05/1 - ARK - Proposal addresses hunting deer with dogs

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is considering a proposal to require free permits to deer hunters who wish to use dogs in parts of northwest Arkansas next season. The final proposal will reach a vote at the monthly Commission meeting May 26 in Little Rock. Under the proposal, a permit would be required to use dogs to hunt deer on private land within deer zones 6 and 8 during modern gun deer season. A permit also would be required to hunt deer with dogs on parts of the Ozark National Forest Wildlife Management Area in zones 1 and 6. In zones 6 and 8, deer hunters who wish to use dogs would be required to have permission from landowners before a private lands permit would be issued. Hunters would submit an application to the AGFC with a minimum amount of contiguous acreage (a range of 500-1,000 acres is under consideration) outlined. They would be allowed to hunt only on property where permission had been granted. Two areas are being considered for deer dog hunters on the Ozark National Forest WMA. Under both options, hunters would be required to hold a public lands deer dog permit. The permit would allow hunters to use dogs to hunt deer on portions of the Ozark National Forest WMA Nov. 15-20 and Nov. 24-Dec. 4. Option 1 (area A) - All Ozark National Forest lands (excluding Piney Creeks WMA) east of the following boundary: From the junction of Arkansas Highway 21 and Arkansas Highway 16 at Fallsville; south on Arkansas Highway 21 to Johnson County Road 58; east on Johnson County Road 58 to Johnson County Road 57; south on Johnson County Road 57 to Arkansas Highway 123; south on Arkansas Highway 123 to Johnson County Road 113; south on Johnson County Road 113 to Forest Service Road 1813; south on Forest Service Road 1813 to Johnson County Road 118; east on Johnson County Road 118 to Johnson County Road 161; east on Johnson County Road 161 to Johnson County Road 16; south on Johnson County Road 16 to the boundary of the Ozark National Forest. All Ozark National Forest lands (excluding Piney Creeks WMA) south of the following boundary: From the junction of Arkansas Highway 21 and Arkansas Highway 16 at Fallsville; east on Arkansas Highway 16 to the boundary of the Ozark National Forest. Option 2 (Area A and B) - All Ozark National Forest lands (excluding Piney Creeks WMA) east of the following boundary: From the junction of the northern Ozark National Forest boundary and Newton County Road 92; west on Newton County Road 92 to Madison County Road 141; south on Madison County Road 141 to Arkansas Highway 16; south on Arkansas Highway 16 to Arkansas Highway 21; south on Arkansas Highway 21 to Johnson County Road 58; east on Johnson County Road 58 to Johnson County Road 57; south on Johnson County Road 57 to Arkansas Highway 123; south on Arkansas Highway 123 to Johnson County Road 113; south on Johnson County Road 113 to Forest Service Road 1813; south on Forest Service Road 1813 to Johnson County Road 118; east on Johnson County Road 118 to Johnson County Road 161; east on Johnson County Road 161 to Johnson County Road 16; south on Johnson County Road 16 to the boundary of the Ozark National Forest. All Ozark National Forest lands (excluding Piney Creeks WMA) south of the following boundary: From the junction of the northern Ozark National Forest boundary and Newton County Road 92; east along the boundary of the Ozark National Forest to Arkansas Highway 21; south on Arkansas Highway 21 to Arkansas Highway 16; south on Arkansas Highway 16 to the boundary of the Ozark National Forest. To see a map of the proposed areas go to: http://www.agfc.com/hunting/deerdogproposal/index.html on the Internet. The proposed penalty for hunting deer with dogs without a permit on these lands is $500-$2,500, and may include revocation of permits for up to two years. Comments on the proposal should be sent to deerdogs@agfc.state.ar.us or mailed to AGFC Wildlife Management Division, Attn: Deer Dog Comments, 2 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205.