Arkansas Duck Season re-opens today

Arkansas Duck Season re-opens today

www.agfc.com LITTLE ROCK – Despite some rainfall earlier this week, dry conditions persist for much of The Natural State.

The first segment of duck season closed Sunday and reopens Dec. 8.

The second part of the youth waterfowl hunt will be Feb. 4, 2017.

Youth hunters who have completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a mentor 18 years or older; a mentor 21 or older must accompany youth hunters who haven’t completed hunter education.

Mentors may not hunt, but may assist with calling. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as the regular waterfowl season, although youth hunters can hunt on Arkansas Game and Fish Commission WMAs from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. Sweet 16 WMA permits aren’t required for youth hunters.

Seasons for snow, blue and Ross’s geese, Canada geese and white-fronted geese remain open during the duck season split, but goose seasons are closed to hunters 16 and older during Saturday’s youth waterfowl hunt.

The water levels and gauge readings in this week’s report were taken Monday as rain was falling across the state. Readings may not accurately reflect current water levels, but because of the extremely dry conditions that existed prior to Monday’s rain, hunters shouldn’t expect significant increases in WMA water levels.

Arkansas hunters should be aware of two significant changes in waterfowl hunting regulations on AGFC wildlife management areas: the use of decoys that simulate wing movement and any mechanical devices that create movement or ripples on the water except a traditional jerk string is prohibited on WMAs, and hunters must exit inundated areas of WMAs by noon. Waterfowl hunters also should be aware that It is unlawful to operate a boat in any manner that is hazardous to persons or property on any part of a WMA including ramps, structures, boat lanes or other areas. Intentional violation of boating safety laws carry a fine of up to $5,000, a possible jail sentence of up to 90 days, revocation of the ability to access any WMA in Arkansas for one year and the loss of hunting and fishing privileges for one year.

From the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission