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ARKANSASWILDLIFEJanuary/February 2012

661014161820Dollars for DucksToo good to be true? There’s no other way to describe the Wetlands ReserveProgram offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.By Randy Zellers.Bad Accident Goes WellTrevor and Jakeb Durham were looking for ducks on Gillham Lake whentheir outboard motor hit an obstruction that could have cost them their lives.By Trey Reid.Hunting and My FamilyA young hunter from Jacksonville wrote an essay beyond his years thatexplained why hunting was important to his family – and to him.By Benton Bajorek.Ozark Hellbender Lands on ListThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the Ozark hellbender, native only toArkansas and Missouri, on the federal Endangered Species List.By Kelly Irwin.The Natural State’s NaturalistsArkansas Master Naturalists training is one way to learn about the naturalworld, help others appreciate nature and become a valuable volunteer.By Jeff Williams.Hooked on PerfectionGeorge Perrin, who lived in Fort Smith, started Rebel Lures in 1962, althoughthe story of his well-known baits begins a few years earlier.By Jeff Williams.DEPARTMENTS4 Letters to the Editor22 Naturally Speaking28 Cooking32 Photography34 Scales of Justice35 Parting ThoughtsOn the Cover Visions such as thismallard in flight drive duck hunters tocold, wet mornings in blinds and boats.But hunters should always be prepared forthe worst. Turn to Page 10 and read twobrothers’ harrowing tale of a perfect morninggone awry. Photo by Mike Wintroath.Back Cover Grasses found onfloodplains are essential to migratingsongbirds during winter. Turn to Page 6and learn how the federal government ispaying landowners to protect these treasuredresources. Photo by Mike Wintroath.Subscribe toArkansas WildlifeIt’s easy – call (800) 283-2664 or visitwww.agfc.com. Subscriptions are $8 peryear, $15 for two years and $21 for threeyears. That’s six issues per year – includingthe July-July calendar.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE3

lettersTO THEEDITORArkansas Wildlife welcomes letters from readers. Please send your thoughts to Arkansas Wildlife only; open and third-party letters willnot be published. The author’s address and telephone number must be included. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.Send letters to jfwilliams@agfc.state.ar.us, fax to (501) 223-6447 or mail to Letters to the Editor, Arkansas Wildlife magazine,2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.Elementary Kids EnjoyReading About OutdoorsTo the Editor,I read your “Parting Thoughts” columnon the calendar (March/April 2011) withmuch amusement – you really can’t pleaseeverybody all the time. What one personlikes, another detests. Your article wasfilled with good-natured humor, very welldone.I am a library media specialist foran elementary school and receiveyour magazine. Many of my students,especially the fourth- and fifth-grade boys,are avid hunters and fishermen, and theylove your magazine. In fact, they like it somuch I’ve tried finding other magazineson hunting and fishing, but all I can findare definitely for adults (not the articles,but the ads – definitely adult material!).Thanks so much for your magazine andall that you provide.Pamela PowellHeber SpringsReading Small PrintCan Be a HeadacheMr. Jeff Williams,Have you had a chance to read 2011-12 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook? If youpublished a calendar like those regs youwould be GONSKY. The print is so smallit is unreadable, especially on deer zones.The glare gives one a very dizzy head. I betno tickets are issued for hunting in wrongzone; if so, hope judge tries to read regs.Jackie R. ScottOzarkEditor’s note: Although the regulationsguidebooks cover a lot of ground, we tryto make them simple and we try to keepthem concise so the cost of printing isas low as possible. The guidebooks areavailable at www.agfc.com, where theycan be enlarged for easier reading.Always Room forAnother Fine PhotoMr. Jeff,I just finished reading the March/Aprilissue of Arkansas Wildlife. I read the articleon the inside of the back cover about thecalendar. I always enjoy the calendar photosno matter what they show.I took a picture last duck season and havebeen told by several people it’s a great photoand I would love nothing more than to seeit in the calendar. However, I’m not sure ifthe pixels or resolution is high enough.Thanks for a great publication andconsideration on the attached photo.Derek KildowPocahontasEditor’s note: It is a fine photo but I don’tthink the resolution would hold up − plus it’svertical instead of horizontal.Photo courtesy of Derek Kildow.For Those Who Asked:Patriotic Turtles ReturnedDear Editor,Since my letter appeared in ArkansasWildlife (May/June 2011), several peoplehave asked me if the turtles have returned.I’m happy to report that they have.We are going patriotic this year andhave painted three turtles with red, whiteand blue paint.The first time “Big Red” showed up, Iopened the door and told him to come inand he did; no doubt he remembered us.The blue one comes to eat most often,4 ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

sometimes twice a day.The white one is the shyest but likes tocrawl in the pan of water.This is country entertainment at its best.Wilma ClaryLead HillVeteran Says Thanks;The Pleasure Is OursDear Sir,I have just received my ArkansasDisabled Military Veteran Lifetime License.Many eloquent words are used toexpress one’s gratitude for the many gooddeeds and noble virtues of others, butnone is more appropriate or befitting asthe simple words: “thank you.”P.S. – Semper FiWilliam S. KnightenForemanEditor’s note: Mr. Knighten served withMarine Corps special operations forces duringthe Vietnam War. The Disabled MilitaryVeteran Lifetime License is available only atthe Little Rock office, 2 Natural ResourcesDrive, in Little Rock. There is no agerequirement. Sportsmen must have proof of 60days of Arkansas residency and proof of militarydisability. Call 501-223-6300 for details.Magazine CoversCome in One SizeTo the Editor,I subscribe to Arkansas Wildlife for myhigh school’s library; the high school artteacher and myself love the covers of yourmagazines. Do you ever publish and sellposters of the covers? I’d especially love acopy of the September/October 2010 issueas it features two of my favorite things:hummingbirds and sunflowers.By the way, one of the English teacherslikes using Arkansas Wildlife in herremediation classes; she says the articlesare the perfect length for strugglingreaders to cope with.Thanks!Amanda HutchinsRisonEditor’s note: Credit for the photo of thehummingbird goes to Mike Wintroath, theAGFC photographer. Sorry, we don’t printposters of Arkansas Wildlife covers.Bird on a WireIs a Common SpeciesTo the Editor,We enjoy your fine magazine very muchand wish it could be larger with more articles.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012In the September/October 2011 issueon Page 33, there is a picture of a smallbird perched on a barbed-wire fence. I ama longtime bird watcher and don’t knowthis bird and cannot find it in any of mybooks. Please identify this bird for me andwhere it might be seen.Thanks for your help.Ernest CookTaylorEditor’s note: It’s a barn swallow, commonacross most of the globe, including NorthAmerica. They’re known for having the deepesttail fork of any swallow. Their nests canbe found under bridges, under eaves and inabandoned buildings. They essentially buildbowls of mud, grass and twigs held togetherby the birds’ saliva. Barn swallows in theU.S. winter in South America. They headsouth in September and begin filtering backto the southern U.S. around early February.ARKANSAS WILDLIFE5

The value of land is determined by much more than how muchrice or soybeans an area can produce. According to Dennis Adkinsof Adkins, McNeil, Smith and Associates Realtors in Little Rock,hunting leases are big business in Arkansas. Land that used to bringin a little extra Christmas money is producing nearly as much profitas farming, especially when it’s poor quality and prone to flooding.“Quite a few years ago, good duck leases ran $50 to $70 per acreper year,” Adkins said. “Currently, that estimate is closer to $75 to$100 per acre per year. Those prices include the price of any flooding,but no extra amenities such as cabins, blinds or pits.”Farming DucksScott House, a landowner and conservationist in Cross County,has seen the value of creating better waterfowl habitat through WRP.Bearitage Farms, his hunting paradise, includes 275 acres in WRPand Conservation Reserve Program easements. House has won manyawards for the work on his property, including the 2011 NationalWetlands Award for Landowner Stewardship from the EnvironmentalLaw Institute and the 2010 Conservationist of the Year from theSoutheast District of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.“When people ask what I do, I tell them I’m a duck farmer,”House said. “I don’t want to give figures, but I enjoy duck huntingthroughout the season here, then go to Argentina and live like a kinghunting down there during their spring and summer season on theprofit from my property’s hunting rights.”When a landowner looks at the price of commodities likesoybeans and rice and maximum potential of land, it’s a hard sell toleave any acreage unplanted.“But the land that goes into WRP should never have been clearedto begin with,” House said. “Most of my land that’s in easements wascleared in the ’70s and ’80s when soybeans went up to $10 per bushel.People wanted to plant every square inch of property they had, even ifthat land would only produce a crop without flooding every couple ofyears. Now that prices are down, those areas are a loss.”In addition to reducing planting losses, WRP habitat is better interms of habitat quality, and it often outproduces cropland in duckabundance. Information waterfowl managers use to plan habitatprojects suggests that managed moist-soil wetlands offer ten times theenergy to ducks as harvested rice fields.House agrees.“In my opinion, Wetlands Reserve Program land can be evenbetter for attracting ducks than a modern rice field, if it’s managedcorrectly,” House said.According to House, rice used to be a 120-day crop that wasJANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE7

Scott House stands on land converted from soybean fields (inset) toprime wetland waterfowl habitat. Inset courtesy of Scott House.harvested in late September and early October.When ducks arrived in winter, plenty of wasted grainwas on the ground. But modern farming practicesand improved varieties of rice changed that picturedramatically.“The latest combine heads are so good, they’ll take more than 99percent of the crop off the land,” House said. “You might have 50 to 60pounds of rice left per acre once the combine is done.”Modern strains of rice mature much faster than those planted adecade ago. Instead of a September or October harvest, most of thegrain is pulled off the land in late August. The small amount of rice leftbehind often sprouts before ducks arrive in winter.“I drove home just the other day across miles of rice fields that wereall empty,” House said. “When I got to my land that’s full of grass andmillet, ducks were everywhere. That’s where the food was, so that’swhere the ducks were.“Through WRP, landowners can be paid a price per acre to enrollthat land that isn’t making a profit. On top of that, you still get to keepyour land and use it for hunting, or lease the hunting rights. And thegovernment will pay for all the restoration work to create better wildlifehabitat. I’ve been enrolled since 1997 and I really can’t find a downsideto this deal.”Club RulesHouse isn’t alone when it comes to capitalizing on conservation.Seven Lakes Hunting Club just outside Russellville has used NRCSconservation programs to improve their property for ducks and deer aswell. Kiah Gardner, a natural resources program technician with theArkansas Game and Fish Commission and member of the 18-personclub, says programs like WRP are ideal for hunting clubs that ownflood-prone land and aren’t interested in agriculture.“We started our club when the land was purchased by a farmer whogot it in bankruptcy,” Gardner said. “He had to purchase it as an all-ornothingdeal, so he was happy to sell us the acreage that stayed too wetto farm. We originally purchased 68 acres and leased another 2,000acres of his cropland. Over time, as the farmer needed extra money, hesold chunks of unproductive land to us. Today we own more than 600acres, which gives us enough land to hunt without leasing extra.”The club continued to let the farmer plant crops on the land fora while, but profit wasn’t on their minds. After a few years ofunsuccessful harvest, the land qualified for programs such as WRP.“The NRCS won’t let you just buy land and enroll it in WRP,”Gardner said. “If that were the case, it would be too easy for peopleto buy land, get their money back and flip the property to huntersfor a quick profit. The program is about improving wetlands;improved duck hunting is a side benefit.”Gardner said his club enrolledall its acreage in an NRCSprogram similar to WRP calledEWPP/floodplain mitigation.On the ground level, it wasidentical to WRP, but it wasformed from federal stimuluspackage funds.“It’s exactly like a permanentWRP easement,” Gardner said.“And we’ve been able to reallymake a lot of changes to createbetter wildlife habitat and better hunting. We also received about$1,000 per acre when we enrolled.”The NRCS surveyed the property, drafted plans, built levees toestablish moist-soil habitat and planted bottomland hardwood trees.The club used the easement money to put in five electric wells and runpower lines to them.“The NRCS won’t place wells to artificially flood wetlands in thisprogram,” Gardner said. “But you can’t depend on rainfall to floodmoist-soil units in the Arkansas River Valley. So when we went tothe NRCS about adding them to the existing project, it was readilyaccepted.“Now we have an island of waterfowl habitat in a sea of agriculture.And because it was all property the farmer couldn’t make much moneyoff of, we were able to make this a great hunting area without pushinganyone off their land.”Ducks in PublicHunters on public land are benefiting from NRCS funds, too. LukeNaylor, waterfowl program coordinator for the AGFC, said two recentadditions to the state’s public duck hunting areas were purchased incoordination with WRP easements.“(Steve N. Wilson) Raft Creek Bottoms WMA and Frog BayouWMA both were bought with NRCS funds paying part of the bill,”Naylor said. “There were other partners, such as Ducks Unlimited,involved in these acquisitions and restorations, but we basically usedeasement money like a cost-share grant.”Naylor says purchases like this are always very attractive to theAGFC. Landowners still receive full value of their property, the AGFCsaves money on the purchase and the mission of the WRP is met.It also enables the AGFC to work in partnership with the NRCS toimprove wetland habitat after the purchase.“I’m not saying the AGFC wouldn’t have purchased the propertyfor public hunting, but offsetting the cost through these programsdefinitely put purchasing them on the front burner,” Naylor said.Which creates more land for public hunting.8 ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

Jakeb (left) and Trevor Durham after a successful duck hunt. Photo courtesy of Jakeb and Trevor Durham.Bad AccidentGoes WellBoating Brothers Catch Breaks Amid Horrible CircumstancesBy TREY REIDTrevor and Jakeb Durham were looking for ducks on GillhamLake, their johnboat gliding across the water between navigationbuoys. Trevor was at the helm, his hand on the tiller of a25-horsepower outboard. Jakeb sat near the bow, texting a messageon his phone.Jakeb sent the message to his girlfriend and dropped the phone inhis vest pocket. Seconds later, he and his brother were reeling throughthe air and splashing into the cold lake.The motor’s lower unit struck a hidden obstruction, which jerkedthe tiller from Trevor’s hand and caused a sharp right turn thatwhipped the men over the port side.“The next thing I know, I’m hitting the water head and shouldersfirst,” Jakeb said.Trevor had worn waders for the cold boat ride, and they were fillingfast. He was struggling to stay afloat. But this was just the beginningof trouble for him and his younger brother.Jakeb surfaced first. When Trevor’s head popped above the surfacea few seconds later, the first thing he saw was the out-of-control boatspinning toward them.“I saw Trevor’s eyes get big,” Jakeb said. “I turned around and sawthe boat and thought, ‘This is it.’ The one thing that popped into mymind was to protect my head and face. I ducked under the water andjust covered my head with my arms.”The propeller hit Jakeb’s back and ground to a stop after severallayers of clothes became entangled. He was stuck underwater.“I thought he was dead,” Trevor said. “Meanwhile, I’m filling up10ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

But the brothers haven’t let it slow them down. They celebratedthe first anniversary of the accident by hunting on Gillham Lake.Jakeb said they shot several ducks.“I don’t think about the accident an awful lot,” Jakeb said. “It’snot a great memory to think about the time you were stuck to aboat prop and it was holding you underwater. When I think backon it, I just think about how awesome Trevor was and how luckyI am to be alive.”They’re both slightly skittish during boat rides, and a lot morecareful to follow safe boating rules.Good Advice“Wear that kill switch,” Trevor said. “You never know whensomething’s going to happen. I have no problem telling anybodyto wear their kill switch. If they don’t want to wear it when I’mgoing with them, that’s fine; I just won’t go.”For all the things that went wrong for Trevor and Jakeb Dec.18, 2010, they’re quick to mention all the things that incredibly,maybe miraculously, went right. The motor fired up after fallingin the water, their frantic cell phone call went through on a wetphone in a remote area of the state, Good Samaritan huntersappeared, the prop missed Jakeb’s spine by inches and his openwounds never became infected.“I thank God every day for how it turned out,” Trevor said.“There’s a reason we made it. Maybe it’s to share our story.Somebody was looking out for us. There’s no other explanation,in my opinion, for us to make it.”TOP: Trevor (left) and Jakeb Durham show off the T-shirts that werewrapped around a boat propeller.BOTTOM: Wounds across Jakeb Durham’s back have healed, although hestill has discomfort. Photos by Mike Wintroath.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE13

What Hunting MeanstoMe and MyFamilyTradition Passes to Next GenerationThis essay, written by Benton Bajorek of Jacksonvillewhen he was 15, earned him an elk hunting trip to Coloradowith his father, George Bajorek, an Army veteran. The winnerof the nationwide contest was required to be 12-17 yearsold, and the son or daughter of a deployed, wounded-incombator honorably discharged parent from any branch ofthe armed services.As it turned out, the elk hunting trip became a mule deerhunt and Benton bagged a 2x2 trophy.“The mule deer and elk hunting in Colorado is crazy,”Benton Bajorek said. “The first thing we see when we getthere is eight deer standing in the road.”Although hunting in Colorado was foreign to him, Bajorekwas able to adapt.“Colorado shooting can’t be compared to what I usuallydo. You’re shooting 300 yards in the wind.“We saw this deer on top of a hill, one of the first deer ofthe day. It was probably a 250- to 300-yard shot.”Bajorek, now 18 and a freshman at Arkansas State University,said a family friend told his family about the essaycontest, sponsored by the National Guard.“They were supposed to notify winners by Aug. 1 andwhen we didn’t hear anything, we kind of forgot about it. Itwas late October or early November when they called andsaid I had won.”Benton Bajorek and his father George with Benton’s Colorado mule deer.Another view of Benton and his Colorado trophy.George Bajorek met Wade Boggs, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame,during a Colorado hunting trip. Photos courtesy of Benton Bajorek.14ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

Hunting always has been a driving force in my family.My dad has hunted ever since he was a little boy. But 40years later, he still is able to teach me the same principleshe was taught when he hunted with his dad.He helped me set it on top of the fence, aim at the bigdoe and then left me to pull the trigger. Once I did, it wasa little chaotic for the fawns. They scrambled and took offwhile the doe jumped the fence with the arrow in it.Hunting to me and my family is based on three things:food, family time and character.The reason my dad andI started hunting was forthe food it provided. Hetold me stories aboutthe cold winters whenhe and his three brothershad to live off the deerthey killed during huntingseason. Also, about whenthey were able to huntby themselves, they weregiven one bullet because they couldn’t afford anythingmore than that. They would hunt about a mile from thedeer camp and had to drag the deer all the way back tocamp. This also made me feel fortunate that my dad andI had a 4-wheeler when we went into the woods. Everydeer my dad and I have killed has not been for gettinga trophy buck, but so we can eat food from our freezerwhen money gets short.When you’re in a deer stand for more than five hourswith your dad, you either learn to grin and bear it or youspend some great time with him.I still remember the first hunt I went to with my dad. Wewent to a relative’s house to do some bow hunting. Wewalked down to a fence, set up a camo screen and putsome chairs up to sit in. He told me about deer and theirtraits, what they eat and even how to tell their tracks apartfrom other animals.About an hour before the sun went down, three deercame up about 10 yards away from us. There was one doeand two fawns. I really didn’t expect to do or see anythingon that trip but when my dad put the crossbow in myhands, I knew what I had to do.When you’re in a deer standfor more than five hours withyour dad, you either learn togrin and bear it or you spendsome great time with him.When we found the deer, we had to gut it and thentook it back on the 4-wheeler. I remember being really sadat first. I kept on thinkingI had killed Bambi andfelt really sad. I told mydad about this and thenit started raining. We gotinto the truck and he toldme another reason wehunt.Deer are overpopulatedin some areas and ifwe can’t do our job ashunters, deer eventually will kill each other. It took acouple of years to finally understand this but, in a way, Icould tell that what my dad and I did was important. Thatday I felt closer to my dad than I had ever been.Hunting also is a great character builder. Hunting hastaught me things from teamwork to reasonability. It alsohas taught me some simple, common-sense things likepaying attention and watching where you’re going. Themost important thing that he taught me was to take yourtime. When you’re hunting, you have to take your time,not only on your shot, but when you walk into the woodsso you don’t spook any deer, and when you track so youdon’t step on blood. It also was able to help me in school.If I take my time on a test and read every question, I couldachieve my education goals.Of course, my dad and his military time have meanta lot to me. Even though he doesn’t like to talk abouthis time in Desert Storm, he still tells me he is proud ofwhat he did for his country. He also tells me that I needthe same type of pride and commitment in whatever Ido with my life. That dedication has helped me not onlyin the deer woods, but also that if you set your mind tosomething, you can and will go far.

Ozark HellbenderLands on ListHabitat Loss, Disease Bode Ill for SalamanderBy KELLY IRWINCiting shrinking habitat and disease, the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService placed the Ozark hellbender, native only to Arkansas andMissouri, on the federal Endangered Species List in early October.The listing of this large, aquatic salamander was the result of manyyears of research and monitoring that demonstrated a severe declinein population. The studies were a collaborative effort of the ArkansasGame and Fish Commission, Missouri Department of Conservationand researchers from several regional universities.Among the LargestThe Ozark hellbender, also known as the North American giantsalamander, is one of the world’s largest salamanders, exceeded insize only by its closest living relatives, the Chinese and Japanese giantsalamanders. Adult Ozark hellbenders range from 16-22 inches longand are olive green with large black blotches on the back. These fullyaquatic salamanders need cool, free-flowing water, which allowsthem to absorb dissolved oxygen through loose, wrinkled folds ofskin along the sides of the body. Crayfish is the primary food ofOzark hellbenders, but they also eat small fish, earthworms andhellgrammites.The Ozark hellbender’s historic range in Arkansas was in tributariesof the upper White River basin, such as the North Fork of the White,Spring and Eleven Point rivers. But during the last 50 years, Ozarkhellbenders have lost much of that habitat because of large reservoirsand increasing sediment in river beds. Sediment buries large rocksthat salamanders need for cover and breeding areas.Ozark hellbenders are trying to survive deadly trends. Photo by Tim Colston16ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

A fungal disease causes lesions and sometimes foot loss amonghellbenders. Photo by Tim Colston.Habitat loss is not the only problem facing Ozark hellbenders.During the last decade, news articles have reported globalextinction and severe drops in amphibian populations. Theculprit is a fungal disease called chytridiomycosis, caused byBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis – known as Bd. Researchersfrom the MDC and I have found Bd among Ozark hellbenders.Taking a TollWe do not know the extent of the effects of this pathogen on thehellbender populations, but it does not bode well for their survival.We have taken samples to test for bacterial and viral pathogensthat could be causing the loss of toes and feet among salamanders.We consistently find animals with raw, open sores on the palms ofthe feet and tips of the toes, which eventually can lead to the lossof a foot. In a few extreme cases, we have found individuals thathave lost all four feet and have a raw stump on the end of each leg.One example that clearly demonstrates the severe populationdecline in the Ozark hellbender is from one of the best-knownpopulations in Arkansas. In the early and mid-1980s, universityresearchers marked 365 hellbenders within a 2.5- to 3-milesection of the Spring River in Fulton County. The Spring Riveris very popular for trout fishing and recreational canoeing. AnAGFC-sponsored survey was conducted on the Spring Riverfrom 2004-06 and 12 Ozark hellbenders were found in a 10-milestretch of the river.Many reasons have been suggested for this extreme decline,ranging from commercial and scientific collection, habitat loss anddisease, but there are no data to definitively support any of thesehypotheses.Hellbenders are long-lived animals, probably capable of livingfor more than 50 years; a recently captured individual in Missouriwas marked 31 years ago. Because they have such long life spans,they do not add members to their population at a high rate, knownas the recruitment rate. This means that if a large percentage of thebreeding adults is lost from a population, it does not take long forthe population to decline.Hope in the LabTo stave off population declines and to ensure that uniquegenetic lineages are maintained for each of the river systems inwhich Ozark hellbenders are found, a captive breeding programwas established at the Saint Louis Zoo’s Ron Goellner Centerfor Hellbender Conservation in 2007, in collaboration with theMDC. The AGFC donated six adults from the Eleven PointRiver to the program in 2009 and donated aquaria, pumps and awater chiller in 2011. This equipment will be used to rear larvaeto juvenile size within several years, which will ensure theirsurvival when they are released into the wild as part of a headstart program.But the big news is that the Saint Louis Zoo bred Ozarkhellbenders last October – the first time hellbenders havereproduced in captivity. The first eggs – although they weren’tfertile – were produced during the first year of the program.That was a major step in what was to come. The herpetariumfeatures a 32-foot artificial Ozarks stream that’s used to breedhellbenders. It has a rock bottom and the cleanest wateravailable. So far, the program is working with eight adulthellbenders and, at last count, 72 juvenile hellbenders thateventually will be released.Perhaps this is a good sign of things to come. To findout more, visit www.stlzoo.org/pressroom/pressreleases/hellbenderbabies.The Ozark hellbender is not a cute and cuddly creature, butArkansans should take pride in ensuring its long-term survivalbecause they are found nowhere else on Earth. The additionof the Ozark hellbender to the Endangered Species List is notgood news, but it does provide an opportunity for landownerswithin its range to have access to federal funds for managementpractices that can improve water quality of rivers and streams.Good water quality is not only good for Ozark hellbenders, italso improves sport fisheries and enhances our enjoyment ofrivers and streams. AWKelly Irwin is the AGFC’s statewide herpetologist.An Ozark hellbender shortly after hatching at the Saint Louis Zoo. Photocourtesy of Mark Wanner/ Saint Louis Zoo.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE17

The Natural State’sNaturalistsCourse Certifies Invaluable Volunteers for Agencies18ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

ext time you visit a state park orN nature center, ask a member of thestaff how much they rely on volunteers.You’re likely to hear something like:“We’re thankful for every one of them; weneed more.”Arkansas Master Naturalists training isone way to learn about the natural world,help others appreciate nature and becomeone of those valuable volunteers. TheArkansas Game and Fish Commission,Arkansas State Parks and other agenciesneed volunteers for a wide variety ofreasons.“We offer our services to nature centers,state parks, city parks and other places,”said Dwan Garrison, a past presidentof AMN. “Many members work ininterpretive services, some people aregardeners who like the wildlife gardens andothers are interested in maintenance. Manyhave taken a two-day chainsaw class tohelp with trail maintenance.”‘I Love Nature’That’s just a sample of what masternaturalists are able to accomplish. Garrisonjoined an AMN chapter in 2006 and wentthrough AMN training in 2009. She’sa member of the North-Central AMNChapter and is trying to start chapters inJonesboro and Hot Springs.“I love nature and I love Arkansas nature,and I want to help preserve it for mychildren and everyone who comes here,”Garrison said. “This was a way I could getwith other people and help; I could learnabout things I was interested in.”She says classes across the state are similarbut not identical.“The curriculum is a little different ineach chapter. There are about 16 topics– some are covered by every chapter but,according to location, they may offerdifferent topics.“We have indoor and outdoor classes,and many of those have hands-on training.We always have an Arkansas Stream Teamclass. We have birding classes – indoors andfield trips – so not only do you learn aboutbirds, but you learn about binoculars. Wehave experts in different fields, some ofthem from universities, or we will havepeople from Game and Fish, for example.Kirsten Bartlow (AGFC watchable wildlifecoordinator) does a mammals program;we have people from Audubon. Expertsfrom certain fields present overviews, thenat a later date we might have an advancedprogram.”Typical TopicsThe course typically includes native plantsand animals, geology, botany, meteorology,astronomy, public land use, interpretation,trail design and maintenance, streamquality evaluation and testing, and othertopics. More than 80 hours of classroominstruction is available, although 40 hoursmust be completed for master naturalistcertification.The program presents a core curriculumbut each chapter draws on whatever mightbe available in its area. Caves in northernArkansas or wetlands in eastern Arkansas,for example.When the course is over, the fun starts.“We ask that each member does 40 hoursof volunteer work per year,” Garrison said.“Our mission is the beneficial managementof Arkansas. We volunteer at natural areas,state parks, city parks, Game and Fish, theChristmas bird count for Audubon. In theNorth-Central Chapter, my chapter, we’redoing a biological inventory on 730 acresof Bull Shoals State Park; it’s a work inprogress.”Arkansas has about 300 master naturalists.“We have people from every walk of life,”Garrison said. “The minimum age is 18. InLittle Rock, many members are still in thework force. In the North-Central Chapter,many members are retired, althoughnow we’re getting a lot of younger peopleinvolved.“I’m a retired teacher. We have a lot ofpeople moving into the Mountain Homearea from other parts of the country andthey want to know what’s here. It’s afantastic learning experience. I’m learningabout trees, plants and ferns; we havepeople interested in building or repairingtrails, all sorts of things.”Course DetailsSchedules vary by chapter, although thecourse starts in late January and may rununtil early May. Classes, which are held atseveral venues, start at 9 a.m. and generallyend about 3 p.m. Saturdays. Chaptersare Central, North-Central, Northwestand River Valley; Diamond Lakes andNortheast chapters are in the early stages oforganization.Each chapter can handle 25-30 students;each chapter was full last year. The costis $165, which includes $135 for thecourse and $30 for AMN dues for June1, 2012-May 31, 2013. Visit http://home.arkansasmasternaturalists.org and click on“How do I join?” to find information aboutclasses within a particular chapter.“I love it,” Garrison said. “And I love thepeople the most. With these people, we canmake a difference.” AW– Jeff WilliamsLEFT: Chainsaw crews helped clear stormdamage at Bull Shoals-White River State Park inAugust. Photo courtesy of Dwan Garrison.RIGHT: Arkansas Master Naturalists assisted witha clean up on the Buffalo National River lastOctober. Photo courtesy of Roy Stovall.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE19

Hooked onPerfectionRebel Lures Still Popping After 50 YearsBy JEFF WILLIAMSABOVE: PRADCO’s Lawrence Taylor displays a Mulberry Riversmallmouth bass that fell for a Rebel Crickhopper. Photo byJeff Williams.RIGHT: George Perrin (left), now retired in Florida, visits withanother fishing legend, Homer Circle, in this undated photocourtesy of PRADCO.20ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

sunny afternoon on a Mulberry RiverA gravel bar is the perfect time and placeto contemplate why fish bite. Maybe GeorgePerrin had a similar experience about 50years ago.George who? Few anglers recognize Perrin’sname but they know his work.Perrin, who lived in Fort Smith, startedRebel Lures in 1962, although the storybegins a few years earlier. His companymade plastic parts for refrigerators and airconditioners, as well as Dixie cup dispensers,but his passion was closer to a creek bank.Lawrence Taylor, fishing public relationsdirector for PRADCO, the umbrellacompany that includes Rebel, shared ourMulberry River gravel bar. As he told thestory of Rebel, he said Perrin was spurred toaction because he was frustrated by lures thatweren’t consistent.“He was not happy with the woodenminnow baits that were available to him,”Taylor said. “He decided he could make a betterone out of plastic and space-age polymer, as itwas called.”Perrin went to work on the perfect plastic minnow.“He made it in two halves glued together and every one ran trueright out of the box – they ran identical,” Taylor said. “He achievedexactly what he set out to do.”Perrin tested his prototypes at Lake Ouachita. When he had afloating lure he was proud of – the Rebel F10 Minnow – he startedRebel Lures.Special packages commemorate Rebel’s 50th anniversaryand a history of angling products, including this vintagetackle box. Photo by Jeff Williams.That held true on this warm fallday in the Ozarks, even on a streamthat hadn’t seen rain in weeks. UsingRebel products, we took largemouthand smallmouth bass, as well asseveral species of sunfish, by runninglures below the surface and drawingpunishing hits on top-water plugs.With hot baits and consistent sales,the company branched into otherangling-related areas.“Rebel had a great line of bassboats that they produced for about sixyears,” Taylor said. “They were usedby all the competitors in the very firstBassmaster Classic (1971).”Rebel started its bass boat line in1970. As part of the 50th anniversaryfestivities, PRADCO is giving away abass boat wrapped with Rebel graphics.Visit Lurenet’s Facebook page for entryinformation.Tackle boxes came next – plastic instead ofthen-popular metal models – including thefirst double-sided box. They were designed by anglers and featuredhangers for spinners, places for pork rind jars and adjustable storage.“They created worm-proof plastic,” Taylor said. “Every one thatleft the factory had a sticker that said ‘worm-proof.’ ” That was abig deal in those days; plastics used in tackle boxes dissolved whentouched by soft, oily worm baits.Rebel also produced trolling motors, although lures held centerstage no matter which direction the company veered.Half a CenturyThis year is the 50th anniversary of Rebel Lures, which today ispart of a stable of well-known brands at Fort Smith’s Plastic Researchand Development Corporation. It’s the home of Yum, Heddon,Arbogast, Cotton Cordell, Bomber, Booyah, Creek Chub, XCalibur,Smithwick and Lazy Ike.Why did he name his company Rebel? Perrin’s daughter was astudent at Southside High School in Fort Smith – home of theRebels.After Perrin’s F10 Minnow caught on, anglers wanted more.Along came a jointed version called the Broken Back Minnow,the Pop-R, the Crawfish and, eventually, a whole line of creekcritters. Rebel became a leading supplier of lures, especially amongstream anglers. An amazing variety of sizes and colors is available atwww.lurenet.com.“You can catch all kinds of fish and all sizes of fish, too,” Taylorsaid of the Rebel line. “I’ve caught everything from tiny smallmouth(bass) on the Wee Frog to 5-pound-plus largemouth (bass) on aPop-R.”All About Innovation“It was nothing to make 10,000 lures a day,” said Danny Stoner,a longtime Rebel employee. “We made enough Rebel lures in the1980s to outfit every man, woman and child in the United States.Perrin was very innovative in production – we were the first to usepad printing and a heat-transfer process of decoration.”Some models took longer than others to catch on.“We introduced the Pop-R in 1976,” Taylor said. “It lastedabout three years and went out of the line because of low sales. ZellRowland, Tommy Martin, Rick Clunn, some of the other guys, keptbuying them in lots of 500 and kept them secret for several years.When it returned to the line in 1987, we sold more than a millionlures that year.”PRADCO is part of PRADCO Outdoor Brands, known as POB,which includes a hunting division. Even with 1,300 products, POBcontinues to be innovative. The last time we saw Taylor, he wasshowing off the Frog-R, a new top-water plug that walks acrossthe surface and teases fish. If it’s like its cousins, it’ll catch a few ofthem, too. AWJANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE21

naturally speakingGator Season Yields Three Longer Than 12 FeetTwenty-two hunters bagged American alligators in Arkansas duringthe two-weekend 2011 season. Ten of those were taken on public land.The largest was 13 feet, 1 inch, taken by Robert Dumas on privateland in zone 1 (southwestern Arkansas). Two other alligators topped12 feet – Jason Berry bagged a 12-foot, 8-inch gator on private landand Jonathan Parker took a 12-foot, 2-inch gator at Dr. Lester SitzesIII Bois D’Arc Wildlife Management Area.Alligator hunters applied for permits July 16-July 30. Permitholders must be Arkansas residents 16 or older. An applicant musthold an Arkansas big game license, and must attend a trainingworkshop in August to be eligible for a permit. Eighteen public-landpermits and 18 private-land permits were available.The season began 30 minutes after sunset Sept. 16 and ran through30 minutes before sunrise Sept. 19. It began again 30 minutes aftersunset Sept. 23 and ended 30 minutes before sunrise Sept. 26.Here’s a list of other hunters who bagged alligators, listed withhometown, zone, type of permit and length of gator:• Garrett Baldwin, Conway, zone 3, private land at-large, 7 ft., 0 in.• Michael Bolen, Grady, zone 3, Lower Arkansas River WetlandComplex, public, 6 ft., 1 in.• Jonathan Castleberry, Cabot, zone 3, Lower Arkansas RiverWetland Complex, public, 7 ft., 4 in.• Gary Chambliss, zone 1, private land, 11 ft., 7 in.• C.A. Douglas, Plainview, zone 3, Lower Arkansas River WetlandComplex, public, 7 ft., 6 in.• Tanya Garrett, zone 1, private land, 10 ft., 11 in.• Matthew Harbison, White Hall, zone 3, Lower Arkansas RiverWetland Complex, public, 6 ft., 10 in.• Winston Hastings, Little Rock, zone 3, private land at-large,10 ft., 1 in.• Jim Bob Hockaday, Nashville, zone 1, private land at-large,7 ft. 0 in.• John King, Hope, zone 1, Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc WMA,public, 10 ft., 3 in.• Chris Mueller, Lowell, zone 1 private land at-large, 8 ft., 6 in.• William Ruby, Springdale, zone 1, Millwood Lake, public, 5 ft., 8 in.• John Starling, zone 3, private land, 8 ft., 6 in.• Edwin Stavely, Nashville, zone 1, private land at-large, 9 ft., 1 in.• Jacob Steed, Ashdown, zone 1, private land at-large, 7 ft., 1 in.• Doug Ward, Dierks, zone 1, Little River, public, 10 ft., 5 in.• Jonnette Whitley, Taylor, zone 1, Lake Erling, public, 8 ft., 3 in.• Paul Willmuth, Batesville, zone 3, private land at-large, 6 ft., 11½ in.Tanya Garrett with a 10-foot, 11-inch alligator, the largest killed by awoman during an Arkansas hunt. Photo courtesy of Brandi Garrett Haworth.Statewide Turkey SeasonSet to Open April 14Turkey hunting season will run 16 days this year, which is twodays shorter than last year’s season.The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission set the season datesat its November meeting. The dates were approved based on recentharvests, brood surveys and meetings with turkey hunters.The statewide turkey season will be April 14-29 in zones 1, 2, 3,4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10 and 17 with a bag limit of two beardedturkeys and no jakes, except for a single jake that youth huntersmay harvest. The season will run April 14-24 in zones 4, 4A, 5Aand 9A with a bag limit of one bearded turkey and no jakes, exceptfor a single jake that youth hunters may harvest. Zone 1A will beclosed. The youth turkey hunt will be April 7-8 in all open zones.22ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

Wilson Earns Jerry JonesSportsman’s AwardSteve “Wild Man” Wilson, ArkansasGame and Fish Commission public affairscoordinator, became the latest recipient ofthe Jerry Jones Sportsman’s Award Nov. 1.Wilson was honored by CentralArkansas Ducks Unlimited Sponsors atChenal Country Club in Little Rock.He’s best known as host and co-producerof “Talkin’ Outdoors at the CornerCafé,” a weekly television program seenon three Arkansas stations. The award isgiven annually to an individual who hassignificantly contributed to duck huntingin Arkansas.Wilson is a longtime supporter ofDucks Unlimited and duck huntingin The Natural State. He became theAGFC’s coordinator of Project WILD, aconservation education program, in 1984.That’s where his nickname originated.Twice he’s been chosen the AGFC’semployee of the year, and was theArkansas Wildlife Federation’sConservation Communicator of theYear in 1998 and 2009. Aside from thetelevision program, Wilson is host andproducer of “The Outdoor Report,” aweekly, statewide radio broadcast. He alsomakes numerous appearances on localtelevision and radio programs, and at civicevents across the state.Wilson is a hunter – especiallyturkey and deer – and fisherman, andhas dedicated the majority of his life toenhancing the outdoors experience forhunters and fishermen in Arkansas.Recipients of the award includeSen. Mark Pryor, former Arkansasgovernor Mike Huckabee, former AGFCcommissioners Marion McCollum andSheffield Nelson, and current AGFCChairman George Dunklin.Nature Center DirectorReceives National HonorNeil Curry, director ofthe Witt Stephens Jr. CentralArkansas Nature Center inLittle Rock, received theMaster Interpreter ManagerAward from the NationalAssociation for Interpretationin November.The nature center is oneof four operated by theArkansas Game and FishCommission.Curry has been director of the naturecenter since it opened in late 2008. He waschief of the Education and InformationDivision at the AGFC from 2002-05, andwas an interpretive naturalist at PinnacleNeil Curry. Photo by Mike Wintroath.Steve Wilson (left) accepts the Jerry JonesSportsman’s Award from Brian Minchew of DU.Photo by Mike Wintroath.Mountain State Park for 21years.Twenty-four people havereceived the award since itbegan in 1998. Candidatesare nominated by their peers.According to the NAI, theaward is given to “an NAImember who has workedfor five or more years inthe profession and whosecurrent duties are at least 60percent supervisory and administrative.Must demonstrate a mastery of interpretivetechnique, site or program and staffmanagement, and a respected ability topass these skills on to others.”Dates toRememberJANUARY1 New Year’s Day. Kwanzaa ends.2 New Year’s Day (observed).6 Mourning and Eurasian collareddoveseason closes.7-8 Special youth modern gun deerhunt, statewide.9 Full moon.16 Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.Robert E. Lee’s Birthday.29 Duck, American coot, merganser,Canada goose, white-frontedgoose, snow goose, Ross’ gooseand blue goose seasons close.30 Light Goose (Ross’s, blue, snow)Conservation Order opens.24 Thanksgiving Day.26 Modern gun bear season opens,zone 5A.30 Archery bear season closes,zones 1, 2.FEBRUARY2 Groundhog Day. WorldWetlands Day.3 Light Goose (Ross’s, blue, snow)Conservation Order closes4-5 Youth waterfowl hunt.6-April 25 Light Goose (Ross’s, blue,snow) Conservation Order open.7 Full moon.14 Valentine’s Day.15 Common snipe season closes.20 Washington’s Birthday. DaisyGatson Bates Day.21 Mardi Gras.22 Ash Wednesday.24 Crow season closes.29 Archery deer season closes,zones 1, 1A, 12, 13, 14, 15,17. Squirrel and rabbit huntingseasons close. Bobcat, coyote,gray fox, red fox, mink, opossum,river otter and striped skunkhunting seasons close, sunset.Furbearer trapping season closes(except beaver, coyote, muskratand nutria), sunrise.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE23

naturally speakingTilapia Record Part of Easterly FamilyThe tilapia tradition continues.Sheila Easterly of Little Rock caught a 3-pound, 8-ounce tilapia Oct. 26 onCamp Robinson in Pulaski County. Her fish topped the previous mark of 3pounds, 7 ounces caught by Dennis Show of North Little Rock Oct. 9, 2008.Catching record tilapia is in Easterly’s blood. She set the state record at 1pound, 12 ounces Sept. 5, 2004, while fishing at Lake Hogue. Herman Hangii,Sheila’s father, caught a 1-pound, 14-ounce tilapia Sept. 18, 2004, that broke hisdaughter’s record. Phillip Easterly, Sheila’s late husband, topped his father-inlaw’scatch with a 2-pound, 4-ounce fish from Mallard Lake Sept. 24, 2005. TheArkansas Game and Fish Commission stocked lakes Hogue and Mallard withtilapia, which die when water temperature drops, usually during late November.Easterly said she weighed the latest record at Joey B’s Grocery in Little Rock.It was identified by several AGFC fisheries biologists.Several anglers held the record between 2005 and Easterly’s most-recent mark.Sheila Easterly with her latest state-record tilapia. Photo byMike Wintroath.Commissioners Gather to Dedicate LakePast and present commissioners from the Arkansas Gameand Fish Commission, elected officials, family and friendsgathered at the Lake Conway dam Nov. 17 to dedicate a newname: Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir.Campbell, who completed his term on the CommissionJune 30, 2011, was on hand as AGFC Director Loren Hitchcockaddressed the crowd.Craig Campbell (with scissors) cuts the ribbon at the Lake Conway dedicationwith (left to right) AGFC commissioners Fred Brown, George Dunklin, EmonMahony, Rick Watkins, AGFC Director Loren Hitchcock, and commissionersSteve Cook and Ron Duncan. Photo by Mike Wintroath.“This was not an easy lake to come by,” Hitchcock said. “It’s afitting honor to name this lake on his behalf.”Hitchcock referred to years of effort by local leaders to create thelake, which covers 6,700 acres and is the largest lake built by a stateconservation agency. Construction on the dam on Palarm Creekbegan in late 1950 and was completed July 4, 1951. The lake has beenknown for years for good crappie, catfish, bream and bass fishing.“Naming this lake after Craig is certainly fitting for all thework he’s done,” said AGFC Chairman George Dunklin before heintroduced Campbell.Campbell said he appreciated the gesture, and told the history ofthe lake to make it clear that those who had the vision were the onesto thank.“As I told a newspaper reporter, this lake has been, is today andalways will be Lake Conway,” Campbell said. He praised local dentistJames Flanagin and Walter Dunaway, who later became Conwaymayor, for leading the charge in the 1940s. Campbell paid for aplaque set in rock near the dam to honor those who pushed for thelake.“I am very thankful we have this resource in Arkansas,”Campbell said.The lake was built for $150,000; $68,000 of that was spenton the dam. Local fundraising brought in $39,000, an amazingamount for the late 1940s.“I’m elated the Commission chose to name this lake afterCraig,” Hitchcock said. “He has a generous heart and a strong will.”24ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

Youngsters Score BigJackson Clark, 10, with his 7x7 trophy.Photo courtesy of Jackson Clark.The September elk hunt – with four permits onpublic land – and the December hunt – with hunterson public and private land – were as different assummer and winter.Allyn Ladd, 36, a dentist from Camden, scoredwith a 7x7 elk, taken with a compound bow the firstmorning of the September season. It was the first elkkilled with a bow on public land since elk huntingbegan in 1998.Ashley Drake of Bay (Craighead County) took a6x7 bull near sundown the second day of the hunt.Roy Wright of Rogers scored with a 6x7 bull inRichland Valley the third morning of the hunt.Youngsters ruled the December hunt. JacksonClark, 10, a fifth-grader at Jasper, took a 7x7 bull withantlers that may rank as the third-largest taken in Arkansas since hunting began in 1998.Kaelyn Mills, 12, a sixth-grader from Sheridan, became the youngest female to bag anArkansas elk with a 6x6 bull. Buck Horton, 12, a sixth-grader from Whitehall, took a 6x6 bull.Jared Yager, 15, from Russellville and a student at Subiaco Academy, scored with a 6x7 bull.Although the weather for the September hunt was mild, December permit holders had tocontend with snow, swollen streams and nearly impassable back roads.Twenty-one of 24 public-land permit holders hunted. Nine elk were taken, but one wasillegal – an antlerless permit holder shot a 2x1 young bull elk. These were the other successfulpublic-land hunters (with hometown): Dean McWilliams, Desha, cow; Roy Branscum, Cord,cow; Bobby Brandenburg, Fort Smith, cow; Alvin Brown, St. Joe, 6x6, and Mike Mosely,Little Rock, 6x6.These were successful private-land hunters (with county where elk was taken): CourtneyLacey, cow, Searcy County; Kirk Jackson, cow, Searcy County; Nathan Davidson, 6x6,Newton County; Bobby Sims, 1x5, Newton County; Shane Kelley, 5x6, Searcy County;Nathan Ogden, 6x6, Madison County; Kevin Elliot, 5x5, Searcy County; Lyndon Hendrix,3x4, Searcy County; Stan Dixon, spike bull, Carroll County; Ronald Graves, 6x7, SearcyCounty, and Melvin Graves, 6x6, Searcy County.Statement of ownership.New Year BringsNew PrizesWith a new year comes a new time for“Talkin’ Outdoors at the Corner Café,”the weekly television program from theArkansas Game and Fish Commission.Beginning in January, the program willair at 9 a.m. Saturdays on KNWA, 9 a.m.Sundays on KARZ and 11 p.m. Sundayson KARK.January also brings the beginningof weekly prize drawings on “Talkin’Outdoors.”Steve “Wild Man” Wilson, AGFCpublic affairs coordinator and host of“Talkin’ Outdoors,” puts together terrificprize packages every year. This one’s on parwith the best.The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansasis providing a Resident Sportsman’sLicense (hunting) and a Resident FisheriesConservation License (fishing), whichsell for a total of $35.50, to be given awaythrough a drawing on the show each week.Everyone who enters will be includedin the grand prize drawing – a LifetimeResident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’sPermit (which sells for $1,000), provided bythe Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation,and a trip to a bear den with “Wild Man”Wilson. The grand prize drawing will be inDecember.A trip to a bear den? That’s right – upto four people will spend the day withAGFC biologists as they gather researchdata from a black bear sow and her cubs.The drawings are open only to Arkansasresidents.Entering towin is simple.Mail a postcardto: Talkin’OutdoorsGive-Away,KARK, 1401W. CapitolAve., Suite 104,Little Rock,AR 72201-2940.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE25

naturally speakingShortnose GarRecord Topped atLake DardanelleTom Kremers of Clarksville added almosta pound and a half to the state-recordshortnose gar mark Sept. 23 when he caughtone that weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces fromthe Spadra Creek area of Lake Dardanelle.Bob Limbird, an Arkansas Gameand Fish Commission district fisheriessupervisor, verified the species and Cpl.Frankie Tucker, an AGFC wildlife officer,verified the weight on scales at HarvestFoods in Clarksville.According to Limbird, Kremers caughtthe gar on 30-pound-test line while fishingfor catfish.“He is very knowledgeable of the type offish he had caught and he’s an avid angler,”Limbird said.The gar was 33 inches long with a 12-inchgirth at the widest part of the body, and a9½-inch girth at the pelvic fins.The previous record was held by LindseyLewis of Greenbrier, who caught a 4-pound,7-ounce shortnose on Big Piney CreekMay 24, 2008.Tom Kremers with the state-record shortnose gar.Photo courtesy of Tom Kremers.Eagle Mountain Magnet School at the Nov. 17 AGFC meeting in Little Rock. Photo by Mike Wintroath.Batesville Wins WorldFor the second time in three years, Eagle Mountain Magnet School of Batesville won theNational Archery in the Schools Program World Archery Tournament. The team won a tripto the tournament by winning the Arkansas NASP tournament and finishing second in theNASP national tournament in Kentucky. The world tournament was Oct. 6-8 in Orlando, Fla.The team’s score of 3,291 set a record for elementary school teams by topping the old mark of3,287. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recognized the team for its accomplishmentat its Nov. 17 meeting in Little Rock.Coach Susan Parker has been a physical education instructor in the Batesville schools formore than 20 years and has coached the team since it began in 2009.“This is an incredible opportunity for our students and our state,” Parker said. “We couldn’thave done it without the strong support of the parents and the Batesville School District.”Jack Looney was top shooter with a score of 292. Six Eagle Mountain Magnet team membersfinished among the top five in their grade levels. Looney and Celsey Wood took first place inthe male and female fifth-grade division; Ronnie Jeffrey was third. Katie Allen was fourth andNatalie Craft was fifth in the sixth-grade division. Gina Mishark was fourth in the fourthgradedivision. Of 24 team members, 15 may return next year to defend the title.Browning CapturesPan-Am BronzeKayle Browning of Wooster (Faulkner County) finished third andwon a bronze medal in the Pan-Am Games trapshooting competitionat Guadalajara, Mexico, in October.Browning was first in the event’s qualifying round, breaking 68of a possible 75 targets. In the final 25-target round, she broke 17.Browning was recognized for her accomplishment at the ArkansasGame and Fish Commission’s Nov. 17 meeting.Kayle Browning withAGFC Chairman GeorgeDunklin. Photo by MikeWintroath.The event was won by fellow U.S. shooter Miranda Wilder, who hit 21 of 25 in the finalround. Second was Lindsay Boddez of Canada, who also broke 21 in the finals but was onebehind Wilder in the overall scoring. Browning was two behind Wilder in the overall tally.Browning competed for Greenbrier High School in the AGFC’s Arkansas YouthShooting Sports Program.26ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

outdoor cookingLocal, Fresh and ReadyFarmers, Chefs Can Make Perfect PartnersARTICLE AND PHOTOS By Jeff WilliamsAshley’s Executive Chef Lee Richardson prepares a platter of Aylesbury duckwith black apples in Scott.Kroger, Publix and other chains come to mind when mostAmericans need food, although a fresh approach to groceryshopping is growing.Studies show that fruits, vegetables and domestic animals aregetting to plates faster, thanks to the rise of farmers’ markets andsmall farms that are finding business close to home. Locally grownfood is fresher, uses less energy to transport or store, and often tastesbetter than food that’s canned or frozen, then shipped across thecountry or around the world.Consider the impact of wild game in Arkansas. During the lastfew years, more than 180,000 white-tailed deer have been harvestedin Arkansas annually. Add more than a million ducks each year,plus dove, turkey, squirrel, rabbit and other game – that’s a lot ofmeat to go along with tons of locally produced farm goods.Outstanding IdeaThe possibilities presented by this trend toward local groceriesstarted turning cogs in a few Californians’ brains in 1999. JimDenevan, a chef and artist, and his brother Bill, an organic farmer,got to thinking. Their conversations led Jim to start a companycalled Outstanding in the Field, which he has called a “roving,culinary adventure.”The idea is so simple it’s surprising that someone didn’t doit earlier. Outstanding in the Field pairs local chefs with localfarmers, vintners and brewmasters, which results in amazing meals.Diners typically enjoy the experience in fields where food on theirplates was grown.That was the case in October when Outstanding in the Fieldvisited Scott Heritage Farm alongside Scott Plantation Settlementon the Pulaski-Lonoke county line. Tables placed end to endsupplied seating for 128; the crew was prepared to feed as manyas 150. It was the first dinner in Arkansas for the company; thesecond in the state was the next day at Whitton Farms at Tyronzain Poinsett County. The two stops were part of more than 80dinners across the U.S. and Canada in 2011, the bulk of them inthe West and many of them sold out.Lee Richardson, executive chef at Ashley’s at the Capital Hotelin Little Rock, was asked to create a menu for the dinner in Scott.28ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

Although he doesn’t do this sort of thing every day, Richardsonsays he’s planning an outdoor wedding for 300 guests this summer.Everything on the menu, including Diamond Bear beer, camefrom Arkansas, except wine from California, Oregon and France.Richardson worked with Jeff Ferrell, executive sous chef at theCapital Hotel. Ferrell is responsible for all food operations at thehotel, although “Lee is executive chef – he makes the final calls,”Ferrell said. “He gave me the ideas for the menu and I did it; I wasresponsible for all the preparations.”It Takes Teamwork“One thing that makes it easier is this is Outstanding in theField’s show,” Richardson said. “They basically set up the restaurant,so to speak. A lot of work goes into setting yourself up –they’ve done that.”Ferrell and staff from the hotel created a tent kitchen in a field,with a few tables and ice chests to handle preparation and coldstorage. They also had a large rotisserie, grills, and heavy-duty potsand burners.“It went really smooth,” Ferrell said. “I wouldn’t changeanything. I think it opened eyes to how great simple food couldbe.”Richardson, born and raised in New Orleans, came to Ashley’sin 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. With a degree in psychology, hestarted as a prep chef at Emeril Lagasse’s NOLA, and worked withthe likes of John Besh.So here he was – standing in Arkansas Delta dirt talking aboutOld Spot rillettes, deep-fried quail, Arkansas black apples and porkrinds, all raised right here. It’s cuisine he calls New Americana.When we think of cities or regions, food often is among the traitswe remember. Chicago can trigger thoughts of deep-dish pizza.Philadelphia? Philly cheese steak. Seattle’s known for seafood ormaybe coffee. New Orleans is all gumbo and jambalaya. So what’son Arkansas’s plate?“Arkansas to me is good, honest home cooking,” Richardson said.Which is what was served, family style, on a warm, October day.Home GrownJody Hardin and Barbara Armstrong started Scott HeritageFarm on 40 acres in fall 2010. They put in some vegetable crops,started running hogs and goats, and began raising Cornish hens.Hardin is part of the family that operates Hardin Farms atGrady in Lincoln County. The Hardins ran a successful restaurant,market, pumpkin patch and corn maze until U.S. Highway 65 wasrerouted and business dropped.“We still have a produce and row crop farm at Grady, withour offices and commercial kitchen that supplies the Scott store,”Hardin said.The “Scott store” – Hardin Farms and Market Too – is run byHardin’s father, Randy, who bought it as Jody, unbeknownst toRandy, was trying to purchase 40 acres a few hundred yards away.Specialties include barbecue, deli sandwiches, meats, cheeses andlocally made goods. Jody’s brother Josh has Laughing Stock Farmat Grady.Barbara Armstrong and Jody Hardin visit with diners at Scott Heritage Farm.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE29

Local Foods Finding MoreMarkets Says USDA ReportVisitors at Scott Heritage Farm get to knowthe Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs.A report from theU.S. Department ofAgriculture’s EconomicResearch Servicereleased in Novemberfound that markets forlocally produced foodare growing across thecountry.“Large, small andmidsized farms are alltapping into it,” thereport states. “Evenbetter, new data suggestthat these producersare employing moreworkers than theywould be if they weren’tselling into local andregional markets.”“Economic ResearchReport No. ERR-128” by Sarah Low and Stephen Vogelcovers 38 pages. These are a few of its findings.Local markets are important for a lot of farmers. Fortypercent of all vegetable, fruit and nut farms in the U.S. selltheir products in local and regional markets. These farmersreported that local food sales accounted for 61 percent oftheir total sales. Almost two-thirds of the producers reportedthat local food sales were at least 75 percent of their totalsales.Markets for local foods go well beyond direct-toconsumersales. Direct sales from farms to consumersrose 215 percent during 1992-2007. This report examinedintermediated marketing channels – sales from a farmerto a regional distributor, grocer or restaurant, and thento a consumer. Intermediated and direct local food salescombined totaled nearly $5 billion in 2008.Local doesn’t necessarily mean small. Farms selling locallyrun from annual gross sales under $50,000 to more than$250,000.Local means jobs. One of every 12 jobs in the U.S. isassociated with agriculture. This report found that fruitand vegetable farms selling into local and regional marketsemploy 13 fulltime workers per $1 million in revenue – atotal of 61,000 jobs in 2008. Fruit and vegetable farms notengaged in local food sales employed three full-time workersper $1 million in revenue.Hardin, co-founder of Certified Arkansas Farmers’ Market andArgenta Market in North Little Rock, has watched small farmers failover the years, although he says a new model is emerging, especiallyamong young chefs and farmers.“My niche is having unique, tasty, quality products that thecommercial market can’t deliver,” said Hardin, who started in thebusiness in 1987 at the Pine Bluff Farmers Market. “We’ve been ableto offer variety. We’re marketing limited, unique products and weget a little more money for them. I’m creating markets before I startfarming.”The word “sustainable” comes up often in conversation with Hardin,who holds a business degree from Tampa University.“We use sustainable a lot – we’re talking about being good to theenvironment. We’re trying to replicate nature on our farms.”Hardin became involved in the Outstanding in the Field dinnerafter his friend Richardson suggested Scott Heritage Farm as a setting.“Chef Lee has helped me and other people with local food,” Hardinsaid. “This is a concept farm and he’s been following along with me.We’re taking a different approach. There are only a few communitysupportedagriculture farms in the state.”Community-supported agriculture farmers sell subscriptions toclients. For example, a family might pay a farmer $500 a year toperiodically pick up part of a crop. That might mean cuts from ahog, green beans, turnips and strawberries on one visit, and lettuce,radishes, corn and a chicken on the next visit. This system gives thefarmer financial backing and a ready market, and gives neighborsfresh, whole food.Hardin says an important event about local food is coming up inLittle Rock. The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Groupannual conference is set for Jan. 18-21 at the Peabody Hotel. Seewww.ssawg.org for details.“It’s all about what we’re doing – sustainable small farming,”Hardin said. “Having the conference here is a big step for Arkansas.”Jeff Ferrell of the Capital Hotel confabs with the wait staff before theOutstanding in the Field dinner.30ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

OutstandingIn the FieldScott Heritage FarmMenu, Oct. 15 Oat-crusted quail legs withpepper jelly. Pimento cheese and fresh-bakedsoda crackers. Gloucestershire Old Spot (pig)rillettes, and pork rinds with figmustard and dill pickles. Fried black-eyed peas. Mixed green salad with pickledbeets, spiced pecans, goat-milkcheese and sorghum vinaigrette. Stuffed eggplant, roasted plumtomatoes and mustard greens. Aylesbury duck roasted withsorghum, with Arkansas rice grits,black apples, turnips andmuscadine glaze. Sweet potato pie with pecans andmaple cream.Chef Lee Richardson provided theserecipes for the dinner at Scott and forArkansas Wildlife readers.Arkansas Rice Grits1 cup coarsely ground long-grain rice3 cups water1 cup whole milk½ teaspoon salt2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons mascarponeBring water, milk and salt to a boil in asauce pan over medium heat. Slowly whiskin rice meal and return to a boil. Continuewhisking at a boil until the mixture beginsto thicken noticeably. Reduce heat to lowand cook 5 minutes; stir occasionally.Cover; reduce heat as low as it will go for5-10 minutes. Whisk in the butter andmascarpone cheese. Optional: Drizzlein a touch of white truffle oil. Serveimmediately; serves six.Katie Wyer of Outstanding in the Field writesthe day’s menu on a blackboard.Stuffed Eggplant2 medium eggplants1 tablespoon bacon grease1 tablespoon unsalted butter½ cup onion, diced½ cup green onions, thinly sliced¼ cup green bell pepper, diced¼ cup red bell pepper, diced¼ cup celery, peeled, split lengthwise andthinly sliced2 cloves garlic, minced¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped1 bay leaf4 oz. ham, diced4 oz. shrimp, sautéed or boiled andchopped1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon cayenne½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped2 eggs, beatenlemon juice to taste1-2 cups fresh brioche or white breadcrumbs; crust removed, diced2 tablespoons freshly grated ParmesanBoil eggplant 15-20 minutes untiltender. Drain, allow to cool, peel and dice.Drain. Melt butter and bacon grease inskillet over medium heat. Sauté onionsuntil translucent. Add scallions, peppers,celery and garlic. Add parsley, bay leafand ham. Add drained eggplant. Transfereverything to a large mixing bowl. Addshrimp, salt, black pepper, cayenne andthyme. Add egg; mix well. Season totaste with lemon juice. Add breadcrumbsto stiffen mixture. Bake for 30 minutesat 350 degrees. Sprinkle with gratedParmesan and bake another 15 minutes.Hunters AnswerCalls for HelpA study commissioned by theNational Shooting Sports Foundationand conducted by Mile CreekCommunications shows that 11 millionmeals were provided by hunters whodonated wild game to shelters, food banksand church kitchens across the U.S.during the 2010-11 hunting seasons.That’s about 2.8 million pounds ofgame meat.Hunters in Arkansas are doing theirpart. Since 2000, Arkansas hunters havecontributed about 1.5 million meals,according to Arkansas Hunters Feedingthe Hungry, a nonprofit group that helpsfunnel game meat to people who need it.Ronnie Ritter of AHFH says 60 meatprocessors across Arkansas are part of theprogram. Hunters pay for processing,and a coalition of funding helps pay the$100,000 tab for the program each year.The meat is ground, packaged and AHFHships it by truck to food pantries acrossthe state. Most of it is venison, althoughother wild game is accepted.For details and a list of processors, visitwww.arkansashunters.org. AHFH alsooffers a new way to contribute and tellothers about the program by purchasing acar flag. Find out more at www.deerhuntercarflags.com.“Given our challenging economic times,hunters’ donations of venison have neverbeen more important to so many people,”said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF presidentand chief executive officer. “These contributionsare just one way hunting andhunters are important to our way of life inAmerica. Learning about these impressivefigures makes me proud to be a hunter.I have donated game meat during thepast year, and I urge my fellow hunters tostrongly consider sharing their harvest.”The NSSF study revealed thatdonations were largest in the Midwestand the South. The Midwest provided 1.3million pounds of game meat, with theSouth at 1.25 million pounds.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE31

Rule of ThirdsIf you read any book about photo techniques, the rule of thirds comes up prettyquickly; I’m sure it’s appeared in this magazine several times over the years. The ideais to mentally divide the image into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and place thesubject where those lines of division intersect. Cropping comes in handy for anyonetrying to use the rule of thirds because it allows the photographer to shift the placementof the subject. Of course, strong composition to begin with usually means cropping’snot needed later.Out of WhackVeteran photographers know to consider the horizon when they’re shooting,although it’s not so apparent to those with less experience. It’s easy to get caught inthe moment, focus on the foreground and forget that the background is out of whack.This usually can be fixed after the fact by straightening and cropping the image.For instance, slanted horizon often appears behind someone holding up a fish ona boat. The ocean or lake in the background looks like it’s running downhill. Unlessyou’re tilting the horizon for effect, try to keep it flat when the photo is taken.People ProblemsGroup shots seldom produce the results we want. They’re hard to shoot because noone wants to sit still long enough to take direction. Cropping after the fact can help butattention to composition when the photo is taken is the best way to produce a groupshot that works. Take a few seconds to make sure all the faces can be seen, see what’s inthe background and shoot several frames (you never know when there’s a prankster inthe group or someone has closed eyes). Starting with a good image also makes it easierto crop later if you want a photo that features just a few people in the group.The perspective of a youngster learning to fire a BB gun is moreapparent after cropping.Find the FocusIf you’re faced with a photo that, at first glance, doesn’t have a subject, look moreclosely. Sometimes worthy images can be found in photos that appear to be empty.Perhaps the photo includes several birds at a feeder. Start cropping the photo withyour eyes; maybe there’s a pair of birds that can become the subject after attention tocomposition and creative cropping.Standard SizesSome photographers believe sticking with standard image sizes – 5x7, 8x10, etc. – isessential but sometimes the best crop doesn’t follow these rules. In the days of filmphotography and printing, standard sizes were more important because frames andprinting paper sizes had to be considered. Since digital photography has evolved, standardsizes don’t mean much because many images are never printed. Feel free to make an imageof a mountain range extra wide or let a photo of your favorite tree soar vertically.PerspectiveCropping a photo can entirely change the perspective for the viewer. It can feature aface that’s lost in the crowd, focus attention on details and remove distracting material.But most of all it can help the photographer guide the viewer.No FearAfter you’ve downloaded your images, don’t be afraid to mangle the copies. Keep theoriginal image safe while you crop as many ways as you like. Experiment and have fun.With today’s digital images, it doesn’t cost a dime to manipulate an image any way youwant. Sometimes cropping can produce several images with different subjects from theoriginal.The river no longer runs uphill when the horizon is straightened.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE33

scales of justiceWatch Behind Your EarsCurious Calhoun County Man Forgets to Hide StashBy Col. Mike KnoedlThere’s something about being a wildlife officer that drawscurious people like a moth to a flame. An officer never sits in onespot too long before someone approaches with questions abouthow to be a wildlife officer, how duck season is going or whichlures bass like best at the nearest fishing hole.Depending on the situation, working with the public canbe the best or worst part of a wildlife officer’s day. Some of thesemundane questions can lead to some interesting conversations. Inone case, it led to an easy arrest.While on routine patrol late one afternoon during the dogdays of summer, I was working around Tri-County Lake nearFordyce. After checking several licenses, I pulled into the parkinglot at the spillway area to write notes on the back of a ticket I hadjust issued to a man for fishing without a license.A small, blue car pulled into the parking lot beside me. Inoticed the person in the car was a man, but really didn’t pay muchattention to him because I was busy with my work and he didn’thave a fishing rod with him.Sure enough, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the manheading toward me with a smile on his face. I rolled down mywindow to greet my new friend, who proceeded to ask if the fishwere biting and if it was legal to have two poles while fishing belowthe spillway. I noticed a hand-rolled “cigarette” placed behind eachof his ears. As he continued talking, I started to smile. At a goodstopping point in his story, I told him to be still for a second, thenreached up to retrieve one of his “smokes.”“I’m not very smart, am I dude?” was all he could say. The“dude” part pretty much confirmed what I thought might be insidethose cigarettes.I called Arkansas State Police, who dispatched a state trooper.When the trooper arrived, my curious conversationalist gave hisconsent to search his car. We quickly found a quarter-ounce bagof green stuff in the glove compartment, and the man was chargedwith possession of a controlled substance.While he was being arrested, I told my new friend that he wasincredibly friendly – not very bright – but friendly.Benton County Leads FinesThe Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collected $629,568 in fines for boating, wildlife and fishing violations in 2011. All of thismoney stayed in the county where the fines were collected and was earmarked for conservation education programs in schools andamong groups advocating environmental awareness. These are the top 12 counties.Benton $27,371Pike $22,290Baxter $21,941Garland $19,151Arkansas $18,889Cleburne $18,267Saline $17,957White $17,295Ashley $16,340Lafayette $15,640Union $13,544Logan $13,23734ARKANSAS WILDLIFE JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012

partingTHOUGHTSStill a Bargain at $2 an IssueMagazine Rate Remained Steady 17 YearsARKANSASWILDLIFEJanuary/February 2011ARKANSASWILDLIFESeptember/October 2011ARKANSASWILDLIFEMarch/April 2011ARKANSAS WILDLIFEARKANSASWILDLIFEMay/June 2011ARKANSASWILDLIFENovember/December 2011calendar issueJULY 2011-JULY 2012n 1994, Arkansas Wildlife was a quarterly publication (four issuesI a year plus the calendar). A one-year subscription cost $5.The price increased to $8 Jan. 1, 1995. We’ve gone 17 yearswithout a price increase, which is an amazing run of offering afine publication at a static cost, but effective March 1, the one-yearsubscription price will be $12 a year. By the way, the last quarterlyissue was spring 2000; the magazine became bimonthly (five issuesa year plus the calendar) with the September/October 2000 issue.Nobody likes to pay more but, in this case, there’s a silver lining.There’s time to extend or purchase your subscription at the currentrates of $8 for one year, $15 for two years and $21 for three years,as long as it’s done before March 1.Also, back issues of Arkansas Wildlife – beginning with the firstissue, fall 1967, when it was called Arkansas Game and Fish – willstart appearing on the AGFC website, www.agfc.com. Thosewill bring back memories for long-time readers. They’ll recalleditorials, articles, photos and illustrations by George Purvis,fishing trips with Jay Kaffka, turkey hunting with Jim Spencer,the savvy words of Keith Sutton, Gregg Patterson, Marc Kilburn,Jim Low, Joe Mosby, and a slew of local and nationally knownwriters and photographers.Director Hugh Hackler summed up the magazine’s mission inthat first issue, and his words hold true today: “Arkansas Gameand Fish is being published by the Arkansas Game and FishCommission in the hopes that our conservation efforts may bestrengthened by a better informed public.”Do you recognize names like Harold Alexander, ScottHenderson, Dave Donaldson, Gene Rush, Andrew Hulseyand Trusten Holder? You do if you’ve visited AGFC wildlifemanagement areas and fish hatcheries. They were AGFCemployees who wrote articles for the magazine about wildlifeand fisheries management, based on their insightful knowledgeof AGFC projects and goals. The tradition of AGFC employeescontributing to Arkansas Wildlife continues today.We hope “Bobbers, Bullets and Booboos,” “Scales of Justice,”“Parting Thoughts,” “Letters to the Editor,” “Last Laugh,”photography, cooking and other columns have been informativeand entertaining, and perhaps they’ve brought a few chuckles toreaders during the years.I realize I’m biased, but $12 is a bargain for five issues and acalendar. I’ve been told by readers many times that the calendaralone is worth more than the subscription price. We’re talkingabout a 36-page magazine with nothing but information aboutthe Arkansas outdoors. It’s home-grown – made fresh every 60days.Yes, your magazine is going to cost a little more, but we willcontinue to do the best we can to provide our readers withentertaining articles and stunning photos that can’t be read orseen anywhere else.As always, please let us know what you think:jfwilliams@agfc.state.ar.us.JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2012ARKANSAS WILDLIFE35