Commission Proposes Earlier Turkey Season

Commissioners also heard a presentation from Clint Johnson, AGFC Quail Program coordinator, who shared an overview of his program and the status of northern bobwhite in Arkansas. According to Johnson, the program revolves around managing and restoring grassland habitat that benefits quail and many other bird species with declining populations across the Southeast.

“Northern bobwhite are what we call a brush obligate grassland bird,” Johnson said. “If you remember anything we say here it’s these three words: grass, weeds and brush. … Quail need bunch grasses that grow in clumps to offer a mix of cover and bare ground … weeds are all those native wildflowers and broad-leaved forbs that produce the seeds the birds need … brush gives escape cover from predators and severe weather.”

Johnson then compared various habitats prominent in Arkansas, which hammered home the lack of these ideal conditions for quail. Much of Arkansas’s landmass may have one or two of Johnson’s ideal grass-weeds-brush mix, but rarely will a property have all three in the abundance needed to benefit quail.

“We’ve lost 99 percent of our native grasslands in Arkansas,” Johnson said. “But we’re implementing programs for private landowners to help bring these conditions back and we’re working on public land to restore these areas where we can.”

Johnson then showed comparisons of some public areas where quail have declined over the last 20 years, illustrating how patchy, old field and prairie habitats were slowly overtaken by forests, hindering quail production, and some of the work that’s been done in the last five years to restore grasslands. Herbicides, prescribed fire and forest thinning were critical components of restoration work as well as maintenance of these habitats. [CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION]

In other business, the Commission:

• Approved a budget increase of $3.5 million to complete work for the renovation of the Charlie “C.B.” Craig State Fish Hatchery in Centerton. The project is well ahead of schedule thanks to dry conditions and a highly capable contractor, and the appropriation will enable crews to continue working toward completion during the remainder of the fiscal year while construction conditions remain excellent.

• Approved a 0.5-acre utility easement with the Yell County Water Association for the installation of underground water transmission pipes through a corner of Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area.

• Approved a minute order to provide legal defense and pay for outside counsel, if needed, for AGFC staff acting within the scope of their official duties in a federal lawsuit recently filed by two former employees of the agency.

A video of the meeting is available on the AGFC’s YouTube Channel.

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CUTLINES:

TURKEYS
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission proposed a change to move turkey season a week earlier throughout most of the state beginning in 2027. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.

WOMAN SPEAKING
AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch presented the artwork for the 2027 AGFC Conservation License Plate at Thursday’s meeting. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.

MAN PRESENTING
AGFC Quail Program Coordinator Clint Johnson highlighted the management needed to restore and maintain northern bobwhite habitat. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.

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