Bird seasons set by commission

— The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved the early migratory bird seasons for 2010-2011 on Thursday in Little Rock.

The dove season will occur in two segments. The first segment is scheduled for Sept. 4 and runs through Oct. 19, and the second segment is Dec. 11 to Jan. 5, 2011. The early teal season will be Sept. 11-26.

Rail season will run Sept. 11-Nov. 19. Woodcock season is set for Nov. 6-Dec. 20. Common snipe is Nov. 10-Feb. 15. Purple gallinule and common moorhen seasons will run Sept. 1-Nov. 9.

The early Canada goose season is set for Sept. 1-15 statewide and the Northwest Canada goose season will be Sept. 25-Oct. 4.

AGFC wildlife assistant chief Ricky Chastain said habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl this spring were similar to 2009 in much of theUnited States and Canada.

“The Canadian prairie ponds were up 5 percent from 2009 and 9 percent above the long-term average,” Chastain said. “Total duck abundance is estimated at almost 41 million - a 3 percent decrease from 2009 but 21 percent above the long-term average.”

Based on this year’s survey results of 8.6 million midcontinent mallards and 3.7 million ponds in Prairie Canada, Chastain said, “We’ve already been advised from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that we’ll have a 60-day season.”

Biologists also presented the proposed late migratory bird seasons for 2010-2011, including several proposals for duck season.

The first proposal is Nov. 20-28, Dec. 9-23, and Dec. 26-Jan. 30. The second proposal is Nov. 25-Dec. 5, Dec. 11-23, and Dec. 26-Jan. 30. The third proposal is Nov. 20-Nov. 28, Dec. 7-Jan. 17, and Jan. 22-30. Dates proposed for the youth waterfowl hunt is Dec. 4-5 or Feb. 6-7.

The late migratory bird season dates will be approved at the August commission meeting.

In other business, the commission:

Approved an agreement between the AGFC and Central Arkansas Water for a one-year license for management and regulation of fish and wildlife on the new Maumelle River Wildlife Management Area.

Approved the purchase of nine acres along Crooked Creek in Marion County. The cost of the property is $12,000.

Recognized several AGFC wildlife officers for their efforts in saving lives and for the difficult task they performed during this year’s deadly flood at the Albert Pike Campground.

Honored three individuals with the Campbell Award. The Campbell Award is a $5,000 payment presented to the three AGFC Employees of the Year. The Campbell Award originated with Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner Craig Campbell to honor his grandfather, a former AGFC commissioner, and his father, a great outdoorsman. The award will be funded through a trust and will be bestowed annually. The three employees honored were Greg Rae, Amanda Riggs and Craig Uyeda.

Approved the first reading of the proposed fishing regulations for 2011.

Sports, Pages 21 on 07/23/2010

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