LITTLE ROCK — Hunters interested in pursuing Arkansas’s largest big game animal can apply for a limited hunting permit draw from 8 a.m. May 1 through 11:59 p.m. May 15.

JACKSONVILLE — Nearly 5,400 boys and girls statewide signed up for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Youth Shooting Sports Program this spring, and the first of four regional tournaments starts this Friday and Saturday, April 28-29, to determine which of those kids’ teams are the best in 2023.

HELENA —  A trip to Buck Island Wildlife Management Area may take a little extra effort, but it offers an unspoiled view of the Mississippi River few have the pleasure of experiencing. The 1,510-acre island in the Mississippi River just north of Helena River Park is accessible only by boat and is an excellent point for advanced paddlers to begin the journey to Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA 106 river miles south along the Lower Mississippi River Water Trail.

FORREST CITY – The nationally renowned late restaurant entrepreneur Dave Thomas created a different kind of beef patty and with it the Wendy’s burger chain that rivaled the biggest in the world. David Thomas, a commercial fisherman from Johnson County, also is wanting to introduce people to a different kind of meat patty.

HOT SPRINGS — Arkansas youth bass fishing teams still have a little time to register for the fifth annual Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Commissioners’ Cup presented by Xpress Boats on Lake Hamilton April 29.

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission today unanimously approved a change to the 2023-24 duck season dates to the traditional opener, the weekend before Thanksgiving.

With 20 years at the AGFC, including the last 18 as a fisheries biologist, Mountain Home ‘s Jeremy Risley is moving into the role as black bass program coordinator.

COTTER — Arkansas’s famed trout tailwaters are home to some of the largest trout in the world, including the 40 pound, 4 ounce brown trout caught by Rip Collins in 1992 that held the world record spot for 17 years (and still holds the world record for 4-lb.-test fishing line). Now the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will allow state record submissions for another trout species, this time for tiger trout.

MOUNTAIN HOME — Freddy Penka has the key to capturing students’ imagination and attention, and it’s something he’s willing to share with any teacher wanting to deliver an elective to students they’ll be excited to attend. Penka’s Outdoor Adventures Class at Pinkston Middle School in Baxter County combines real-world outdoor knowledge with state-approved curriculums to teach students skills they rarely experience in a school setting.

Be sure to apply for one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s 11 permit-based dove fields by Aug. 15 if you’re looking for a fun way to kick off hunting season this Labor Day Weekend. Applications are available at the AGFC’s licensing site https://ar-web.s3licensing.com under the “Special Hunt Applications” tab.