Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Considers Early Migratory Bird Hunt Dates
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: June 25, 2012
The unofficial opening of the Arkansas fall hunting season is just more than two months away.
In addition to setting this year's dove season, commissioners with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are considering early migratory bird seasons.
Early-season migratory game-bird season selections must be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by August 1st.
Approval for the early seasons will take place during the Commission's July meeting. Changes from last season are minor.
Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove
Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and Dec. 26-Jan. 9
Teal Season
Sept. 8-23
Rail Season
Sept. 8-Nov. 16
Woodcock Season
Nov. 3-Dec. 17
Common Snipe Season
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen Season
Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Early Canada Goose Season
Sept. 1-15
Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season
Sept. 22-Oct. 1
Last week, the commission also discussed late migratory bird regulation proposals, including potential WMA regulation changes. The Regulations Committee accepted the recommendations of AGFC staff to discontinue regulation exceptions that had allowed leaving decoys overnight and possessing permanent blinds on three WMAs. These proposals will be discussed at the July Commission meeting with final approval at the Commission's August meeting.
In other business, the Commission:
In addition to setting this year's dove season, commissioners with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are considering early migratory bird seasons.
Early-season migratory game-bird season selections must be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by August 1st.
Approval for the early seasons will take place during the Commission's July meeting. Changes from last season are minor.
Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove
Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and Dec. 26-Jan. 9
Teal Season
Sept. 8-23
Rail Season
Sept. 8-Nov. 16
Woodcock Season
Nov. 3-Dec. 17
Common Snipe Season
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen Season
Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Early Canada Goose Season
Sept. 1-15
Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season
Sept. 22-Oct. 1
Last week, the commission also discussed late migratory bird regulation proposals, including potential WMA regulation changes. The Regulations Committee accepted the recommendations of AGFC staff to discontinue regulation exceptions that had allowed leaving decoys overnight and possessing permanent blinds on three WMAs. These proposals will be discussed at the July Commission meeting with final approval at the Commission's August meeting.
In other business, the Commission:
- Approved policy revisions for the agency's state record fish.
- Approved a list of Commission committees and chairmen for the coming fiscal year.
- Approved the AGFC budget for fiscal year 2012-13, totaling $72,950,869.
- Approved a budget increase of $90,349 for purchase of office furniture, temporary rent and moving expenses for the new AGFC Jonesboro Regional Office.
- Elected Ron Pierce of Mountain Home chairman of the Commission to replace George Dunklin Jr. Dunklin's term on the Commission ends June 30. Rick Watkins of Little Rock was elected vice chairman.
- Passed a minute order requesting that AGFC Director Loren Hitchcock postpone his June 30 retirement effective date and continue as the agency director until the search and hiring process for a new director has been completed.
