Arkansas Out-of-Doors November/December 2012

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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

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

VOL 40

NO 6

Autumn Atop Petit Jean Photo by Sarah Chronister

2 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

It is the end of another year. Gee, how fast time goes by as I get older. It is also time to reflect on this past year for AWF and our partners and say thanks. I can’t say enough about the support AWF has gotten over this past year from so many of our partners and supporters. AGFC has been very supportive and helpful; we want to say thank you for all of your help and support.

U S Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation have been our supporters for the Bearcat Hollow Project. Dwayne Rambo and Jim Dixon from USFS, and Adam Liljeblad of NFF were extremely helpful and beneficial to our work. Volunteer workers on Bearcat Hollow Project include our affiliate youth clubs: Arkansas Tech University Fisheries & Wildlife Society, and University of the Ozarks “Outbackers” Club. We could not have done it without your help. Also, Sam Sneed and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Yell County Wildlife Federation; Dr. Kellner and Dr. Nupp with ATU; Dennis

Daniels and Elliott Glass with the National Wild Turkey Foundation; along with many other volunteers for their support on Bearcat Hollow Project. This project has, and will have, a very big impact on wildlife today and in the future.

Thanks to all of AWF’s affiliates for all of the work you do in your communities and your support to AWF. Your leadership and your efforts reflect your commitment to the environment and wildlife for future generations. AWF is very proud of your work and support.

Thanks to Creative Ideas and our partnership to put on the “Wildlife of Arkansas” Student Art Competition. We appreciate the work of Creative Ideas, their volunteers and judges, as well as all of the schools and students across Arkansas that participates. Of course a big thank you also goes out to the team at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center for allowing us to hold the awards ceremony at their facility and to let

the students’ art be put on display and seen by thousands of visitors.

We have also enjoyed working with the Traildogs. Our work on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail has been fun as well as educational. The trail is beautiful to behold and we look forward to helping finish the project.

Thanks to U S Army Corp of Engineers for allowing AWF and our new affiliates to keep four of our parks along the Arkansas River open to the public. These affiliates and their volunteers work very hard to maintain these parks and keep them open for public use and enjoyment.

Thanks to Arkansas Forest Commission for your support and donation of trees that we give away each year. In 2012 we gave away over 13,000 hardwoods and 3,000 pine seedlings to the public for free. We planted trees on school grounds at three schools while hundreds of young students watched and learned about the importance of trees and what they are used for and how they help our environment. We also had a training station for all of the 5th graders in Garland County to teach them about the importance of native trees for forage and habitation. Over 500 students got to take trees home.

A special thanks to all of our sponsors for our annual Conservation Achievement Awards Program. This awards program has been, and continues to be, a big part of AWF.

In 2012 we gave away over 13,000 hardwoods and 3,000 pine seedlings to the public for free.

The ceremony helps reflect the special people, organizations, businesses, and programs in Arkansas that care about nature and our environment. Thanks to Heartland Bank, The Center of Bryant, and the city of Bryant for your support and use of your facility for the awards banquet. Thank you to all of the other sponsors for your support. We couldn’t have done it without you.

I would also like to thank all of the AWF Board members and affiliates for your help and support to this organization, programs, events, and to making AWF a success in Arkansas. A big thanks goes to Geralyn Hoey and National Wildlife Federation for allowing AWF to be a part of your programs and for your support.

Wayne Shewmake President AWF

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

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

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 3

Charities & Trusts Assisting AWF

by Ethan Nahté

As members of Arkansas Wildlife Federation travel to expos, conventions and meetings many of them are asked where AWF gets funding, and generally confuse AWF with other organizations and mistakenly believe AWF is government funded. AWF is a non-profit 501 (c ) (3) conservation organization and receives no money from the government with the exception of grants that AWF applies for through organizations such as AGFC. AWF survives off of writing grants, doing fundraisers, the selling of branded products, membership and donations. Some of these donations come from charitable trusts of people still alive who would like to give back to nature because they believe in what AWF does to help the Natural State. Sometimes those donations are memorials or from trust funds due to a member or a person who wanted to donate to wildlife once they passed away. They donated so future generations might enjoy the wildlife and beauty of Arkansas. (See Gail Murdoch’s article, this page for more details).

Recently, AWF seemingly hit the jackpot with some big donations that came at what AWF hopes is “just the right time” as AWF prepares to move their office to a new location just outside of Little Rock. Thanks to Charles W. Logan, M.D. and his wife Joyce W. Logan, AWF now has nearly 32 acres to put a building on and to hopefully build something educational that the public can enjoy. (see accompanying article on Logans, page 10).

The donation of the land happened around the same time that AWF received a check from Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF) in honor of the Collin A. Pyron Memorial Endowment.

Although Mr. Pyron passed away in the Clarksville area near the turn of the 21st century, members of his family, Mr. Gregory G. Pitts and Ms. Stephanie Qualls, felt that AWF was deserving of a charitable monetary gift.

Another donation from the William Kent Mosely Charitable Remainder Trust named AWF as one of nearly a dozen recipients to share in the trust. He personally came to the AWF office and delivered the check, thanking AWF. Mr. Mosely said, “As a hunter and fisherman I have enjoyed the outdoors of my native state. I’ve always enjoyed duck and deer hunting and I figure it was time to give something back to them. I am glad to give back to the wildlife something for all the wonders they have given me.”

Another monetary donation came through on the same day from Mary O’Boyle, II. Her godfa-

ther, Ron Fletcher, passed away and entrusted her to place his money in organizations she felt Mr. Fletcher would support and believe in. She called the AWF office and notified AWF a check on his behalf would be on its way.

As you are probably aware, land is not cheap.

The donation by the Logans is very much appreciated. The monetary donations from the aforementioned donors, as well as all of the renewing members and donors, is a great asset to AWF’s cause. Combined, it should help go a long way in getting the new facility off the ground to help make AWF stronger and better, hopefully giving the organization a way to educate and give back to the community in a way they have been unable to do in the past. True, the organization travels to events, schools, colleges, rotary clubs, and other functions to discuss conservation, but a location that could hopefully become a visitor center and open to the public is on a very different level of outreach.

AWF is appreciative of any membership or donation. For a minimum of $25 per year anyone can become a member and receive Arkansas Outof-Doors in the mail or the “green version” by email and on issuu.com. Members also receive occasional news about what’s going on with AWF via email. AWF doesn’t believe in spamming and filling members email every week with material.

They feel that most of the relevant information can be found on their website or Facebook page.

Members are always welcome to help out and volunteer on our hands-on projects, or if they have a concern or some event in their area they can always feel free to reach out to AWF and see if the organization can participate or assist.

AWF believes strongly that educating people of all ages about conservation is necessary to make it work. The organization also believes that communicating with members, working closely with other groups and organizations, and actually getting outdoors instead of sitting behind a desk in an office all the time are just some of the ways to really help the conservation effort.

AWF realizes that it is a sad time when someone close and dear passes away, yet the organization appreciates that someone thinks highly enough of what AWF has been doing for more than 76 years.

AWF will strive to make sure that the interests of outdoor lovers are properly represented. Although it is impossible to make everyone happy, AWF does their utmost for what they hope is in the best interest of wildlife and nature throughout Arkansas. Every membership, donation, and volunteer helps AWF to make their mission possible.

Giving to the right organization doesn’t just help them, it can help you too

By Gail Murdoch Certified Financial Planner™ Cardinal Investment Group If you donate to the right type of organization it is a wonderful blessing to them but it can also be a nice blessing for you as well. In addition to feeling good about supporting a great cause, you can get a nice tax deduction as well. That’s what I call a win-win situation.

I advise my clients to choose charities that are important to them. If you are reading this it is likely that you support the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and will benefit from their conservation and wildlife advocacy efforts. A donation not only helps you at tax time, it will help make your voice heard and keep your interests protected. The total benefits that Arkansans have already received from the conservation and advocacy efforts of the AWF are hard to measure. One of their most notable contributions is their role in helping to create the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Most of the financial plans that I create for my clients include charitable giving and here at the end of the year, it can be a very effective tool for reducing your tax burden. If you itemize deductions on your tax return, then a qualified charitable deduction can reduce your tax bill. Please remember that if a tax deduction is important to you, you need to verify the non-profit status of your favorite charity before contributing. Make sure that it is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization or you will not be allowed a deduction. Qualified non-profits usually post that information on their websites. AWF has it posted at http://www.arkansaswildlifefederation.org/take-action/joindonate. This is the page to make an online contribution as well.

Timing is important here. Contributions are deductible in the year they are made so be sure and send in those gifts by Dec. 31 if you want them to apply to your 2012 tax return. If you make a donation using your credit card, it is deducted in the year the charge is made, not when the credit card bill is paid.

Similarly, checks that are written and postmarked by the end of the year will be deductible for this year even if they aren’t cashed until 2013.

Gail Murdoch is the owner of Cardinal Investment Group, an investment and financial planning company in Conway (Securities offered through St. Bernard Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC). She is a regular contributor to The Atkins Chronicle and The Dover Times newspapers and has won awards for her news writing. Murdoch is a Certified Financial Planner™ and devotes a lot of her time to educating the public on financial matters. For more information, visit www.cardinalinvestmentgroup.com.

4 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Shaddox Hollow

by Bob Morgan, PhD

The Friday morning after Thanksgiving was clear, cold and calm. While the weatherman had promised 10 to 15 mile-per-hour winds out of the northwest, the dogs and I noticed none of the expected gusts during our regular walk. The canoe was already loaded on the truck; so I decided to take a chance and hit the lake. I made a sandwich from yesterday’s leftovers, grabbed some warm clothes, my camera and field book, and headed out. I did notice the leaves on our maple tree quivering a bit as I left but nothing to be concerned about. My destination was the two islands on Beaver Lake east of Rogers and north of the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge over Beaver, or “The Bridge” as we called it when I was in high school.

As far as I know, these islands don’t have a name, at least not on any maps I’ve ever seen. Anyway, they were the site of some of my earliest explorations of the lake. Back in the early 1960s, Beaver was just filling for the first time. I had started expressing interest in fishing. Dad and I began driving out to what was to become the islands on weekend afternoons. At that time, when the lake was still low, you could drive there.

Dad’s version of fishing was to find a rock by the water in the sun and sit there dunking minnows until the fish came by. The bluff along the south side of the southern island made lots of opportunities for sunny rocks. Once in a while, we’d catch enough for supper. That’s when I would come home just beaming because I was putting dinner on the table! What an accomplishment for a 10-year-old!

Dad really wasn’t a serious fisherman.

He was more interested in spending time with his kids. A few years later, when I could drive myself, he didn’t seem all that disappointed when I went fishing with the guys instead of him. He and I did spend lots of good Saturday afternoons sitting on those rocks though.

It takes about 30 minutes to drive from home in Springdale to “The Bridge.” When I reached Rogers, the flags were standing out straight. By the time I reached “The Bridge,” the promised 15 mph wind was howling. I stopped at the boat ramp and got out. Perhaps if I had come with another strong paddler or if I was in a less wind resistant craft, such as a kayak, I would have launched. But to me, being solo with a 17-foot canoe it didn’t look too promising.

Canoeing would have to be put off for another day. Since I already had a sandwich, I decided to drive on over to Hobbs State Park and do a little hiking. Hobbs touches the lake in several locations. The Shaddox Hollow trail goes down to the lake off of State Highway 303. That is where I headed.

The trail travels downhill to the west from the trailhead. It was a mixed hardwood forest with some scattered pines. One particular tree was covered in red berries.

It turned out to be a dogwood giving a second show of the year. There were several more like it as I descended. Eventually, the trail dropped down through the limestone ledge and came out to a small stream. From there it followed the stream down into the Shaddox Hollow arm of Beaver. From car to lake was roughly a half mile.

Shaddox Hollow is one of the areas of Beaver where the Corps of Engineers chose to not remove the trees when they were building the lake. The cove looked like a

The parallel lines in the water in this photograph are known as Langmuir streaks. flooded ghost forest. There were dozens, if not hundreds, of dead tree trunks sticking up 10 to 15 feet from the water. The shore was steep and gravely. Down the eastern shore a couple hundred yards, a large rock protruded into the water. I proceeded along the trail and eventually came out to the rock. Somebody had made a really neat campsite on top of the rock and had even left some firewood stacked by a fire ring.

The rock was 10 to 12 feet high and stuck out 15 or 20 feet from the shore.

The spacing of the Langmuir streaks is dependent upon the depth of the water.

Deeper water creates wider spacing. During the summer, the depth of the thermocline determines the spacing instead of the

total depth of the lake. If you dive down into a lake on a hot summer day, you will notice the thermocline. It is the point where the water suddenly becomes colder. The foam itself is a mixture of water and air.

Organic compounds from decaying algae, tree trunks, and other matter reduce the surface tension of the water and permit bubbles to form. This foam is not necessarily an indication of water pollution. All lakes contain some form of organic matter.

On the south side of the rock I found a ledge just far enough down to be sheltered from the wind and in the sun. I stepped down and proceeded to eat my sandwich.

That’s when I wished that I had a bucket of minnows and a fishing rod.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 5

Arkansas Wildlife Federation accomplishments in 2012

By Ethan Nahté

As a volunteer, member or someone who is just generally interested in conservation and Arkansas Wildlife Federation, one may wonder what AWF has done or is currently in the process of doing. Here is a quick rundown of what AWF has worked on in 2012 to add to our long list of important conservation issues that date back to our inception in 1936.

• Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award Banquet for 500 attendees • Bearcat Hollow Cooperative Project; Field & Stream magazine & Toyota recognized AWF as 1 of 10 recipients in the United States for “Conservation Hero for a Day” • Assisted the Traildogs on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), a 45-mile hiking/ biking trail • AGFC appointment recommendation to Governor Beebe of Ford Overton as Commissioner for Arkansas Game & Fish Commission • Bi-monthly Publishing of Arkansas Out-of-Doors • Co-sponsor with Creative Ideas- annual student “Art for Wildlife” competition & showcase gallery presented @ Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, over 300 entries • Education/Awareness presentations @ several schools/universities, meetings & events • Prevented closing of 4 recreational US Corps of Engineers parks, maintaining with AWF affiliates • Accepted donation of 32 acres of land by Charles W. Logan, M.D. & his wife Joyce W. Logan for the future home of AWF & proposed nature habitat • Supporting AGFC & the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program Donation/Sponsorship • Lead sponsor for AGFC Acres for Wildlife Program • Partnered with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, to donate 13,000+ trees, including Arbor Day programs at schools • World High School Bass Tournament supporter • Member of ADEQ’s Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group (AWAG) • Part of the Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology Commission triennial review Planning for a brighter tomorrow for future generations

6 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Knoedl named new AGFC director

Students Discovering Bearcat Hollow

by Lauren Ray, University of the Ozarks

“What am I getting myself into?” asked Misty Autrey, a quiet, “indoorsy” Ozarks freshman who was less-than-thrilled to spend a weekend in the woods with her classmates. Before participating in the Bearcat Hollow Restoration Project, Autrey had never endured a night without a bed, running water, and climate control. In fact, several of Autrey’s classmates had never been camping before, either, and were a bit apprehensive when Dr. Van Scoy announced that they were taking an overnight class trip.

Well, they say that college is a time to experiment, right?

11 students and 3 faculty members from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, made the journey to Bearcat Hollow on September 27th to participate in the work weekend that so conveniently coincided with National Public Lands Day. The majority of the Ozarks students who participated were freshmen in Dr. Kim Van Scoy’s Critical Inquiry class, a required course for new students that focuses on the skills necessary to be a successful, self-sufficient college student. A couple core components of this course include community service and social events that will enrich the students’ college experience and persuade them to network with other students and professionals. What better way to fulfill those requirements than to join countless state and national conservation organizations, students from

other universities, and local volunteers to restore wildlife habitat in the Ozarks?

After braving a brief rain shower, a night hike, and some cheesy jokes around the campfire, sleepy campers retreated to their tents and hammocks to rest up for the following day of work.

The next morning, volunteers were assigned to work groups and then hit the road to get started. The most common task delegated to Ozarks students was planting native grasses around recently constructed ponds.

While they were seeding, a few Ozarks volunteers saw an elk herd grazing in the distance—a sight that truly made them recognize the value of their work.

Meanwhile, a great reward awaited the volunteers back at the campsite. As is true with most college students, compensation in the form of non-cafeteria food is appreciated almost as much as a wad of cash.

In this instance, however, the food was so exceptional that it was appreciated even more than a wad of cash. The menu boasted “hobo” meals with the choice of elk meat, deer meat, or chicken, prepared on the campfire and rendered delicious by all who partook in the magic. During lunch, a classmate asked Misty Autrey how she felt about the Bearcat Hollow experience. Would she ever go camping again? Did she want to stay involved with this project in future semesters? Autrey gave a shy grin and softly stated, “I think I could do this again.”

Another point for the home team. Ozarks will be back.

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission last week named almost 27-year veteran Mike Knoedl to serve as the agency’s director. Knoedl, who began his career with the AGFC in 1985, has served as the agency’s deputy director since 2011. Knoedl was selected with the support of all seven voting commissioners. He replaces Loren Hitchcock, who has announced his retirement.

“Mike is a great leader,” Commissioner Steve Cook said. “His experience leading our largest divisions will be invaluable as director.

Mike will look for input and guidance from the great AGFC employees who have dedicated their lives to this agency. I expect great things from him. He’s the right person to lead us into the future.”

Knoedl began his AGFC career in 1985 as a Perry County wildlife officer. In 2008, he became chief of the Enforcement Division, a position he held until 2011.

“It’s a great honor to lead the intelligent, enthusiastic, professional staff at our agency,” Knoedl said. “We are going to roll up our sleeves and go to work together as a team.”

Knoedl was chosen from three finalists for the AGFC director’s position. The Commission met with the three finalists for the director’s post late last month.

Knoedl was born and raised in Pulaski County. He is married to the former Lisa Garlington and has four grown children.

Hunting out of permanent blinds not allowed on WMAs

LITTLE ROCK – In August, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission amended its regulations that had once allowed leaving decoys overnight and hunting or attempting to hunt from permanent blinds on Big Lake, St. Francis Sunken Lands, and Dave Donaldson Black River WMAs. These amended regulations are in effect for the 2012-13 waterfowl season which began Nov. 17.

Individuals may not hunt from or attempt to hunt from permanent blinds or leave decoys overnight on WMAs, including Big Lake, St. Francis Sunken Lands, and Dave Donaldson Black River WMAs. Any person found in a permanent blind on a WMA in possession of hunting gear or equipment during waterfowl season will be considered by the Commission to be hunting or attempting to hunt in violation of AGFC Codes 20.06 and 24.06. Any person leaving decoys out overnight during waterfowl season will be in violation of AGFC 24.05.

The public is encouraged to use WMAs for their recreational pursuits in compliance with federal and state law and AGFC regulations.

As public stewards of the land, AGFC will continue to maintain these areas for public benefit in accordance with Amendment 35.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 7

Gordon Bagby AGFC Education Specialist Central Arkansas Nature Center

Deer Seasons

As fall is winding down, so is the opportunity for hunting deer with firearms.

Several zones do have short muzzleloader and/or modern gun seasons in December, so be sure and check the hunting regulation guidebook if you need information.

Harvest information for the number and gender of deer checked in each county is available at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website at www.agfc.com.

Agency wildlife biologists have expected a potential record harvest number this year and recommended a statewide bag limit increase to six deer. Of these, only two can be bucks and there are specific zone limits so always check the hunting regulation guidebook before hunting. As a reminder, deer must be immediately tagged after the kill and must be checked by telephone or the AGFC website. Consult the regulation guidebook for complete instructions if you are not familiar with them.

Waterfowl Seasons AGFC implemented a 60-day waterfowl season in three splits for 2012-13 following US Fish and Wildlife guidelines. The first and shortest split has already occurred and the second split is underway. The final split opens the day after Christmas and closes on January 27.

Due to Arkansas’ location in the Mississippi Flyway, the state usually leads the US in the number of mallards taken each

year. Wildlife biologists expect that trend to continue, so if you are a duck hunter that is great news. Always remember to follow safe hunting practices and the waterfowl hunting regulations. Good luck!

Trout Stocking in Community Ponds Once again the AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program is coordinating the winter trout stocking in several public fishing ponds in Arkansas. Tagged trout are included in each pond stocked with trout. Anglers who catch a tagged trout can call the phone number on the tag to receive a prize, and will be entered in a drawing for additional prizes to be announced on December 20. Tagged trout caught after that day will still be eligible for the initial angler prize. For more information, consult the AGFC website at www.agfc.com.

Christmas Shopping for Outdoor Enthusiasts If you have someone on your yuletide shopping list that enjoys the outdoors, please visit an AGFC nature or education center gift shop to see the available items.

You may find several that would meet your needs. A subscription to the AGFC magazine, Arkansas Wildlife, is another great gift idea. Information on the magazine, nature and education centers is available on the agency website. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS AWF Quarterly Meeting

Saturday, January 12, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center 3805 W. 12th Street, Room #207 Little Rock Open to the Public

The first quarterly meeting of 2013. Agenda will include report from Strategic Planning Committee, the 2013 Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest, the Bingham Road property, upcoming Bearcat Hollow activities for late winter and more.

There will be a working lunch provided. Please R.S.V.P. so we can get an accurate headcount for feeding people. If you have an item you would like placed on the agenda, contact the AWF Office no later than January 4. Contact: AWF Office: 501224-9200 or arkwf@sbcglobal.net

“Wildlife of Arkansas” 2013 Student Art Contest

Deadline: March 16, 2013 Open to any Arkansas student grades K-12.

See article in this issue of AOOD for more details.

Teachers (Public, Private, & Home School): For registration forms and/or details contact Sharon Hacker (501) 837-0462 or SKHacker@sbcglobal.net

Arkansas Post 150th Anniversary Battle Saturday – Sunday, January 19-20, 2013 Arkansas Post National Memorial & the Arkansas Post State Museum Arkansas Post, AR

This event will be held at the Arkansas Post National Museum, the Arkansas Post State Museum and the battle will be held on a 125- acre private field in-between.

The Confederate headquarters will be located on hallowed ground twenty yards from the original historic fighting trench.

Authentic battles, period camps, quality Sutlers period ball, ladies’ tea, memorial ceremony, Arkansas authors, food, interpretive programs (including presentations/ demonstrations on making items from the 19th century and history on what the area was like 150 years ago.)

For more information visit the Event calendar at the Arkansas State Parks website: www.arkansasstateparks.com To register as a reenactor (deadline 12/30/12), booths, or to volunteer contact Dyan Bohnart @ (870) 382-2017

Eagle Watch

Various Dates & Times Various Arkansas State Parks Take a ride with an Arkansas State Park guide and see eagle’s nests and many other birds throughout February. Visit the Arkansas State Parks website and select a park. Most parks have a range of dates throughout the week at different times for the tours. www.arkansasstateparks.com

8 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Trail Tales

By Johnny Sain, Jr.

“Facing the Nightmare” I grew up a privileged child. Many of you that have read my various ramblings know that I point to my rural upbringing as the reason my feelings for nature are so strong.

A lot of my youthful adventures took place on a few acres of woods and pasture located south of Atkins on a road and community known as Bells Chapel.

This was where my maternal grandparents, otherwise known as Granny and Poppy, lived. It was an old house, cozy and simple. My favorite part of the house was the front porch. Late spring afternoons found me watching the southwest corner for five-lined skinks that ate the ants and other insects found in the shade of cedar branches overhanging the porch.

The front porch was where I heard my first bobwhite quail. I soon mastered the “bob-

bob-white” whistle and this lead me off the porch. Settling in next to fence a post, I called Mr. White to me for a closer look.

The sound of hickory nut hulls falling on the forest floor pulled me off the porch in late summer and early fall. Fat fox squirrels led me deeper into -- what I thought of at the time -- as wilderness.

It was like a little piece of heaven. Especially for a boy that most folks thought had a fishing pole and a Daisy Red Ryder surgically attached.

These highlights of this semi-feral youth were all brought together in a dream I had the other night.

In the dream I was walking down that long dirt road that lead to the back pasture and woods I knew as a boy. But, things had changed.

The stock pond was gone, filled in with gravel to make a parking lot. Most of the woods were cleared and new buildings stood where post oaks and hickories had once covered the hillside. Walking back toward my grandparent’s house, a small patch of trees had survived the onslaught of development. In the branches of one hid a small lizard, a fox squirrel, and a bobwhite quail. In the real life clarity of the dream, I glanced toward my grandparent’s farmhouse searching for someone to share this moment with. But, as I looked back to the the trees, they were gone.

Fields of corn and new buildings stood in their place. I watched as the trees along the familiar ridge disappeared before my eyes and more rows of corn and buildings took their place. The lizard, the squirrel, and the bobwhite were nowhere to be seen. Needless to say, I woke up with a deep sense of loss.

Luckily, this was just a dream. The land I loved as a boy is still there in all its rural glory, but loss of habitat is happening everywhere. It’s the number one problem facing conservation and it comes in three forms:

Habitat destruction: These are activities directly responsible for habitat loss such as clear-cutting, filling in wetlands, and dredging rivers.

Flooding begins at Harris Brake WMA PERRYVILLE – With a new water-control gate in place, flooding began the first week of December on the 800-acre greentree reservoir north of Harris Brake Lake at Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area in Perry County.

An old water gate recently was removed,

and new equipment was thoroughly checked for leaks before installation was complete and flooding could begin. Repairs were made just in time for the next segments of duck hunting season, Dec. 6-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 27.

Harris Brake WMA is open for waterfowl

hunting Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday during the season. Hunting is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise until noon, except during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Feb. 2-3), when waterfowl hunting is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

During duck season, hunters not pursuing

Habitat fragmentation: Roads and other structures that isolate habitat into small parcels can cause Fragmentation.

Dams and some bridges can fragment waterways. Fragmentation makes it difficult for species to move in search of resources or for breeding purposes. It can effectively shut down the flow of new genetics into a population.

Habitat degradation: Habitat degradation occurs due to pollution, invasive plant and animal species, or an unnatural change. Some ecosystems require periodic wildfires in order to operate. Withholding these fires can be detrimental to species that have become adapted to a system that needs wildfires.

In the face of a burgeoning human population, there are no easy answers to this problem. But, awareness is the first step. Thankfully, awareness of the problems faced by wildlife is growing. My hope is that this will stem the tide of habitat destruction.

The morning after the nightmare was troubling. It took a while to convince myself that it was just a dream. I’m hoping that any nightmares like this in the future will remain only nightmares. A reality without wild places and wild things is a frightening thought that should never become a reality.

ducks may hunt only during the same hours and days as duck hunters, except for those trapping and hunting furbearers at night.

Harris Brake Lake is closed to hunting, except during early Canada goose season.

Harris Brake WMA, established in the early 1950s, covers 2,700 acres.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 9

Your Arkansas Out-of-Doors Contributors

By Al Wolff Over the past year, or so, Arkansas Outof-Doors has received some great compliments on how the paper has improved. We hope that you think so. We would like to take up a little space to let you know about some of the contributors that help make AOOD happen every couple of months and some of their awards and recognitions they have received that relate to their work with AWF and AOOD. JOHNNY SAIN, JR. Before columnist Johnny Sain, Jr. sent us the notice of his recent award (see accompanying article), AWF had considered recognizing their team. Johnny, who has been writing for AOOD going on two years, was awarded the Realtree Outdoor Website Horizons Award for 2012. The award is presented for outstanding outdoor themed website development and content writing. We will let the accompanying article tell you about his other writings. In addition to attending ATU as a journalism major, he is a freelance writer for many publications and stays very active with his family and children’s school activities.

ETHAN NAHTE´ Ethan Nahté, AWF’s executive director, has been a professional journalist for more than 20 years. He has also worked in TV/Film/Radio and is a professional author. Although he hasn’t attempted to enter his work in many competitions his writing has made him the recipient of The National Quill & Scroll Award, recipient of an honorable mention for his poetry with the National Space Society of North Texas, first place award winner in the John L. Balderston competition put

on by Universal Studios; winner of a few minor awards for other short stories and/ or poetry.

WAYNE SHEWMAKE Wayne Shewmake, president of AWF, donates many volunteer hours not only to AWF but to many other civic organizations and causes, ranging from the Arbor Day Foundation to teaching first aid and CPR for the Red Cross or Hunters Education for AGFC. These are only a small number of volunteer projects Shewmake donates his time to. He is also the recipient of AGFC’s Hunting Educator of the Year.

GORDON BAGBY Gordon Bagby, Education Specialist with AGFC, claims he has not been awarded anything for his writing. Regardless, AOOD and a lot of its readers find Bagby’s columns relating to hunting, fishing, conservation and events at the Witt Stephen’s, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center very beneficial. He also works at the Nature Center and is always helpful and informative.

LAUREN RAY Lauren Ray is an adventurous young student at University of the Ozarks. She is a senior Environmental Studies major at the University of the Ozarks. She’s also Activities Coordinator for Ozarks Outdoors (the university’s outdoor program), President of the Ozarks Outbackers (a student organization geared toward outdoor recreation, education, and leadership), and President of the Planet Club (a student organization focused on environmental sustainability and conservation). She was deemed the university’s “Most Exceptional Outdoor Leader” for the 2011-2012 academic year.

DR. ROBERT MORGAN Dr. Robert Morgan is currently the Manager of Environmental Quality at Beaver Water District in Lowell, Arkansas and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Biological Engineering at the University of Arkansas. At the U of A he teaches courses in hydrology and ecological engineering design. His field of expertise, or at least the field that he has his Ph.D. in is Ecological Engineering. Ecological Engineering is by nature a collaborative process. Two awards that he is proud of: 2004: Dr. Morgan was part of a team that received the Citation Award from the Arkansas Chapter of The American Institute of Architects that was presented to the University of Arkansas Community Design Center for “Riparian Meadows, Mounds & Room, an Urban Greenway, Warren Arkansas”.

2011: Dr. Morgan was on the team that received the Green Infrastructure Implementation Award given by the Conservation Fund for Stakeholder Engagement related to their work on “Green Infrastructure, Linking Arkansas Communities” which was a green infrastructure plan for Fayetteville and its surrounding communities.

GAIL MURDOCH Gail Murdoch worked for The Atkins Chronicle and The Dover Times. Her article in this issue is her first for AOOD, but hopefully not her last. She has been the recipient of several awards over the years. Below is a list of her first place awards: • Best in-depth/series reporting, smaller weeklies, 2003 • Headline writing, medium weeklies, 1998 • Best news story, smaller weeklies, 2004 • Best special section, smaller weeklies, 2008 • Best special issue, smaller weeklies, 2008

• Best single feature photo, medium weeklies, 2008 • Best single feature photo, smaller weeklies, 2004 • Best Picture page/photo essay, medium weeklies, 2007 • Best Picture page/photo essay, smaller weeklies, 2002 • Best single event issue, smaller weeklies, 2002, 2005, 2006 • Best special section cover, smaller weeklies, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006 • Feature story, smaller weeklies, second place, 2002

CHRIS ZIMMERMAN Chris Zimmerman does the layout and design of AOOD. Chris has been a graphic designer since 1996, all spent in Russellville. In August, 2007, Chris went into business for himself and formed ZimCreative, working as owner and graphic designer. He does all types of graphic design work - logo design, ad design, website design, and publication layout.

Other writers and photographers have contributed to AOOD over the years, including some of AWF’s board members, volunteers and subscribers, as well as several individuals and organizations that we cooperate with such as photographer Tim Carr, NWF, USFS, ADEQ, Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, The Jonesboro Sun, and many others who send press releases or allow us to share articles.

We also receive a lot of material from Keith Stephens and his team at AGFC with the Arkansas Outdoors Weekly Newsletter. Also a thank you goes out to AGFC photographer Mike Wintroath. Last, but not least, we thank you for reading Arkansas Out-of-Doors.

10 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Logans donate property

by Ethan Nahté

On October 11, 2012 Dr. Charles W. Logan, M.D. and his wife Joyce W. Logan met with AWF president Wayne Shewmake to sign over the title to their property on Bingham Road. It was a greatly appreciated contribution from the Logans and a great benefit to AWF. Dr. Logan said, “We bought the first part of the acreage in the early ‘80s, around 1981or

1982, and the second part around 2005 for a total of nearly 32 acres. At that time there was talk about building a steel mill in the area and they were still doing a lot of activity at the industrial park. It never happened.

I think most of the jobs went overseas.”

AWF has voted to place a new building for the AWF office on the property which will hopefully happen in February of 2013.

In the meantime, AWF has been cleaning up tires; 82 and counting, and trash dumped

AWF attends conventions

by Al Wolff

AWF has been really busy this past summer and fall attending conventions. In July, Ethan Nahté and Lola Perritt attended the Alternative Learning education convention in Hot Springs. Over 600 teachers were in attendance and more than 100 filled a room to capacity for the lecture given by AWF discussing how students can get involved in conservation efforts, how AWF could help, and how that works for the upcoming changes in curriculum.

A few weeks later Nahté attended the annual Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Conference, also in Hot Springs. This annual conference was a series of classes attended by members of AGFC, USFS, USFW, game and fish officers from other states, colleges and universities from Arkansas and other states, and

vendors with products and services related to the event. AWF was sharing a booth with their parent organization NWF and helping to discuss Biofuels.

Nahté and Perrit also attended the Arkansas Curriculum Conference at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock.

This was yet another conference for Arkansas teachers. AWF was supposed to only have a booth and discuss once more how schools and students could work closely with AWF and meet some of their curriculum needs. Due to an absence by one of the guest lecturers, AWF was asked to fill in and do a presentation. Fortunately they had a PowerPoint presentation with them.

While there they also met science teachers from Mayflower, Arkansas and were asked if AWF could visit their school and talk to the fifth graders about non-native species. (see accompanying article on page 11.)

on the property. Volunteers have been cutting brush and dead trees, hauling off the trash and filling a large dumpster donated

by Waste Management. There’s still a lot of work to complete the clean-up of the property but it is looking good, even getting compliments from the neighbors.

Although no other plans have officially been voted upon, several members of the AWF board would like to see the property developed into a nature center for the public to enjoy. It is just down the road from the beautiful Lorance Creek Natural Area and on the south border of Pulaski County off the Pine Bluff highway prior to the Sheridan cutoff. (Interstate 530) Dr. Logan says, “My concept was to give the property to AWF and convert the acreage to a wildlife preserve and develop an educational and visitation center for the people of Arkansas with hands-on programs for children as well as adults. We envision also a center of nature with Arkansas native flowers and shrubs including bushes such as blackberries and blue berries, similar to the Lady Bird Johnson Texas wildlife garden near Austin, Texas. An enjoyable tourist attraction could definitely ensue as has been the wildflower garden in Austin. Ultimately a small pond with a walkway across it and fish in it for kids would be a very nice addition to the plan, placed in the lower section

of the property which is 80-90% in the 100year flood plain. My idea is to have a place for the AWF headquarters and have an environmental center where people could have wildlife classes with programs for children and adults.

“I saw a similar place (Five Rivers Environmental Education Center) in upstate New York, near Albany, and it gave me some ideas of what I would like to see happen to this property.

“There is enough property for deer, coons, squirrels, and rabbits and with proper planning a variety of birds species will be attracted to the area. Lorance Creek on the south border of the property runs year around. It is a small stream in the summer but it is there.”

There is currently plenty of wildlife to be found on the property and a variety of flora.

Lorance Creek runs just below the property as it makes its way under the interstate and to the developed Lorance Creek Natural Area, a location with a very nice bridge that meanders through the cedars and flowering tulip trees.

Dr. Logan concludes, “My wife, Joyce, and I would like the AWF, with the support of the membership and environmental-wildlife community, to develop the site to display the natural beauty of Arkansas outdoors to be both educational and informational for everyone to enjoy. It would make a great wildlife center.”

The weekend following Thanksgiving, AWF shared a booth with NWF once again at the 77th Wings Over the Prairie Festival. Nahté, with the help of AWF president Wane Shewmake on the second day, spoke with attendees about AWF’s work in Arkansas. They also talked about Vanishing Paradise, the project to help connect the Mississippi River to its wetlands in an effort to save and restore the Mississippi River Delta. At the alarming rate in the delta is disappearing it will have an effect not only on humans and the economy, but also migratory birds and fish as well as the remainder of the ecosystem.

Finally, December 13th to 15th, AWF attended the Wounded Warrior Project’s duck hunt in northeast Arkansas. Bobby Hacker represented AWF at the event and talked a little bit about AWF and Vanishing Paradise to the veterans and to a film crew during the three-day event. He also took the opportunity to go hunting. Shewmake also attended

the event and spoke with some of the people in the film crew on its final day.

Overall, AWF gave away more than 70 art prints, 50 cups, 40 pins, and a hunting blind as prizes and awards at these events. All of these events are in addition to work the AWF does on the ground, meetings throughout the state, and hundreds of phone calls, emails and letters on an annual basis. With the exception of Nahté, all the work is done by volunteers and members of AWF, working to conserve wildlife in Arkansas.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 11

Realtree Recognizes Johnny Sain

Non-natives in Mayflower

by Al Wolff

At the recent Arkansas Curriculum Conference in Little Rock this past October teachers from Mayflower Middle School approached AWF and requested an appearance at the school the following week. It seems that they were studying non-native species and asked if AWF could participate. AWF obliged, bringing a few friends along to entertain the fifth grade.

Lola Perritt and Ethan Nahté arrived early in the morning for the first of three 90 minute classes and over 100 students. The friends included Rocky, the ball python; Leo, the lion-maned rabbit; a cockatiel; two corn snakes; and a trio of Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Perritt is the owner and curator of these animals, and although they are interesting animals, none of them are native to Arkansas. These are animals that Perritt obtained from her former classrooms, either when she was a science teacher, or from other teachers or pet owners who could no longer take care of the animals. She uses them for educational purposes.

In addition to discussing some fun facts about each animal and why it is important to

make sure that animals such as these aren’t let loose in the wild in their non-native habitat, Perritt and Nahté also discussed a few of the non-native plants and trees in Arkansas that are problematic. Introducing non-native species into a biosphere can be potentially hazardous to the safety of the animal as well as the fact it could upset the ecological balance and start a chain-reaction that can decimate certain flora and fauna in the biosphere.

The students in each class were allowed to pet Rocky, Leo, and hold the hissing cockroaches if they were interested. The students were also allowed to take home copies of the Arkansas Out-of-Doors newspaper. Not only were the students interested, but so were a lot of the school faculty from both the middle school and the high school. As a matter of fact, the high school requested that AWF return to Mayflower and visit as well.

As a way of saying thank you the students made homemade cards and mailed them to the AWF office, many with drawings of their favorite animal. Some of the students even mentioned that they wanted to become veterinarians or biologist and they got older.

Many of them requested that AWF return again and bring back the animals, of course.

Arkansas Out–of–Doors columnist, Johnny Sain, was awarded the Realtree Outdoor Website Horizons Award for 2012. The award is presented for outstanding outdoor themed website development and content writing.

The announcement was made at the 2012 Southeastern Outdoor Press Association banquet in September.

Johnny’s website is titled “A View From the Back Roads: Exploring our Rural and Natural Heritage.” It can be found at aviewfromthebackroads. com and also on Facebook under A View From the Back Roads.

Johnny is a columnist for the, About the River Valley Magazine, River Valley Leader, Newton County Times, and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

Johnny has published articles in the Newton County Times, Arkansas Outof-Doors, the River Valley Leader, The Atkins Chronicle, Dover Times, Arkansas Black Bear Association, About the River Valley Magazine, Lightnin’ Ridge Journal, Outdoor Guide, Ar Sportsman’s Guide, Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac, Arkansas Agriculture, and New Pioneer Magazine.

Mayflower Middle School Cards

Photos by Ethan NahtĂŠ

Autumn in hot springs

Photos by Ethan NahtĂŠ

14 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

LOViT Reaches Key Milestone

By Ethan Nahté

Jerry Shields, president of the Traildogs, AWF’s Conservation Organization of 2012 has sent AWF several reports updating us on the progress of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. The Traildogs have been quite busy this autumn, working diligently.

Shields said, “Friday (November 30) we reached a key milestone for this fall’s dig, the halfway point of the planned 4.2 miles of new trail, along the northern face of Big Bear Mountain. The portion of the seventh section is a rolling, winding trail that snakes along just below the northern summit of Big Bear Mountain as it goes around large rock outcropping, boulders and old growth hardwoods. The completed product as you look back on your finish work has a beautiful natural patina of fresh earth and fallen leaves.

The new trail looks like it belongs there and is an enhancement to a serene stretch of remote woodland overlooking sparkling waters of Lake Ouachita. The new Traildog

Vista that peaks through a wide break in the forest canopy is a must stopping point for any user and will be one where a million Kodiak Moments will be shot.”

For anyone who has not visited this beautiful hiking/biking trail, you are really missing out on a spectacular view and a wellmaintained trail. Over 35 miles of the trail is accessible and open to the public. You can do a partial or full day hike, or you can camp out in certain areas such as Crystal Springs Campground right on Lake Ouachita. AWF plans on volunteering at least one, if not more, weekends this coming January and/or February – a prime time to work the trails and a great potential to see eagles nesting and fishing.

Shields continues by saying, “At the end of the day Friday we had completed grooming 2.14 miles of newly dug tread. The machine crew is almost a mile ahead of our finish crew and are hoping the weather will hold through the coming week allowing them to complete the machine construction

by end of the week.

“We are suspending our finish work until the machine crew reaches Brady Mountain Road as it taking us almost three hours of travel time to and from our work site. Our current tentative plan is to resume finish work on the final two lies of new tread on Monday, December 10th. We will no long enter from the West end of construction utilizing the USACE barge but will instead come in from the Brady Mountain Road on the East end of the seventh section.”

The Traildogs reassessed where the dig is at around the beginning of December as they set their schedule for completing this falls dig.

Shields said, “We owe a special thanks to the USACE for generously loaning us their work barge to transport our volunteers and equipment to and from the base of Big Bear Mountain. Without this barge we would not have been able to complete this first half of this dig. We also owe the good folks at Crystal Springs Resort for furnishing us a slip at the marina to store our barge for four weeks.

“The national Recreational Grant for the final section seems to be moving along

through the approval process at the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department with approval notices to be sent out in the first quarter of 2013.”

If you would like to assist the Traildogs anytime during their work on the trail feel free to contact Jerry Shields at traildog@ windstream.net and let him know that you are interested. If you would like to be a part of the AWF volunteer event, contact our offices for details.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 15

How’s Your Habitat?

Hinge Cutting – Improve your habitat in just one weekend.

By Ted Zawislak, Private Lands Biologist, North Central Arkansas

Hinge cut openings are a relatively cost– effective way to create more wildlife habitat diversity in low quality forested areas.

Hinge cutting is simply done by cutting halfway through the tree. The tree falls and creates instant cover but does not die, so it continues to produce leaves and vertical shoots. If the tree is a desirable browse species, a new food source is created. A landowner with the use of a chainsaw can half cut and push down trees and create instant habitat in one weekend. This is effective on cedars, or small, low quality oaks. This practice provides diversity in the forest and native grasses and vegetation normally respond quickly. This can create good nesting habitat for turkeys, quail, rabbits, and other creatures. Deer

love to bed in these areas as well as eat the browse that is created from more sunlight hitting the ground and often are used for fawning as well.

Why Hinge Cut? There are multiple wildlife benefits to hinge cutting to include: increase wildlife food production, improve bedding and nesting habitat, create barriers and screens, and create better travel and transition zones which can allow more successful hunting opportunities.

Hinge cutting can also provide additional browse for deer. Look for new growth sprouting from the cut tree trunk and vegetation that begins to grow at ground level due to the additional sunlight reaching the soil surface. As you open the overhead tree canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the ground, native vegetation will increase.

How Do You Hinge Cut? So hinge cuts sound pretty great, but how do you actually implement this habitat improvement practice? The traditional hinge cutting method is pretty simple and starts by selecting the right trees to hinge cut. Generally, you want to select trees that are around 4-6” in diameter and are of little nutritional value to deer. You obviously don’t want to be cutting down your mature oak trees! Now that you have selected a tree, use a chain saw to cut half to three-quarters of the way through the trunk of the tree. You need to cut flat or level to the ground or cut 24 to 36 inches above the ground when the objective also is to move deer in a specific direction. Cut through the tree just enough to lay it down. Now reach as high as you can on the tree and try to slowly pull the tree over until the tree comes down, while still keeping the trunk and the remaining attached wood intact. Be careful while pulling the tree over, because some trees can “blow out” rather than nicely folding down. Try this on some small trees first and then lay the bigger trees on top of the

smaller ones to cushion the fall as you cut it.

Strive to ease the trees to the ground, especially bigger trees since a hard landing can cause the remaining attached wood to break.

The goal is to keep as much as the holding wood to the tree attached. A long hinge is preferable to a short hinge that will bind and eventually break off. Be sure to always use all of your safety equipment while operating a chainsaw.

When it comes to creating bedding areas, hinge cutting areas from ½ to 2 acres in size generally provides adequate habitat. Turkeys tend to nest in these areas due to the more open structure and proximity to bugging areas for poults once they hatch.

Consider taking a weekend after the hunting season and before spring green up to improve your habitat with this simple habitat management practice.

For more information on hinge cutting for wildlife and improving your land for wildlife, contact a Commission private lands biologist at: Fort Smith, 877-478-1043; Harrison, 870-741-8600 (extension 114); Hope, 877-777-5580; Calico Rock, 877-297-4331; Little Rock, 877-470-3650; Brinkley, 877734-4581; Jonesboro, 877-972-5438; and Monticello, 877-367-3559.

Diagram of hinge cutting provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Arkansan named to Ducks Unlimited board of directors LITTLE ROCK – Ducks Unlimited has elected Vince Callahan of Proctor, to serve as an at-large member of the organization’s national board of directors.

“Vince has a long history as an active DU volunteer and impressive leader,” said DU President John Newman. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, and we’re proud to have him on board.”

Callahan owns Ace Rewinding in West Memphis. As a successful business owner with management, sales and customer satisfaction skills, he has the knowledge and leadership ability to encourage and strengthen DU’s volunteers. He has been a Ducks Unlimited volunteer himself since 1990 and has served in numerous volunteer leadership positions at the state and local levels.

“I feel that the key to any successful organization is to establish benchmarks and cultivate new areas for growth,” Callahan said. “As a DU board member, I will seek to lead and assist volunteers throughout the country in supporting the conservation of our wetlands and other wildlife habitat.”

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s waterfowl habitats. DU is governed by a volunteer board of directors and senior officers.

“As a member of DU’s board of directors, Vince will help guide Ducks Unlimited in our future conservation work. It’s a significant commitment and a pivotal position within the organization,” Newman said. “Vince is the kind of experienced, dedicated leader we look for in a board member, and has been recognized as such with several volunteer awards. I know he’ll do a great job.”

16 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

AGFC unveils new locator service for smartphones

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has released a new locator service for smartphones. It uses Geographic Information Systems data, but it doesn’t produce a map typically associated with GIS data.

Instead, it simply displays the information for your location.

According to AGFC Geographic Information Systems Coordinator Tracy Moy, the service was developed as a result of another GIS project. “After seeing the value of the service, we determined it would be helpful to others and made a few alterations to it to make it usable for public consumption,” Moy said. “This is just another example of the power of GIS when data is properly placed into a geospatial system.”

The service will work anywhere in the world, but most data is specific for Arkansas, since it is using the AGFC or Arkansas GeoStor services to populate information like hunting zones or parcels. GeoStor is Arkansas’s public spatial data clearinghouse hosted by the Arkansas Geographic Information System Office.

Here’s how it works: • First, your smartphone’s GPS service must be enabled.

• Access the service by opening your smartphone web browser and going to http://gis.agfc.com/locator.

• When the page loads, you can enter a specific latitude or longitude, or just click the “Locate Me” button. After clicking the button, the service will begin to initialize and will count down. It checks your current location, and after a few iterations, it locks on to a coordinate, a quick process that ensures an accurate reading. When the location is determined, it performs a spatial query by sending a message to the AGFC’s GIS services. The service is asking the GIS database to return information for your location. The results show location, county, township, range and section, as well as nearest city, sunrise and sunset for your specific location, hunting zone. If available, it also displays the address and parcel information for your location. Several of the informational items are retrieved from other GIS databases that are not maintained by the AGFC. Since some of the informational items like parcel data are retrieved from GeoStor; and not all counties are complete, it may not be available for some locations.

The service can be added to the iPhone as a web app on your homepage.

If you want to see a map, the AGFC Mapper is also functional on a smartphone. You can visit that service at http://gis.agfc.com.

AGFC dedicates new access on Little Red River

SEARCY – In early November the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officially dedicated its newest access point on the Little Red River in White County. The two acre site is located near the Dewey community on Arkansas Highway 305 just to the north of Searcy. It will be known as the Monaghan-Womack Access after the two families that donated the land.

The location has both a boat ramp and parking lot. Cost of the project is approximately $160,000.

The Little Red River and the Dewey community have a long and storied history in the area. The Little Red was an important source of water and commerce to the area’s earliest

Current Arkansas deer hunt is shaping up as a dandy LITTLE ROCK – All indications are the deer hunting season now underway could be one of the best of all time in Arkansas.

With just a few days of modern gun season gone, hunters have checked more than 145,500 deer. This includes the earlier hunts – urban, archery, antlerless, modern gun, muzzleloader and youth.

Weekends generally bring out the most hunters, and the Thanksgiving holidays are still to come.

The modern gun deer harvest shows that bucks are being harvested at about a 2 to 1 ratio to does.

This was the case in the youth hunt, too, but in the muzzle-loader hunt and the archery-only days so far, more doe have been taken. The buck-doe ratio is close to even overall for the current season.

Arkansas’s record deer hunt was in 19992000 when 194,687 were taken. Last year was

settlers as well as a Native American village located on the site. The community was originally located on the banks of the river, but flooding forced residents to move the community to its present location.

In 1963, the Little Red River changed forever with the construction of the Greers Ferry Dam. Because the water being released through the dam was much colder than what occurred naturally, the native warm water species could not sustain themselves. In 1964, rainbow trout were first introduced into the Little Red River to mitigate the loss of the native fish fauna.

The Little Red is home to a wild, reproducing population of brown trout following their introduction in the late 1970s. The Little Red River boasts one of the best trout fisheries in the nation and was home to the all-tackle world record brown trout of 40 pounds 4 ounces set in 1992

by Mr. Rip Collins. the second highest in number of deer checked – 192,512, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Opening weekend of modern gun season is usually the highest in participation, with the numbers of hunters in the field declining as the season progresses. The second highest period of hunter participation will be this upcoming week and weekend with many hunters enjoying a Thanksgiving hunt.

The modern gun season has already ended in some northeast Arkansas zones, while closing dates for other modern gun deer hunts vary across the state. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t bagged a deer. Several deer zones also have a second muzzleloader season, a three-day modern gun Christmas Holiday Hunt on Dec. 26, 27 and 28, and of course the two-day youth only hunt on Jan. 5-6. Add to that an archery season that lasts until Feb. 28.

Check the AGFC’s Hunting Guidebook for more detailed information. The Guidebook is free and available at any AGFC office and at more sporting goods outlets.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 17

“Wildlife of Arkansas” 2013 Student Art Contest

Arkansas Wildlife Federation 9108 Rodney Parham Rd. Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72205 Telephone: (501) 224-9200

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

presented by

Arkansas 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. As stated in the title we are continuing with the theme “Wildlife of Arkansas”. The beauty of the wildlife in our state will provide inspiration as the children of Arkansas explore their artistic abilities. The term Wildlife in not limited to animals, but can also include wildflowers, landscapes, lakes, etc. This year we are excited to announce the exhibit will travel throughout the state. Exhibit travel schedule TBA. 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 2012-2013 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.

Judging Submitted artwork is judged on creativity, skill and interpretation of the theme. A panel of professional artists will choose the winners. There will be a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honorable Mention for each grade. The winning pieces exhibit will begin at the Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center (602 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201-1732) and travel throughout the state. Exhibit travel schedule TBA. 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 Event Disclaimer • Judges decisions are final.

• Creative Ideas and Arkansas Wildlife Federation reserve the right to reproduce the artwork for promotional purposes (e.g. Arkansas Wildlife Calendar). Students receive full credit for any artwork reproduced.

• Not responsible for lost or damaged art.

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 artwork.

1. Submission deadline is March 16, 2013.

2. Shipped art must be post marked by March 16, 2013.

3. Request an Official Entry Form: Contact Sharon Hacker, 501-837-0462 or skhacker@sbcglobal.net

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, May-June, July-Aug., Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec. The publication contains information about hunting, fishing and other outdoororiented activities. It also contains articles about conservation. It is mailed near the end of the first month of each issue date to approximately 4500 AWF members and it has an estimated readership of 13,500 to 17,500 people each issue. Those who read this publication enjoy the great outdoor, and they are interested in conservation.

Circle the issue in which the ad is to run: January – February issue, reserve space

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

Size

Centerfold Full pg 1/2 pg Horizontal 1/2 pg Vertical 1/3 pg Horizontal 1/3 pg Vertical 1/4 pg 1/8 pg

Dimensions

21.5"x11" 10.25"x10.125" 10.25"x4.75" 5.0556"x9.5625" 10.25"x3.125" 3.375"x9.5625" 5.0621"x4.75" 5.0621"x2.3125"

March 5. Mailing date near the end of March. MayJune issue, reserve space by May 1. Cameraready 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. November-December issue, reserve space by Nov. 1. Camera-ready art due

by November 5. Mailing date near the end of November.

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18 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Two NW Arkansas Men Receive Watershed Awards Two Northwest Arkansas men were recognized recently at the 2012 Arkansas Watershed Conference for their efforts to protect water quality in their areas. The conference, sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and attended by more than 80 people, was held earlier this month at Fort Smith.

John Pennington, extension agent at the Washington County office of the University of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, received the Ginger Tatom Professional of the Year award for his conservation and preservation efforts involving a number of projects in Washington County watersheds. The award is named in honor of the late Ginger Tatom, a former Arkansas Health Department employee who was involved in efforts to organize local watershed conservation groups throughout the state.

James Gately of Rogers, a retired teacher, was presented with the Conference’s Clean Water-Stronger Communities Volunteer of the Year Award. He has been active for several years in efforts to protect water quality in the Beaver Lake Watershed, and is also involved in a variety of educational initiatives involving protection and conservation of natural resources in Arkansas.

During 2012, Pennington helped secure an estimated $40,000 worth of money, equipment, and volunteer work to prevent a retired couple’s home threatened by stream bank erosion from falling into a creek. He has also helped coordinate numerous stream cleanup operations in recent years, including six projects in this year alone, resulting in the removal of approximately three tons of trash from the creek beds.

Gately has helped organize numerous events promoting water quality in Beaver Lake, as well as serving as a volunteer at Hobbs State Park and participating in educational activities involving national conservation programs such as Project WET (Water Education Team), Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design), and Project Learning Tree, a broad-based environmental education program.

Other awards presented during the conference recognized posters and exhibits submitted by attendees. Benjamin Sleeper of the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Forest Resources won the Best of Show Technical Poster Award for a submission involving a hardwood forest wetlands restoration site in Chicot County. Jane Maginot of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service received the Best of Show Community Poster Award for outreach efforts to communicate the importance of local storm drains to our streams through elaborate artwork. Adam Roberts of the Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission was presented the People’s Choice Award for an exhibit on keeping prescription drugs out of waterways.

Conference attendees heard several individual guest speakers and panel discussions, as well as participated in a number of workshops during the event.

Watershed Protection Strategy Accepted by EPA

The EPA officially accepted the Beaver Watershed Alliance’s Watershed Protection Strategy last month, making the plan the first to be accepted in the state of Arkansas. The written plan was commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council and adopted by the Alliance in 2012. The protection strategy is intended to guide the conservation and stewardship programs surrounding the Beaver Lake Watershed

NPS Features Hot Springs National Park

By Ethan Nahté The National Park Service (NPS) featured Hot Springs National Park on their website the week of October 24, 2012 as part of their weekly getaways (www.nps.gov/getaways). Each week NPS features a different park and Hot Springs was week #176. It’s an easy way to find beautiful, natural and interesting places to travel.

Hardly anyone can grow up in Arkansas without at least knowing about Hot Springs. It’s the entertainment capital of Arkansas. Part of the city of Hot Springs actually lies within the national park system, a bit unusual since most National Parks stand on their own. The 5,500 acre park is the oldest federally designated park within the national park system and also the smallest. First given the name Hot Springs Reservation in 1832, six mountains and 47 hot springs emerge within the park’s boundaries. The public was allowed usage of the area in 1880. The park’s name change occurred in 1921 along with the addition of 900 acres at that time. Due to being the first national park, it was

through the identification of a strategic plan to maintain the quality of the watershed.

The first priority of the Protection Strategy is establishing a council to preside over the implementation of the plan, which is how the Beaver Watershed Alliance originated. The Alliance was designated to carry out the key elements of the plan, which include implementing best management practices, developing a lake protection certification program for developers and contractors, providing educational opportunities surrounding the watershed, and devising an adaptive management program. The strategy can be downloaded from their website www.beaverwatershedalliance.org. also the first to have received its own quarter in the “America the Beautiful Quarters series.

Besides the springs, where visitors can either enjoy the warmth of the water at one of the spas on or near Bathhouse Row or can collect drinking water for free from a number of spigots located downtown. The water averages approximately 143degrees Fahrenheit so don’t attempt to drink it straight from the source but collect it in a jug. If you don’t have a jug, they are readily available for sale at nearby stores.

Other things to do include a multitude of hiking trails where a large variety of flora and fauna can be seen as well as many things that would fascinate geologists. Whether you hike or you drive you can visit the mountain tower and look over the vast amount of deciduous and pine forests, as well as the ability to see Lakes Catherine, Hamilton, and Ouachita. Camping is available at all of the lakes but it is also available at nearby Gulpha Gorge, a beautiful little area tucked away from the main part of town and is part of the national park system.

Remember to check the NPs site on a weekly basis for the featured park. They also have links on their site to park passes and deals, especially if you are a member of the armed forces, a senior citizen, or handicapped.

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 19

U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of AGFC in Dave Donaldson Black River WMA case LITTLE ROCK – This week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in its lawsuit seeking just compensation from the United States Government for repeatedly flooding and, as a result, destroying thousands of acres of timber and habitat on Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area.

In an 8-0 opinion, the Court reversed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s decision that overturned a $5.7 million trial court judgment for the AGFC. The Federal Circuit had held that compensation is due only when flooding is “a permanent or inevitably recurring condition, rather than an inherently temporary situation.”

Justice Ginsburg writing for the Supreme Court disagreed and held “that recurrent flood¬ings, even if of finite duration, are not categorically ex¬empt from Takings Clause liability.” The Court remanded the case to the

Federal Circuit for further proceedings consistent with the Court’s opinion.

“Obviously we are thrilled with the Supreme Court’s decision,” AGFC Chief Legal Counsel Jim Goodhart said. “It’s been a long road to get to this point and we’ve still got a ways to go, but the 8-0 decision sends a strong message about what our agency has been litigating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the past seven years. Justice Ginsburg summed it all up when she wrote that there is ‘no solid grounding in precedent for setting flooding apart from all other government intrusions on property.’

Ultimately, this is a victory for the citizens of Arkansas and outdoor conservationists everywhere,” Goodhart added.

The AGFC filed suit against the U.S. on March 18, 2005, to recoup the value of dead and dying timber and to restore areas where timber died on Dave Donaldson Black River WMA, which covers about 24,000 acres in

Clay, Randolph and Greene counties. The damages were caused when the Corps of Engineers deviated from the water control plan for Clearwater Lake and Dam in southeast Missouri between 1993 and 2000 over the AGFC’s repeated objections. After an 11-day trial in December 2008, the Court of Federal Claims awarded AGFC $5.7 million, plus interest, costs and attorney’s fees, finding that the Corps’ actions had destroyed and degraded more than 18 million board feet of timber, left habitat unable to regenerate and prevented the use and enjoyment of the area.

The Federal Circuit reversed the trial judgment on a single point of law. A sharply divided 2-1 panel ruled that the U.S. did not inflict a taking because its actions were not permanent and the flooding eventually stopped. The Federal Circuit denied rehearing en banc in a fractured 7-4 vote. The Supreme Court granted the AGFC’s request

for review “to resolve the question whether government actions that cause repeated floodings must be permanent of inevitably recurring to constitute a taking of property.”

The corridor of bottomland hardwood timber in Dave Donaldson Black River WMA is the largest contiguous block of forest along the Black River in Missouri and Arkansas, and is among the largest contiguous areas of bottomland hardwood timber remaining in the Upper Mississippi Alluvial Valley.

Much of the WMA land was purchased by the AGFC in the 1950s and 1960s to preserve bottomland hardwoods and provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl.

The AGFC operates the WMA as a wildlife and hunting preserve, placing special emphasis on the waterfowl that pass through the area in the late fall and early winter on the Mississippi River flyway. “While flooding caused by the Corps has taken its toll on this valuable resource,” Goodhart remarked, “hopefully today’s decision will be a huge step towards the much needed recovery of one of our state’s most important wildlife management areas.”

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20 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

Caring for Critters

By Ethan Nahté

AWF gets quite a few phone calls on a regular basis regarding injured animals. We utilize a list that can be found on the AGFC website to locate license rehabilitators, hopefully in an area close to the caller. The list for mammals is quite lengthy in comparison to the list for bird rehabilitators. There are no rehabilitators south of Little Rock on the list. The number of rehabbers for the rest of the state is as thin as a feather.

The person I rely on, and probably bother, the most is Lynne Slater, executive director of the HAWK Center (Helping Arkansas Wild “Kritters”). Sometimes if I cannot find a rehabber in an area that someone with an injured bird is contacting me from I contact Slater to see if she knows of someone who is licensed but may not be listed on the website. My odds are slim but I figure it never hurts to ask. At the very least, sometimes the caller can call the HAWK Center and at least get some basic care information to help an injured bird until the caller can get the bird to a rehabber’s facility.

The HAWK Center is located in the River Valley, just outside of Russellville. The building that she, her husband, and volunteers has been working on has been a lengthy process, beginning in May 2010, but it has been worth it. The facility has enclosures to safely maintain and rehab birds, and other animals if need be, and has an area in the front for checking health, giving medications, dressing wounds, and other needs. She has a lightboard to view x-rays but does not perform x-rays at her facility, relying instead on her local veterinarian to do the x-ray. She keeps copies of the x-rays on file for multiple reasons, such as teaching and to be used as a learning tool. On occasion she also has repeat patients and the x-rays surely come in handy to look at the animal’s medical history.

For her own history, Slater says, “I’ve wanted to work with animals since I could walk. I’ve always had a thing with animals.” She has been learning and working with rehab for almost twenty years.

Slater is federally permitted for rehab and for education through U.S. Fish and Wildlife. She is also a certified wildlife rehabilitator under the Arkansas Game and Fish. In addition, she is an instructor for International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC), teaching basic skills and classes all over the nation and internationally, as well.

In regards to her specialties, Slater says, “I specialize in birds, especially in critical care. I get in over one hundred animals per year and we’re one hundred percent volunteer. I can’t afford to go driving all over the state chasing animals down. Some animals I will drive and go rescue, but it is getting more and more less frequent.

I am using other resources and available contacts to get the animal to a qualified rehabilitator ASAP. Since we

are the only [rehab] organization in the state that has a hotline we get calls from all over Arkansas, as well as outside of the state. I’ve gotten calls from Delaware to California, east coast to west coast.”

It’s critical for Slater to stay in touch with other rehabbers due to calls from all over. She keeps in contact with rehabbers around the country and internationally, occasionally helping people in other countries find a wildlife rehabber somewhere hopefully near them.

HAWK takes in about thirty percent mammals each year and the remainder is avian. Very rarely someone will bring in a turtle, normally with a broken shell, but it’s been more than a year since her last turtle. “It was a rather large female snapping turtle that had been found in the middle of the road.”

So if a turtle has not been physically harmed beyond a broken shell, can it be healed? “Yes,” says Slater. “A shell can be fixed. Their shells grow like our fingernails.

Depending on the depth of the fracture determines how quickly it heals and the procedure on how to fix it.”

In regards to animals needing surgery, Slater does not do any surgery at her facility. “You have to have a license and I am not trained to do that. I don’t prescribe drugs.

That is all left to the veterinarian. I have medications on hand because I have built a relationship with my veterinarian and been able to purchase medications, plus the antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. I know how to use those but I will still call and say, ‘Hey, I need to get this bird on some antibiotics. What do you think?’ It’s a relationship you have to build to be able to do that.”

Many times Slater will post her patients on the HAWK Center Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hawkcenter). Generally she will post an image of the animal when it first comes in and then she will post updates, sometimes on the same day and sometimes over a lengthy period of time to show the animal’s progress. So what exactly is it that Slater does for the animals?

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 21 “For example, if we got in an animal with a broken wing it is going to be dehydrated,” she explains. “It’s going to be thin. It’s going to need on-going wound management and healing. It’s a matter of taking care of the injury. It’s the doctor who will set the wing but it is me who will do the follow-up, making sure that it’s getting the physical therapy that the animal needs, getting the proper nutrition, getting the medication it needs to fight off infection and so on.”

Slater herself is not a falconer but she sometimes works with licensed falconers to assist with the physical therapy a wounded bird may need in building back up its muscles so it can be released.

A regular problem that some non-certified people have when they try to take care of an injured animal on their own is their inability or reluctance to release the animal back into the wild once it has recovered from its injury. This generally means that a non-certified rehabber has probably broken several laws and keeping the animal isn’t helping the situation.

“If an animal can be released back into the wild, especially if it comes in as an adult,” says Slater, meaning that it already has the skills to fend for itself and survive in the wild, “then I believe very strongly in trying to release it back from the area it came from.”

Sometimes an animal cannot be released due to various circumstances. Slater has two birds which she uses for educational purposes that fit the criteria. “Occasionally you get a non-releasable animal because of its injury. We have to evaluate it. What will its life be like in captivity if I am to save this non-releasable animal? If it seems to be an animal that can tolerate being in captivity for its life we will either place or keep it. Odds are we will place it because we don’t have the space. On our permit we have room for two red-tailed hawks, a barn owl and a screech owl. That is what our permit is based on for the size of our facility and what we asked for educational facilitation. That is something we have to go through U.S. Fish & Wildlife for because it’s a different permit than a rehab permit.

It’s an educational permit.”

If an animal is beyond rehabilitation and would not have a decent quality of life in captivity, for example the red-tailed hawk that was shot through the neck and para-

lyzed in Little Rock in March 2011, then euthanasia would be the best option.

To place animals, Slater normally goes onto the IWRC’s website and looks for facilities to place the animals. “Any Joe Blow can post something, but it is up to me to verify the documents of somebody I am sending an animal to. Somebody may have all the documents in place but I may do a reference check and not be happy. It may be that someone seems to get a red-tail hawk every year. Why is that? So I have to do background checks, basically.”

One of Slater’s educational birds is Tito, a barn owl, who has eighty percent vision loss and is missing a digit on one of his toes. Trying to get an owl to wear glasses like the wise owls seen in cartoons and drawings probably isn’t going to work.

“If it’s a barn owl,” says Slater, “that will not prevent them from hunting and eating because they can hunt in zero light.

However, he needs to be able to see to get around.” This is easily witnessed as we look in to the enclosure where Tito lives.

He flies from his perch but has a difficult time getting back to it, bouncing into the walls of the enclosure a few times before safely landing once again. It is easy to see how he wouldn’t last long in a forest if he were to fly into a sharp stick or get caught in a thicket.

“Tito was probably kicked out of his nest because of his problems, I imagine. He is also developmentally delayed. He doesn’t act like a normal barn owl. I can only speculate, but because of the large amount of industry and environmental toxins in the Houston (TX) area where he came from, he hatched (2006) that way because he came in as a baby, not to me but to another rehabilitator. He already has these problems.

I believe his mother was exposed to some kind of toxin before she laid the egg.

“Tito’s quality of life is pretty good. He is not in stress, which with a lot of birds coming from the wild they are distressed and beat themselves to death or drop all of their feathers constantly.”

Slater also has a red-tailed hawk named Kate that is a permanent resident and also acts as an ambassador. Originally from Oklahoma, Kate was hit by a car in June 2007. She suffered a coracoid fracture, which is the equivalent of a collar bone in a human. She can fly, but not well enough to be able to hunt properly

or for survival. Slater guesses that since Kate already had her red tail she was at least three-years old, meaning she was hatched in 2004 or earlier.

“With Kate her wing didn’t heal properly.

There was an overlap of the bone which means that the wing can’t extend and give the bird the lift that it needs well enough to be released. She also suffered some head trauma so she’s not as sassy as she really needs to be.”

Slater does educational programs at schools and various events, such as the Spring Greening Festival in Clarksville this past April. At that particular festival, in ad-

ian visits, as well as for the building and upkeep of the facility. At the time of this interview, back during the end of June, one side of the building’s enclosures had been finished and the other side was eighty percent finished. The insulation was up but the outside of the building still needed to be sided and gutters were being put in a few days away. Most of the kitchen and plumbing needed to be finished as well.

As of December 2012 the building is now nearing completion, a little over two-and-a-half years after they first broke ground. Once completed that leaves the driveway and a parking pad to be laid,

dition to bringing Tito and Kate, she had a hand puppet that resembled a nest with baby birds in it. She discussed with the crowd, especially the young children she had interacting with her, how birds learn to fly and the importance of leaving them alone when they are on the ground because they are learning.

Not to mention that just because you don’t see the momma bird around doesn’t mean she isn’t nearby and watching.

“I have done [presentations] for all age groups, from preschool to seniors in nursing homes. It depends on who wants to learn. In the nursing homes it can be therapeutic in a way. They just love seeing the animals.”

Like most volunteer organizations, HAWK depends solely on donations, be time, food or money. It takes money to feed the animals, care for them, veterinar-

some landscaping, finishing the east side enclosures, and the need for some funds to install live feed cameras which not only will be used for Slater to keep an eye on her charges, but hopefully a live feed so the world can view the birds as their health progresses.

“This is really a clinic. Someday I dream of having a location that is large enough to be an educational center and to do presentations as well as be a clinic,” says Slater, proud of the burgeoning facility that lays before her.

If you would like to assist the HAWK Center, please send donations to P.O. Box 1922, Russellville, AR, 72811.

If you have a bird in need of medical assistance, the Arkansas wildlife emergency hotline (24/7) is (479) 498-5147.

22 - Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012

November/December 2012 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 October, 2012 to September, 2013

Arkansas Out-of-Doors

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION Arkansas Out-of-Doors is published 6 times per year by Arkansas Wildlife Federation, 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.

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

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

Executive Committee President: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle 1st Vice President: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff 2nd Vice President: Jerry Crowe, Dardanelle Treasurer: Gary W. Bush, Marion Secretary: Lucien Gillham, Sherwood Executive Director: Ethan Nahté

Cane Creek Hometowner’s Association Jessica Thompson, Sec./Treasurer – Scranton, AR

Board of Directors At Large Clay Spikes, Benton Charles W. Logan, M.D., Little Rock Lola Perritt, Little Rock Odies Wilson III, Little Rock Jimmie Wood, Dardanelle Larry Hillyard, Dardanelle Gayne Schmidt, Augusta Bobby Hacker, Little Rock Mike Armstrong, Little Rock Chrystola Tullos, Rison

Friends of Bigelow Park

Regional Directors District 1: --vacant- District 2: Patti Dell-Duchene, Augusta District 2 Alternate: Linda Cooper, Augusta District 3: --vacant- District 4: --vacant- District 5: Mary Lou Lane, Dardanelle NWF Region: David Carruth, Clarendon NWF Special Projects: Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff NWF Regional Representative: Geralyn Hoey, Austin, TX

University of the Ozarks - Clarksville Jamie L. Hedges, Director of Outdoor & Evironmental Experiences

President Emeritus and First Lady Emeritus: Bob and Rae Apple, Dardanelle National Wildlife Federation Delegates: Wayne Shewmake, Dardanelle Ellen McNulty, Pine Bluff ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT Ralph Oldegard, Mt. Home Larry Hedrick, Hot Springs Charles McLemore Jr., Bryant Affiliate Clubs: ATU Fisheries & Wildlife Society Jared Schluterman, President - Russellville, AR Arkansas Chapter of American Fisheries Arkansas Trappers Association Gary Helms, President - Texarkana, AR

Creative Ideas President: Sharon Hacker - Little Rock, AR Friends of Pontoon Park

Friends of Delaware Park Greene County Wildlife Club Rick Woolridge, President - Paragould Little River Bottoms Chapter, Arkansas Wildlife Federation Vickers Fuqua, President Mike Young, Secretary & Treasurer

Westark Wildlife G. David Matlock, Fort Smith White River Conservancy Gayne Preller Schmidt, Augusta Yell County Wildlife Federation James Manatt, President – Dardanelle Yell County Youth Conservation Club Randy Cole, Dardanelle, AR Arkansas Wildlife Federation Staff Executive Director - Ethan Nahté Editor in Chief - Wayne Shewmake Contributing Writers – Wayne Shewmake, Gordon Bagby, Dr. Robert Morgan, Johnny, Sain, Jr., Ethan Nahté, Al Wolff, Gail Murdoch, Lauren Ray, Wayne Bryant, Ted Zawislak, AGFC, ADEQ Contributing Photographers – Sarah Chronister, Dr. Robert Morgan, Mike Wintroath, Ethan Nahté Arkansas Wildlife Federation Address: 9108 Rodney Parham Road, Suite 101 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 Office: 501-224-9200 // Cell: 501-414-2845

Arkansas Out-of-Doors • November/December 2012 - 23

Bob Bledsoe

On a ministry of nature at a popular attraction

By Wayne Bryan/Tri-Lakes Edition

HOT SPRINGS — Before joining the management team at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs in 2002, Bob Bledsoe spent 20 years as a Baptist minister. He said overseeing the University of Arkansas’ botanical gardens is not that different from serving a church.

“It just didn’t seem that much of a leap,” he said. “I’d seen my minister father ask for money every week, and this place needs the same kind of support. The gardens are like a sanctuary — a place that restores the soul.”

Bledsoe, now the executive director of one of Arkansas’ most popular attractions, calls the 235-acre woodlands “nature as an expression of art” that appeals to a basic human instinct.

“When God made man and woman, he put them in a garden,” Bledsoe said. “It is a place for repose and reflection where people can reconnect to what’s important.”

While some of that natural beauty is hidden by winter, Bledsoe said the staff at the gardens has geared up for what has become the busiest time of year.

“We will see 60,000 people come through our welcome center in 43 days,” Bledsoe said. “The staff all work together to conduct a symphony of parking and admission.”

The visitors will come to see the garden’s Holiday Lights display, when 17 acres are illuminated with more than 2 million lights

along the trails and into the woods. The lights were turned on Nov. 17 and will burn brightly through Dec. 31.

The idea of this holiday event, which thrills children of all ages, began as a simple business decision, the executive director said.

“The gardens are not exactly flourishing in the winter, and we were trying to generate some revenue at the end of the year,” Bledsoe said. “We didn’t realize that it would catch such a spark with people.”

He said his main job with the event is to make sure the lights and decorations grow bigger and more spectacular each year, while keeping the admission price familyfriendly.

With several new attractions — including a 50-foot-tall musical and animated holiday tree in the Rose Garden, surrounded by more decorated trees, along with Santa, reindeer and elves — Bledsoe said he expects this year to be the best-attended lights program ever.

The son of a Baptist minister, Bledsoe said he was raised all around Arkansas. Born in Mount Ida while his father was pastoring a church there, Bledsoe graduated from high school in Stuttgart.

Following his father into the ministry seemed only natural, he said.

“I always assumed I would have a service-type job or mission,” Bledsoe said.

Service to people and to an important mission was, in a way, the family business.

Bledsoe attended Ouachita Baptist University as a divinity student and went on to earn a doctorate.

He first came to Garvan Woodland Gardens as the development director before the gardens opened.

The land that is now Garvan Woodland Gardens was purchased by Verna Cook Garvan in the 1920s after it had been clear-cut for timber around 1915. The property became a peninsula after Lake Hamilton was created in the 1930s.

In 1956 Garvan, a self-taught gardener, began to develop the property as a garden, laying out each path and personally choosing and locating each new plant. Over the years, she planted thousands of flowers, rare shrubs and trees, including more than 160 types of azaleas.

“It is still woodlands, as the name says, but we take what nature gives us and enrich it with native and exotic plants,” Bledsoe

said. “We just picked up where she left off.”

When Garvan died in 1993, she left the property to the University of Arkansas Foundation and the Department of Landscape Architecture. The land has been held in trust by the university since 1995.

“We have added the Anthony Chapel and other buildings, along with bridges, lawns and other facilities,” Bledsoe said.

When the gardens became a public attraction, he said, there was nothing grand about the opening.

“There was no manual about how to do this,” Bledsoe said. “We got some sponsors, put up a banner and invited people to walk the trails.”

Today, the gardens attract people from all over Arkansas and other states and are a must-see for international visitors who come to The Natural State. He said that success comes from the quality of the gardens and from the image projected for them.

“We try to do everything first class, from the signs and displays to the quality of the experience,” Bledsoe said. “I am very proud of what the staff has done in Hot Springs.”

As director of development and, today, as executive director, a major part of Bledsoe’s job is raising funds to support and continue to enhance the gardens. He said that task has brought him more than just money.

“I am most proud of the friendships I have made here,” he said. “Some have been

people of means, and some are not. It is the people who come out and really enjoy the gardens who become my friends.”

He said different places in the gardens are associated with those friendships, such as the waterfall and koi pond — the favorite place for a young girl.

“Four or five years ago, we got a donation from someone in southwest Arkansas,” Bledsoe said. “This woman had taken her granddaughter to the gardens. The 12-yearold had terminal cancer, and she did not have many months ahead of her.

“They stopped and looked at the koi pond, and the girl looked up at her grandmother and said, ‘I wish I could stay here forever.’

The grandmother wanted to give something to us for that memory. It was a deeply heartfelt experience, and the story will stay with me forever.”

Even after more than 10 years of being in the gardens almost every day, Bledsoe said, the sight is still unique each time he sees it.

“It is my job to make sure the main thing remains the main thing,” he said. “The garden is the main thing, no matter what else is happening. The garden is jealous. She likes the spotlight, and I like for her to have it.

She always deserves it.”

Reprinted by permission from the Sunday, November 25, 2012 publication of the TriLakes Edition. Article by Wayne Bryant.