Arkansas Wild | Spring 2023

ARKANSAS WILD

DISC GOLF SWEEPING THE STATE

BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS

SPRING IS FOR THE BIRDIES (AND BIRDS)! PLUS!

ALL THE GEAR TO FLOAT YOUR BOAT

ARKANSAS REALITY STARS SHINE A TRIP DOWN THE MULBERRY

KNOW THE PERFECT PLACE THAT COULD USE A SIDEWALK, OR MAYBE A TRAIL THAT NEEDS SOME TLC?

Your ideas may qualify for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) or the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Visit our website to learn more about these grant programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

hot springs greenway trail

Find

ON THE COVER: James Lecy enjoys a day on Persimmon Ridge disc golf course.

Photography by Sara Reeves.

ARKANSASWILD.COM FOLLOW US FOR MORE WILD

#ARKANSASWILD

BROOKE WALLACE Publisher brooke@arktimes.com

DWAIN HEBDA Editor dwain@arktimes.com

MANDY KEENER Creative Director mandy@arktimes.com

LESA THOMAS Senior Account Executive

SOMMER THROGMORTON Account Executive

WELDON WILSON Production Manager/Controller

ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager

MIKE SPAIN Advertising Art Director

JORDAN LITTLE Director of Digital Strategy

ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director

CHARLOTTE KEY Administration

JACKSON GLADDEN Circulation Director

ALAN LEVERITT President ©2023

HELLO, OUT THERE!

It’s been a crazy year so far in 2023, what with winter weather hanging on extra tight through January and February. Duck hunters were no doubt pleased by the freeze, but for many of us the year doesn’t really start until the sun turns warm and the leaves turn green. Happily, those days are here.

In this issue of Arkansas Wild, we’ve assembled some interesting ideas to help you hit the outdoors running. Check out our piece on birdwatching for a relaxing activity that’s good for the whole family. Or for something that stirs the competitor in you, read about disc golf, one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities there is in Arkansas. Also in this issue, we sat down with two native Arkansans who did the state proud on the reality TV front.

While we have your attention, don’t forget to renew your Arkansas Game and Fish license. As regular readers of this magazine know, Arkansans are pretty spoiled when it comes to outdoor amenities. But don’t take our word for it; just ask a wideeyed out-of-stater, someone who doesn’t have majestic mountains in their backyard or a glistening river seemingly around every corner.

As custodian of many of these wild spaces, the AGFC works to preserve and protect these sacred spaces, but keeping lakes, woods and trails in good condition doesn’t come cheap. Buying a license is an inexpensive way each of us can support the mission, regardless of how you choose to use our precious and vast outdoors. So, purchase or renew your license today!

Thanks for picking up this issue of Arkansas Wild and thanks for picking up trash after yourselves out there. The outdoors, and all that live there, appreciate it.

Wander far,

Dwain Hebda Editor, Arkansas Wild

FLOAT YOUR BOAT

SPRING IS HERE AND WITH IT, FLOATING AND KAYAKING THROUGHOUT THE NATURAL STATE. GET THIS GEAR TO HELP YOU ENJOY IT SAFELY.

1. GET COMFY

Long days in the canoe can be murder on the back. The Crazy Creek Canoe Chair is the answer to rock-hard molded contour canoe seats with inch-thick foam and a foldable back. You provide the ahhh. (crazycreek.com)

2. DON’T DRAIN YOUR BRAIN

Protect your noggin from the bottom with the NRS Chaos Full Cut helmet. Packed with life-saving features for when the water gets rough, the Chaos is long on protection, not price. It’s a no-brainer. (nrs.com)

3. A PADDLE FOR EVERY PUDDLE

If canoeing is more your speed, grab an Expedition Plus by Bending Branches. Made of durable hardwoods wrapped in fiberglass, the Expedition Plus is made to perform beautifully in all water, year after year. (bendingbranches.com)

4. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

No one should be on the water without a personal flotation device, but not all PFDs are created equal. Astral’s EV-Eight is an industry standard and the first breathable jacket on the market. Not drowning never looked so good. (astraldesigns.com)

5. YOU SMELL BACON?

It’s been a long winter; remember how fast you burn? Keep the sizzle out of your float with environmentally friendly sunscreen by Joshua Tree. The 100% natural goop nourishes skin as it protects. (jtreelife.com)

6. FLOAT IN STYLE

Looking to upgrade that old black tube? Go deluxe with the Classic Accessories Cumberland Float Tube. Tricked out with high padded seat, storage and drink holders; you can even fish from this bad boy in comfort. (classicaccessories.com)

7. PACK THAT MULE

The Granite Gear Stowaway is a safe and secure way to make better use of space in your canoe. Strap one of these to the canoe seat and keep your stuff secure and out of the bilge. (granitegear.com)

8. SHOW YOUR PRIDE

Owning a Buffalo Canoe not only shows you appreciate quality, it also shows pride in Arkansas! Built in Jasper, these watercraft are built to last a lifetime using classic design and old-school craftsmanship. (buffalocanoemanufacturing.com)

9. HIGH WATER MARK

Explore Arkansas’s many waterways with the Old Town Loon 120 kayak, featuring the best-fitting cockpit on the market, a removable workdeck, dry storage and even a USB port for device charging. Check it out at Sulphur Creek Outfitters in Heber Springs. (screekoutfitters.com)

Saturday, May 6th

11 am

Cheryl Tidwell, FIC 501-590-4528

Register at www.BikeReg.com/tour-de-toad

Learn More at www.facebook.com/TourDeToad/

Teach Your Kids to Fish Share a Hobby for Life

Get the family hooked on a new tradition. The Family and Community Fishing Program regularly stocks ponds, including many in central Arkansas. Find one near you, and let the quality time begin.

2023

DISC GOLF IS BECOMING ALL THE RAGE, AND ARKANSAS IS AT THE CENTER OF THE NEW MOVEMENT.

BY DWAIN HEBDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA REEVES

James

Lecy

squints against the bright morning sun, assessing the 40 feet to the hole. He’s had a good round thus far, but a wayward puff of wind has blown him a wee bit off-line on his approach. No matter – with an expert flick, his aim is true and a rattle echoes from the target.

Technically, the shot is a putt and a mighty long one in the traditional golfing world. But for Lecy, there’s not a bag or club in sight and the shot is rather pedestrian for the 20-year veteran of disc golf, save a tree branch or two, rattling his disc home on the post-and-basket that stands in place of a hole.

“I was introduced to the sport to get out of the house, get outside and get some sort of exercise,” he said. “You can run through a round as quickly as you can or you can walk and casually enjoy the outdoors with your friends. It was introduced to me as a very casual, leisurely, enjoy-the-park type of sport. I was absolutely hooked from day one.”

Lecy’s not alone — the Professional Disc Golf Association estimates 8 to 12 million Americans play disc golf, half a million of them playing regularly. The fact there’s even a Professional Disc Golf Association to begin with tells you something, a group that numbers 80,000 members in 47 countries and sanctions 3,500 events per year.

Arkansas has not been left out of the loop on disc golf, a game played and scored the same as the ball-and-club variety. DiscGolfScene.com lists 125 courses in The Natural State, while UDisc.com lists more than 150. The tracts range from private for-

James Lecy has been a fixture at Arkansas disc golf courses for 20 years.

A perfect approach shot at renowned Persimmon Ridge.

was absolutely hooked from day one."

profit courses to a variety of municipal and amenity-type courses in parks at schools and on college and church campuses.

Rudimentary courses are fairly easy to set up just about anywhere – all you need for a beginner’s course are some posts, open space and a layout — but the state also offers courses that test the skills of a veteran player like Lecy.

“There is a Disc Golf Pro Tour and we actually have a Disc Golf Pro Tour stop here in Arkansas, the Jonesboro Open,” he said. “One of the most prestigious disc golf courses we have here in Arkansas is in Greenbrier, Persimmon Ridge Disc Golf Resort. It’s fantastic and is worldrecognized as one of the best courses that’s available to play in this region of the United States.”

Steve and Kimberly Jones, owners of Persimmon Ridge, didn’t set out to create such a renowned course. In fact,

they didn’t set out to do anything other than find a modest spread at which they could entertain family and friends in the rural Faulkner County countryside.

But when the local nine-hole traditional golf course became available, the couple bought it for its natural beauty and in the hopes of turning it into a wedding and events venue. That part didn’t pan out, but Steve, who’d played disc golf here and there, thought a disc golf course might be a good Plan B.

“We did see that surge that happened when the rest of the world was shut down [during COVID],” he said. “We welcomed disc golfers when they were looking for some freedom and a place to get out.”

The couple converted the grounds to two 18-hole courses and one ninehole tract. The Gold and Blue courses follow the same layout, differing only in distance (10,175 feet and 7,139

feet, respectively) and both require clearing an intimidating water hazard at 18. The 2,581-foot “Chillow” ninehole experience caters to beginners, removing doglegs, water and a lot of distance from the equation.

Kimberly Jones said giving course options to players, as well as various amenities, is a key part of expanding the clientele.

“What makes us unique is that we offer golf cart rentals and have a really extensive pro shop,” she said. “And we are offering almost one tournament a month. We also have weekly what we call ‘minis’ where you come out for one round against other players. We do that every Sunday.

“We do see mostly guys, but when we opened Chillow, our little beginnerfriendly course, last summer, we’ve seen a lot more families. We’re just trying offer a little bit of something to everybody.”

"I

—james lecy

A Good Walk

Arkansas has lots of options when it comes to disc golf. Some require a fee, but many municipal courses are free and open to the public. For starters, check out these three courses, ranked tops for various skill levels by disc golf longtimer James Lecy.

BEGINNER COURSE

Burns Park Red Course, North Little Rock

This is probably the oldest course in Arkansas. It’s great for beginners because of the distance from tee to basket and there’s great signage so you know where to walk to the next hole. The lines you would throw on this course are easier than most, which makes it super fun for the newer player.

INTERMEDIATE COURSE

Cedar Glades, Hot Springs

This course takes you through the woods where a player who is a little more experienced will be able to navigate the longer shots necessary to score well. No matter your score, it is a lot of fun and great exercise trotting up and down the terrain.

ADVANCED COURSE

Persimmon Ridge Gold, Greenbrier

This venue is a perfect destination for a disc golfer looking to test their ability, as longer open shots require power and precision. The owners run tournaments year-round here and are dedicated to making your experience enjoyable.

For a list of additional courses and game information, check out: udisc.com

discgolfscene.com pdga.com

A group enjoys a round at Persimmon Ridge.

PART ONE OF A RIVER JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL ARKANSAS.

BY BRIAN C. HURLEY

“Do y’all have any cigarettes?”

The drunken call came from a raft that was spinning in circles, heading for the next rapid. The water was high and the large waves knocked beer cans and life jackets from their craft, and regularly swamped our canoe, which was loaded with gear for our four-day, 115-mile trip down the Mulberry and Arkansas rivers.

Ana told them that we didn’t as we passed by, probably wishing she did so she could have one, too. Later, after we had pulled over to camp on a gravel bar near Turner Bend, we saw the same foursome float by in various states of undress and consciousness, one yelling, ‘Do y’all know what time it is?’ over the rapids, laughter and slight panic of his friends.

The uppermost stretch of the Mulberry was designated as a scenic river in 1992 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. To achieve the official designation of scenic, it stipulated that a river must be free-flowing and relatively difficult to access, with the banks largely remaining in what the National Park system calls a “primitive state.”

Around the town of Oark (population 96), where we put in, the Mulberry’s official designation changes from “scenic” to “recreational.” Here, the water remains the same, but the shoreline changes.

There are still plenty of wooded hillsides and bluffs on this stretch, but those are increasingly interspersed with fields and RV campgrounds. In this narrow valley, the river and Arkansas Highway 215 are often just a few feet apart. The water itself, however, retains its wildness. As we made our way through the swollen Class II rapids, our canoe was swamped by waves. Ultimately, we avoided tipping, but had to stop every few miles to dump out the water that had splashed in.

The next morning, after stopping by the store at Turner Bend for flush toilets and gas station sandwiches, the second day continued on much as the first had. Twenty miles of larger-than-expected rapids had us dodging fallen trees (most of the rocks were covered by high water) and then scanning the shore for places to pull over and dump the canoe. Rope swings, Jolly Ranchers and

A tranquil campsite provides the paddlers with riverside respite.

access to endless skipping rocks helped ease our annoyance at having to stop so frequently.

Still in the recreational section of the river, with the Ozark National Forest on either side, there are few roads and only the occasional half-forgotten home. Apart from a few people fishing from kayaks, we saw no other people. Ana said she felt like explorers in our own right, charting new territory down the mighty Mulberry of Arkansas.

As the river bends towards the south, the landscape flattens. The water keeps flowing fast but the channel spreads, often passing through strainers of willow saplings growing in the river. School buses drove by on narrow local roads that ran parallel to the banks.

In the distance we could hear what sounded like another large rapid, but turned out to be the rumble of trucks on the Interstate 40 bridge. I’ve driven over that bridge probably hundreds of times and have always craned my neck to catch a glimpse of the view up and downstream. Passing underneath it now, we could see that the underside was covered with the mud nests of cliff swallows, which were darting in and out. Somehow they survive amid the constant noise pollution of the traffic overhead.

Beyond the bridge, the river flows past the town of Mulberry at the appropriately named Bluff Hole Park. One of the main features of the park is a swimming hole and a bluff from which to jump into it. Several teenagers were wading in the water, watching three of their friends who had climbed about 25 feet up with the intention of jumping and landing in the river.

Ana and I slowed to watch them. One would get ready to go, then walk back from the edge. Then another would do the same. Then another. And then again. All the while, their friends waded along, mocking and encouraging them from below. As we looked back before floating out of sight, the three were still there, neither able to jump nor give up.

To be continued.

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Landmarks to visit as you trace this route.

OARK (Johnson County)

Famous for its scenery, this tiny burg is also home to Oark General Store and Cafe, the oldest continuous-operation store in Arkansas, established in 1890. Long known by touring motorcyclists as a must-stop, you’ll find groceries, picnic and camping supplies and what some people consider the best food in the region.

TURNER BEND (Franklin County)

At the heart of The Pig Trail, arguably Arkansas’s most famous stretch of highway, resides Turner Bend Store, a landmark generations in the making. Motorists stop to get their land legs back and paddlers pull in for grub and Cokes. Smiles and expert river advice are always free; go there just to say you’ve been there.

MULBERRY (Crawford County)

Something’s going on in Mulberry, a sleepy riverside community of about 1,600. The quaint town sits amid scenic splendor and is experiencing a commercial rebirth, starting with its restaurants. Check out Beth Ann’s for breakfast or lunch home cooking. Or for a truly nostalgic experience, visit Dairy Dip Diner, in business since 1952.

Be sure to build in time for experiences, be it a riverside perch, exploring a beach or just watching the water roll by.

TRADITION, SUPERSTITION AND INSTINCT

Turkey hunting is as much an art as a science as our author discovered.

BY RICHARD LEDBETTER

As with many athletes and sportsmen, I have certain traditions and superstitions I adhere to. And as with all things in life, I find it important to listen to my instincts.

Immediately following deep snows in South Arkansas during the early months of 2021, some 400 acres of 20-year-old pine plantation was row-thinned by heavy machinery near my home. The rolling gravel hills of the area were wellrutted by logging equipment dragging large loads of harvested trees over the muddy ground. The freeze and thaw also left soft earth with numerous sets of gobbler tracks trekking through the woods.

Experience taught me this former thicket, now newly relieved of underbrush and cut through with long alleys of sightline, would no doubt be the primary place to find turkey for the spring season. Beginning my early morning scouting at the start of March, I discovered a pair of toms in the area gobbling each day at first light. Keeping my presence hidden from the wily prey, I patiently listened to pattern their movements from tree to fly-down to their quest through the wide-open spaces for receptive hens.

Each morning leading up to the season, after listening to the birds, I walked back to my vehicle parked at the gate leading out onto a dead-end gravel road. I always scanned the gravel beneath my feet for what I call water crystals — smooth-rounded, clear quartz crystals

hidden amid myriad pebbles of every shape, color and size that make up the gravel of our region.

Following decades of looking for and finding these marvelous stones, my eye is trained to see the rare jewels hidden among the clutter of their surroundings.

ANY WELL-SEASONED HUNTER WORTH HIS SALT HAS CERTAIN LUCKY CHARMS.

One day my instinct suddenly told me to stop and look down at a rut cut through the roadway. There, to my excitement, was a gorgeous crystal awaiting discovery.

Originating in the ancient, quartzrich Ouachita Mountain range to our west, water crystals are unique from the average quartz in that their sharp angles have been worn smooth by millennia of erosion, tumbling through the glaciers, rivers and shallow seas that once covered

the local landscape.

Wiping the gem clean of the red clay in which it lay imbedded, I admired its clarity held up to the rising sun. I dropped the transparent pebble into my pants pocket where it joined two similar crystals found the year before. I often refer to these stones as “turkey slayers” because I nearly always harvest a mature gobbler soon after picking one up.

I venture to say any well-seasoned hunter worth his salt has certain lucky charms faithfully toted to the hunting grounds. I carry a buckeye and two or three of the water crystal talismans on every hunt. Other superstitions I stubbornly adhere to include always wearing my lucky button-up camo shirt with the threadbare collar along with my lucky belt, cap and rubber boots covered with tire patches from years of wear.

By the season’s opening morning, I had forged a plan to walk in on the gravel road to a favorable setup spot before gobbling time. The birds had shown a habit of roosting near the same tree most evenings, so I’d already picked a spot and scratched back the leaves and pine straw for a seat beneath. The idea was to be in place when the pair pitched out of their tree to land in a strut zone where they regularly began their day.

As I quietly made my pre-dawn hike, instinct told me to pull up short of the original destination and wait to hear the first gobble of the new dawn. Sure enough, the pair of toms that day weren’t in their customary tree. The gobbles

rang out from a pine tree only 70 yards ahead, overhanging the gravel road. If I proceeded to my planned destination, I would have likely alerted the birds to my presence as I passed beneath their perch.

Instead, I quietly slipped 20 yards into the plantation to my right and set out a hen decoy 20 yards to my front in an alleyway with a long, unobstructed view. I settled back against a pine, caught my breath and gathered my calm. The birds gobbled enthusiastically several times before I watched them fly down into the alleyway some 70 yards out front.

As they began strutting in the clearing, I carefully scratched out a few yelps on my slate call, only to have the pair rattle the woods with their vigorous response. Each call was met with multiple gobbles, but they held their ground, strutting in place.

After some 25 minutes of this display,

the dominate gobbler finally folded his feathers and strolled out of my sight into the row of pines that stood between us. His partner tom followed close behind.

I gently sat down my call and eased up my shotgun. Hidden from my sight, they struck up gobbling again and again, easing nearer my position. Suddenly the boss bird showed himself cautiously, slipping down the alley to my left. I followed his progress with my gun barrel, noting the trailing bird only a few yards behind. When the leader came within 40 steps and raised his outstretched neck for a look around, I squeezed the trigger.

The loud report marked his demise and he dropped motionless to the earth as his startled companion flew away unharmed in the opposite direction. The successful hunt proved all three paramount pillars of the sport: tradition, superstition and instinct.

The author's stash of hunting good luck charms.

be you. be well. Healthy lungs help you call them in.

Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

Quitting smoking can be tough, but we can help you succeed with personalized counseling sessions, free local resources and nicotine replacement therapies to help you live a healthier life.

ALMOST FAMOUS

Arkansas contestants are as real as it gets.

By Dwain Hebda

Cole Medders tackles a rock face. The Little Rock native has climbed all over the world.

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

Little Rock Native Climbs to Fame.

Before he was known to millions of Survivor fans, before being discovered at an L.A. restaurant, before his wanderlust took him to Wyoming to become a natural guide, Cole Medders was just another Central Arkansas kid with a thing for the outdoors.

“Growing up my family was very outdoorsy, lots of camping trips,” he said. “Every Memorial Day weekend we’d be up on the Buffalo River staying in Jasper or Ponca just exploring that area. I grew up going to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch all the time to rock climb, horseback ride.

“When I was about 12, we moved out to about 40 acres of land. We had horses, ATVs, all that good stuff. A lake for fishing and I’d go on fishing trips all the time with my dad. We go fishing a lot of times to Lake Maumelle. Just always fully immersed.”

Medders’ climbing jones turned serious during his high school years at Little Rock Christian Academy where he became obsessed with scaling anything The Natural State had to offer.

“We were always climbing around the Jasper area, Boxley, any of those areas,” he said. “We’d find the hidden little climbing areas off the beaten path, the kind you have to be a climber to know. We would go on Google Maps and try to find new cliffs and new rocks we’d never climbed before. Go out, find them, clean them, set them and bolt new ropes.

“I’ve always been kind of the black sheep of the family in that regard, the one who was super outdoorsy.”

He made it a little more than halfway to a college degree when he decided a change was in order. He packed up and moved to Wyoming where he enrolled with National Outdoor Leadership School.

“It’s a three-month program, basically a semester in the Rockies, where we do backcountry camping in the winter building snow huts and backcountry skiing, avalanche rescue, getting our search and rescue UT certification, rock climbing, highangle rescue,” he said.

“I called my parents, ‘Hey, I’m actually not coming back. I got an internship here so I’m just staying in Wyoming.’ The internship led to a full-time job and then just kinda went from there.”

From there, Medders joined Star Wilderness Guides, an immersive program for troubled youth set in the wilderness. The intensive program left as much of an impact on him as it did his young charges.

“They’re out there in the wilderness for up to 280 days straight. No contact with their family at all. We’d hike them from camp to camp every day where we built and set up a new camp,” he said. “Some of them were suicide risks, some of them were run risks, but we told them, ‘If you run, we are in the Utah desert about 80 miles away from the closest civilization. Good luck.’

“Eventually we were trying to build them up to the point where they could go on a wilderness solo. We’d drop them by themselves with minimal supplies and they’d survive for about four days on their own. That’s their graduation. A lot of these kids had never been forced to learn skills for themselves, so that’s what we’re driving home. It’s about taking responsibility for their actions and realizing they have inside of them what it takes to survive in the real world.”

During this time, Survivor talent scouts discovered him over dinner at an L.A. Chipotle, while visiting a friend over Halloween 2015. In 2017 he appeared on the 35th season of

the show, set in Fiji.

“For the first half of the show, I was already used to sleeping in the dirt next to a fire,” he said. “I love a good suffer-fest in the mountains, freezing, wet, soaked, tired, hungry. That was actually really amazing, we call it Type II fun. Some of these people, meanwhile, had never camped a day in their life.”

Medders didn’t fare as well with forming alliances and backstabbing political foes and was eliminated on Day 24, the ninth contestant voted out. Now living as a personal trainer in Marina Del Rey, he’s built an impressive list of climbs around the world, including Denali, Aconcagua and Mount Blanc. Even with that resume, he insists he still finds his greatest highs climbing in Arkansas.

“Arkansas has some of the best rock climbing I’ve ever climbed on,” he said. “There’s something for everyone. Southeast sandstone is incredible; it’s tall, it’s steep, it’s difficult. It’s a really powerful, interesting style of climbing. For the last five years I’ve been going to the 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell.”

Medders said long-term he’d like to launch a nonprofit aimed at getting more people into the outdoors.

“Fitness and outdoor sports have been important for my mental health and making me feel good about myself, too. I like giving that to other people,” he said. “But outdoor sports have a pretty high price of entry a lot of times. Equipment is expensive and I feel that a lot of underserved communities or minority groups don’t get to experience the joys of outdoor sports, so I’m trying to make that more accessible to everyone.

“To me the outdoors is the great unifier. It’s where we all started. That’s where our ancestors started and that’s where I feel like our roots are.”

The simple, naked truth about Matthew Garland: A country boy can survive.

Maximum Exposure

Benton man shows more than grit on survival show.

First things first: The nudity factor on the TV show “Naked and Afraid” is no big deal.

So said Matthew Garland, a thirdgeneration Eagle Scout, who has twice been on the show, the premise of which is to strip contestants down (literally) against the elements, leaving them with little more than their wits to survive.

In fact, considering everything else there is to worry about, it’s easy to see how the married 34-year-old would describe the nudity as the easy part.

“For me, it’s one of those things where everybody’s built the same. For lack of a better term, you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all,” he said. “The part of nudity that most people would be apprehensive about, the shock and awe of being naked, is really not what comes into play. Usually, it’s more about being freezing cold. That’s where the nudity becomes a problem.”

Garland trained for the show unintentionally; in 2009 he and his wife, Kelsey, decided to simplify their lifestyle to its most elemental. The couple homesteaded on a patch of ground in Lonsdale near Hot Springs where they built their own house.

“We built a tiny house before tiny houses were cool,” he said. “We slowly upgraded and made a few addons, and as we built our home, every screw, nail and board we put in it was paid for.”

Though he didn’t grow up hunting, Garland’s fondness for the outdoors made him want to learn, and during the couple’s homesteading years, while not totally dependent on the land for food, they took on the challenge of supplementing the family’s larder.

“Growing up in Scouts, I always

loved the outdoors. I always wanted to be outside,” he said. “I wanted to have my own pond and be able to catch my own fish and hunt my own deer, rabbits and squirrels as seasons permit, of course. I learned how to reload ammo out there and I did get pretty proficient at setting some traps.

“Until then, my wife and I really didn’t have much of an understanding of how to hunt or do anything like that. We kind of figured that out together.”

None of what the Garlands were doing was in preparation for landing on a reality TV show. In fact, the first time he heard about “Naked & Afraid” Garland offered a well-worn assessment of the premise.

“My response was, ‘What idiot would do that?’ I kind of laughed,” he said. “Then a friend of mine had it turned on in the background one time and I was hook, line and sinker. I binged the entire series in no time.”

On a night in with friends, Garland popped off about how he could survive the show, a pronouncement that was met with such derision it touched a nerve.

“Before you know it, I’ve got a palm tree in the backyard hacked down and I’m showing them how to eat the heart of a palm and I’m taking some palm fronds and rubbing them together showing them how to start fires,” he said. “My wife is videoing it and she was like, ‘I’m going to send this in to them.’ I just laughed. I was like, ‘They’re not going to call some small-town guy from Arkansas.’”

Of course, representatives from the show did call back and by late 2020, Garland had dropped his pants for a 14-day challenge in Arizona’s Chiricahua National Forest just north of the Mexican

border. He was invited back in 2022 where he and his partner were turned loose in a remote stretch of Zambia.

“You’re given a tool of your choosing,” he said. “Production will say, ‘Hey, we want you to bring a variety. Then when you look at the landscape you can choose from there.’ In Africa, I didn’t know my partner, so I chose a bow and arrow. What I didn’t know is that my partner is a pescetarian and she only ate fish. It would have been a better choice to have a hook and line or mosquito net or something like that. Typically, you’ll have some kind of a blade.

“But as far as where you’re going to stay or how you’re going to eat, it’s really completely up to you. The only tools you have are the tools that you get to go out there and whatever you bring in your brain.”

Garland insisted that contrary to what the viewers think, the footage is culled from two weeks of as close to actually being stranded as possible. The crew was instructed to limit interaction to a minimum and not to intervene except in the case of a serious medical situation.

For Garland, who said he would do the show again in a heartbeat, the unique perspective the experience gave him of the natural world, and his place in it, was revelatory.

“The experience really connects you in a spiritual and physical way with nature,” he said. “I’d be out there in the middle of nowhere and I could smell things from miles off. It sounds crazy, but I can tell you 90% of the time, I could smell the crew coming before I could hear them. If somebody on the crew washed their hands with a scented soap, I could smell it. It connected me to the earth like I can’t even describe.”

Incredibly versatile, birdwatching is the perfect activity for anyone looking to discover the outdoors.

Photography by Steven Warmack

Black and White Warbler

Find this charmer on tree trunks throughout Arkansas’s forests.

Kentucky Warbler

Go deep into the woods to find this brightly colored songster.

FOR THE BIRDS

The ancient practice of birding takes very little equipment compared to other outdoor activities, but there are some things that can help you get started quickly. Dan Scheiman with Audubon Delta suggests the following:

BINOCULARS

Important for seeing birds’ distinguishing markings close up, binoculars are considered standard equipment, Scheiman said. You can spend a ton on flashier models, but solid entry-level binoculars, such as the Tasco Essentials 8x42, offer solid performance without squawking over the sticker price.

FIELD GUIDE

For as much as people want to get out into nature, there are many things that can get in the way. Expensive equipment, lack of expertise or having to travel considerable distances can all cool a person’s enthusiasm when it comes to traditional outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing or even camping.

Not so with birdwatching, which requires virtually no special equipment, is great for all ages and abilities, and can be done virtually anywhere one is at any given moment. These facts and more make birdwatching — or birding, as the modernists prefer — the perfect gateway activity for anyone wishing to experience the natural world, said Dan Scheiman, Plants for Birds program manager with Audubon Delta.

“Birding is definitely a popular and growing hobby,” he said. “I’ve heard a number of statistics, like it is the second most popular outdoor hobby in the U.S. next to gardening. I’ve heard there are more birdwatchers than there are hunters and anglers combined, although a lot of people who hunt and fish also watch birds. I’ve heard there are more birdwatchers than there are NASCAR fans.

“One of the best things about birdwatching is you can do it anywhere, anytime and it doesn’t necessarily require any kind of equipment. You could be in an apartment, you could be out in the woods, you could be gardening and you could still look at birds and enjoy the presence of birds.”

Field guides help you identify the birds you see in the field; even longtime birders swear by their dog-earned printed models. Among the recommended guides is The National Audubon Society’s latest effort, an easy-to-use guide identifying more than 800 species. National Geographic’s field guide is also a highly recommended companion in the field.

APPS

Paper field guides are a wonderful old-school resource, but only an irascible old crow fails to appreciate the value of birding apps. Highly portable and packed with features, these apps quickly ID your bird, assist with birdcall identification, and some even have a built-in digital photo album. For starters, Scheiman suggests Merlin, an intuitive, free app available at the App Store or Google Play.

Baltimore Oriole

Found everywhere in Arkansas, favors elms and open woodlands.

Like all new activities, success in birding breeds deeper enjoyment and the motivation to continue. Birdwatching affords immediate feedback and gratification, which leads the birder to stay engaged. This can lead people into other activities in search of their pastime.

“Birds are all over the place and people who enjoy birdwatching have a desire to see more birds,” Scheiman said. “That leads them to get out to nature and go hiking, go see new parts of the state and new places in the world. [Birding is] a great motivator to get out and explore nature.”

Scheiman recommends people start in areas within easy access, such as their own backyards where some simple steps can kickstart the action.

“I recommend that beginners start with the birds that come to their neighborhood,” he said. “Get a bird feeder, get a field guide, get binoculars if you can and

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Indigo Bunting

Prefers brushy pastures and edges of woods or swamps.

Limpkin

Native to Florida, spot one in freshwater swamps or marshes.

Blue Grosbeak

A thicket dweller, look for them in roadside hedgerows or brushy fields.

Horned Grebe

Common to Arkansas in winter, this small diver prefers larger lakes and reservoirs.

Bobolink

More common locally during migration, bobolinks were nicknamed "ricebirds" for their feeding habits.

start watching the birds that come to you. Those are the birds that are common, you can see them every day and you have a lot of opportunities to learn how to identify them. Then you can branch out from there.”

Again, unlike fishing where one must travel to a lake or river, or camping, which generally happens outside of areas inhabited by humans, a beginner birder’s world can expand exponentially without traveling a great distance.

“Go to your local park. Go to a nearby national wildlife refuge or wildlife management area and then start expanding your theater,” Scheiman said. “As you’re exploring, you will greatly expand the list of birds you are able to identify.”

Scheiman said some common tips for the beginner are really rooted in common sense. Plan your activity in the morning and evening, as birds tend to be more active during these times of day, especially during the peak of summer heat. Look for nocturnal birds, such as owls, at night. Improving the habitat in your backyard will, obviously, draw more specimens so put out food and clean water. Plant selection in your garden will also play a role.

“The best way you can improve your yard for birds is to plant native plants, species that are native to our area that were here before European settlement,” he said. “Those are the plants our birds have evolved with. They are the plants that provide food. They provide the best habitat. They provide places for the birds to nest and to have rest and, most importantly, native plants feed the native insects that feed the birds.”

As for how to actually “do” birdwatching, Scheiman said a little homework and a calm mind are about all it takes to enjoy the activity, be it alone, with a friend or with your children.

“Keep your eyes and ears open. Be patient with yourself. Like any skill, birdwatching takes time to develop and you’re going to make mistakes, but that’s OK,” he said. “Give yourself time to learn the birds; it really helps to go birdwatching with people who are experienced, who can point out a bird and explain the species to you.”

RISE AND SHINE!

The chill of winter is disappearing fast, and that means it’s time to get out and experience events all over Arkansas! From road racing and mountain biking to hot-air balloons, motorcycle rallies and rodeos, springtime is the best time to get out and enjoy unique community events all over The Natural State!

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS!

APRIL 22

DELTA ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Helena

Come experience the hospitality and fun of the Delta Roots Music Festival, featuring the music that made the Delta famous. Bring your bike and ride the Delta Roots, a three-hour excursion that includes a stopover at Storm Creek where you can hop in a kayak for a quick paddle. While you’re there, don’t miss the heralded Greens, Beans & Cornbread Contest and Delta Roots Back Yard Grillin’ Contest. facebook.com/deltarootsmusicfest

APRIL 22

IRON PIG FESTIVAL

Fayetteville

Take on the challenge of a bike time trial, a 5K road race or a little of both in the duathlon. Or, just come out and enjoy the fun run. Whatever you choose, the Iron Pig offers a safe, well-staffed venue, ensuring a fun, fast time is had by all. Produced by All Sports Productions of Fayetteville. allsportsproductionsinc.com

APRIL 29

SALINE RIVER CANOE RACE

Benton

Back after a five-year hiatus, the Saline River Canoe Race and Family Festival is back on the water! From the launch at Peeler Bend, canoeists in competitive and recreational divisions race four miles to Lyle Park where they are met by food, music and family-friendly activities. Medals for all entrants, trophies for first through third place and even a Best Name competition add to the day’s fun. facebook.com/canoearkansas

MAY 5-6

STEEL HORSE RALLY

Fort Smith

Get your motor runnin’ and head to Fort Smith for one of the largest and loudest weekends of the year. The Steel Horse Rally honoring all who serve will feature a poker run, motorcycle grand parade and lots of musical entertainment. More than a good time, the rally is a good cause, supporting local charities, honoring veterans, military, law enforcement, first responders and helping the local community. thesteelhorserally.com

MAY 5-7

11th ANNUAL BALLOONS OVER RUSSELLVILLE

Russellville

Check out one of the most colorful festivals in The Natural State. Reserve one of a limited number of hot-air balloon rides or float tethered above the ground. Thrillseekers can also take a powered parachute ride or, for the ultimate adventure, sign up for tandem skydiving. Music, food, chainsaw carving and Cinco de Mayo Fest with salsa competition round out the terrestrial activities. balloonsoverrussellville.com

MAY 5-7

TOAD SUCK DAZE

Conway

There’s so much to see and do at Toad Suck Daze, you’re sure to find your inner amphibian. If running’s your thing, find your stride in the Toad Suck Daze 10K/5K and Tadpole Trot. If you’re more into cycling, the Tour de Toad is sure to please. Or, do ‘em both as part of the Iron Toad challenge. Food, free concerts, a carnival and the World Championship Toad Races round out the fun. toadsuck.org

MAY 26-27

OZARK

FOLK CENTER 50th JUBILEE

Mountain View

The OFC is turning 50 and all are invited to a foot-stomping birthday bash. Enjoy two nights of music and dance performed by veteran musicians, dancers, storytellers and accomplished youth stringbands from around the area. Performances are in the Ozark Highlands Theater. In between performances, check out Loco Ropes ropes course and zipline or take the area’s stunning trails. arkansasstateparks.com

MAY 29-JUNE 3

OLD FORT DAYS

Fort Smith Cowboy up! Old Fort Days Futurity and Rodeo offers the rankest bulls, wildest broncs and toughest cowboys and cowgirls in Arkansas. Enjoy family-friendly rodeo competition and pageantry, along with musical entertainment and great bars and restaurants downtown.

oldfortdaysrodeo.com

JUNE 2-3

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNING OF THE TUBS

Hot Springs

The annual World Championship Running of the Tubs provides one of the wildest spectacles in The Natural State. Costumed teams race their full bathtubs of water on wheels down famous Bathhouse Row, enduring a gauntlet of water thrown at them from the crowd in an attempt to throw them off their time. Afterward, take to nearby Northwoods for primo mountain biking.

hotsprings.org/events

Hot-air balloons dot the sky over over Russellville.

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM