2014-15 General Hunting Regulations Considerations Survey

[Wayne Watson]

Following are topics of discussion for the 2014-15 General Hunting Regulations Considerations Survey. Please provide the AGFC with your comments on as many of the topics as you would like. It's important that we hear from the public on these issues. Thanks for your time and input.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014-15HuntRegsComments

Got the following in an email:

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking the public to provide feedback on the state's wildlife regulations. Any comments or concerns can be provided by going to the Regulation Survey to take a quick online survey. The following considerations are being surveyed for the 2014-15 season:

• Add a doe to the firearms bag limit in Deer Zones 2, 3, 6, 6A, 8, 8A and 10.

• Allow captive wildlife, excluding cervids, which originate within Arkansas and leave the state for less than 30 days, to re-enter the state without the need for a veterinary examination.

• Allow AGFC to immediately relocate captive wildlife being given improper care by rehabilitators, being kept in inhumane or in unhealthy conditions. Prohibit possession of native wildlife pets by rehabilitators except under certain conditions.

• Increase the raccoon hunting bag limit to unlimited for the entire season for public and private lands.

• Add a deer modern gun (restricted to shotgun/muzzleloader) permit hunt (10 permits) from Nov. 8-12, 2014 with a two deer limit; one buck (3-point rule applies) and one doe on Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA.

• Move the deer modern gun youth permit hunt to the weekend before the statewide November youth hunt (Oct. 25-26, 2014) on Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA.

• Make it illegal to discharge or possess fireworks on Commission-owned or controlled property.

• Establish turkey permit hunts (three weekends) on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA.

• Establish turkey permit hunts (three weekends) on Galla Creek WMA.

• Establish a five day muzzleloader deer permit hunt for Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA.

• Change the minimum antler criteria on Lafayette County WMA from the Four-Point rule to a 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam rule.

• Move the modern gun deer hunt a week later (Nov. 1-5) on Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA.

• Add Lake Greeson (excluding mobility impaired hunters hunting during the mobility-impaired permit hunt) and Howard County WMAs into the leased land permit system requiring a leased land permit ($40).

• Remove the hunter education requirement for youth hunters 6-15 years of age participating in WMA permit hunts.

• Allow the harvest of feral hogs only during bear, deer and elk firearms seasons on certain WMAs.

• Prohibit the harvest of feral hogs at any time on certain WMAs.

• Close all hunting seasons from Jan. 5-March 31, and prohibit horses and mules from Feb. 1- March 31, on Harold E. Alexander Spring River WMA.

Written comments may be mailed by March 1 to the AGFC, Attn: Hunting Regulations Proposals, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.

[AcornHunter]

The topic I'm interested in is not listed:  adding a week to Zone 15's modern gun season.  We have too many deer, I feel.  Think not?  Shine some fields at night, especially those with emerging rye grass.  It's not difficult to count 30-50 to the field.  This summer try raising peas or sweet potatoes near a wood line.  After they're done you'll probably want to bump the limit too.

The limit is probably okay; just give the hunters more time.  Many must work deer hunting around hitting a clock.  It would also give the school kids another weekend.

[Wayne Watson]

Let them know how you feel.  I'm glad they allow hunters to have some input.  Hopefully they will take into account.

[DeltaBoy]

DONE!