| Frog Bayou brings new opportunities for public land waterfowl |
 FORT
SMITH - Trying to find your next duck-hunting paradise in northwest
Arkansas? A new partnership may bring increased public opportunities to
waterfowlers in the Arkansas River Valley.Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area, a product of the Wetland Reserve Program will bring hunting opportunities to Fort Smith area residents. The project is the result of a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Work on the area began last year with the planting of native trees on 400 acres of the 819-acre management area. Levees are now being formed to create the shallow-water habitat waterfowl use for resting and feeding. The water-retaining structures should be complete in October. “We are hoping to have water on the project by this season,” confirmed AGFC Region 7 Assistant Supervisor Kevin Lynch. Craig Hilburn, DU’s director of conservation programs, said, “We have a tremendous amount of DU volunteers in the area, that’s why we’re getting involved.” Wetlands Reserve Program Coordinator for the NRCS Jody Pagan added, “Without the Corps of Engineers, Ducks Unlimited and the AGFC, there wouldn’t have been a project because of flowage easements.” The area is expected to be so popular with hunters that the first few years will be monitored closely to safeguard the resource and recognize if a permit system needs to be enacted. Lynch said, “We are doing this for the wetlands, great hunting is just a byproduct.” Motorized boats will not be allowed on the area, so hunters must use kayaks, canoes or johnboats operated only with manpower to reach their hunting locations. The total cost of the habitat work is estimated at $800,000, roughly $700 per acre. Once complete, water pumps costing an additional $100,000 will be needed. |
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