May 3, 2021 (LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS) – On April 29, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law House Bill 1957 (HB 1957), the Arkansas Sovereignty Act of 2021, which seeks to reaffirm second amendment protections within the state. Shortly before the enactment of HB 1957, Governor Hutchinson vetoed a bill with the same title. While both bills were …
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy Highlights Why It Matters: Hunter education courses are an excellent opportunity to introduce middle and high school students to a variety of topics related to conservation and our outdoor heritage. Further, these opportunities provide educators with an opportunity to introduce students to important concepts like …
Arkansas Caucus Passes School-Based Hunter Education Bill Read More »
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy On November 12, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) announced the state’s first opportunity for waterfowl hunters to enter a drawing for a permit to hunt on 40 private rice fields scattered throughout the state. Eastern Arkansas is widely known for being the number …
Arkansas Duck Hunters to Benefit from Farm Bill Conservation Program Read More »
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Federal Fisheries Policy and Midwestern States The first day of dove season is often a much-anticipated tradition in the South. While the early September opener (first Saturday of the month for Arkansas) is usually met with lingering summer heat and humidity, it’s the first opportunity for hunters to take to …
AGFC Provides Quality Dove Hunting Opportunities Read More »
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States & Fisheries Policy On May 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opposing a proposed change to waterfowl regulations on two of the state’s most popular wildlife management areas (WMAs). The proposed change would require hunters to be off …
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy On April 23, in a virtual meeting with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and senior AGFC staff that was streamed live on the agency’s YouTube channel, the Commission completed the first of two meetings to review a long list of regulatory changes to …
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Eyeing a Comprehensive Slate of Regulatory Changes Read More »
Contact: Chris Horton, Fisheries Policy and Midwestern States Senior Director While some states are closing state-owned wildlife management areas and boat ramps due to COVID-19 concerns, others are promoting hunting and fishing as a way to practice social distancing in a rewarding setting while enjoying our outdoor heritage. On March 19, the Arkansas Game and Fish …
Arkansas’s Answer to Social Distancing – Free Fishing Licenses Read More »
Contacts: Midwestern States Senior Director Chris Horton, Upper Midwestern States Manager Nick Buggia, and Lower Midwestern States Coordinator Kent Keene As the days become shorter, the leaves begin to change colors, and the north winds move in, sportsmen and women across the Midwest are recognizing the fast approach of the white-tailed deer rut. Commonly peaking …
By Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States Coordinator On October 7, members of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses met at the Pajaro Gun Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas for the first annual joint Arkansas and Oklahoma Sporting Clays Challenge. The Sporting Clays Challenge saw Caucus members from each state compete against each other in …
Arkansas and Oklahoma Caucuses Host First Annual Sporting Clays Challenge Read More »
By Chris Horton, Midwestern States Senior Director On March 25, a final vote is expected on Arkansas SB 486, a bill that would increase the fees for an Arkansas resident and non-resident trout permit for the first time in more than three decades. Introduced by Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Senator Missy Irvin, SB 486 …
Arkansas: Raising Trout Permit Will Result in More Rising Rainbows Read More »
