Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 002 - Game and Fish Commission › Rule 002.00.13-003 - 2012-13 Trout Fishing and Turtle Harvest Restrictions Regulations Clarifications; Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan; 2013-14 Statewide General Hunting Regulations and Seasons

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Proposed 2013-2014 General Hunting Regulations
			 Approval
Committee:
Regulations
Date:
April 17,
			 2013
Explanation:
Recommended revisions for hunting related regulations and new
			 proposals were presented at the March meeting for Commission review and
			 consideration. The regulations committee voted unanimous to strike the
			 recommendation to change the checking time from 24 to 12 hours from the
			 proposals last month. The amended proposals will be presented at this meeting
			 for Commission approval. These proposals include calendar adjustments, code
			 revisions and code clarifications. Included, with the backup material, is a
			 summary of recommended changes and a color coded copy of affected codes.
Prepared by:
David Goad
2013-2014
Hunting Regulations Summary of Proposals
Deer
1. Add all states and Canadian Provinces to
		  the carcass importation restriction list in code 05.26, by adding this language
		  addendum S1.01 can be deleted. The lands between the Mississippi River levees
		  in neighboring states of Tennessee and Mississippi will be excluded.
Code/Addendum:
05.26, S1.01
Justification
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved the carcass
			 importation restriction in October 2005 as an attempt to decrease Arkansas's
			 chances of acquiring CWD via infected carcass importation. Currently, 36 states
			 and five Canadian provinces have a ban or restriction on the importation of
			 hunter harvested cervid parts.
With the spread of CWD, new states are becoming positive on an
			 annual basis. The spread of this disease is directly linked to the
			 transportation of live cervids and cervid carcasses.
In order to increase Arkansas's protection and increase
			 consistency in our regulations, this proposal would place all states and
			 Canadian provinces on the carcass importation restriction list. This would
			 result in hunters following the guidelines on animal parts that can enter
			 Arkansas regardless of origin.
2. Eliminate adult mentors from possessing
		  firearms for their hunting purposes during the special youth modern gun deer
		  hunts.
Code:
11.05
Justification
The AGFC has set aside two weekends exclusively for youth hunters
			 to deer hunt. During these hunts, youths are required to be accompanied by an
			 adult either 18 or 21 years old, depending on the youth's hunter education
			 status.
Wildlife officers have observed the accompanying adult carrying a
			 firearm with the intention of harvesting game or feral hogs. The purpose of the
			 Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt is to solely provide opportunity for the
			 youth. This proposal would eliminate the ability of the adult to carry a
			 firearm, with an exception for concealed carry, while hunting with a youth
			 during the Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt.
3. Add "Private Land" to the antlerless only
		  modern gun deer hunt.
Addendum:
A1.01
Justification
To ensure hunters are aware this hunt applies only to private
			 lands and not public lands.
4. Modify boundaries of deer zones 11 and 13.
Addendum:
E1.01
Justification
The current boundary descriptions of deer zones 11 and 13 near
			 Hot Springs has resulted in confusion among some hunters. The confusion results
			 from highway construction and development around Hot Springs that was not in
			 place during the initial development of common boundaries of deer zones 11 and
			 13. This proposed change would increase clarification and assist with an area
			 west of Hot Springs that is currently experiencing a high deer population and
			 increased human deer conflicts. This small portion of deer zone 11 will be
			 placed in deer zone 13, which has a much more liberal season structure.
Click here
			 to view image
5.
		  Modify harvest strategy for deer zone 11 to allow doe harvest the entire
		  muzzleloader and modern gun seasons.
Addendum:
A1.01
Justification
Doe harvest in deer zone 11 has gradually been liberalized. In
			 2003, the total doe harvest was 703 does (1 per 3,236 acres of deer habitat).
			 The female harvest has progressively increased to a high in 2012 of 2,400 does
			 (1 per 948 acres of deer habitat). This proposal would not increase the doe bag
			 limit for deer zone 11, but would allow hunters more opportunity to harvest a
			 doe. The expected result of this proposal is a slight increase in the doe
			 harvest while maintaining a conservative season structure. This proposal would
			 also assist in balancing harvest sex ratios which have been has high as 8:1
			 (buck:doe), but recently around 2:1 (buck:doe).
The most recent biological data from 168 females shows that 45%
			 percent are 3.5 years old and older. These data suggest that doe harvest can be
			 increased without negatively impacting the deer herd. This proposal is a small
			 step in increasing the doe harvest without modifying the bag
			 limit.
6. Add deer zone 3 to
		  the Private Lands Antlerless Only Modern Gun Deer Hunt.
Addendum:
A1.01
Justification
The deer season structure in deer zone 3 has been gradually
			 liberalized. In 2003, a total of 1,093 does were harvested in deer zone 3 which
			 equates to a harvest of one per 2,087 acres of deer habitat. Recent doe harvest
			 densities have been around one per 300 acres of deer habitat. This harvest
			 density is far more acceptable in terms of deer management. Harvest sex ratios
			 have peaked at 5.9:1 (buck per doe) in 2003 to an average of 1.5:1 (buck per
			 doe) in recent years.
A total of 500 doe biological samples have been collected
			 annually from deer zone 3; of these samples, as many as 57% have been 3.5 years
			 of age and older. This suggests that doe harvest can be increased without
			 negatively impacting the herd. This proposal would conservatively increase doe
			 harvest without modifying the bag limit.
7. Remove the Wildlife Importation permit,
		  VS-127 form, and trailer sealing requirement from the live cervid importation
		  code.
Code:
09.11
Justification
The current requirements for moving live cervids through Arkansas
			 require the owner to obtain a VS-127 form and the container must be sealed
			 while in the state. It has been determined by the USDA that these requirements
			 contradict the national CWD Program and justifies preemption. After discussing
			 this topic with the Commission's Regulations Committee, it was recommended that
			 we remove the permit requirements, VS-127 form, and the sealing of the trailer,
			 but maintain the requirement for prior notification before individuals
			 transport live cervids through Arkansas.
Turkey
No change.
Alligator
No change.
Bear
8. Change archery season opening date in bear
		  zone 2 to October 1 instead of September 15 (including WMAs in zone 2), and
		  re-instate the quota of 150 in bear zone 2.
Addenda:
A1.08, C1.02
Justification
The opening date of bear season in zone 2 was moved to September
			 15 to help increase the bear harvest. The target harvest of 150 bears was never
			 reached and the season was liberalized to "catch up" for years of under
			 harvest. Three of the last five years have had harvests exceeding 200 bears.
			 Nuisance complaints over the past two years have indicated that the population
			 has been effectively reduced. The harvest strategies for the zone need to be
			 moved back to the more conservative strategies of the past which includes
			 moving the opener back to October 1 and re-instating the 150 bear quota. The
			 150 bear quota needs to be separated by month to ensure that gun hunters have
			 bear hunting opportunity. Approximately 20% of the bears in zone 2 have been
			 harvested after November 1. The quota should allow harvests of 125 bears during
			 the October hunt and 25 bears during the November hunt. An October 1 opener
			 will ensure a consistent annual opening date. It will also serve to ease
			 harvest pressure on adult females, which are more susceptible to harvest
			 earlier in the year.
9.
		  Require nonresident bear hunters to purchase a nonresident annual all game
		  license to harvest a bear.
Code:
03.04
Justification
Non-residents currently account for approximately 16% of the
			 annual bear harvest. The AGFC does not currently have any special license
			 requirements for non-resident bear hunters. In fact, bears may be taken by
			 non-residents with the purchase of a $50 one-day hunting license since bear
			 tags do not exist. AGFC staff examined non-resident bear hunting fees for
			 several states and determined that costs ranged from approximately $200-$500.
			 The simple solution would be to require non-residents to purchase an annual
			 $300 hunting license rather than creating a special bear tag.
Captive Wildlife
10. Insert language in the requirements for
		  Wildlife Breeder/Dealer, Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort, and Game Bird
		  Shooting Resort permits.
Addenda:
F1.01, F1.02, F1.03
Justification
This will clarify the current code to ensure that captive
			 wildlife facilities are not permitted unless they have acquired their stock in
			 a legal fashion. This will also make it clear that animals may not be captured
			 from the wild in Arkansas to become stock in these facilities.
11. Remove exception 4 from code 05.04.
Code:
05.04
Justification
This exception is redundant as exception 2 already references
			 code section 9 in regards to sale of wildlife.
12. Implement standards for caging of
		  non-native wildlife, require that male and female non-native wildlife be
		  separated so as to prevent breeding, and require specific documentation of
		  ownership.
Code:
09.02
Justification
This proposal will institute provisions that already apply to
			 native wildlife pets. The caging standards are necessary to prevent escape of
			 non-natives that may have a negative impact on wild populations of native
			 Arkansas wildlife. The separation of the sexes is necessary to prevent
			 breeding, for which a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer permit is required.
Elk
13. Add an exception to allow private
		  inholdings on a WMA to participate in the Elk Management Assistance Program.
Code:
02.02
Justification
This change will allow for any private lands within the five
			 county Elk Management Assistance Program (EMAP) zone to participate in the
			 private lands elk hunt. Currently, these in-holders cannot participate in the
			 hunt according to code 02.02. This will also help reduce the number of
			 complaints caused by nuisance elk.
14. Remove 2 pm curfew for EMAP private land
		  elk hunt. Allow antlerless hunters to hunt all day and call the wildlife
		  hotline at 7 pm each evening to determine if the antlerless quota has been
		  filled. Bull hunters must stop hunting between the hours of 12 pm-2 pm and must
		  call the wildlife hotline at 2 pm to determine if the bull quota has been met.
Code/Addendum:
No code or addendum change
			 required.
Justification
Private landowners would like to be able to hunt elk during the
			 evening. Allowing the EMAP permit holders hunt all day will help fill the EMAP
			 quota more quickly. This will allow landowners who have elk on their property
			 more opportunity to harvest an elk.
15. Add crossbow as a legal method for
		  harvesting elk.
Code:
06.10
Justification
Crossbows are allowed to hunt all other big game species. This
			 will help streamline the elk regulations to be cohesive with other programs
			 regulations.
16. Clarify and revise
		  the public land elk zones by adding the descriptions in the code which were
		  established prior to the 1998.
Addendum:
E1.10
Justification
These zones were established prior to the 1998 hunting season,
			 which is when elk hunting was first allowed during the modern era but were
			 never added to the addendum. Since elk movements have changed over the years,
			 these zone boundaries require modification.
17. Change the season dates from September to
		  mid-October for elk zones 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Addendum:
A1.09
Justification
September bull elk hunts were implemented to allow hunters the
			 opportunity to hunt during the bugling season. Changing the hunt to mid-October
			 will still allow for hunters to enjoy a bugling season bull hunt, and also give
			 the ability to remove some antlerless elk. Moving the first season to
			 mid-October will allow calves to reach a sufficient weaning age before cows are
			 harvested. This change will help spread the antlerless hunters out over two
			 seasons instead of putting them all in one season like in the past. As the elk
			 population increases it will be difficult to safely permit enough hunters to
			 fill the antlerless quota during one hunt.
Quail
No change.
Squirrel
No change.
Rabbit
No change.
Furbearer
18. Clarify code 03.03 so that it doesn't
		  seem like a trapping license is needed to hunt furbearers.
Code:
03.03
Justification
The current language implies that a trapping license is needed to
			 hunt furbearers.
19. Restore
		  a reference to code 17.01 which outlines legal trapping methods that can be
		  used to take nuisance furbearers under exception 3 to code 05.10.
Code:
05.10
Justification
This will ensure that only legal trapping techniques are used for
			 the take of these nuisance furbearers.
20. Remove exception 3 from Code 17.07.
Code:
17.07
Justification
None of these animals are furbearers and it is not necessary to
			 include them in a code dealing with purchase and sale of
			 furbearers.
21. Restore
		  requirement for non-resident trappers to report on their harvest.
Code:
17.09
Justification
This requirement was in place but was lost during the code
			 revision permit when separate code requirements for each type of permit were
			 consolidated into code section 3. This report allows us to monitor harvest by
			 non-resident trappers, which can account for significant percentages of harvest
			 of certain species.
22.
		  Remove exception 3 from addendum A1.05 that reference nuisance coyote.
Addendum:
A1.05
Justification
This exception is not necessary as it is covered in exception 1
			 of the nuisance wildlife code 05.10.
23. Clarify that bobcat and coyote seasons
		  are closed during turkey and squirrel seasons only on WMAs where turkey or
		  squirrel season is closed.
Addendum:
C1.09
Justification
The current code implies that if turkey season is closed on a WMA
			 then no bobcat or coyote hunting is allowed at any time.
WMA General
			 Regulations
24. Modify antler restrictions on
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA
from the 3 point rule to
		  15-inch inside spread or 18-inch main beam.
Addendum:
C1.14
Justification
The intent of the Sweet 16 is to increase diversity in our public
			 land management strategies. These 16 areas are designed to manage the females
			 to ensure a healthy, productive, and balanced deer herd. Males will be managed
			 for quality bucks with majority of the harvest reaching 3.5 year old. The 2012
			 regulation package contained changes in antler restrictions for 10 of the Sweet
			 16. This proposal would result in all the Sweet 16 WMAs having an antler
			 restriction that are specifically tailored to move majority of the buck harvest
			 into a 3.5 and older age class.
25. Modify antler restrictions on
Dr.
		  Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc, Hope Upland, McIlroy Madison County, Scott
		  Henderson Gulf Mountain and Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMAs
from the
		  three point rule to 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam.
Addendum:
C1.14
Justification
The intent of the Sweet 16 is to increase diversity in our public
			 land management strategies. These 16 areas are designed to manage the females
			 to ensure a healthy, productive, and balanced deer herd. Males will be managed
			 for quality bucks with majority of the harvest reaching 3.5 year old. The 2012
			 regulation package contained changes in antler restrictions for 10 of the Sweet
			 16. This proposal would result in all the Sweet 16 WMAs having an antler
			 restriction that are specifically tailored to move majority of the buck harvest
			 into a 3.5 and older age class.
26. Exempt youth hunters from antler
		  restrictions on
Freddie Black Choctaw Island Deer Research Area WMA
		  East Unit
.
Code/Addendum:
15.01, C1.14
Justification
Youth hunters are not currently required to abide by antler
			 restrictions on WMAs except the Freddie Black Choctaw Island Deer Research Area
			 WMA East Unit. Allowing youth hunters to harvest any deer will provide
			 additional opportunity for youth hunters.
27. Decrease the deer bag limit from four to
		  three deer during the modern gun youth permit hunt on
Freddie Black
		  Choctaw Island Deer Research Area WMA East Unit
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
This change will make bag limits for all permit hunts on Freddie
			 Black Choctaw Island Deer Research Area WMA East Unit the
			 same.
28. Allow the use of
		  any caliber weapon to take bobcat, fox and coyote during the bobcat, fox and
		  coyote season
on Dardanelle and Ozark Lake WMAs
.
Code:
20.02
Justification
In many portions of both WMAs, Corps property extends up narrow
			 drainages with private land on either side thus making the weapons restriction
			 nearly impossible to enforce. Recent requests by hunters who like to call
			 bobcats, foxes and coyotes, especially on the bigger islands and field systems,
			 and would like to use center fire rifles yet are limited in the type of weapons
			 used, have increased. This recommendation would increase hunter opportunity to
			 use any caliber weapon to harvest bobcat, foxes and coyotes.
29. Implement firearms restriction to
		  shotguns only (.410 and larger) with slugs (no buckshot allowed) or
		  muzzleloading rifles shooting a single projectile on
Frierson and
		  Holland Bottoms WMAs
.
Code:
20.02
Justification
Frierson
-To make the firearm restrictions on the
			 WMA the same as the surrounding zone.
Holland Bottoms
-Weapons are being restricted due
			 to urbanization surrounding the
WMA and in order to ensure hunter safety.
30. Removing the firearm restrictions and
		  allowing all legal modern guns during the modern gun youth permit hunt on
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
.
Code:
20.02
Justification
After three years of the permit hunt, it is believed there are no
			 safety issues that would warrant firearm restrictions. Allowing rifles designed
			 for kids will increase hunter participation and success for this permit
			 hunt.
31. Allow other
		  seasons to remain open during the permit hunts on
DeGray Lake
		  WMA
.
Code:
20.17
Justification
The special youth deer permit hunt and the Mobility Impaired
			 Waterfowl permit hunt conducted by the Corps of Engineers conflicts with Code
			 20.17 that states: "It is unlawful to hunt wildlife during a permit hunt on any
			 WMA without first obtaining a permit. All seasons not named on the permit are
			 closed during permit hunts on WMAs." As the code currently reads, deer archery
			 and furbearer hunting would be closed during these two permit hunts. However,
			 the Corps of Engineers only allows a small number of people to participate in
			 these permit hunts and it is on areas that are not allowed to be hunted by the
			 general public. It is not the intent to close any other seasons during these
			 hunts, so adding DeGray Lake WMA as an exception would correct
			 this.
32. Extend quail dog
		  training from April 1 to April 15 on
J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain
		  SUA
.
Code:
22.01
Justification
To provide additional spring dog training opportunity for
			 National Shoot to Retrieve Association and National Bird Hunter Association
			 participants.
33. Adjust WMA
		  deer bag limits to match up with surrounding zone bag limits and to align WMAs
		  into four tiers. This includes
Bayou Meto, Beaver Lake, Bell Slough,
		  Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita, Big Lake, Big Timber, Camp Robins SUA, Camp
		  Robinson WMA, Casey Jones, Cherokee, Cove Creek Natural Area, Crossett
		  Experimental Forest, Dardanelle, Dave Donaldson Black River, DeGray Lake,
		  Devils Knob, Ed Gordon Point Remove, Ft. Chaffee, Foushee Cave Natural Area,
		  Frierson, Frog Bayou, Greers Ferry, Harold E. Alexander, Hobbs State
		  Park-Conservation Area, Howard Hensley Searcy County, J. Perry Mikles Blue
		  Mountain SUA, Jamestown Independence County, Jim Kress, Jones Point, Lake
		  Overcup, Loafer's Glory, McIlroy Madison County, Mike Freeze Wattensaw, Mt.
		  Magazine, Nimrod Lloyd Millwood, Norfork Lake, Ozark Lake, Ozark National
		  Forest, Petit Jean River, Piney Creeks, Poison
Springs, Prairie Bayou, Rainey, River Bend, St. Francis
			 National Forest, St. Francis Sunken Lands, Seven Devils, Steve N. Wilson Raft
			 Creek Bottoms, Sweden Creek Natural Area, Sylamore, Terre Noire, Trusten
			 Holder, U of A Pine Tree Experimental Station, W. E. Brewer Scatter Creek,
			 Wedington, White Rock and Winona WMAs
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
To simply bag limit regulations on certain WMAs by organizing
			 them into four groups of season structures/bag limits.
34. Add a third modern gun special youth hunt
		  on
Bearcat Hollow WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
The US Forest Service has requested a third youth deer season to
			 offer more public hunting opportunity for the youth of Northwest
			 Arkansas.
35. Add an archery
		  deer season on the
Devil's Eyebrow Unit on Beaver Lake WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
This area has just been added to the WMA system and is located
			 near heavily populated Northwest Arkansas cities. This has potential to become
			 a very popular destination for the deer hunting public in that area. An archery
			 only season this first year will allow time for AGFC and partners (ANHC and
			 TNC) to evaluate options and alternatives appropriate for this
			 location.
36. Change the
		  deer modern gun youth permit hunt from the first weekend of muzzleloader to the
		  weekend before deer muzzleloader on
DeGray Lake WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
The Corps of Engineers has a deer modern gun youth permit hunt
			 that allows three youth to participate in the permit hunt and it is on areas
			 that are not allowed to be hunted by the general public. The Corps of Engineers
			 has selected these dates for this hunt so that it is not during muzzleloader
			 season.
37. Add a modern gun
		  permit hunt on
Galla Creek WMA
.
Codes:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
Several adjacent clubs continue to obtain numerous doe tags in an
			 attempt to control deer numbers around Galla Creek WMA. In an attempt to
			 continue to liberalize the deer harvest on this WMA and to allow public land
			 hunters in this area more opportunity, Region 8 staff recommends the addition
			 of a modern gun permit hunt (30 permits) with a bag limit of two deer (one buck
			 and one doe).
38. Move the
		  modern gun mobility impaired permit hunt and the modern gun permit hunt dates
		  on
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
later in the season.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
Moving these date changes to later in the season will reduce
			 conflicts between user groups on the area and give more attention to selected
			 hunters.
39. Add two youth
		  permit hunts to
Holland Bottoms WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.01
Justification
Youth modern gun permit (20 permits per hunt) hunts, with
			 restricted weapons, are being recommended to provide additional youth hunting
			 opportunities within the central Arkansas region. The Holland Bottoms has
			 approximately 5,540 acres of quality habitat that could be utilized by youth
			 hunters with an average annual harvest rate of approximately 30 deer. The low
			 number of permits (1/277 acres of quality habitat) will allow for a
			 quality/safe experience. These hunt dates will coincide with the statewide
			 youth deer hunts.
40. Remove
		  the permit requirement to harvest a doe with a firearm during the entire
		  muzzleloader season and Nov. 9-10 and Dec. 26-28 on
Blue Mountain
		  WMA
.
Addenda:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
Align the total deer bag limit with deer zone 11. Deer harvest
			 numbers suggest the deer herd on this area can support the increase in the bag
			 limit.
41. Add a modern gun
		  youth permit (20 permits) hunt on
Little Bayou WMA
.
Addenda:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
To provide additional quality hunting opportunities for youths.
			 The dates will coincide with the first statewide youth deer
			 hunt.
42. Remove the permit
		  requirement from the youth hunt and add the second statewide youth hunt date on
Prairie Bayou WMA
.
Addenda:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
Removing permit requirement for the youth hunt and adding the
			 second youth hunt will increase regional and statewide opportunity for youth
			 hunters. Permit sales have been low the last several years, averaging 75%
			 permits remaining.
43. Add a
		  modern gun mobility impaired permit hunt (6 permits) on
Wedington and
		  White Rock WMAs
.
Addenda:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
To provide hunting opportunity to special needs mobility impaired
			 deer hunters.
44. Open
		  archery bear season on
Cedar Creek and Iron Mountain Natural Area
		  WMAs
.
Addendum:
C1.02
Justification
There is no biological reason not to allow archery bear hunting
			 on these areas. The area is currently open to archery deer hunting and this
			 change would allow for more sportsman opportunity.
45. Open modern gun bear season for two days
		  for deer permit holders only on
Galla Creek WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.02
Justification
Bears are rare occurrences on Galla Creek WMA and are typically
			 young bears passing through the area. Allowing deer permit holders to also
			 harvest a bear if they encounter one will prevent bears from becoming
			 established on this small WMA which is located very near to urban areas where
			 they would assuredly cause human conflicts. This recommendation is consistent
			 with the permit hunts on all other Region 8 WMAs.
46. Increase the turkey bag limit from one to
		  two on
Buck Island WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.04
Justification
This regulation change would align the WMA bag limit with the
			 surrounding zone.
47.
		  Eliminate the Bird Dog Training/Quail Hunting Permit that is currently required
		  to hunt on
Big Timber WMA Upland Demonstration Area
.
Addendum:
C1.05
Justification
The AGFC leases this portion of Big Timber WMA from The Ross
			 Foundation. The intent of the Bird Dog Training/Quail Hunting Permits was
			 originally to gather information from quail hunters using the area and to
			 survey them to collect data used by the Ross Foundation. The Ross Foundation
			 did not gather enough accurate data from the hunters and the area is not very
			 heavily utilized by quail hunters, so the Ross Foundation has requested that no
			 permits be required on the Upland Wildlife Demonstration Area.
48. Allow raccoon hunting on
J. Perry
		  Mikles Blue Mountain WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.09
Justification
Allowing raccoon hunting will reduce predation on the quail
			 stocked for field trial use, reduce predation on ground nesting bird nests and
			 provide additional furbearer hunting opportunity.
49. Allow trapping of furbearers on
Camp Robinson WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.09
Justification
Military personnel at Camp Robinson have requested to allow
			 trapping of furbearers on the WMA. A few years ago, the military personnel at
			 the time recommended that the WMA be closed to trapping due to the potential
			 for an individual to set out traps on the WMA one day and then return the next
			 day to find that the same area had been closed to public access and would
			 thereby be unable to retrieve his traps. With the current personnel on the
			 military base and the long-term scheduling of training activities, it is
			 unlikely that the once perceived problem would actually become reality.
			 Therefore, the military personnel recommend allowing trapping on Camp Robinson
			 WMA in order to provide recreational opportunity and help reduce furbearer
			 numbers.
50. A change to
		  allow archery hunting for deer, and squirrel hunting on
Harris Brake
		  WMA
seven days a week while staying consistent with statewide season
		  and WMA boating restrictions.
Addendum:
C1.12
Justification
Comments from the non-duck hunting public as well as a general
			 consensus between area biologists, and county wildlife officers suggest that a
			 possibly large portion of hunters are unable to utilize this WMA for many of
			 its intended uses due to restrictions that were placed on the days, times, and
			 types of hunting that can occur during the waterfowl season After consultation
			 with previous area managers, and county wildlife officers no reasons could be
			 identified for continuing with these restrictions.
51. The
Conway George Unit on
		  Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA
is closed to all trespassing, except for
		  waterfowl hunting permit from the last day of the modern gun permit hunt to the
		  last day of waterfowl season (including the special youth waterfowl hunt).
		  Anyone entering the Conway George Unit during waterfowl season must be in
		  possession of a Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA Conway George Unit Waterfowl
		  Hunting Daily Use Permit, or be accompanied (in immediate proximity) by a
		  permit holder in accordance with permit requirements. Waterfowl hunting permits
		  will be allocated through an online drawing. All permits must be completed and
		  returned to the collection box at the end of the hunt.
Addendum:
C1.12
Justification
The Conway George Unit is a newly acquired property that will be
			 managed as a permitted waterfowl hunt unit on Wednesdays and Saturdays. All day
			 youth permit hunts will be allowed each Saturday of waterfowl season in order
			 to support, encourage and promote youth waterfowl hunting in East Central
			 Arkansas. These small units will be closed to all trespass except for permit
			 holders in order to allow waterfowl time to forage and loaf on these high
			 quality sites.
52. Added a
		  muzzleloader and modern gun deer permit hunt (20 permits per hunt) on
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA
.
Addenda:
C1.01, C1.13
Justification
Increase public hunting opportunity by allowing muzzleloader and
			 modern gun permit hunts on this WMA. The WMA will be permitted due to
			 anticipated hunter participation. This WMA is in deer zone 9 and borders both
			 Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA and Cache River NWR. There are no anticipated
			 safety concerns with allowing these permit hunts. Arkansas Natural Heritage
			 Commission supports adding these permit hunts. The staff would like to provide
			 additional public opportunity but at the same time, is committed to providing a
			 quality experience for the permit hunters.
53. Add the word possess to code 20.05 and
		  also add an exception to exclude hunters traveling to inholding property on a
		  WMA.
Code:
20.05
Justification
There is no reason for hunters to possess corn, feed or any type
			 of bait while hunting on WMAs. In the past corn has been found by enforcement
			 on ATV's and in trucks. The hunter has used the excuse they hunt over bait on
			 their lease.
54. Open elk
		  season on
Bearcat Hollow WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.15
Justification
The elk population on this area has reached a level to sustain a
			 limited hunt.
55. Open
		  squirrel hunting with dogs after the first nine days of modern gun deer season
		  on
Big Timber, Casey Jones, Ozark National Forest, Piney Creeks and
		  White Rock WMAs
.
Code:
22.01
Justification
To provide maximum opportunity for both modern gun deer hunters
			 and modern gun squirrel hunters utilizing dogs.
56. Add an alligator hunt by permit only on
Sulphur River WMA
.
Addendum:
C1.03
Justification
Permits have been issued on Sulphur River in the past; however
			 numbers of alligators detected during spotlight surveys declined due to
			 flooding, and the WMA was removed from the code. The alligator population in
			 the area most likely did not drop, but the flood waters most likely accounted
			 for dispersal of the alligators. Including Sulphur River WMA in the code, and
			 allowing the harvest of one alligator on the area will not negatively impact
			 the resource. Staff recommends adding Sulphur River WMA to the code, and the
			 alligator population will continue to be closely monitored.
Misc.
57. Modify the legal archery tackle to
		  exclude arrowheads containing firearm ammunition.
Code:
06.04
Justification
A new product has been developed to be used for archery hunters.
			 This product incorporates firearm ammunition inside an arrowhead to be
			 delivered by archery tackle. When the arrow makes contact with the target, the
			 arrow becomes a firing pin and deploys the ammunition round.
This product can become very deadly being delivered from archery
			 tackle. Deployed arrows may glance off tree limbs and other obstacles which
			 result in the arrow rapidly changing its course of flight. A deflected arrow
			 with these types of heads can be very dangerous as the ammunition round is
			 fired in a random direction. In addition, a firearm ammunition arrowhead
			 contradicts the spirit of archery tackle definitions.
58. Modify the minimum archery poundage from
		  40 to 35 pounds.
Code:
06.04
Justification
The current regulation requires that hunters utilizing archery
			 tackle comply with a draw weight at least 40 pounds. This regulation was
			 developed many years ago and has not been modified with the advances of archery
			 tackle.
It has been recommended by the Arkansas Bowhunters Association
			 that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lower the 40 pound requirement to 35
			 pounds to address the enhancements in archery tackle and provide opportunity to
			 hunters who may not be able to effectively draw 40 pounds. This recommended
			 draw weight would also take into consideration the various types of broad heads
			 (fixed vs. expandable) and their killing ability.
Items in blue are clarifications and are not reflected in
			 the summary.
PROPOSED 2013-2014 STATEWIDE AND WMA GENERAL HUNTING
			 REGULATION APPROVAL
2014 DEER SEASON OPENING DATES
Deer (archery):
Sat., Sept. 27, 2014
			 (4th Sat. in Sept. annually)
Deer
			 (muzzleloader):
Sat., Oct. 18, 2014 (3rd Sat.
			 in Oct. annually)
Deer (modern gun):
Sat., Nov. 8, 2014
			 (2nd Sat. in Nov. annually
02.02
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
		  ESTABLISHED AS ZONES
Each WMA (
Code 01.00-C WMA
) is a
			 separate zone for which the Commission may establish and apply hunting
			 regulations. All private lands (including any combinations of lands separately
			 owned, and regardless of whether such lands touch a road, creek, stream, river,
			 lake or other waterbody) that are completely surrounded by WMA lands (except
			 NWRs) shall be considered as inholdings. Such inholdings shall be subject to
			 the same regulations pertaining to hunting season dates, hunting hours, bag
			 limits and hunting permits as the surrounding WMA.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Private
		  lands that are completely surrounded by NWR lands shall be subject to the same
		  state regulations pertaining to hunting season dates, hunting hours, bag limits
		  and hunting permits as the surrounding or nearest adjacent state management
		  zone, plus any federal regulations pertaining to NWR inholdings.
(2)
Private lands that are completely
		  surrounded by a WMA that are located within the five county (Boone, Carroll,
		  Madison, Newton and Searcy Counties) Elk Management Assistance Program private
		  land elk zone shall be subject to the elk hunting season dates, bag limits and
		  hunting permits as the surrounding or nearest adjacent state management zone
		  that allows elk hunting.