Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Deer Season Opens Saturday, Predictions Good For Area

Favorable conditions and more liberal hunting rules could make the 1996-97 Arkansas deer season a dandy, said Mike Cartwright, deer and elk coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Last year, a record 163,924 deer were taken by Arkansas hunters. Adverse weather conditions, especially early in the modern gun season, could alter the bright outlook, though. Arkansas' archery and crossbow deer hunting opened October 1. Muzzleloader season started October 19, and the modern gun hunting season opens November 11. Cartwright gave a summary of deer prospects by regions: For the Ozarks, he said, "Deer numbers continue to increase in many areas, especially on controlled private lands. More antlerless deer permits have been issued in several zones, and the acorn crop is fair to good for white oaks and poor to fair for red oaks. "Many areas, especially the central Ozarks, should produce good quality bucks due to a fairly mild winter, a good acorn crop in 1995 and a good carry over of antlered bucks in many areas. Most of the Ozark National Forest occurs in this region, so lots of public hunting land is available." In the Ouachita region, Cartwright said, "Deer density levels vary considerably, and the lower density areas continue to produce some large, high-quality bucks. Acorns are fair to good. Hunters should scout areas with openings containing abundant forage like food plots and timber regeneration sites." The Delta has the best quality deer in Arkansas, although extensive farming reduces the region's potential for large numbers of deer. "Hunters hoping to bag a record-book buck have their best chance in this region," Cartwright said. "Acorn crop is fair to good for red oaks and poor to fair for white oaks. Hunters should scout bottomland hardwood areas and cover areas near crop lands." More bonus permits for taking antlerless deer were offered this year for the delta, so the 1996 harvest should increase a little, he added. The Gulf Coastal Plan of south Arkansas is Arkansas' top deer producer in numbers, with more than half the state's deer taken by hunters. "Excellent deer hunting will continue in this region for 1996," Cartwright said. "Much of the land is leased to hunting clubs, and increasing numbers of clubs are making efforts to improve deer populations. "More antlerless harvest and a reduction in the harvest of young antlered bucks by many clubs appear to be working. The results are healthier, heavier and more productive deer populations and an increase in older, larger-antlered bucks. "Acorn production is good with red oaks and fair with white oaks," he said. "Hunters need to concentrate around cutover timbered areas and near hardwood creek bottoms. The 1996 harvest is expected to increase slightly."