OUTDOOR HALL OF FAME

100 years on record

Game and Fish Commission toasts successes, honors 5 who helped

For 100 years the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has worked to conserve the state's wildlife resources. Its successes were celebrated Aug. 21, as were five Arkansans who have contributed to enhancing outdoor life, conservation education and protecting wildlife habitat at the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet in the Statehouse Convention Center.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame were former Arkansas Democrat-Gazette outdoor editor Steve Bowman of Little Rock; master bladesmith Jerry Fisk of Nashville; former Arkansas Game and Fish commissioner and current Ducks Unlimited president George Dunklin of Stuttgart; and the late Joel Campora, a wildlife officer who died attempting to rescue flood victims.

The late Jim Gaston of Lakeview was honored with the Legacy Award.

The evening, hosted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, began with the Governor's Reception for the honorees and their families, followed by a silent auction and barbecue dinner. A video recapping the major projects and accomplishments of the commission opened the program. Chuck Dicus, foundation president, lauded the commission for its work protecting nature's greatest gifts to the state. After a live auction, which included a SeaArk Duck Boat, boat motors, shotguns and a dove hunt in Argentina, the awards were presented and the induction commenced.

Over 1,600 outdoor enthusiasts attended the banquet, which raised money for the foundation's mission of supporting youth education initiatives that focus on the outdoors, youth shooting sports programs, fishing programs and education centers that serve young Arkansans.

High Profile on 08/30/2015

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