LITTLE ROCK - Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission last week took no action on a proposal that would have required permits for hunters who want to use dogs during the upcoming deer season in parts of northern Arkansas.

Over the past few months, the AGFC has been attending meetings with and soliciting comments from deer dog hunters and landowners in areas where conflicts have been reported. Last month, commissioners approved a significant increase in the minimum fine for hunting from the road. Several citizens approached commissioners with stories of deer dog hunters releasing their dogs from the road and allowing them to cross onto private property. 

In other business, the commission:

*Approved a proposal to change and clarify AGFC codes relating to captive wildlife. Several changes were approved to bring the agency’s code into accordance with a new Arkansas law on possession of large carnivores. The new codes also allow non-commercial hunting of wildlife in high-fence enclosures.

*Approved a proclamation by Gov. Mike Huckabee to start free fishing weekend at noon, June 10, and to end at midnight, June 12. Licenses will not be required for fishing in Arkansas during that period.

*Approved boundary revisions of flood prone regions E and F. The approval also included changes in the closing and opening criteria for flood prone regions A, B, C, D, E and F.