RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — For more than a decade, waterfowl hunters have enjoyed 60 days to pursue their passion. This year will be no different. Waterfowl season was set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission this summer at the agency’s headquarters in Little Rock.
Of the three options presented at the July meeting, the commission opted for option 3. That option allows the most hunting opportunities for the state’s youth. Duck season dates are Nov. 20-28, Dec. 7-Jan. 17 and Jan. 22-30. The youth waterfowl hunt will be Feb. 5-6. Duck bag limits will be no more than six ducks consisting of the following:
• Four mallards
• Three wood ducks
• Two redheads
• One black duck
• Two pintails
• One canvasback
• One mottled duck
• Two scaup
Commission Vice Chairman George Dunklin said the option is structured to allow the season to remain open during a time when students will be out of school.
“That’s what we want to focus on — the youth of our state. With this option, there are seven weekends and four holidays when parents and mentors can take kids to the flooded fields and timber of Arkansas to teach them life lessons that can’t be found in a classroom,” Dunklin said.
The commission also set the northwest Canada goose zone season for Sept. 25-Oct. 4 with a bag limit of two geese. The statewide Canada goose season will be Nov. 20-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of two geese.
White-fronted goose season will be Nov. 20-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of two geese.
— Information courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission