Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gearing up for duck hunting

It’s still months away, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission discussed duck hunting during today’s monthly meeting. The proposed late migratory bird season dates were reviewed and the early season migratory bird dates approved during the meeting.

AGFC Waterfowl Program Coordinator Luke Naylor presented the Commission with the late migratory season proposals.

Proposed duck season dates:

Nov. 23-Dec. 1

Dec. 5-Dec. 23

Dec. 26-Jan. 26

Youth Hunt: Feb. 1-2

Federal regulations now allow for a possession limit of three times the daily bag limit. The proposed white-fronted, snow, blue, Ross’ and late Canada goose season is Nov. 14-Jan. 26.

The late migratory bird season dates will be approved at the August commission meeting.

Early migratory bird season dates:

Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove / Sept. 1-Oct. 20 and Dec. 21-Jan. 9

Teal Season / Sept. 7-22

Rail Season / Sept. 7-Nov. 15

Woodcock Season / Nov. 2-Dec. 16

Common Snipe Season / Nov. 1-Feb. 15

Gallinule Season / Sept. 1-Nov. 9

Early Canada Goose Season / Sept. 1-15

Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season / Sept. 21-30

The teal daily bag limit will be raised to six and the possession limit to 18.

In other business, the Commission:

*Authorized Director Mike Knoedl, on behalf of the commission, to negotiate a land exchange with FutureFuel Chemical Company. The land is located along the Arkansas River in North Little Rock.

*Heard the first reading of the proposed fishing regulations for 2014.

*Approved a $33,000 budget increase for the purpose of paving the existing road leading to the White River Norfork Access in Baxter County.

*Authorized the director to request a five-year license, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to operate and maintain the Petit Jean River Pontoon Park Access. The access is located on the Yell and Conway county line.

*Authorized the director to enter into an agreement accepting a 12-acre land donation adjacent to the J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain Special Use Area. The land is being donated by Dr. Robert Rankin.

*Approved a $40,200 grant from the U.S. Forest Service for turkey research and habitat enhancement on White Rock and Wedington wildlife management areas.

*Approved a grant of $34,900 from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The money will be used for 10 habitat enhancement projects on several wildlife management areas across the state.

*Approved a budget increase of $534,000 for repairs to Dam 3 at the Jim Hinkle Spring River Hatchery.