Arkansas Out-of-Doors November/December 2010

cyan

magenta

yellow

black

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 1

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

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 38

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

NO 5

Keeping Arkansas Natural Photo by Ethan Nahté AWF Office Manager

2 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

I read an article in my local newspaper today about “Irresponsible Hunters.” The letter began, “Shame, shame on you, the newspaper, for supporting the cruelty and mistreatment of defenseless animals by publishing photos of slaughtered white tail deer killed by children encouraged by their irresponsible parents.” It goes on stating that hunters should hunt one another for sport.

Working in law enforcement I know we [mankind] do that every day. Some people can’t seem to understand their responsibilities in life and their obligations to abide by our laws that we as a nation have set for human survival.

How should animals die? At what age? By what means? Are all wild animals entitled to a long and happy life? Or do you agree with Nature that to prevent overpopulation most animals of all species must die while young?

All animals produce surplus offspring to serve as food to others. It is difficult, isn’t it, to separate one’s emotions from the facts of Nature, but this is true for humans and for animals. Survival of the fittest? A shortsighted strategy at best. We should be willing to help

Nature engineer healthy ecosystems that improve the lives of wildlife and the balance of Nature. Self-limiting mortality factors, starvation, disease, territoriality, cannibalism, poor breeding success, and sexual battles — usually become more horrible and truculent in modified environments where the natural predator-prey balance no longer exists.

The most valuable asset is to realize that by learning to analyze Nature’s death ethic objectively, not just emotionally. This is not easy. Those of us who love Nature and animals can’t help but feel emotional about the welfare of animals and we inherently want all animals to live to an old age despite Nature’s death ethic. One of the main traps we fall into is that we become so sentimental about individual animals. Yet Nature does not recognize individuals, only populations of animals. Have you ever lost a pet? Of course we all have. No matter what the veterinarian did they still died. It is part of nature and part of the cycle of life and we must deal with it and try to understand it.

Perhaps without realizing it we have gone against Nature’s ways because of our emotions and ignored a basic fact of life

(i.e. Nature’s life-death ethic). Our innate desire to want to preserve life interferes with the need for us to assist Nature in managing the population density (e.g. skunks, fox and other animals) in humanmodified environments which then often develop rabies or other diseases because of their excessive density. Unfortunately, many of today’s habitat modifications are well established and it is impossible to change them back to a pristine state. Was there ever a pristine state? We look back on the discovery of America and even this place I live in, Arkansas, was filled with wildlife - some now extinct from meat hunters of the 1800’s. Large populations of animals were killed for the meat to feed the newcomers to America. In doing so meat hunters, not sportsman, killed off most of the natural wildlife that covered this area.

Did you know that Arkansas once had a population of buffalo and elk? They were killed off in the 1800’s never to return.

According to AGFC there were about 300 white tailed deer left in Arkansas around the early 1900’s. Today there is estimated to be over 1,500,000 white tail deer in Arkansas, thanks to the sportsman.

It is because of the sportsmen and sportswomen that we have most of the fish and wildlife here today. Yes some species had to be brought back into the state and reintroduced to Arkansas, such as the elk.

This was due to the efforts of the modern day sportsmen and sportswomen. This was done by people who cared enough to get laws and regulations set forth to help

manage nature, and give time and money to help nature.

My grandfather came to America in 1850. I would have like to have seen what my grandfather seen when he came to this country, it is hard for me to imagine what it looked like back then. But we have to live in today’s world and learn from the past. We cannot be so naive in today’s world that we can preserve all of nature.

I believe that it is our responsibility to CONSERVE what we have and regulate the hunting and fishing to allow nature to repopulate. There should be a balance maintained between humans and animals living together on this earth.

What do you think would happen if there was never another animal killed by hunters / sportsman? It is a scientific fact that the land would produce too many animals to survive on this land, and that in some areas some species of animal would die off, never to be seen again.

In closing I would hope that we can all understand that life is a cycle and everything must adhere to it. We should also be logicallyminded enough to understand that plants as well as animals can’t live forever, this includes humans. All we can do is to provide a good habitat and environment for fish and animals to live.

Show your support by getting involved or by giving, and help us care for Nature, and our Environment, be a supporter not just an “Irresponsible Hunter”.

Wayne Shewmake President AWF

President - Wayne Shewmake 1st VP - David Carruth 2nd VP - Vacant Treasurer - Garry Bush Secretary - Lucien Gillham

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

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 3

ADEQ Files Against Bluebird Sand, LLC

by Gene Dunaway (Melbourne) -- Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers (FNFWR), a regional river conservation group, applauded the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for their recent filing of a Complaint in Izard County against Bluebird Sand, LLC. The plant had been operating for some time without a permit to discharge process water from their frac sand mining process wastewater pond near Mt. Pleasant. ADEQ’s Complaint asks for an injunction to stop all operations until a discharge permit is obtained.

The company originally filed for a permit; and ADEQ conducted a public hearing at the request of FNFWR in December of 2009. At the hearing, attendees learned the company had already constructed the pond and commenced operations, all without a permit. ADEQ conducted an inspection December 15, 2009 and found four violations of state and federal water protection laws. The pond holds process water after it is used to clean the sand. This process wastewater contains clay “fines” and process chemicals that constitute “pollutants” under state and federal law.

These pollutants cannot be discharged into area streams without a permit. After the public hearing the Company withdrew its permit application, claiming it was not going to have a discharge and instead would recycle all its process wastewater.

Apparently the plans for recycling process wastewater did not work.

“Things seem to have gone downhill fast,” said Gene Dunaway, a Board member of FNFWR. We started hearing complaints from local landowners about murky water on E. Lafferty Creek, downstream from the plant. The pictures from the December 5,

2010 process wastewater discharge event show the small stream filled with sludge and muck for over half a mile downstream from the plant. Murky water was reported as far as 8 miles downstream.

“We are pleased that ADEQ has asked for a significant monetary penalty of $250,000, in addition to injunctive relief. We hope the Department will stay the course in pursuing this matter to a just conclusion,” said Dunaway. “I am sure that ADEQ would prefer to see compliance on the front end, not punishment on the back end. We agree with that view. The damage is already done once a violation occurs. Having said that, ADEQ’s

White-tailed deer featured on 2011 conservation plate

LITTLE ROCK - The newest conservation license plate from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission features a handsome buck deer on alert.

It’s the 12th plate in the series that supports the AGFC Conservation Scholarship Education Fund. The plates cost $35 per year - $25 goes to scholarships for students who study conservation; $10 goes to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for administering the license plate program.

High school seniors, college students and graduate students studying conservation or wildlife law enforcement may apply for a conservation scholarship. Applicants must be full-time students and Arkansas residents with a 2.5 grade-point average. Applications must be submitted by June 1 for fall semesters. For a list of all the requirements, call the AGFC Human Resources Division at 501223-6300.

Hundreds of Arkansas students have benefited from the conservation scholarships, and a number of them are working as wildlife biologists and in other capacities with the AGFC. Others are in conservation-related positions with other agencies and with private companies.

The latest plate in the series debuts each Jan. 1. To buy any of the

power to impose financial penalties is an important tool in making sure companies who follow all the rules are not placed at a disadvantage by having to compete with companies that do not bother to comply.

ADEQ’s imposition of financial penalties also serves as an important deterrent with repeat offenders. It is our understanding that ADEQ has conducted at least 6 separate inspections of this plant and all have found violations. Although we have not yet fully reviewed ADEQ’s latest inspection reports it is easy to understand why ADEQ felt it had to take firm action in the face of such longstanding problems.”

Arkansas Receives Grant for WNS Study plates issued since the program began in 2000, download a form from the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles, www.arkansas.gov/ dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates.php/ . Fill out the form and mail it to or visit any DFA office across the state (further instructions are on the form). The forms also are available at DFA offices.

A conservation plate may be purchased with a gift certificate available at: AGFC headquarters #2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 For more information on the license plates, call 501-682-4692.

Vehicle owners can choose conservation license plates from earlier years if desired: Deer (2000), Hummingbird (2001), Largemouth Bass (2002), Turkey (2003), Mallard (2004), Rainbow Trout (2005), Ivory-billed Woodpecker (2006), Elk (2007), Black Bear (2008), Butterfly (2009), Labrador Retriever (2010)

Approximately the same time that the September/October issue of AOOD was headed to print a grant geared to help various states in the research of White Nose Syndrome amongst bats was made available through Bat Conservation International (BCI). On October 21, 2010 the AG&FC approved the acceptance of one such grant. Arkansas will share approximately $12,000 of $260,000 granted by BCI for assistance in researching the study this winter where specialists will enter Arkansas caves to search for signs of the deadly disease. According to David Goad, in the Wildlife Management Division, the monies will be used for technical devices used in counting bats, special clothing and the proper items needed to cleanse the researchers before and after entering caves.

“It ($12,000) won’t go far but it’s better than nothing,” says Goad.

4 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

National Wildlife Federation Affiliate Leaders Retreat & State Environmental Leadership Program Annual Conference

by Lola Perritt The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the State Environmental Leadership Program (SLEP) held a joint conference at the Lied Conference Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska, November 16-18, 2010. The three day conference provided NWF and SLEP leadership with knowledge, skills, and strategies “to build strong, powerful, strategically nimble and sustainable advocacy organizations.”

The NWF kicked off the conference with a full day dedicated to the Farm Bill. A small group of about 20 attendees received a brief introduction to the Farm Bill, NWF’s history with it and setting the stage for the 2012 Farm Bill which included the funding situation, committee players, and key issues.

The working sessions of the meeting soon had attendees providing feedback to the NWF on its list of Farm Bill priorities, discussing how state affiliates can influence the Farm

Youths lead opening of December elk hunt

PONCA - The beginning of the five-day December elk hunt in the Buffalo River country had a strong youth flavor.

In the first two days of hunting, three bull elk were taken on public land. All three bulls were by youngsters under 16.

Patrick Nabholz, 13, of Conway had the hunt’s first success with a 5X6, meaning five points on one side and the antlers and six on the other side. He shot the bull in the Richland Valley area of Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. Tucker Windley, 13, of Searcy scored with a 7X7 bull on Gene Rush WMA, and Martin Walt, 14, of Dumas brought in a 3X3 bull, also on Gene Rush WMA. The first two days of hunting were under good weather conditions - cold mornings and clear, sunny skies. Twenty-three hunters won permits at the drawing last June in Jasper.

Four hunters took cow elk.

Johnny Huffman of Lonoke, at 75 an age opposite of the young bull hunter brigade, had a cow elk on Gene Rush WMA. Patrick

Bill while strengthening their organizations, and learning lessons from previous Farm Bills and other legislative campaigns. The afternoon was spent discussing collaborative priorities, determining the most pressing issues, the most winnable issues and the best combinations of issues. Campaign ideas were established which included effective collaborative strategies to engage members, Congressional representatives, and potential partners; to develop winning messages; and to reach out to groups at the state and regional levels.

The remainder of the conference consisted of sessions designed to provide as much information as possible in 1.25 hours-1.50 hours on topics that ranged from National Trends on Environmental Thinking and the Meaning of the Elections to Reaching Out to New Media. Many of the sessions were concurrent so some attendees had to make difficult choices: Do I need to attend

Schrable of Gepp had a cow elk on Gene Rush WMA, and Denver Clark of Siloam Springs scored with a cow elk, also on Gene Rush WMA. Alton Tounsand of Jonesboro took a cow elk in the Erbie area of Newton County.

On the private land hunt underway at the same time, eight hunters were successful the first two days - six with cow elk and two with bulls.

This hunt is the 13th of elk hunting in Arkansas, with a highly successful program stemming from 112 elk brought in from Colorado and Nebraska beginning in 1981.

Along with the hunting, the elk are highly popular with wildlife viewers, many from out of state. The primary viewing area, which is closed to hunting, is in Boxley Valley along Arkansas Highways 43 and 21.

The public land elk hunting applications and permits are free. The month of May is the period for applying for a permit, then the winners are drawn on Jasper’s courthouse square during the Buffalo River Elk Festival in late June.

“Building Shared Environmental Agendas” or “Diversifying Your Income Strategies: Going Beyond Foundations, Major Donors, Corporation and Events”? Which session would have the greatest impact on my organization?

A highlight of the conference was the viewing and subsequent discussion of the award winning documentary, GASLAND by filmmaker Josh Fox. If you are unfamiliar with the film, it is the cross-country odyssey of Fox as he tries to discover the truth about the effects of hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

The film is described as part travelogue, part

exposé, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, and part showdown.

The conference was not just all about business. There was fun to be had also. The conference center was beautiful and a model for green structures. Everything is heated and cooled using waste wood, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The food was excellent, especially the cheesecakes.

There were planned social events for every evening including a dance. Bird watching and a pheasant hunt were planned for Wednesday morning for those willing to brave 34 degree temperatures and drizzling rain.

AGFC can help with nuisance furbearers LITTLE ROCK - Got a problem with nuisance animals on your property?

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission can help landowners who are experiencing problems with nuisance furbearers like beavers, muskrats, raccoons and coyotes by linking them with trappers and furbearer hunters looking for a place to take part in these traditional activities.

This will help landowners get their nuisance problems under control and increase recreational opportunities for the public, according to the AGFC’s furbearer program coordinator Blake Sasse. “Landowners wishing to participate in the program can enter their names and information about their property and the species they’re having problems with in an online registry at http://www.ark.org/www.agfc.com/nuisance/index. php?do:addLandowner or by calling 501-223-6359.” Sasse said.

Trappers and hunters can access the registry and call nearby landowners to ask permission to access their property to take the nuisance species and others of interest during a designated trapping or hunting season.

“Although prices for some nuisance species are currently low, many trappers are willing to take them in return for the opportunity to catch more valuable species,” Sasse said.

Landowners retain full control of who has access to their property and do not open their lands up to the public by placing their name in the registry. Participants can also remove their names from the registry at any time if their problems have been solved or they no longer wish to take part in the program.

“This site will probably be most helpful for those with over 100 acres of property with running streams since larger areas provide more potential opportunities for trappers or hunters to find what they're looking for,” Sasse said.

Additional information about this program can be found at http://www. ark.org/www.agfc.com/nuisance/index.php or by calling 501-223-6359.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 5

Collaboration of the Arts: “Wildlife of Arkansas” 2011 Student Art Contest Presented By: AR Wildlife Federation and Creative Ideas

This exciting visual art contest offers K-12 students in the State of Arkansas the chance to display their creativity. The theme for the Collaboration of the Arts 2011 Student Art Contest is “Wildlife of Arkansas.” The beauty of the wildlife in our state will provide inspiration as the children of Arkansas explore their artistic abilities. The contest has two categories:

Painting, Drawing or Collage

Photographic Essay

Guidelines for Art (painting, drawing or collage)" • This category is offered to K – 12th grade students.

• One entry per student accepted.

• Artwork must be student’s original work completed in the 2010-2011 school year.

• Entry must be on canvas, wood, paper or poster board.

• Medium can be oil, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, graphite, ink, mixed media.

• Dimensions no larger than 30”x 40”.

• Artwork done on paper or poster must be affixed to a foam board backing.

• Students must fill out the attached form and tape it to the back of their entry.

• There are no exceptions to the rules.

Deadline and Criteria for Submission of Photographic Essay Photographs and essays must be emailed to rebecca.najar@gmail.com by March 11, 2011. Refer to Guidelines for Photo and Essay for submission requirements. Please call Rebecca Najar at 501-658-8838 with questions regarding the photographic essay.

The winning pieces will be exhibited at the:

• • • • •

Guidelines for Photo & Essay (photograph & writing): This category is offered to 3rd grade - 12th grade students.

One entry per student accepted.

Artwork must be student’s original work completed 2010-2011 school year.

Entries must be submitted electronically to Rebecca Najar at rebecca.najar@gmail. com in subject line type PHOTO CONTEST – Student’s Name.

Acceptable file formats for photos include JPEG and PDF. All photos should be high resolution 300 DPI Along with photo, submit a one-page essay (minimum of 100 words) describing the photograph. Accepted files include MS Word or RTF document.

In the body of the email and essay include student’s first and last name, grade, school name and address.

There are no exceptions to the rules.

Event Disclaimer: • Judges’ decisions are final.

• Collaboration of the Arts Board and AR Wildlife Federation reserve the right to reproduce the artwork for promotional purposes (i.e. AR Wildlife Calendar).

• Students receive full credit for any artwork reproduced.

• Collaboration of the Arts Board and its event organizers reserve the right to refuse any entry for any reason.

Collaboration of the Arts event Friday, May 13, 2011

River Market, 400 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas The Awards Ceremony begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

Students are to check in at the Student Art Exhibit upon arrival.

Awards are as follows:

1st Place Winner - $100.00, award and certificate 2nd Place Winner - $ 50.00 and certificate 3rd Place Winner - $ 25.00 and certificate Honorable Mention - $ 15.00 and certificate

• • • •

Deadline and Criteria for Submission of Art Teachers are to collect the art, provide a list that includes their school name, students’ names and the titles of their entries. The submission deadline is March 11, 2011. Shipped art must be post marked by March 11, 2011.

Judging Submitted artwork is judged on creativity, skill and interpretation of the theme. A panel of professional artists will choose the winners for each grade. There will be a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honorable Mention for each grade.

Ship art to: 24220 Mashburn Trail Little Rock, AR 72210 Attn: Sharon Hacker

or contact Sharon Hacker at 501-837-0462 or Rebecca Najar at 501-658-8838 before submission deadline to arrange the transfer of the art. The art teachers will be responsible for notifying the winners.

Collaboration of the Arts Student Artwork Contest Form ~ “Wildlife of Arkansas” Please Print

Name ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Title of Artwork____________________________________________________________________________ Medium ��������������������������������������������� School________________________________________________________________________________________ Grade ����������������������������������������������� School’s Address ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Teacher______________________________________________________________________________________ Phone ����������������������������������������������� *Note: Please tape this form to the back of the artwork. Do not forget to sign your artwork. Entries are due by March 11, 2011.

6 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

AWF Seeking Retailers Support

Receiving a discount from a store, business or service for membership is nothing new.

AWF would like to ask business owners and service providers to fill out a survey to assess if this is a viable option for members of AWF. Please understand that no program will be implemented without an official from AWF contacting you and providing a contract before any such discounts would take effect.

Simply fill out the form, clip it out and mail it to us. Feel free to call 501-224-9200 or e-mail arkwf@sbcglobal.net with any questions or for more details. Your participation is appreciated.

Retailer/Service Provider Questionnaire Would your company be willing to provide a discount to current members of AWF? YES NO

q

q

If so, what percentage of a discount would you be willing to provide?

10% 15% 20% 25%

q

q

q

q

Would this apply to all items/services or select items/services?

ALL SELECT

q

q

Would you prefer that they provide an AWF Membership card for proof of current membership or would you prefer your own method of tracking after confirmation of AWF Membership by contacting our office?

AWF CARD OWN METHOD

q

q

Business Name: ����������������������������������������� Owner/Manager: ���������������������������������������� Address: ���������������������������������������������� Business Phone: ���������������������������������������� E-mail ������������������������������������������������ Website: ����������������������������������������������� Mail your Questionnaire to: Arkansas Wildlife Federation 9108 Rodney Parham Road, Suite 101 Little Rock, AR 72205

AWF & Cub Scouts

By Al Wolff

AWF Board member Lola Perritt attended a Cub Scout den meeting November 9th in Conway where she did a presentation with a variety of animals for approximately 75 children and parents. Mrs. Perritt has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Henderson State University and a Masters of Education from the University of Arkansas. She was an elementary teacher, Elementary Science Specialist and Science Coach in the Little Rock School District for 34 years and retired in July, 2010, from UALR where she was the Director of the Education Renewal Zone in the College of Education for the past three years.

She has a variety of her own animals including snakes, rabbits, tarantulas, birds and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. She utilizes the animals for teaching children not only about the animals, the food chain and their environment but also about how wild/ exotic animals should not be bought or kept as pets. Mrs. Perritt said the kids were very excited and the meeting went very well.

Oddly enough on the same day that the Conway troop requested AWF to appear we received another request from Waree Bedford with Pack 50 in Bryant. On December 7th Mrs. Perritt and AWF’s new office manager, Ethan Nahté, assisted at the meeting which combined three packs and approximately 50 people. The scouts were looking to achieve their goals for their Sharing Your World with Wildlife achievement which is also part of their Cub Scout World Conservation Award that the scouts were completing. The scouts were also working to get their Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop.

The primary focus of the presentation was about the extinction of certain animals, particularly birds and how the scouts could help the birds during the winter. Mrs. Perritt & Mr. Nahté demonstrated how to make pinecone feeders and assisted the students in putting together the materials for making

their own feeders. In addition, materials were handed out for identification of the various types of conifers. A bird field guide and checklist provided by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission was also provided to each scout so that they could begin bird-watching and send in their checklist to AGFC to receive a certificate. AGFC also provided a poster for each of the three troops showing a variety of native Arkansas birds.

Mr. Nahté, also a former substitute teacher from the Carroll ISD in Southlake, TX, is used to working with large groups of children and in biology classes. Despite that fact, “The enthusiasm of that large of a group of 8-10-year-old boys is something else and difficult to keep in check. It was a lot of work for Mrs. Perritt and I. Makes me wonder how she survived the first scout meeting on her own,” he said with a smile. “I’m glad we were able to assist the kids with getting their awards. Hopefully they took home some beneficial information from what we talked about, the free copies of AOOD we handed out and hopefully some of them will follow through and become Youth Conservation Affiliates with AWF. We’re trying to save our natural resources and environment for the future generations. It’s always nice when the younger generations begin participating and grow in their education and desire to eventually become future AWF members.”

cyan

magenta

yellow

black

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 7

Mining is Preserving

by Ethan Nahté

Preservation of Arkansas’ natural beauty isn’t something that just comes naturally. For every action there is a reaction. This includes the act of mining. When something is taken from the earth the reaction can vary from erosion to the loss of habitat as well as the aesthetic scarring of the land.

But what would happen if someone who allowed mining on their property gave back to the land? Then their action might possibly result in a positive reaction. That is exactly what Richard Wegner of Wegner’s Crystal Mines, located just outside of Mount Ida, AR, has been doing for a number of years and it shows. He imbibed Arkansas’ former nickname of “Land of Opportunity” and managed to combine it with the current nickname of “The Natural State” before the motto had been changed in the mid 1980’s.

Wegner incorporated in 1981.

ACCIDENTAL FIND To begin we go back a number of years when Wegner, a visitor from Illinois, came with college buddies for a vacation. “Lake Ouachita was a real big magnet for us,” he says. “We’d come down for pre-spring break time and get away for a little bit for a week and then we’d go back. I kept doing that all the way through college and just decided this area had a lot of potential and was a nice place to live. I think it’s beautiful, love the people, Land of Opportunity and all that.

“I actually searched up in the Ozarks and the Ouachitas for about two months [in

1979], meeting people and landowners. I heard about this particular property at the cafe in town (Mount Ida). It turns out that the gentleman, Willis Greeson, was a wheelerdealer and was willing to finance it. I was a student and I was willing to take the chance.

He carried the note, I bought the land.

“It turns out I found a crystal deposit on my property. I didn’t know about it [when I bought the property] and just fell into that. I started studying about the marketability of the quartz and found out it was wide open. So I dropped my horticulture background temporarily and developed my knowledge in geology and got involved in mining and mining engineering and turned it into a business.”

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS Moving to a different state and having to learn a new science may have been daunting to some, but not to Wegner. “I was fascinated by it. I’ve always liked earth sciences. Having the opportunity to develop it as a business is kind of a natural for me. Then it was a matter of ‘How can I do it and not screw up the environment?’ It was win-win. I was able to develop that early on.

“You can look over there and see my wind generators going, we reclaim what we’re mining, I live organically and grow my own food. I think we’re kind of unique in that respect - our recycling, our respect for nature.

“It’s like what the Native Americans did where you find the ground between give and take in your natural environment. I mentored under the Native Americans. They’ve done blessings of the earth here. They’ve powwowed on my land. They’ve been involved in the mine sites. It’s not really a [single] tribe. It’s a conglomeration of all the tribes in the area, so they’re not recognized as their own entity but there are Caddo, Quapaw, and some Cherokee and so on. They are actively involved.

“I was a Scout master for many years in this community and they were always willing to participate and help mentor the scouts. I developed a lot of my business plan using their ideas. I have a lot of respect for what they developed. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel I just went along with good knowledge. Our property has mountains on four sides. The local tribes said it was a unique valley. It was special to them for whatever reason but I don’t think there were ever any encampments.”

So what does Richard and Wegner’s Crystal Mines do to help preserve the land they are mining?

“Initially [preventing erosion] was the concept. We would do some mining up in the mountains and I thought, ‘Well, let’s plant trees

and build some ponds. The ponds will help the wildlife plus I can put fish in them. The [ponds] will catch any sediment, if there is any, and the trees will slow it down. Eventually we’ll stop the erosion problem.’ It was great. We’ve taken pine, walnut, pecans, and acorns for oaks and done the seeding and direct planting ourselves.

We aren’t doing any nursery propagation with trees. Up until this point they’ve been available through the Arkansas Forestry Commission and other people like that who are tied into the nursery application and bedding operations for trees. “We’ve also worked with the Nature Conservancy with planting trees. We’re really all about that.

“I love it. I’ve been planting trees since I got here. We’ve planted about 150,000 trees on our place. We’re looking for more ideas.

I’ve kept quite a few areas on my place natural, too. I’ve kept a lot of the brambles; we’ve got some native plant species in some of those areas dispersed on our property besides the tree-farming that we’re doing that we’re leaving for wildlife. We see everything: deer, squirrels, bobcats. We haven’t seen bear other than tracks. Our deer population is unbelievably abundant in this area.”

Where you have wildlife you need a water source for the abundant population of animals. Wegner has worked hard to provide water resources for the wildlife as well as to help prevent erosion.

“On the ponds we’re getting all kinds of geese and ducks. During geese and duck season we’re getting more of the egrets and herons. It’s really worked out well.

We’ve been real pleased with the results.

It’s been a great pleasure working with the different agencies. We’ve worked with ADEQ, Arkansas Soil & Water Conservation Commission and all these different agencies and it’s been a pleasure.

“I’ve built [a total] of twelve ponds on my place. I’ve replanted over one hundred acres.

We reclaim our mines and we replant trees or re-seed. We’re really the only active mining company around here that has reclamation.

The foresters use our reclamation plan

models to teach others in the area.

“We have 318 acres on this spot but we also have leases with BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the Forest Service that we maintain. That’s part of our replanting and reclamation. That’s in Garland County and Montgomery County. We were in Saline County but we closed up those efforts. We’re trying to consolidate a little bit.

“One of our current mining operations is we’re mining west to east, it’s a forty acres lease with the BLM and then we have an adjacent contract with the Forest Service going further east. We’re about to cross the border between BLM and the Forest Service.

So what we’re basically doing is mining the entire deposit and back filling as we go.

We probably have thirty five acres reclaimed already behind. It all has trees on it and they’re doing great. As we move further east and moving on to the Forest Service contract we’ll take that earth and move it back behind us to the west and re-propagate that. It works really well. We have 2 forty acre leases with BLM and I think about forty five acre contract with the Forest Service.”

WIND & SOLAR ENERGY When you drive up to the warehouse and parking area one of the first noticeable things besides all of the shiny rocks and minerals are two windmills generally spinning, depending on the wind conditions, towering above the warehouse, standing in the middle of a large field with tall grass which is surrounded by trees and mountains. It’s almost an anachronism seeing this modern technology stuck way out here in a valley.

“We have two wind generators and each one, given the right weather conditions, will provide enough energy to run our facility. We have net metering. What it does is dollar-fordollar we have an exchange program with Entergy. It just turns my meter backwards.

On a windless day I buy each dollar’s worth of electricity and on a windy day I sell each dollar’s worth back to them.

CONT. on pg.12

8 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

WEGNER CRYSTAL MINES &

Arkansas Wi

www.arkansasw

cyan

magenta

yellow

black

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 9

MUSEUM ~ MOUNT IDA, AR

ildlife Federation

wildlifefederation.org

10 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

Birds of Prey

Ashley and Kenley Money joined the U.S. Fish & Wildlife at Holla Bend NWR with a few birds of prey to give a talk to children about how these various birds live and how they are cared for when in rehabilitative captivity. They brought with them Sheyenne, is a barn owl; Gizmo, a screech owl; a Harris’s hawk and a red-tailed hawk.

Some of the things learned included information about the birds’ habitats, life styles and what they eat.

We supplied owl pellets to those kids who wanted to dissect one. The kids found out by matching the bones they found to an identification sheet exactly what the owls eat.

Caring for this Natural State

By Carman Stump

I feel lucky to live in this state we call, The Natural State.

And I believe many others do. It’s renowned for its natural beauty. We can enjoy right at our backdoor hunting, fishing, boating, canoeing, rappelling, hiking and camping. Our state offers amazing scenery and wildlife and 52 state parks and 6 national parks. Our state’s beauty attracted an estimated 22.8 million tourists last year (2009). We’ve got a lot to be proud of, none of which should be taken for granted.

We’ve got to be sure we protect this natural beauty. We are told that everything is connected, including us to the earth. And our quality of life is directly affected by our surroundings. Again, connected. We cannot step outside and enjoy the outdoors if the air is polluted and dangerous to breathe, or swim in a lake that is contaminated and polluted. So our choices and actions can greatly affect our surroundings; and therefore, affect our quality of life.

How many of you have seen someone throw a cigarette butt out the window or seen them lying around a parking lot? Where do you think they end up? I live in Russellville Arkansas which is situated on the Arkansas River. I know where they go. But do you? When it rains here, the cigarette butts and any other piece of trash more than likely makes it to a culvert which then flows to Lake Dardanelle and onto the Arkansas River and finally to our beautiful blue ocean.

As reported by Keep Arkansas Beautiful, “Water will leach the toxins from cigarette litter, making it deadly to most aquatic life. In fact, the toxins released from one cigarette butt left in a gallon of water for one day will kill about 80 percent of aquatic life added to that water.” Cigarette waste is the most abundant form of litter in Arkansas and on the planet. The filters are made of plastic and not biodegradable.

They are lightweight, can easily move through our storm drains into our waterways and water supplies. Remember, we are connected. This can not be good.

So I know you’ve seen litter around your town. I can only imagine where your culverts end, possibly your favorite fishing hole or a river you like to float. And we never dreamed that we, Arkansans, are contributing to the giant island of trash estimated to be twice the size of Texas in our Pacific Ocean that is killing an estimated one million sea creatures a year, but we are. Our trash right here in Arkansas can easily catch a ride on our 45 rivers and multitude of streams and make its way to our ocean. Our trash is not only polluting our waterways but the sea and the creatures that live within. Over time the trash and plastics break down into tiny particles which are ingested. The marine life is also ingesting things like plastic bags that were mistaken for squid. Some marine mammals have now been diagnosed with breast cancer which may be caused by the chemicals they are ingesting.

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau, says, “…that when we protect the seas, we protect ourselves. If you don’t care, you should”. He says, “…this pollution will eventually come back to haunt humans and find its way onto our dinner plates.” The exact same can be said for our fish in our favorite Arkansas fishing holes.

There is nothing natural about a littered highway or a polluted river or creek. This is not what people expect when they visit a state called “The Natural State.” Let’s keep this beautiful state “natural.” If you love the nature of this state, protect it. Show your pride and care. When you see litter, pick it up. If you smoke, don’t throw it down. If you see someone littering, educate and report them to 1-866-8111222 (Keep Arkansas Beautiful). Please recycle because it means taking less from this earth and putting less waste on it. Remember, we are all connected to the land, water, air and this “Natural” state.

(Portions of this interview originally appeared in the Russellville Courier. Permission for current version granted by author.)

AWF Attends Village Trails Day

By Al Wolff Ethan Nahté of AWF showed up early on a cold morning at one of the many trails in Hot Springs Village on November 13th. This year was the 8th Annual Village Trails Day where trail hikers, photographers, birdwatchers and nature lovers gathered at the various trailheads that wind their way through 25 miles of trees, streams and the rolling foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.

AWF set up a table with prints & a variety of copies of AOOD, getting the opportunity to talk to a few of the hikers bundled up in fleece jackets and earmuffs about what AWF is all about while placing crystalline rocks on the table items to keep them from blowing away. The wind coming over the spillway at the Balboa Spillway Trail was quite brisk and cool blowing off the largest of the 11 lakes in the Village.

Jim Gifford, a committee member of the Friends of Village Trails commented, “I was initially disappointed at the [low number of people attending the] event where AWF showed up but by the end of the weekend we had 293 people participate. I think that [the weather] had a whole lot to do with it. That was the first cold day that we had after a long, hot summer and people weren’t expecting that.”

Gifford mentioned that they are in the midst of planning other events for the coming spring of 2011.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors will post the information as soon as it is available.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 11

Woman: Project is bad for area, ‘all Arkansans’ Original Story Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010. Reprinted by permission from the Jonesboro Sun, Jonesboro, AR

By Curt Hodges

JONESBORO — Every story has two sides, and the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project has a dark one, according to Ellen McNulty of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

McNulty addressed the monthly meeting of the Arkansas Rivers Association on Wednesday at the Front Page Cafe in Jonesboro.

Born and reared on a rice farm at Stuttgart, McNulty said the project, also known as the White River Irrigation Project, is “bad for the Grand Prairie, for farmers and for all Arkansans.”

“We’ve been farming rice [in that part of Arkansas] for the past 100 years, and water has been pumped at an unsustainable rate,” she said.

McNulty said Arkansas has a water management problem that is being dealt with as a water supply problem. She believes everyone in the state should become familiar with this project, which “falls short of solving the water shortage problem for Grand Prairie farmers while endangering wildlife habitat and the area’s economy.”

Discussions of water diversion projects affecting the White River began in the 1950s, McNulty said. Rice production in Arkansas years ago was around 200,000 acres, but after 1973, when a new law abolished the allotment system for rice and provided for anyone to grow it, the state’s acreage has grown to around 1.5 million.

McNulty said the increased rice production meant increased pumping of underground water for irrigation. She argued that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, determined that the solution was to acquire more water rather than to better manage the resource.

“What we’re talking about is a project costing $420 million to service 5 to 7 percent of those who grow rice in Arkansas,” McNulty said. The physical size of the project, she said, is some 15 miles in width and about 40 miles in length, comprising parts of four counties — Arkansas, Monroe, Prairie and Lonoke.

A water cost of $26 per acre-foot has been established, and project figures list total annual revenue at $9.18 million. Operation and maintenance has been estimated at $4.6 million to $6.7 million annually.

But McNulty said that as of September only 140,000 acre-feet of water have been sold, producing revenue of about $3.6 million — less than the cost to operate it.

“Without sufficient revenue,” she said, “the Arkansas taxpayer will have to pick up the tab.”

She expressed fear that Arkansas, mostly thought of as a water-rich state, could eventually move toward more of a western stance in which water use is highly regulated. She also said the riparian rights doctrine, whereby landowners have the right to reasonable use of water resources, could give way to an allocation-priorto-use appropriation system.

She said there are 11 stream diversion projects being considered around the state, and most of them are planned in the White River or its tributaries.

“The White River Basin is a wetlands of international importance,” she said.

The project pumps will be able to pull 1,640 cubic feet of water per second, or more than 780,000 gallons per minute, from the river.

The wetlands and their periodic life-sustaining flooding will be affected by the possible lower water level in the river, she said.

She noted that ducks and duck hunting are very important in the state’s rice-growing section, adding, “We don’t need to destroy any more precious wetlands.”

McNulty said wetlands and the White River are major recharge sources for the alluvial aquifer, which is being depleted at an unsustainable rate largely because of irrigation pressure.

“As my father used to say, what we’re doing is robbing Peter to pay Paul,” McNulty said.

What is needed, she said, is a water management plan that includes water conservation, irrigation efficiency, on-farm storage, tailwater recovery and a number of other conservation practices. Different cropping systems need to be utilized, including experimental furrow irrigation for rice, retirement of marginal cropland and conversion of land to less water-intensive uses.

She said Cooperative Extension Service officials and others will make presentations at a Water Summit for Farmers that will address conservation and irrigation efficiency. The summit will be held at the Brinkley Convention Center on Dec. 13 by invitation only, then open to the public on Dec. 14.

David CARRUTH of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation was at the presentation. He said water rights and riparian rights are important issues that should be considered in any project, discussion or legislation concerning water.

Harvey Joe Sanner of Des Arc, an official of the Arkansas Waterways Association, said he believes the Grand Prairie project is a good one if properly managed. He contended that there is enough water in the White River to meet the needs of the project, and water is to be withdrawn at times when the river level is adequate.

Sanner said that 900 farms may seem a small number for such a big project, “but 900 farms mean a lot of jobs.”

Yell County Wildlife Federation Receives Donation

The Yell County Wildlife Federation was one of three organizations to receive a donation from the Super Walmart in Russellville on October 22. The donation was for $2000. L-R: Larry Chambers, Pres. - YCWF; Laura, Asst. Manager; Wayne Shewmake, Pres. AWF; and Tony Vick, VP – YCWF, were on hand to accept the donation. The donation will be used in part to support YCWF Hunter Ed classes, Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs, fishing derbies in Yell County and other educational programs to the public sponsored by YCWF and AWF.

Duck stamp cachet sales to aid Gulf migratory bird refuges LITTLE ROCK - If there is a duck hunter or waterfowl enthusiast on your Christmas shopping list, consider the special Federal Duck Stamp Gulf Coast Conservation Silk Cachet.

The cachet can be purchased for $25, which is $10 more than the cost of a regular federal duck stamp. Proceeds help raise additional money to acquire wetlands for Gulf Coast national wildlife refuges and provide alternative habitats for migrating birds outside of the oil spill-affected areas.

The cachet features a silk rendering of an award-winning photograph by David Moynahan of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

It also features the 2010-11 Federal Duck Stamp, which depicts an American widgeon painted by artist Robert Bealle of Waldorf, Md. “Buying a special Gulf Coast Conservation Cachet is an easy and direct way to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquire and protect vulnerable wetlands habitats along the Gulf Coast,” said Paul Schmidt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s assistant director for migratory birds. “These funds will also benefit all of us because wetlands help filter drinking water and assist in flood control, provide spawning grounds for fish and nesting areas for many migratory birds, and offer areas where we can watch wildlife and enjoy the nation’s great outdoor heritage.”

The Federal Duck Stamp Gulf Conservation Silk Cachet, as well as other duck stamp products, can be purchased online at www.duckstamp.com or by telephone (800-852-4897) from the Amplex Corporation.

“With the holiday season fast approaching, this special cachet is the perfect gift for hunters, stamp collectors and anyone who appreciates the natural world,” Schmidt said. “And because our corporate partner Bass Pro Shops underwrote the printing costs for the first edition of the cachet, the entire $25 proceeds from each cachet can be put directly toward conservation.”

Since 1934, sales of federal duck stamps have raised more than $700 million, which has been used to acquire and conserve more than 5.2 million acres of wetlands on hundreds of the nation’s 548 national wildlife refuges managed by the USFWS. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/.

All migratory bird hunters must buy a $15 Federal Duck Stamp, formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, each year in addition to state licenses, stamps and permits. The design of the stamp is determined by an annual art competition. The stamps have become popular with stamp collectors and wildlife art enthusiasts, as well as those who simply want to contribute to wetlands conservation.

12 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

CONT. from pg. 7 We have 2 meters and 2 two-point five kilowatt hour generators. They’re on seventyfoot towers so they’re up above the tree line. It works pretty well. They went online this year (2010). It took us two years to put it together because we did all the construction ourselves, built the towers, laid all the power, having an ongoing business, running a ranch, running a tree farm… It’s reliable and on a good day if we generate more power than we can use, the pay back is not really on my radar. It’s me just wanting to give back and not be such a drain.

Entergy has their meter and I have my meter.

They’ll give us accumulated credit up to twelve months. So if in a year we generate a couple of thousand kilowatts extra my goal would be to find a good use for that energy. Maybe we could pump water uphill and use it for agriculture or refill the stock ponds. We have a stream on our place but there are a lot of possibilities.”

Although the Wegner facility, buildings and home that sit on the property don’t have solar panels on the roofs they do utilize a version of solar energy.

“We use passive solar. It’s like building a greenhouse to use solar heat or windows in a house. Like how this entire wall is exposed to the south here on the house. What it does is it actually draws warm air into the house on a winter’s day instead of using wood heat.

“In the summertime it’s the reverse. We throw shade cloths on there and use it to propagate plants early in the year. Those plants go out in the garden then we just leave succulents and cacti and things that like the heat and basically throw a shade cloth on it and keep it active through the summer. We have a greenhouse. We start our bedding plants. In this climate we can grow year around. We have a winter garden, spring, summer and fall. We propagate year around.”

QUARTZ MINING Mount Ida, AR and the surrounding area is one of the most prolific sites to hunt for quartz, not only in North America but in the entire world. As a matter of fact the small town consisting of a little over 8,000 inhabitants claims to be the “Quartz capital of the World.”

So what makes this area of the Ouachita Mountains such a hotbed for this mineral?

“It’s all about the timing. The original formation was conducive for the quartz to form then seismic activity taking up all the voids in the mountains. As there was more tectonic [plate] movement there was more flow of hot water deep in the earth that brought those minerals up into those voids. I think it was conducive to that. The minerals precipitated out and there was a great amount of silica in that solution. Crystallizing started then re-crystallizing over a three hundredmillion-year time span. It’s just kind of unique that everything just fell perfectly in place in this area. It’s turned into a big

industry commercially and also for tourism.

“This area is mainly known for the clear quartz, smoky quartz and we have the phantom quartz. That’s what people tend to find at our mine site, the same as what people see at the shops. Then we also have minerals in our [10,000 square foot] museum display here from all over the world.”

But if you are new to being a rockhound or simply a collector, beware of the some of the huge chunks of colorful, shiny pieces. “What people see at a lot of the roadside shops is glass.

It’s very colorful and it’s manmade. People who don’t know construe it as a local mineral but actually it’s from a furnace some place in New Jersey or Oklahoma,” Wegner explains.

Something else that’s not native to the Mount Ida area is the diamonds that can be found In Murfreesboro at Crater of Diamonds State Park. “There is no kimberlite in this area. Arkansas is so diverse geologically that you can travel ten miles and the geology is totally different. So no, we have found no diamonds like they have in Murfreesboro. We have Magnet Cove with volcanic and huge ore deposits, titanium and other ore deposits; you have Hot Springs with all the thermal water; you go to Murfreesboro and you have all the kimberlite intrusions that came up. It varies so much from area to area.

“We have rare minerals like wavellite and we have the quartz deposits. There’s like thirty other minerals associated with our quartz that comes out. The kimberlite is a unique deposit to that area. It’s only a five square mile area over there at Murfreesboro where the kimberlite tubes are located. It’s a bit of an anomaly. But we get a lot of business from there. Diamonds are hard to find and our crystals are easy to find,” he laughs. “You don’t even have to dig.

You just open your eyes, bend over and pick it up. They’re everywhere.”

So what can one expect if they are looking to hunt for crystals when they travel a few minutes outside of Mt. Ida? There are signs for Wegner’s Phantom Crystal Mines and signs for Wegner’s Crystal Mines and/or Wegner’s Crystal Museum.

“The Phantom is a mine about three miles north of here. It’s world-famous in that we have museum-quality pieces all over the

world: Asia, South America, North America and Europe. A “phantom” is the description of a clear quartz crystal with a darker crystal inside of it that’s the same shape.

What it denotes is a mineral deposition on the crystal when it was much younger. So let’s say a ten million-year-old crystal has a mineral deposited on it, gives it a dark color and is encapsulated over and over and over throughout the next hundreds-of-millions-ofyears and traps the image inside. So it’s an anomaly in this area and the pieces that come out of there are amazing. So it’s well-known internationally. Fortunately we have access to it. We produce material from our Phantom Mine that can go up to a couple of tons.”

As exciting as that may sound, most tour groups aren’t allowed to visit the Phantom Mines any longer. “They used to,” says Wegner. “But the mining regulations unfortunately some of the people in this industry aren’t all that careful or cautious or care. So we’ve really had to designate that mine for commercial use only. The exception being educational, maybe a geology group or higher education group where we can bring them in and teach a little about geology and mining reclamation. We’ve set aside another forty acre lease that has clear quartz where we take the public to that’s very safe and very productive versus the Phantom Mine which has high walls and hazards. It’s not a conducive place for tourists.”

For the general public all you need to do is make a reservation and show up In some comfortable shoes and some clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirt or water on as you pick up and/or dig your crystals then send them through the sluice to clean off the dirt and other loose deposits.

“We provide the tools and buckets at no charge. We just charge a flat rate. It’s $15 to go up to the mine, take all you want, no extra fee. We transport everybody to the site that way they have no problems. We make it very user-friendly. We have groups regularly of one hundred to two hundred people. They make reservations. We’re constantly getting groups of twenty to forty at a time. We just like reservations, usually two weeks or more, so we can customize the experience.

“Sometimes the Forest Service and geologists and their staff have offered to come out and lecture. They usually do it from a fairly narrow perspective. Our own staff has access to the same knowledge and is willing to offer them more of a perspective about mining and mineralogy and geology and so on. We provide educational literature, question-and-answer time, and a guide to point out the formation and how to actually access the crystals like a commercial miner would do, short of using explosives. It’s a great experience. Then we also teach them about the market so people can look at natural resources as an endeavor that can be

profitable and see how they can achieve the balance of reclaiming and still getting ahead.

We’re doing really well but we’re not saving every penny because we’re putting money into reclamation.

“Typically the ground doesn’t freeze solid.

For commercial mining a little bit of ice isn’t a big deal. As far as the tourists go what we do is go from seven days a week to five days a week, typically after Thanksgiving sometime when the weather begins to change we close on Saturdays and Sundays.

Our business is ninety-five percent wholesale and so we just try to accommodate people who come in during the week. We still have activities. If there’s snow on the ground you can’t find crystals very well,” he laughs.

COMMERCIAL MINING “Commercial use has changed a lot with the economy. This recession has really shrunk down what we’re marketing it for. It’s always been used in optics. We have a limited market there. We’ve been selling quite a bit the last couple of years to water filter companies. They’re using crushed quartz like they would use charcoal or activated carbon or any other filtering element. They think affects the quality of the water because of the piezoelectric properties of the quartz, flowing water moving over it. Other than that it’s cutting or making beautiful objects, whether it is beads, artwork or gemstones. Quartz has always been popular for that.

“It’s very much like archeology or anthropology because a perfect piece that comes out and is pristine is priceless. A large piece that you damaged is common. What we do is we actually develop tools. We make wood tools out of black walnut. Often there’s clay involved in the vugs (a cavity inside a rock; a void) and we’re able to use depth measurements. We’ll just ease it in until we feel something solid and then we’ll move around in different places and we’ll realize how much material we can take out without actually damaging the rock that’s behind it.

We just constantly do that until we find the key piece, kind of like a Chinese puzzle.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 13

Okay, this key piece comes out first. Once we realize that after all that probing then we’ll start there, then we’ll try to find the next key piece. It could take months. Sometimes the vugs are as big as your living room. We like to determine what we can [safely] take out versus an excavator and risk destroying most of it. That wouldn’t be good.

“Some of the other material here [in the warehouse], we have an amethyst piece from Uruguay that’s over four thousand pounds. We also have some other materials from other countries from like Brazil and other countries that are very large that we’re not going to sell that we bring in from other mines. The biggest single piece (versus a cluster) we have is a piece from Brazil that is over five feet tall and weighs over two thousand pounds, just a single white quartz crystal shaft. Those are very, very rare. But what we’re really proud of is our local material.”

The warehouse/museum is an amazing display of giant clusters of quartz, amethysts, citrine and other minerals, fossils, carved fetishes, jewelry, pyrite and many other cool items that will have you wanting to redecorate your home, garden or walkway with the beauty provided by nature. If you’re a collector Wegner’s facility is going to be dangerous as it will attract your eye like shiny material attracts a magpie.

SAKS 5th AVENUE “We just did a cool project with a branch of Neiman-Marcus called Bergdorf Goodman. It’s a really high-end department store in New York City. What they do every year is they develop these Christmas windows. People walk down [Saks 5th Avenue] and see these amazing Christmas displays. They decided to use all natural minerals and they decided to use us as their supplier.

We recently shipped thousands-of-pounds of quartz, calcites, selenites and all these wonderful minerals that look like snow.

They look like ice. Then they developed this really large set of Christmas windows. They just called us up on a whim and asked, ‘Can you help us?’ and we sent them visual images of all these different displays of material that we thought would work. They just took it all. This arrangement is a permanent one-time deal. They think they’ll probably use the material in future years. They rotate their displays and so on.”

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeRrIdOXVow/ to see the official video of some of the behind-the-scenes making the displays such as crystals used for the teeth and scaly protrusions of an alligator. There is another video with the senior director of visual presentation, David Hoey, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ yPf5O2ad58/ which is a little more informative, including a funny quip about crystals by a couple of the window artists around the fifty second mark. It shows a little better detail of the crystal usage.

BAD RAP “Arkansas is such a beautiful state. You know, the word ‘mining’ and the bad rap mining has is so bad on how it affects the water quality and its environmental impact. We’re doing exactly just the opposite. No water pollution and we’re reclaiming as we’re mining, so it’s ongoing reclamation and not any large impact.

“We bring schools and groups in and teach them about that and of course about mineralogy and geology. That’s a big part of what we do to give back to the community. It’s kind of a weird thing that people would come to a beautiful area like this for profit, screw it up and that would be their legacy.

“I’m just excited about mining and digging in the earth as I ever was. It’s kind of like treasure hunting. Once you learn how to look for the quality and the rare things then the experience never depletes. The challenges change because each time you do it it’s like taking apart a puzzle. As you get the pieces out undamaged sometimes from these collapsed formations it’s a great challenge. I love it. It’s just as exciting now as ever.”

Arkansas Wildlife Federation 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, Ar. 72205 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 nonprofit, hunting, fishing, and conservation organization dedicated to promoting the wise stewardship of our natural resources. It is a newsprint tabloid publication that is published 6 times per year for the following issues: Jan.-Feb., March-April, May-June, July-Aug., Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec. The publication contains information about hunting, fishing and other 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. March – April issue, reserve space by March 1, Camera-ready due by March 5. Mailing date near the end of March. May-June issue, reserve space by May 1. Camera-ready art due by May 5. Mailing date near the end of May. July-August issue, reserve space by July 1. Camera-ready art due by July 5. Mailing date near the end of July. September-October issue, reserve space by Sept. 1, Camera-ready are due by Sept. 5. Mailing date near the end of September. NovemberDecember issue, reserve space by Nov. 1. Camera-ready art due by November 5. Mailing date near the end of November.

Advertising layout and space: Advertising may send a slick or a black and white copy of a previous ad, a negative for black and white ads, a color key and four-color separations for color ads, or ads may be sent on a disk on CD (PDF, JPEG or EPS) to the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. We utilize 90-line screen, right reading, emulsion down.

The AWF can assist in making the ad for the client. Depending on amount of time to layout ad, there may be additional fees for this.

Black and White Advertising rate. Please circle the choices for size and prices.

Centerfold Full page (10 inches wide by 11.5 inches tall) Half page (10 inches wide by 6 inches tall) One-third page (4 inches wide by 10 inches tall) One-fourth page (4 inches wide by 7 inches tall) Business card (3.5 inches by 2 inches)

1-2 ads (Already sold) $400 $225 $165 $145 $35

3-5 ads(5% off)

6 ads (10%off)

$380 $215 $156.75 $137.75 $33.25

$360 $205 $148.50 $130.50 $31.50

Include One spot color, additional Four color, additional Charges for covers: Inside front, additional Inside back, additional Back cover, additional Total Cost per ad

$50 $100

$47.50 $95

$45 $90

$75 $50 $100

$71.25 $47.50 $95

$67.50 $45 $90

Name of business__________________________________Mailing address ������������������������������

Ad confirmed by (print and signature) �������������������������������������������������������������

Telephone________________________________________Fax ����������������������������������������

14 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

November/December 2010 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 ������������������������������������������������������� Wayne Shewmake Layout/Design ������������������������������������������Chris Zimmerman ZimCreative Views and opinions, unless specifically stated, do not necessarily represent the positions of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

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

Executive Committee President: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle First Vice President: David Carruth, Clarendon Second Vice President:--vacant-Treasurer: Gary W. Bush, Marion Secretary: Lucien Gillham, Sherwood 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 Larry Hillyard, Dardanelle Jimmie Wood, Dardanelle Gayne Schmidt, Augusta A.J. Gilbert, Little Rock Jimmy Witt, Dardanelle Regional Directors District 1: --vacant-District 2: Patti Dell-Duchene, Augusta District 2 Alternate: Angela Rhodes, Augusta District 3: --vacant-District 4: Trey Clark, Nashville District 5: --vacant-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 President Emeritus and First Lady Emeritus: Bob and Rae Apple, Dardanelle National Wildlife Federation Delegates: Jim Wood, Dardanelle Alternate: Gayne Preller Schmidt, Augusta ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT Ralph Oldegard, Mt. Home Charles McLemore Jr., Bryant

Affiliate Clubs: Arkansas Trappers Association Cindy Bass, Sec/Treas Collaboration of the Arts President: Sharon Hacker Little Rock, AR ECHO Kevin and Cindy Pride Little River Bottoms Chapter, Arkansas Wildlife Federation Vickers Fuqua, President, Trumann Mike Young, Secretary & Treasurer, Trumann River Valley Wildlife Federation Jim Reynolds, Greenwood Save Our Streams: Kent Viers, Lonsdale St. Francis Lake Association Mike Roach, Trumann Wattensaw Bowhunters Association Jim Holloway, Hazen 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 and Bryan McKay, Mansfield Youth Conservation Club of Lavaca High School Sponsor: Jimmy Reynoods, Lavaca Arkansas Wildlife Federation Staff --vacant-AWF Office Manager Arkansas Wildlife Federation Address: 9108 Rodney Parham Road Suite 101 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 Office: 501-224-9200 Cell: 501-414-2845

cyan

magenta

yellow

black

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010 - 15

Yell County Wildlife Federation 10th Annual Crow-Nanza Date: Saturday Feb. 19, 2011 • Time: 5:00 am til 3:00 pm Location: YCWF Building Hwy. 22, West of Dardanelle, Ar. Contact: Frank Wesley 479-229-2363

Day time only!

DATE: Saturday, February 19, 2011 (rain or shine) TIME: 5:00 A.M. Breakfast and rules orientation (Fellowship)

6:00 A.M. Shotgun Start

*All participating teams members must be present * TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS: YCWF BUILDING Hwy. 22 West For info & entry forms: Lefty’s Gun & Pawn, 408 Union St., Dardanelle, AR (479) 229-2363 Registration: Fee is $30.00 per 2-man team, an additional team member 15 years of age and under is optional at no cost. (Breakfast buffet included). *All mailed in registration & payments must be received by Friday, February 18th. Teams may register before take off the morning of the hunt at the YCWF Building.

1. Format: This is a total count tournament. The team with the highest number of crows taken the day of the tournament is the winner.

Money Raised used for Fishing Derbies and Hunter Ed Classes, at YCWF from each participant. Any infraction of these fundamental laws and sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification.

5. Hunting Area: All land permissible for your team to hunt.

6. Count-In: Will be at Yell County Wildlife Building at 3:00 p.m. At least one team member must be in line no later than 3:00 p.m.

*Late teams will be disqualified* 7. Protests: Protests must be submitted to the tournament committee with a $20 deposit no later than 10 minutes after the announcement of the tournament results. The deposit will be refunded only after validation of the protest.

8. Rule Changes & Interpretations: The tournament committee reserves the right to alter or add to these rules. Interpretation of these rules by the tournament committee shall be final in all matters.

2. Payback: Total payback is 60% of all received entry fees (i.e. 1st place 40%, 2nd place 15%, 3rd place 5%).

ANY ADDED MONEY COURTESY OF YCWF.

9. Polygraph: All contestants agree to take a polygraph test by entering this tournament. If you cannot take a polygraph test for any reason do not enter this tournament.

*If a contestant takes a polygraph test and fails the team will be disqualified.*

3. Profit: All net profit from this tournament will be used for local wildlife conservation projects and youth activities. (YCWF)

10. Harvest Disposal: The crows remain the property of the team.

**Proper Disposal of harvested birds will be required. **

4. Sportsmanship: All State, Federal, and Local laws will be observed and enforced. Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation are expected

YCWF is a non-profit 501 c (3) conservation organization. 479-229-4692

CROW-NANZA ENTRY FORM TEAM MEMBER #1_____________________________________ D.O.B ����������������

ENTRY FEE: $30.00 (Date Paid): �����������������������������������������������

ADDRESS: ����������������������������������������������������������������

Received by: ���������������������������������������������������������������

CITY:______________________________STATE_____________ ZIP ������������������

PLEASE READ AND AGREE TO TERMS BELOW *By entering, we hereby waive and release Tournament Officials, the Host, Sponsors, Agents, State, County or City Government and all other contestants from any and all claims of injury and/or bodily damage incurred in connection with this tournament. *All participants agree to submit to a polygraph test. *All participants agree to abide by state and federal laws, and regulations.

HOME PHONE:______________________CELL PHONE: ���������������������������� Email: ���������������������������������������������������������������������

TEAM MEMBER #2_____________________________________ D.O.B ����������������

BY SIGNING, I AGREE TO THE TERMS ABOVE:

ADDRESS: ����������������������������������������������������������������

Signature Team Member #1: ���������������������������������������������������

CITY:______________________________STATE_____________ ZIP ������������������

Date Signed: ���������������������������������������������������������������

HOME PHONE:______________________CELL PHONE: ����������������������������

Signature Team Member #2: ���������������������������������������������������

Email: ���������������������������������������������������������������������

Date Signed: ��������������������������������������������������������������� Youth member #3: �����������������������������������������������������������

YOUTH MEMBER (Optional)_ ____________________________ D.O.B ����������������

Date Signed: ���������������������������������������������������������������

ADDRESS: ����������������������������������������������������������������

Youth Team Member Supervisor: �����������������������������������������������

CITY:______________________________STATE_____________ ZIP ������������������

Date Signed: ���������������������������������������������������������������

CUT OUT OR COPY THIS FORM, COMPLETE, AND MAIL (INCLUDING ENTRY FEE) TO YCWF, P O BOX 508, DARDANELLE, AR. 72834

16 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2010

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