The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation will induct four new members into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame at its annual banquet Aug. 12 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
This year's inductees are Rodney Herndon of Hot Springs, and Scott Simon and Steve "Wildman" Wilson, both of Little Rock. The late John Olin will receive the Game and Fish Foundation's Legacy Award.
Chuck Dicus, president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, said all of the inductees treasure the preservation of our state's natural treasures.
"Each of them has worked tirelessly in this regard, and we are singularly privileged to honor them in this way," Dicus said.
Herndon is president of Xpress Boats, which is based in Hot Springs. He shepherded the growth of the small family enterprise into an international presence in the boating industry, which employs 175 people in a 240,000-square-foot factory.
Simon, an Illinois native, is director of the Arkansas chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He has nurtured multiple partnerships with public and private organizations, which have conserved 300,000 acres of Arkansas natural land. In this way, he has helped preserve critical natural habitat across multiple ecosystems through a series of initiatives, including restoring rivers and creating national wildlife areas.
"Wildman" is just a hall of fame kind of guy. He retired recently from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, where he became one of the most recognized outdoor figures in Arkansas.
A lifelong hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, "Wildman" is a popular TV and radio personality who used his position to advocate conservation and the wise use of resources to preserve the culture of the outdoors throughout the state.
Olin is an eponymous name in the hunting and firearms industries. He held 23 U.S. patents related to arms and ammunition, which resulted in the advanced ballistics that all shooters enjoy today.
He also led Winchester Repeating Arms Company back to prominence after the storied gun-maker merged with his family's corporation.
The reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will begin at 7 p.m.
Individual tickets for the event cost $125. Tables to seat 10 can be reserved for $1,250 each. Proceeds from the event will support programs such as the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports, Archery in Schools and Becoming an Outdoor Woman, or BOW, Dicus said.
For more information, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation at (501) 223-6468 or email rkrains@agff.org.
BUZZ bass tournament
Signal Media of Arkansas and KABZ-FM 103.7, The Buzz, will hold the Big Buzz Bass Tournament on June 11 at the North River Landing in North Little Rock.
Steve Jonsson, general manager of The Buzz, said The Buzz will coordinate with Dream Catchers Outdoor Adventures, a nonprofit organization based in Russellville that provides recreational outdoor activities to individuals who are disabled and/or terminally ill.
Anglers will compete for a share of $6,000 in cash payouts to the top 10 boats, as well as a $500 Southern Reel Outfitters gift certificate for the largest bass caught.
The event will begin at 5:30 a.m., and the weigh-in will be at 3 p.m. Registration will be $100 per boat, with a maximum of two occupants per boat. Anglers of all ages are welcome, with at least one occupant per boat of legal age.
Visit 1037theBuzz.com for more information or to register, or call Jamie Fuell at (501) 661-1037.
Hunter Ed Challenge
The 20th annual Arkansas Youth Hunter Education Challenge will be held June 9-11 at the C.A. Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock.
Teams composed of youngsters from around the state compete in a suite of hunter-related activities. It's highly competitive and fun to watch, even if you don't have a child involved.
Sports on 06/02/2016