The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission voted Thursday, Sept. 24, to cancel the fall turkey hunting season.
A press release issued by the commission cited concerns that the turkey population was getting to low as the reason for the action. The Commission has left the spring season in place.
“There’s not as many turkeys around here as there used to be,” said Terry Oliver, owner of Oliver’s One Stop. “But, the fall season around these parts aren’t that big. It’s open for archery, but not gun, so it’s not as popular as the spring season. That’s when 95 percent of the hunters around here like to hunt for turkeys.”
Turkey season was slated to open this week, but poor spring hatches left the Arkansas turkey population extremely low, according to the commission
“I love to hunt turkeys,” said Tracy Dugard of Gurdon. “They didn’t say we wouldn’t have a season, just if we want more seasons to come we are going to have to sit this one out.”
There is a silver lining however for the hunters. Deer season has arrived and the season will open with archery on Oct. 1, muzzleloader on Saturday, Oct. 17, and modern gun on Saturday, Nov. 14.
For more information on hunting season dates and the latest rulings by the Game and Fish Commission, visit their Web site at www.agfc.com.
Prescott, Ark. —
