January Events Taking Place in the Ouachitas of Arkansas

The start of the live Thoroughbred horse racing season at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs is Jan. 13. The season culminates April 14 with the 76th running of the $1 million Arkansas Derby. Oaklawn is one of the premier race tracks in the country. Best known as the home of the Racing Festival of the South and Arkansas Derby, the track has played host to some of the biggest names in the sport including champions Smarty Jones, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Visit www.oaklawn.com for more details or call 501-623-4411.

If your spine tingles at the site of an eagle soaring majestically, then you’re aware of the unique combination of beauty and efficient design that sets these birds apart from other winged creatures. Don’t think it’s necessary to travel to far-off places to see an eagle in the wild. Arkansas is a favorite wintering ground for bald eagles, and they are seen in nearly every part of the Natural State. Join a park interpreter for festivities centered on our national symbol Jan. 20-22 during Bald Eagle Bonanza in Hot Springs at Lake Catherine State Park. Activities include lake tours, guided bird walks, guest speakers and live bird demonstrations. Visit www.arkansasstateparks.com or contact the park at 501-844-4176 for a detailed schedule.

GPS and Geocaching 101 is Jan. 21 at Lake Ouachita State Park in Mountain Pine. The free class covers how a GPS works and ways you can use it. Whether you are traveling, hunting, fishing, or geocaching, a GPS can be of great use. By the end of the class participants will know how to enter a waypoint, track a route, determine a distance and find their way home. For more details visit www.arkansasstateparks.com or call 501-767-9366.

Join falconer Rusty Scarborough on an actual hunt using a live hawk Jan. 27 during a Live Falconry Hunt at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck. Participants take a short boat ride to a vacant Corps campground where Scarborough will turn loose a hungry hawk in search of prey. Be prepared to walk through brush and over uneven terrain as you participate in the action (following/flushing game). Also, participants should be prepared for the possibility of a successful hunt where prey is captured and consumed by the hawk. Discretion must be used when considering participating in this activity. Reservations may be made at the lodge front desk at 501-865-5810 or visit www.degray.com for more information.

Eagles Et Cetera is Jan. 27-29 in Bismarck at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Join the park for this 33rd annual celebration of our nation’s symbol. This is the park’s signature special event. Programs featuring the American Bald Eagle and other birds of prey make the weekend fly by. Activities are scheduled Friday - Sunday, including eagle-watching lake tours, guided bird walks, owl prowls, live bird demonstrations, slide presentations, games, and more. Staff and docents from the Little Rock Zoo present programs to area schools during the week and give live raptor demonstrations and performances on Friday and Saturday. On Jan. 28 Rusty Scarborough, falconer, hosts Live Falconry, where he introduces people to the world of falconry, an art rooted in conservation and largely responsible for the abundance of falcons worldwide. Also that day join certified raptor rehabilitator Rodney Paul for Raptor Rehab, a demonstration of live rehabilitated birds, as he gives a glimpse into the challenges of healing injured raptors before they are released into the wild. Lodging and camping are available. Call 501-865-5810 beginning Jan. 23 for ticket prices and reservations for eagle watching lake tours. Please dress for the weather for outdoor activities. Visit www.degray.com for more information.