05-02-2008, 08:15 PM
LITTLE ROCK - Due to the exceptionally high water levels along the Mississippi River and the lower Arkansas River, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will close the spring youth permit turkey seasons on Choctaw Island and Trusten Holder WMAs.
All three youth permit hunts on Choctaw Island and the youth permit hunt on Trusten Holder will be cancelled. Each youth successfully drawn for a permit will be notified this week regarding their option to hunt another open youth hunt on a different wildlife management area this spring and have their preference points restored or wait for another opportunity to be drawn for Choctaw Island next year. These youth permit hunts were designed to provide a quality hunting experience for the applicants selected to participate. The current high water conditions will not promote such an experience and pose several unsafe situations to hunters trying to access these areas.
The AGFC urges all turkey hunters to use extreme caution accessing their hunting area by boat on waterways which are above their normal levels. Many of these rivers and streams are experiencing unusually swift currents and are filled with dangerous debris.
The AGFC also wants to remind hunters that it is illegal to hunt turkeys from a boat or other floating device. It is also illegal to take or attempt to take wildlife, including turkey, fleeing from a flood.
All three youth permit hunts on Choctaw Island and the youth permit hunt on Trusten Holder will be cancelled. Each youth successfully drawn for a permit will be notified this week regarding their option to hunt another open youth hunt on a different wildlife management area this spring and have their preference points restored or wait for another opportunity to be drawn for Choctaw Island next year. These youth permit hunts were designed to provide a quality hunting experience for the applicants selected to participate. The current high water conditions will not promote such an experience and pose several unsafe situations to hunters trying to access these areas.
The AGFC urges all turkey hunters to use extreme caution accessing their hunting area by boat on waterways which are above their normal levels. Many of these rivers and streams are experiencing unusually swift currents and are filled with dangerous debris.
The AGFC also wants to remind hunters that it is illegal to hunt turkeys from a boat or other floating device. It is also illegal to take or attempt to take wildlife, including turkey, fleeing from a flood.