Beyond the Horizon
by Scott Henderson, Director
Excerpts of an article
on the future of deer management in Arkansas
from the director of the
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
The one million white-tailed deer
in the state are viewed from many different
perspectives by Arkansans. Outdoor enthusiasts
are thrilled by the opportunity to see,
photograph or hunt a deer. Others,
however-farmers, landowners and motorists-often
encounter deer under more troublesome
circumstances. As a result, the management
challenge is immense. Appropriate population
levels, harvest methods and season and bag limit
considerations, control mechanisms and the types
of recreational uses we may promote are all
subject to considerable debate.
Our job at the Arkansas Game &
Fish Commission is conserving and protecting our
treasures natural resources and inspiring people
to enjoy and live in harmony with the natural
environment. That responsibility requires that
we seek ways to ensure that deer are conserved
at levels compatible with the health of other
natural resources, and in a manner consistent
with the health, safety and well-being of
Arkansans. At the same time, we want to provide
opportunities for individuals to enjoy the many
diverse recreational benefits associated with
deer.
In the future, as we seek to
meet these objectives, our deer management
strategies will continue evolving. Our plans
will always retain a strong commitment to
hunting as the most cost-effective control
mechanism available in much of the state, and as
a valuable recreational experience for many
Arkansans. We also recognize, however, the new
challenges we face as the deer population
expands.
 Priority
one will always be ensuring the well-being of
white-tailed deer and their habitat. Long-term
objectives will focus on maintaining deer
populations at levels necessary to ensure
compatibility with human land uses and natural
communities; encouraging and promoting
recreational use and enjoyment of the deer
resource; and informing and educating Arkansas
citizens about deer biology, management options
and the impacts deer have on landscapes and
people. We will provide continued emphasis on
vital hunter education efforts and maintain deer
management assistance for private landowners
through formalized programs. Our field staff
will carry on deer research and survey work to
help managers solve deer problems. Our
commissioners and biologists will stay abreast
of such problems as chronic wasting disease that
could adversely affect our deer herd. And your
Game & Fish Commission will further its efforts
to teach young people, nonhunters and other
segments of the public about the importance of
hunting as a management tool.
2006-07 Deer Season
Modern gun deer season will open November 11
across Arkansas this fall.The 2006-07 hunting
seasons for 2006-07 were approved at the March
2006 monthly meeting of the Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission.
The statewide bag limit was raised from three to
four deer (lower in certain zones) The increase
allows two legal bucks and two does to be taken
by modern gun or muzzleloader in zones 12, 13,
14, 15 and 17. Up to four does may be taken by
archery or crossbow in those zones.
WMA and Zone Quota Doe
Permit
The Wildlife
Management Area permit hunt applications will be
accepted from June 1 through June 30, 2006.
These permits can only be obtained by applying
on the official forms or
online using the hyperlink.
Application forms
may be obtained at license dealers statewide, by
calling the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at
501-223-6300 or 1-800-364-4263 or by visiting
one of our offices.
Applications for
permit hunts must be postmarked by June 30,
2006.
 Legal
Buck
Determining whether a buck may be legally taken
by a hunter requires careful observation. When
counting the number of points, the end of the
main beam constitutes one point. Additional
points must be at least one inch long to count.
Three-point rule:
To be legal, a buck must have both antlers
shorter than two inches or have three or more
points on one side of his rack before being
taken. The three-point rule is a strategy to
increase the age of bucks by reducing pressure
on younger bucks. This rule applies statewide
unless mentioned below.
4x4 slot:
To be legal, a buck must have at least four
points on both sides of his rack before being
taken.
Harvest Information
 Click
on the hyperlinks below to view the harvest data
for past years.
Arkansas Game & Fish Deer Harvest
Reports Available Online.
Use the hyperlink
below to learn more about the online program
available for browsing through online deer
harvest data. The 2004-05 season results are
available here.
Learn more about the new
AGFC Deer Harvest Data Program
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A
team of professional wildlife biologists employed by the
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission developed this plan.
Initially, the nine-member Deer Committee, operating
under the direction of the Wildlife Management Division,
developed the plan. Prior to completion, the plan
received a thorough review by additional agency staff
and comments were incorporated prior to approval by the
Commission.
The
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission started the program in
1984 to recognize outstanding hunting skills and to
encourage harvest of does. Triple Trophy recipients
receive a certificate and patch. Award packets are
mailed during the early summer each year. Hunters must
apply each year to receive the award.