AUGUSTA - Last week's heavy rains have forced the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to close deer hunting on Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area in eastern Arkansas.

When water on the White River gauge at Augusta exceeds 26 feet, deer hunting is immediately suspended until water levels fall below 14 feet on the gauge at Georgetown. The gauge at Augusta is presently reading in excess of 30 feet and the gauge at Georgetown is over 17 feet.

According to AGFC deer program coordinator Cory Gray, the closure is necessitated due to the density of deer herd on high ground. “The flood closure levels were developed to protect deer from over harvest when flooding causes wildlife to concentrate on higher ground in and around the area,” Gray said