquet, Hunt Fest which included the HOFNOD truck, AETN show, DU Greenwing Camp, job shadows, school programs and a Boating Education Instructor class. Officers Thomas, Blake and Rhodes all taught at the Training Center this month. Other various activities Officers were involved in were: tagging bobcat/otters for out-of-state transport, assisting with the youth duck hunt on Bayou Meto WMA, investigating an illegal dump site on Holland Bottoms WMA and an illegal trapping complaint in the city of Cabot.

District C-4 A special enforcement operation was conducted on Lake Chicot to deal with the large crowds of spring fishermen. These large crowds produced a number of complaints regarding litter, short fish and boating issues.

The operation netted a total of 18 violations and officer presence had a huge impact on reducing the number of complaints. PR events for this month included: Youth Shooting Sports program, Wild Game Suppers in Ashley and Bradley Counties, Hunter Education, Safety Fairs at Desha County schools and a presentation at the Ashley County Lions Club.

Cpl. Stark attended a LE Instructor Development course and several other Officers assisted with the training of the Cadets. Desha County Officers conducted an investigation on the destruction of AGFC property on Choctaw Island WMA - 3 juveniles were arrested. Cleveland County Officers assisted the SO with the apprehension of a man wanted for vehicle theft. In total, Officers spent 55.75 hours working Night Hunting Enforcement, 24.75 hours on Commercial Fishing Enforcement, 23.75 hours on Waterfowl Enforcement, 455.75 hours on Boating Enforcement and 68.25 hours on Turkey Enforcement.

District D-1 Officers worked 51.25 hours on Night Hunting Enforcement, 79 hours of Boating Enforcement and 137 hours of Waterfowl Enforcement.

This produced 50 OVCs which included 2 Night Hunting citations, 3 Road Hunting citations and 1 Hunting Out of Season citation. Officers assisted Woodruff County SO recover a stolen truck and boat, assisted Clarendon PD with a disorderly conduct arrest, assisted St. Francis County SO with 2 copper theft details, the USFWS with a deer count on Wapanocca NWR and provided assistance throughout the snow storms. PR events included: Brinkley Chamber of Commerce banquet, Clarendon Bass Club meeting, Little Rock Rotary, Blytheville Lions Club, 4 States meeting, DeWitt Rotary Club, Hunter Education and multiple Youth Hunts. Officer Kendrick had a very successful Youth Hunt with over 100 participants. One group of kids killed over 30 ducks and another group killed 4 pintails. Officer W. Neal set up an additional 3 Youth Hunts with 2 area land owners and he conducted a Promise to Take a Youth Hunting program in which 56 participants signed up. One youth (Mitchell Weaver) that Officer W. Neal signed up in the Green Wing program has been selected to attend the Extreme Green Wing Conservation program in Canada. He was one of only two youths from Arkansas selected. Officers also spent time instructing the Cadets at the Training Center.

Telephone: (501) 224-9200

Fax: (501) 224-9214

“Your voice for hunting, fishing and conservation since 1936” Arkansas Out-Of-Doors Advertising Agreement 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, MayJune, July-Aug., Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec. The publication contains information about hunting, fishing and other outdoor-oriented 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.

Circle the issue in which the ad is to run: January – February issue, reserve space by Jan. 1. Cameraready art due Jan. 5. Mailing date near the end of January.

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18 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

May/June 2011 ISSN0884-9145 POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to: 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72205

Arkansas Wildlife Federation Officers and Board of Directors August 31, 2010 to September 1, 2011

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, 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72205. Third Class postage paid at Russellville, AR and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to Arkansas Out-ofDoors, 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call 501-224-9200.

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.

Editor ����������������������������������������������������������������� 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.

Executive Committee President: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle 1st Vice President: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff 2nd Vice President: Larry Hillyard, Dardanelle Treasurer: Gary W. Bush, Marion Secretary: Lucien Gillham, Sherwood Acting Executive Director: Ethan Nahté MEMBERS-at-Large Jim Wood, Dardanelle Gayne Preller Schmidt, Augusta Board of Directors At Large Dr. John T. Ahrens, Mountain Home Fred Berry, Yellville Robert Leasure, Bradford Charles W. Logan, M.D., Little Rock Lola Perritt, Little Rock Odies Wilson III, Little Rock Jimmie Wood, Dardanelle Gayne Schmidt, Augusta A.J. Gilbert, Little Rock Jimmy Witt, Dardanelle Bobby Hacker, Little Rock Regional Directors District 1: --vacant- District 2: Patti Dell-Duchene, Augusta District 2 Alternate: Angela Rhodes, Augusta District 3: Jeff Belk, Fayetteville District 4: Trey Clark, Nashville District 5: Mary Lou Lane, Dardanelle District 6: Neal Galloway, Stuttgart District 7: Craig Mobley, Magnolia NWF Region: David Carruth, Clarendon NWF Special Projects: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff NWF Regional Representative: Geralyn Hoey, Austin, TX

Deadline Information:

President Emeritus and First Lady Emeritus: Bob and Rae Apple, Dardanelle

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.

National Wildlife Federation Delegates: Jim Wood, Dardanelle Alternate: Gayne Preller Schmidt, Augusta

ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT Ralph Oldegard, Mt. Home Larry Hedrick, Hot Springs Charles McLemore Jr., Bryant Affiliate Clubs: ATU Fisheries & Wildlife Society Sarah Chronister, President Arkansas Chapter of American Fisheries Arkansas Trappers Association Gary Helms, President - Cabot, AR Creative Ideas President: Sharon Hacker Little Rock, AR Greene County Wildlife Club 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 Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle Youth Conservation Club of Mansfield High School Sponsors: Tracey Sadoski & Bryan McKay, Mansfield Youth Conservation Club of Lavaca High School Sponsor: Jimmy Reynolds, Lavaca Arkansas Wildlife Federation Staff Editor - Ethan Nahté Editor in Chief - Wayne Shewmake Contributing Writers – Wayne Shewmake, Ethan Nahté, Carol Smythe-Kaufman Contributing Photographers – Ethan Nahté, Wayne Shewmake Arkansas Wildlife Federation Address: 9108 Rodney Parham Road, Suite 101 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 Office: 501-224-9200 Cell: 501-414-2845

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Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June - 19

Living in the Natural State

Reader Commentary by Carol SmytheKaufman

Now that some of this angry weather has decided to subside, dreary-eyed folks will begin stirring, creeping out of their office cubicles or, parting from whatever television drama keeps them from enjoying the beauty our land has to offer. With DVR and technology on-the go, even the most hardcore CEO can take a dayhike or two. Two things for weekend warriors to remember: Snakes are stirring, mosquitoes are biting, and bring a trash bag.

Yeah, I have to confess I really don’t like it when people muck up the trails, or anything else for that matter. It really irks me. It’s like you’ve dinged my car trying not to crush my potato chips or dragged your muddy boots into my house bringing me a birthday cake.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you came. I just wish the obvious rules were more apparent.

Is that possible? I enjoy trekking down to the Petit Jean waterfall. Okay, usually by myself.

I pray nobody else will be there. I can’t help it. That’s how I roll. If you are there, I will be pleasant. But, you really do not need to wear your Sony Walkman loudly playing Hank Williams while hiking. I can’t hear the leaves crackle and creek trickle. I just hear you.

You also do not need to pretend you are exercising when it is clear this is not common practice for you. When you pound your chest and announce to everyone that your heart is hurting, do not be surprised when others around you flee. We did not come down here to rescue you. Don’t get me wrong. I will if I have to. I am CPR certified and wouldn’t hesitate for a minute. But, you clearly will have shot my day.

And, don’t laugh at my hiking pole? No, this is not a ski pole. And, stay on the trails.

You destroy the trails for everybody when you cut across. I should admit I secretly hope you bust your ass when you do.

I’ve wandered off track and for that I do apologize, but trash and trail hazards have become what define us to others as the Natural State. This obvious trashed and destroyed scenery is one reason Colorado and Montana are worth the drive. I know I’m not comparing apples to apples but, the truth of the matter is, we are better than that.

If you really wanted to put numbers to it I suppose any bean counter could do it. If stiff tickets were issued for leaving your beer bottles tucked into the rock crevices where you camped, or for leaving tissues, personal hygiene items, food wrappers and all that jazz not in a trash receptacle, we might have more to be proud of.

More to be proud of means a boon to the tourism industry. A boon to the tourism industry means more government, local and private jobs.

If our trails and parks are carefully kept and not abused, it’s just quite possible that it would carry over to other areas, as well; our roadsides for example. I enjoy a long bike ride, too. That’s another story for another day.

If we teach our kids and our neighbors that junking up what we have will not be tolerated, we just might have something really spectacular, instead of just natural.

And, yeah, I can count to three. I just didn’t want you to forget your trash bag.

Golden fish story

by Ethan Nahté We’ve all heard fish stories and about the one that got away. Here’s a story about one that is unusual in size, but was put back to swim another day.

Kenneth Anderson caught this goldfish out of the lake, which is more like a large pond, near his house in Sherwood, next to the police station. He and his family guessed the goldfish to weigh in around 2 to 2.5 pounds and approximately 12”-14” in length.

[Editor’s Note: Kenneth stands about 6’ tall to give you a reference to the size of the fish.]

The Game and Fish said “…it was probably someone’s pet they turned loose and it managed to grow bigger.” They said they have never had anyone catch a goldfish there before.

“It was the craziest thing to see coming through the water,” said Tracy Ard. “We did

not know what it was. It put up a really good fight. You can see part of the worm still on the hook. We let him go back into the water!!!! It made Kenny’s day. It was a lot of fun to catch and release.”

74th Annual

Governor''s Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet AETN Host John Philpot-Master of Ceremonies

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Location: Center of Bryant, 6401 Boone Rd., Bryant, Arkansas Fishing derby for kids 12 & under starts at 8 AM - 10 AM (Free) Annual Board Meeting -10 AM- Center of Bryant Conference Room Public Day Event starts at 11 AM - 4 PM - $2 charge Youth Programs - Vendors - Education demonstration at 5:30 PM for banquet Doors Doors open atopen 5:30 PM for banquet

Dinner Served--6 PM at North end of building by stage

Dinner Starts--6 PM at North end of building Awards by stage AwardsProgram Program

Silent Auction - Live Auction Silent Auction - Live Auction - Door Prizes- Door Prizes Tickets $35 Couple / $20 Single Tickets $35 Couple / $20 Single Contact at 501-224-9200 Contact AWFAatWF 501-224-9200

Wayne Shewmake 479-229-2298 Wayne Shewmake 479-229-2298

501.847.7275

6401 Boone Road • Bryant, AR 72022 parkinfo@cityofbryant.com • www.cityofbryant.org/ParksAndRecreation

Money Raised will be used for Education & Conservation Programs 100% of money raised stays in Arkansas Arkansas Wildlife Federation is a Nonprofit 501 c (3) Conservation Organization

20 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • May/June 2011

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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation! Send to: AWF, 9108 Rodney Parham Rd., Suite 101, Little Rock, Ar. 72205; or call 501-224-9200