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 LITTLE
ROCK - Due to changes from the previous month's hunting season
regulation proposals, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission delayed
formal approval of the 2005-2006 seasons at its monthly meeting last
week. The Commission wanted to provide additional notice and opportunity
for the public to comment on the changes before taking a final vote on
the proposed regulations.
With the proposed changes, the Commission will be approving the hunting
regulations at their April 21 meeting in Little Rock.
A sampling of proposed changes included:
*Moving the zone 13 modern gun season dates to Nov. 12-Dec. 11 and
moving the zones 9 and 12 season dates to Nov. 12-Dec. 18. Muzzleloading
season dates for zones 9 and 12 were also moved to Oct. 15-Oct. 23 and
Dec. 30-Jan. 1. Proposed a special youth modern gun deer hunt for Nov.
5-6. The bag limit is one either sex deer with no antler restrictions
during the youth hunt. The commission also proposed the opening dates of
the 2006-2007 deer season for archery-Oct. 1, 2006; muzzleloader-Oct.
14, 2006 and modern gun-Nov. 11, 2006.
*Make one statewide fall squirrel season that is proposed for Sept. 10
to Feb. 28.
*Proposed that hunters who have harvested a legal buck in deer zones 1,
2, 6, 7, 8 and 10 or a WMA with a one legal buck bag limit would only be
able to take their second legal buck of the seasonal bag limit in those
deer zones, or nonpermitted WMAs, where the taking of two legal bucks is
allowed. Permitted WMA deer hunts may allow hunters to harvest a second
legal buck in compliance with the terms of the permits.
*Deer, bear and turkey tagging will be required immediately after taking
and before moving the animal. The tag must remain on the animal until
final processing and storage by the hunter.
*Increased the minimum fine for using dogs during deer season in
prohibited zones. The minimum fine will now be $500, up from $100. The
commission also proposed increasing the minimum fine for hunting dogs
that are found not to have a collar with the owner's name, phone number
and address. The minimum fine would now be $200. The commission also
proposed increasing the minimum fine for hunting from a road from $100
to $500. The fine for allowing dogs to chase deer for training purposes,
other than from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, while also possessing a killing
device would be increased to $500.
*Changed season dates of modern gun bear season in zones 1 and 2 to Nov.
7-Nov. 30. Proposed a special youth modern gun bear hunt in zones 1 and
2 on Nov. 5-6. the bag limit is one bear to coincide with the youth deer
hunt.
*Made boundary changes in deer zones 11 and 13 in west central Arkansas.
*Proposed a regulation that would make it unlawful to take or attempt to
take a wild turkey while in possession of mechanical or electrical
callers.
For a detailed look at all of the proposed hunting changes for the
2005-2006 hunting seasons go to
www.agfc.com and click on Hunting. |
