Wild Wednesday: Archery and Fish Art Contest

The Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program - part of the National Archery in the Schools Program - targets students as young as fourth grade and as old as high school seniors. They learn archery skills, as well as an outdoor hobby they may enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Benefits of Archery
Kids of many physical skill levels can enjoy archery. A little concentration and hand-to-eye coordination is all it takes. Not only will students enjoy archery in the classroom, they'll get the chance to display their skills at a state archery tournament sponsored by the AGFC.

Arkansas students will join thousands of others across the U.S. and Canada who have enjoyed and learned from NASP.

Beginning is Easy
Archery is fun and beneficial in many ways, but it's also relatively inexpensive and simple. ANASP requires a Genesis bow with a universal draw length and a wide range of draw weights. It works for just about everyone, right- or left-handed. Young archers love this bow, which comes in a variety of colors.

A NASP kit, which costs about $2,500, includes:

• 11 Genesis Bows
• 5 Targets
• 1 Backstop
• 60 Regulation Aluminum Arrows
• 1 Repair Kit

Sources of Funds
Money for ANASP may come from many sources, including Act 799 of 2003, which sends fine money collected from violators of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations to all 75 counties. The money is earmarked for conservation education in schools.

The AGFC may offer grants for archery equipment. Contact the AGFC for more information at 800-364-4263. Conservation groups also may be interested in helping support ANASP.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Wildlife Forever have joined together to promote conservation awareness and catch the imagination of young artists. The contest encourages young artists to create an illustration of their chosen state fish. The illustration must be accompanied by a written composition on its behavior, habitat and conservation needs.

Arkansas students in grades K-12 are invited to enter the annual State Fish Art Contest. The contest is held each spring with entries being accepted in March and winners announced in May.

Contestants must draw or paint an official state fish from any state and write a one-page composition about its behavior, habitat or conservation.

One Arkansas winner will be selected for each of four grade levels:

Grades K-3

• Grades 4-6
• Grades 7-9
• Grades 10-12

For more information on the contest, visit www.statefishart.com and Related Documents below.

Students should mail entries to:

Arkansas State Fish Art Contest
Education and Information Division
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resource Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205