The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently proposed an amendment to waterfowl hunting regulations specifying dates when non-residents can hunt waterfowl on wildlife management areas.
If passed, the proposal would set aside the following dates:
- Nov. 17-25
- Dec. 26-Jan. 6
- Jan. 19-27
Non-residents still would be required to purchase a five-day non-resident waterfowl permit, but they could purchase as many permits as they wish to ensure they could hunt 30 days during Arkansas’ waterfowl season.
Commissioner Andrew Parker of Little Rock voiced the proposal.
“Since the last duck season, members of this body have repeatedly heard from Arkansas sportsmen and women that it was a step in the right direction,” Parker said, “but the pressures from overcrowding on those WMAs still exist, especially on our most popular WMAs. The point of doing this is an effort to try and look for any possible way to avoid having to go to some kind of a draw system, which is something we don’t want to do.”
Commissioners proposed the amendment at the August meeting to allow time for public comment and consideration before a final vote, which would allow time to make changes to the 2019 Arkansas Waterfowl Guidebook, scheduled to be published in mid-October.
The AGFC will take public comments through an online survey before voting at the Sept. 20 meeting in Fort Smith.
