002.01.24 Ark. Code R. 116

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 002.01.24-116 - 24.10 Waterfowl Hunting Permit Requirements On Certain WMAs

It is unlawful during waterfowl season, including the Special Youth/Veteran Waterfowl Hunts, to enter a flooded area without possessing a Waterfowl Hunting Permit on Cypress Bayou (Red Cut Slough Tract), Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West Unit, Frog Bayou WMA, the Conway George Tract on Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA, Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, the DeGray Lake WRA during USCOE mobility-impaired waterfowl hunt, and Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE) program field in compliance with Code 03.01. Each member of the hunting party must self-register at the start of their hunting trip by completing a Waterfowl Hunting Permit and check out immediately after their hunt by accurate completion of the permit. Draw permit winners may have up to three guests for a maximum party size of four hunters, and all members of each hunting party must hunt within immediate proximity of each other. The permit draw winner must be present. Hunting ends at noon.

A. Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek WMA

2. On Saturdays and Sundays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations only.

3. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn for designated locations for the Magellan Tract, Youth, and Mobility Impaired hunt units.

4. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, non-restricted Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be available on areas outside of the Magellan Tract, Youth, and Mobility Impaired units.

B. Cypress Bayou WMA (Red Cut Slough Tract)

1. On Saturdays and Sundays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations only.

2. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, non-restricted Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be available.

C. Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West Unit

1. On Saturdays and Sundays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations for youth hunters. Permits are valid consecutive Saturday and Sunday hunt periods during open waterfowl seasons.

a. A minimum of one adult mentor per party is required and may not exceed one adult mentor per youth hunter on weekends. All members of the party may hunt.

2. On Wednesdays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations only.

D. Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA (Conway George Tract)

1. On Saturdays and Sundays, permits will be drawn for designated locations for youth hunters. Permits are valid consecutive Saturday and Sunday hunt periods during open waterfowl seasons.

a. A minimum of one adult mentor per party is required and may not exceed one adult mentor per youth hunter on weekends. All members of the party may hunt.

2. On Wednesdays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations only.

E. Frog Bayou WMA

1. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, permits will be drawn for designated locations in permit draw only units. Non-restricted Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be available in units designated on a map as an open hunting unit.

F. Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE)

a. On Saturdays and Sundays, Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be drawn and are valid for designated locations. Fields will be drawn for consecutive Saturday and Sunday hunt periods during open waterfowl seasons.

i. Hunters may not access the property except on the days of their hunt.

EXCEPTIONS:

A. No permit is required during the Special Youth/ Veteran Waterfowl Hunts on Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms and Frog Bayou WMA except for the youth permitted unit in compliance with Addenda B1.13.

B. No permit is required during the Special Youth/ Veteran Waterfowl Hunts on Cypress Bayou Red Cut Slough Tract. Hunting is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset on these days.

C. On Saturday and Sunday permit hunts, permit holders may hunt from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset at Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West Unit, Sheffield Nelson Dagmar (Conway George Tract) WMA, and on WRICE fields.

D. On the last day of regular duck season, permits will be drawn for designated locations at Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms, Cypress Bayou WMA (Red Cut Slough Tract), and a portion of Frog Bayou WMA. Non-restricted Waterfowl Hunting Permits will be available in designated units at Frog Bayou WMA on this day. Hunting is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

E. Commission staff, volunteers, and participants during Commission-sponsored mentored hunt programs.

PENALTY: Class 1

002.01.24 Ark. Code R. 116

Adopted by Arkansas Register Volume 49, Number 06, Effective 7/1/2024