ARKANSAS, USA — In this week's edition of 5OUTDOORS Skot visits with Trey Reid from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) for an update on how Arkansas deer season has been going so far, what changes and opportunities duck hunters should know about, plus a wild story you have to see to believe!
Deer Season Update
Trey says data for deer season is off to a strong start. Despite wet conditions on the opening day of modern gun deer season, which often dampens hunter participation, 45,000 deer have been taken by modern gun. For some context, the total number of deer harvested through the early velvet, archery, alternative firearms season and youth modern gun was also around 45,000.
So in the first six days of modern gun, the number has doubled.
Duck Season Changes at Frog Bayou WMA
Duck season opens next Saturday, Nov. 23 around Arkansas. Recent rainfall has vastly improved habitat and cold air forecasted for next week promises to push ducks into the area.
Duck hunting at Frog Bayou WMA in the Arkansas River Valley is getting a shake-up this year with a new permit system, thanks to the property’s recent expansion and ongoing habitat work. The updates include improvements to the moist-soil areas that make this spot a prime destination for waterfowl hunters near Ozark Lake WMA and the Arkansas River.
Here’s the scoop: Two designated hunting fields will now operate on a daily draw system, available on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. These fields are strategically placed next to a newly established waterfowl rest area on the western edge of the WMA.
Meanwhile, the other 13 fields remain first-come, first-served, but there’s a catch—hunters must log into the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) online licensing system to grab a free Frog Bayou Open Hunting Unit Permit (FBOHP) before heading out.
“Right now, vegetation is still pretty sparse for hunters to find adequate cover in many of the newly established units, but the two drawn locations should offer some good hunting while we continue improvements on the property,” Brett Leach, AGFC Waterfowl Program Coordinator, said. “The free permit will help us measure hunting pressure and give us the ability to work with hunters as we develop this rare west Arkansas duck-hunting opportunity.”
You Have To See It To Believe It
Hunting stories are a dime a dozen and are often loosely based on reality. This week Trey brings a video that backs up a wild story of a deer hunter who had his trophy robbed from him by a black bear within seconds. You've just got to see it to believe it!
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