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spectr17
11-26-2002, 04:28 PM
November 12, 2002

AGFC

It’s bucks-only gun hunting for north Arkansas deer hunters

LITTLE ROCK - North Arkansas deer hunters have expressed some confusion involving the number of does that can be taken during modern gun season. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s hunting regulation booklet spells out which zones are restricted to bucks only.

The northern third of the state is closed to the hunting of does, female deer, this modern gun season and the late season muzzleloader hunt. The apparent confusion arises from the description of the doe bag limit restrictions on pages 34 and 36 of the hunting regulations.

The rule is bucks only for the modern gun season of Nov. 9-Dec. 1 and the late muzzleloader season of Dec. 21-Jan. 5, 2003 in deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 11. This covers the Ozark Mountains and foothills, the Arkansas River valley from Fort Smith to Toad Suck and the Ouachita Mountains.

A table on page 36 of the hunting regulations appears to contradict the bucks only restriction by stating the doe limit as one in those same areas. That table applies to the October muzzleloader and Christmas holiday modern gun hunts where a total of one doe can be taken in those zones during those specific seasons. If a doe has already been taken during the October muzzleloader season, the hunter has filled his doe limit for those zones and cannot take another doe during the holiday hunt.

Archery hunters may also take up to four doe in those same deer zones, provided they are not hunting with a bow during muzzleloader or modern gun season.

Arkhunter
12-06-2002, 05:20 PM
This was big screwup.

One page of the regs said does were legal and another page said they werent.

Over 200 does were killed and checked in before they got things straightened out.

Hill Hopper
12-06-2002, 07:18 PM
Had several friends who did. I found out the nite before it was bucks only, and just about got run over by does for the next 2 days. However, one 8 points hormones were a little to high & it got him dead the first day.

ArkansasElkHunter
12-06-2002, 09:53 PM
It's about time thay woke up and slowed down the doe killing. The harvest has declined every year for the last 5 years. My personal openion is that there has been way too many does killed and we are seeing it in the harvests.

One good note is that with the acorn crop this year, I bet we are going to see some major horn growth this spring. Nutrition certainly won't be an issue. I have never seen the post oaks hit like they did this year. everything else hit too, at least up here and with the lack of moisture we have had they havn't started to rot or sour.

Hill Hopper
12-07-2002, 12:53 PM
Actually AEH, it seemed to increase up here. However, I agree it was about time to give them a breather.