Arkansas Wild | Spring 2021

ARKANSAS WILD set your sights high this spring!

FROM MOUNTAIN HOME DOWN TO EL DORADO

PLUS! bull shoals

bonanza

bladesmithing in hempstead co.

VIEWS OF PETIT JEAN. SEE PAGE 34.

MARCH 2021 ARKANSASWILD.COM

Best Resort

the best time to go fishing is when you can get away.

1777 river road | lakeview, arkansas 870-431-5202 | gastons@gastons.com gastons.com | lat 36 20’ 55” n | long 92 33’ 25” w

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On the cover: The view from Petit Jean always delivers. Photography by @ArkieTravels

ARKANSASWILD.COM

FEATURES

24

BULL SHOALS BONANZA GO BIG OR GO HOME

28

LEGEND OF THE OUTDOORS WOODY FUTRELL

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

30

TURKEY TRAGEDY

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

32

GIMME FIVE

ARKANSAS ADVENTURES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

STRIKING GOLD ON THE WHITE RIVER. (SEE PAGE 16)

DEPARTMENTS

10 OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS 12 ARKANSAS MADE 16 EXPLORE 38 #ARKANSASWILD 4 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

BIKE, HIKE AND HIT THE LAKES!

Discover More of the Diamond Lakes Region this Spring.

ARKADELPHIA ♦ CADDO VALLEY ♦ GLENWOOD ♦ HOT SPRINGS ♦ MALVERN ♦ MOUNT IDA ♦ MURFREESBORO

M

ountain peaks for hiking, five clear lakes for playing, three sparkling rivers for enjoying, IMBA EPIC mountain bike trails for shredding, a National Park for exploring, historic hotels and cool lake resorts for overnighting…and all close to the dining, shopping, art and culture of Hot Springs National Park.

Not all rainbows are in the sky. Check out our White River excursion on page 22.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY NOVO STUDIO

Visit diamondlakes.org to request a free Hot Springs/ Diamond Lakes Vacation Guide.

This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds.

ARKANSAS WILD WHITE / NORFORK / KINGS

COME EXPERIENCE ARKANSAS’ NEWEST FLY FISHING DESTINATION, THE KINGS RIVER

ARKANSASWILD.COM FOLLOW US FOR MORE WILD

WWW.WOODARDFLYFISHING.COM

#ARKANSASWILD

BROOKE WALLACE Publisher brooke@arktimes.com DWAIN HEBDA Editor dwain@arktimes.com

find your peace. find your adventure.

MANDY KEENER Creative Director mandy@arktimes.com KATIE HASSELL Art Director/Digital Manager LESA THOMAS Senior Account Executive WELDON WILSON Production Manager/Controller ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager MIKE SPAIN Advertising Art Director JORDAN LITTLE Director of Digital Strategy ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director CHARLOTTE KEY Administration JACKSON GLADDEN Circulation Director ALAN LEVERITT President

EXPERIENCE CENTER Specialized Bike Rental & Demo Facility 501 SW A St. Bentonville, AR 72712 goexperiencecenter.com • (479)657-2135 Photo: Taylor Young

6 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

©2021 Arkansas Times Limited Partnership 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 150 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985 All Contents © 2021 Arkansas Wild

CONTRIBUTORS

Brighter future.

Brighter future.

Brighter future.

Cleaner power.

Cleaner power.

Cleaner power.

PAUL AND SARAH are a husband and wife travel team who love exploring The Natural State and want to encourage you to too! They eat local, shop local the largest solar provider in theEntergy state, Entergy As the As largest solar provider in the state, and stay local and are proud to support Arkansas is investing today to power a brighter Arkansas is investing today to power a brighter Arkansas businesses. For more information on their travels all over our future our customers.

Clean, reliable is future for our for customers.

Clean, reliable energyenergy is home state, follow them on social media not only to the and safety and comfort of every @ArkieTravels or visit their website at not only vital to vital the safety comfort of every www.arkietravels.com.

As the largest solar provider in the state, Entergy Arkansas is investing today to power a brighter future for our customers. Clean, reliable energy not only vital to the safety and comfort of every Arkansan, it fuels industry andeconomy. our economy.

Arkansan, fuels industry our Arkansan, it fuels itindustry and ourand economy.

Together, wewe power life. life.

Together, we power life.power Together,

Learnatmore at entergyarkansas.com/brightfuture.

Learn more Learn entergyarkansas.com/brightfuture. more at entergyarkansas.com/brightfuture

Cultivating Leaders.

Powering Tomorrow.

APRILLE HANSON is a freelancer whose work has appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, The Trucker newspaper, Truckload Authority magazine and the Arkansas Catholic newspaper. She lives in Conway with her husband and three fur-babies.

Entergy Arkansas believes leaders are born in the classroom. So we’re committed to creating more opportunities for young people to reach the potential held within their sharp minds, vivid imaginations and big dreams. entergyarkansas.com

message from Entergy Arkansas, ©2021 EntergyLLC. Services, LLC. A messageAfrom Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021LLC Entergy Services, All Rights Reserved.

All Rights Reserved.

A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC All Rights Reserved.

DREW HARRIS , a Jonesboro native, is an angler, writer, photographer and all-around outdoor type. He loves nothing more than being outside and capturing the place he calls home, no matter the season. Find him at drewharrisphotography.com

A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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ARKANSASWILD.COM | 7

FROM THE EDITOR

LET IT ROLL

Ahhh, spring! The sun gently turning warmer, the greenery peeking out everywhere and the outdoors calling your name. Can you feel it, people?

If you’re like us, you’re more ready for spring 2021 than maybe any in recent memory. After what can charitably be called a “challenging” 2020, we’re ready to breathe in some forest air or take a drive on some winding backroads. And that’s what this issue of Arkansas Wild is all about.

Our cover story is all about getting out of the house and getting recentered with some good old-fashioned outdoor therapy. We give you five fantastic outdoor activities and destinations, just what you need to get the winter rust off. This is a starter list; no doubt you have some favorite springtime rituals of your own that are long overdue.

You might notice in this year’s Arkansas Wild editions we are taking a slightly different editorial approach to our stories. We will be focusing on two different regions of our state per issue, in order to provide a more detailed glimpse of the diversity of environments and outdoor activities there. We’ll show you what to do, where to eat and when to go, to better inspire you to try something new.

This issue, we focus on North-Central and Southwest Arkansas, including how best to spend 48 hours in and around El Dorado and Mountain Home. Not only should you check out the incredible scenery in these locales, but local businesses are open and waiting to welcome you. Don’t forget to support independent retail, lodging and restaurants whenever you can.

We hope you enjoy this issue and take us along as you get back into the swing of things outdoors. Drop us a line or send us a photo; we’d love to see what you’re up to.

Wander far,

Dwain Hebda Editor, Arkansas Wild

8 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

#A RS tate Pa rks

L l A a T t N n E e M m U u N n M mOo

PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

adventure

HOB BS STAT E PAR K

Monument Trails are a collection of world-class mountain biking destinations in Arkansas State Parks. These multi-use trails are open at Devil’s Den State Park, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park and Pinnacle Mountain State Park, offering enduring outdoor experiences to trail riders of all skill levels. Visit MonumentTrails.com for more information.

WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE WOODY FUTRELL! FROM YOUR TEAM AT BENNNINGTON

GO HOGS! HOT SPRINGS • 4918 CENTRAL AVE. • 501-520-0300 | HEBER SPRINGS • 2410 AR-25 BYPASS • 501-362-7433 NASHVILLE • 1430 LESLIE ST. • 870-845-3122 | GREERS FERRY • 8500 EDGEMONT ROAD • 501-365-6488 FUTRELLMARINE.COM ARKANSASWILD.COM | 9

OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS

TAKE TO THE WATER

WHETHER YOU GO CANOE OR CHOOSE KAYAK, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

1

2 3 4 5

6 1. EASY GOING

3. WOO PIG

5.ANY FISH YOU WISH

2. SIT A SPELL

4.JUST ADD WATER

6. THE WORKHORSE

Looking for a sit-inside kayak that will stand up to lots of use? Check out the Zydeco 11.0 by Dagger Kayaks. Tough, well-designed and maneuverable, it gets the job done reliably in all kinds of water. Plus, the CFS-R seating system ensures you enjoy the ride. dagger.com

10 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

Show your pride in your home state by paddling a Buffalo Canoe.

Manufactured in Jasper, these vessels feature a traditional design and uncompromising quality to last a lifetime.

Proven all over North America, the allpurpose Buffalo hangs with the best of them. buffalocanoemanufacturing.com Of all the features Perception sit-on-top kayaks offer, versatility is arguably tops, switching from slow-moving water to ocean surf with ease. The redesigned Tribe 9.5 builds upon this tradition with the added comfort of a padded, supportive seat and infinitely adjustable seatback. perceptionkayaks.com

Land the big one with the help of the Old Town Topwater 120 fishing kayak.

The all-new vessel provides unmatched stability and comfort no matter where you cast your line. On-board tackle and rod management and an adjustable seat add to the package. oldtowncanoe. johnsonoutdoors.com Gotta love something basic and wellbuilt, and the Adventure 14 is just that.

A solid, dependable canoe at a price you’ll like, Mad River’s creation delivers smooth, stable operation, cargo space and even multiple drink holders. ‘Cause, can you have too many drink holders? madrivercanoe.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF VENDORS

The Sun Dolphin Mackinaw is built with good times in mind. At nearly 16 feet, it delivers a stable ride for up to three on contoured seats. Among other smart touches, carry handles and tiedown eyelets make hauling it a breeze.

The built-in cooler’s a nice touch, too. sundolphin.com

Explore. Stay.

Cabin Rentals. Plan Your Trip Today.

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1.870.439.2200 • 9664 Hwy 65 • St. Joe, AR 72675 • BuffaloRiverOutfitters.com

LOOK US UP!

Authorized Concessioner. Buffalo River Outfitters is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River. *Ad paid for using a combination of private and state matching funds.

ARKANSAS MADE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS HOPE-TEXARKANA

Billy Nations, assistant superintendent at Historic Washington State Park hammers a blade.

THE LIFE OF A KNIFE COLLEGE BLADESMITHING COURSE KEEPS TRADITIONAL CRAFT ALIVE.

BY DWAIN HEBDA 12 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING TO BIKE ENTHUSIASTS?

T

hroughout Arkansas there are many hallowed spots, places where history and heritage come alive. For civil rights historians, that’s Central High School; for Native American scholars it’s the Toltec Mounds or stretches of the Trail of Tears.

Budding entrepreneurs drift to Northwest Arkansas to see where some of the biggest business success stories in the world got their start.

Historic Washington State Park, located in Hempstead County, is ground zero for many interwoven threads of the state’s history, not the least of which is the tantalizing tale of James Black and the creation of one of the world’s most iconic weapons — the Bowie knife — of which Black is in the conversation to have designed and invented for Jim Bowie himself.

It’s a point of historic and artisanal pride that lives on with the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades, a project of the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana.

Here, budding cutlers learn the finer points of bladesmithing and knifemaking from modern-day masters carrying on Black’s legacy.

“I think the college has always been interested in the historical aspects of Historic Washington, the state park there, and the historical aspects of, obviously, the Bowie knife,” said Jennifer Teresa, dean of Business Trade and Industry for UAHT. “I think that was the biggest motivation to create the class, to preserve the historical aspects of it. I know it’s important for us to be able to do that and that’s really our reasoning behind wanting to do this.”

Bladesmithing has long been offered in Washington. The Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing was founded there in 1988 as a partnership between Texarkana College and the American Bladesmith Society. In mid-2019,

DON’T MISS THESE ISSUES: MAY 2021 AUGUST 2021 OCTOBER 2021

CONTACT BROOKE@ARKTIMES.COM FOR MORE INFO.

Live Your Adventure BIKES • KAYAKS • CANOES PADDLEBOARDS • eBIKES FISHING & OUTDOOR GEAR ALSO RENTALS & REPAIRS FREE TUNE-UPS FOR ONE YEAR WITH ANY NEW BIKE PURCHASE!

501-691-0138 625 S. 7TH STREET HEBER SPRINGS, AR 72543 SCREEKOUTFITTERS.COM ARKANSASWILD.COM | 13

Master Bladesmith Jerry Fisk works his latest creation. (Below) A finished piece awaits a lucky collector.

PULL QUOTE —xxx

PKGO offers a generous amount of grill space to feed the whole expedition and its heavy aluminum construction is inherently rust proof.

14 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

the school was relocated to Texarkana College’s main campus in Texarkana, Texas, prompting the Arkansas college to take over the program, a one-semester curriculum offered both in fall and spring.

“Within that semester, we cover all of the classes that are on our degree program for the credit side,” Teresa said. “But in the summertime, we also will be doing some noncredit classes. Now, those won’t count toward a degree plan, but it will help someone to expand their knowledge in knifemaking.”

Arkansas has long been a hotbed for the art form. Since the founding of the American Bladesmith Society, about 10 percent of the world’s recognized Master Bladesmiths have been Arkansans. Several of these make up the teaching corps at UAHT, including Master Bladesmiths Jerry Fisk and James Cook, both of whom are Honorary Arkansas Living Treasures; Master Bladesmith Lin Rhea, the resident blacksmith at Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock; and Brazilian Journeyman Smith Ricardo Vilar, who also judges on the television show “Forged in Fire” shown on the Latin American Edition on the History Channel.

“All of them teach during the semester,” Teresa said of the starstudded faculty. “The students are getting different aspects from our instructors, which is a good thing because they get to learn different techniques. Getting all of them during the semester gives them a variety.”

Classes are limited in size to ensure plenty of individualized attention and includes a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on work in the park’s blacksmith shop’s forges.

Teresa said to her knowledge, the school is the only college-affiliated knifemaking program in the state.

“It’s probably one of the most exciting courses that we offer. It’s really cool and our students are really interested,” she said. “It’s just neat because we have all the history there at the state park and it’s just really a unique thing, overall.”

PROGRAM OVERVIEW The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades celebrates, preserves, and promotes the art of bladesmithing and historic trades, and the birth of the iconic Bowie Knife in Historic Washington.

COURSES • Knifemaking • Bladesmithing • Damascus Steel

• Handles and Guards • Advanced Bladesmithing

CONTACT uaht.edu/bladesmithing bladesmithing@uaht.edu 870.722.8109

INSTRUCTORS

Jerry Fisk

Master Smith National Living Treasure

Lin Rhea

Master Smith

JR Cook

Master Smith Arkansas Living Treasure

Ricardo Vilar

Journeyman Smith Forged in Fire: Latin America- Judge

This ad was paid for with a combination of State and Regioinal Association Funds.

EXPLORE

48 HOURS IN MOUNTAIN HOME

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

FIND WHAT YOU LOVE MOST BETWEEN THE WATER AND THE WOODS.

In Mountain Home, a friend and a paddle are all you need.

WHY GO?

Look up “outdoor paradise” and you’ll find directions to Mountain Home, Arkansas, in Baxter County. Everything you love about the wild is here in all of its natural glory — mountains, lakes, rivers, fishing, hiking, you name it. Add to that a thriving arts and entertainment district and multiple community festivals throughout the year and Mountain Home is a must.

HISTORY

The town was originally known as Rapp’s Barren, apparently named in honor of the first permanent white settler, Henry Rapp, who settled in the region around 1810. The “Barren” was coined to describe the open prairie land, mistakenly thought to be infertile. Not surprisingly, this unflattering name was eventually dropped and rechristened Mountain Home in 1957.

Education was always at the center of the community, with colleges and academies dotting its historical timeline, but life could be hard in this picturesque spot. The Great Depression, arriving with a severe drought, cost many families their farms. The creation of Bull Shoals and Norfork dams brought stability to the community, centrally located between what would become two of the largest tourist and outdoor sporting draws in the state.

16 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

GET OUTDOORS

Lake Norfork Boasting 550 miles of shoreline and 22,000 acres of surface, Lake Norfork is one of the state’s favorite fishing destinations, home to nearly every species of freshwater game fish.

It’s also unbeatable for water sports, offering plenty of boating, water skiing and swimming. (norfork.com) White River/North Fork River Both rivers below their respective dams offer excellent trout fishing in tailwaters cooled by discharge. Or, follow the White to Gassville and Cotter, little hamlets tucked into the riverbend offering some of the best fly-fishing in North America. (arkansas.com/cotter, whiteriver.net/) Bull Shoals The grandaddy of Arkansas lakes, offering all manner of fishing and water sports. (See story on page 24.)

Blanchard Springs Caverns Well worth the short drive to Fifty-Six outside of Mountain View, Blanchard Springs Caverns is a magnificent limestone cave

system starting more than 200 feet underground in the Sylamore Ranger District of the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest. Closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, be sure to check the website for eased restrictions. (blanchardsprings.org) Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail Also in the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest north of Mountain View, the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail offers over 50 miles for novice to advanced bikers. The trail, consisting of five interconnecting loops, is a designated IMBA Epic Ride. (mtbproject.com) Norfork National Fish Hatchery Located in Salesville, next the Norfork Lake Dam, the Norfork National Fish Hatchery welcomes over 250,000 visitors year-around.

Amid gorgeous scenery, learn how the hatchery keeps Arkansas’s waterways stocked with trout.

You can even feed the fish. (norforkhatcheryfriends.org)

When in Mountain Home, please stop in our gallery. You’ll be glad you did!

The Ozark Experience - Acrylic - 24” x 36”

Rivertown Gallery Bringing you The Ozarks on Canvas 3512 Hwy. 62 West • Mountain Home, AR 72653 • rivertowngallery.com • 870-425-3898 Ad paid for using a combination of private and state matching funds.

BRAND NEW cabins with lake view!

Large porches and fire pits

Each cabin sleeps 4 – 6

Pontoon, ski boat, and wave runner rentals

Pet friendly

Lake Norfork, AR

Only white sand beach on the lake

3291 Jordan Landing Road, Jordan, AR • 870-499-7348 • JordanMarina.com AD PAID FOR USING A COMBINATION OF PRIVATE AND STATE MATCHING FUNDS. ARKANSASWILD.COM | 17

Push Mountain Road/Sylamore Scenic Byway This multifaceted motorcycling route offers easy mountain vistas that turn breathtaking hues in autumn and challenging curves on the mountain.

Bring your nerve and your sense of adventure for the ride of a lifetime. (arkansas.com)

WHERE TO EAT

Cooyons Get your Cajun/Creole on with Cooyons bayou-inspired delicacies, including gulf seafood, po’boys, red beans and rice, etouffee, alligator bites and crawfish pies. Check them out on Facebook for more tasty treats.

KTs BBQ The home of the legendary smoked stuffed burger, a delicacy served only on Wednesdays. Get to this Gassville standout early before they’re all gone.

Check out their Facebook page for hours and directions.

The Grill at Whispering Woods Looking to close out your visit in style? Make the short drive to Jordan and Whispering Woods for an elegant dinner set among the picturesque pines. (whisperingwoodsar.com)

Mel’s Diner/Skippers Two longtime Mountain Home favorites that know how to do big traditional breakfasts right. Make sure you hit them both during your stay. Find them on Facebook and dig in!

Tasty Greens Togo Brand-new Mountain Home spot that’s quickly become a local obsession.

Eating healthy never tasted so good. See their Facebook page to find out what’s cooking.

Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company/ Norfork Brewery Beer lovers have not one but two local breweries to check out. At Rapp’s Barren, Mountain Home’s first craft brewery, sample the Arrowhead APA or Buffalo Blonde Ale. Nearby Norfork Brewery offers outdoor-themed brews where the Scurvy Dog Ale or Black Oak Stout are must-trys. (rappsbarrenbrewing.com, nfbrew.com)

Anglers of all ages are in for a treat on area rivers and lakes.

The White River rolls.

WHERE TO STAY

Anedodi Another Lake Norfork gem, Anedodi, is an exclusive four-bedroom, threebathroom vacation rental, sleeping up to 17 guests. Named after the Cherokee word for “adventure”, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained, from water sports to hikes to lounging by the heated pool. (anedodi.com) Stone Creek Ranch Channel your inner cowpoke with a relaxing stay in one of Stone Creek Ranch’s rustic-chic cabins.

Or, bring the whole neighborhood and stay in the lodge. Either way, it’s a good time waiting to happen. (stonecreekranchresort.com)

18 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

Teal Point Resort Take full advantage of everything Lake Norfork has to offer at Teal Point Resort. With several sizes of cabins and executive homes, this family-friendly resort rents a large selection of boats, including bass boats, ski and deck boats, and pontoons. (tealpointresort. com)

WHEN TO GO

Match your trip with seasonal color or community events to round out your 48hour visit. Calendar highlights abound, but be sure to check websites for covid-19 restrictions before you go.

Farmers Market (April-November) Sowbug Roundup, a celebration of fly-fishing (May) Norfork Pioneer Days Heritage Festival (May) Baxter Healthcare 2021 Summer Concert Series (May-August) Red, White & Blue Festival (June) Twin Lakes Thunder Rally (October) Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers Fair (October) Christmas Parade and Festival (December) For a complete list of events, visit enjoymountainhome.com.

Places to Stay | Things to Do | Places to Eat | Plan a Trip

OZARK MOUNTAIN REGION www.ozarkmountainregion.com

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Latitude: 36.260992; Longitude: 92.241819 Lake Norfork, AR • (870) 499-5388 RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE QuarryMarina.com

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Highest quality fiberglass replica by artist Duane Hada.

Rivertown Gallery

Bringing you The Ozarks on Canvas 3512 Hwy. 62 West • Mountain Home, AR 72653 rivertowngallery.com • 870-425-3898

• Panoramic Lake View • Many sizes of cottages & executive homes are available •Large selection of rental boats including bass boats, pontoons, ski and deck boats •Private Docks •World class fishing

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715 Teal Point Rd., Mountain Home, AR | 870.492.5145

Ads paid for using a combination of private and state matching funds ARKANSASWILD.COM | 19

EXPLORE

48 HOURS IN EL DORADO BOOMTOWN PROVIDES BANG FOR THE BUCK It doesn’t get any wilder than Felsenthal NWR.

WHY GO?

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

El Dorado, the seat of Union County, is a thriving community that has transformed itself from oil boomtown to the center of tourism and the arts in South Arkansas. Nearby natural amenities combine with a robust slate of dining, entertainment and special event options for an enjoyable weekend or quick getaway.

HISTORY

El Dorado has a history built on happy accidents. Town founder Matthew Rainey got stranded in the area, selling his possessions to local settlers to tide him over. Impressed by the sales, he drove a stake into the ground that would officially become El Dorado in 1843. In January 1921, Dr. Samuel Busey, a physician and oil speculator, hit oil and changed the face of the community forever.

Over time, El Dorado suffered the same stagnation as many Delta communities, only to reinvent itself as an entertainment center with its fall MusicFest concert festival in 1987. Three decades after that, the community invested in arts and culture tourism in a big way, investing $100 million in the Murphy Arts District, upgrading arts and music amenities and providing a means for year-around entertainment by national touring performers.

20 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

GET OUTDOORS

Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Established in 1975, Felsenthal is located due west of El Dorado at the confluence of Union, Bradley and Ashley counties in Arkansas. The 65,000-acre refuge provides an abundance of wildlife resources for fishing, birding, canoeing, hiking, photography and observation, available year-around. Hunting is also permitted for waterfowl, deer, turkey and quail along with other small game. (fws.gov) Moro Bay State Park Looking for something a little more refined? Moro Bay State Park, just 22 miles from El Dorado, provides nature trails, boating, fishing, campgrounds and cabin rentals, Moro Big Pine WMA allows hunting of deer, waterfowl, turkey and other game, managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. (agfc.com)

El Dorado to Magnolia This 78-mile cycling route follows quiet county roads through the scenic pine woodlands. This easy ride is particularly breathtaking in the fall months when seasonal color is at its best. (arkansas.com) South Arkansas Arboretum Maintained by South Arkansas Community College, the arboretum boasts 12 wooded acres showcasing plants native to Arkansas’s West Gulf Coastal Plain. These plantings, combined with exotic species including flowering camellias and azaleas, make for a stunning show. (arkansasstateparks.com) Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway This popular motorcycling route tours the entire state top to bottom, with El Dorado being its southernmost major point of call. From the main route, find miles of rolling countryside to explore from atop your hog. (arkansas.com)

TOGETHER FOR Better.

Arkansans appreciate community.

We work and raise families. Care for our neighbors. And come together in good times and bad. At First Security, that local strength is what we love best about our home state. There is commitment here.

And heart. And hope. Thank you to everyone who is standing together, learning from one another, and making Arkansas a place we all love to call home.

Member FDIC

We’re proud to be your community bank.

WINDOW ROCK

If you’re searching for adventure, you don’t have to look far. Just hop in the car and chances are you’ll find things to see, do and explore, just a few miles up the road. Get trip ideas at Arkansas.com arkansas.com

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 21

Stroll El Dorado’s picturesque downtown for entertainment and dining.

Downtown Guest Quarters El Dorado features the usual collection of chain lodging, but for something different, check out Downtown Guest Quarters, which operates a variety of accommodations in the heart of downtown. This includes the Union Square Guest Quarters historic hotel and various converted oil mansions.

Definitely out of the ordinary. (www. usgq.net)

WHERE TO EAT

Minute Man #14 The venerated burger chain is experiencing a revival with new locations in Arkansas, but don’t miss the chance to eat at an original (and for decades, only) location in Arkansas. (minutemanburgers.com)

Summertime festivals include the popular gunfight reenactment.

Off The Rail Café Power up for your day’s activities with the best breakfast and brunch in the area, served in a restored 1883 rail car.

The lunch menu is equally tempting offering a variety of soups, sandwiches and salads. (offtherailcafe.net) House of Wylie Coffee Bar & Cafe Don’t let the name fool you, this place serves some of the best lunch grub anywhere. Check out what fresh homemade soups are simmering on any given day via its Facebook page.

Fayray’s If fine dining is what you seek, look no further than Fayray’s. The New Orleansinspired menu is chock full of delicious choices, including steak, pasta and seafood. (fayrays.site) Cafe 1891 For an off-the-beaten-path treat, take a short roadie to Norphlet to experience Cafe 1891, serving fresh, reimagined diner fare. The shrimp and grits entree comes highly recommended. (cafe1891. net)

22 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

WHEN TO GO

Match your trip with concerts, events and community festivals to round out your 48-hour immersive experience. Here are some highlights to plan around, keeping in mind that events are subject to change or cancellation due to covid-19. Check websites for updates.

MusicFest (September) Mayhaw Festival (May, mayhawfestival.com) El Dorado Film Festival (October, eldofilmfest.com) Showdown at Sunset gunfight reenactment (June-August) South Arkansas Arts Center (saac-arts.org) Murphy Arts District – MAD (eldomad.com) For a complete list of events and activities, visit: El Dorado Chamber of Commerce (goeldorado.com) Main Street El Dorado (mainstreeteldorado.org)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BULL SHOALS LAKE BOAT DOCK

WHERE TO STAY

THINK TROUT...

Think Stetson’s!

• Guided Trout Fishing and Rental Boats • Beautiful Cabins • Large Pool • Corporate & Large Groups/Meals • Open Year-Round

870-453-8066 • Stetsons-Resort.com Located on the White River • Flippin, Arkansas

Ad paid for using a combination of private and state matching funds.

your ozark adventure headquarters Featuring

Buffalo National River Great Escapes

Scenic Ozark Mountains Guided Trips for Smallmouth Bass, Trout and Largemouth Bass Canoes • Kayaks • Rafts Johnboats • Hiking • Camping Near Buffalo Point Campground Lodge Cabins with Fireplaces and Jacuzzis Packages and Gift Certificates Available

23 Highway 268 E. Yellville, AR 72687 (800) 554-8657

wildbillsoutfitter.com

Wild Bill’s Outfitter is an authorized canoe concessioner of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Ad paid for using a combination of private and state matching funds.

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 23

GO BIG OR GO HOME

LOCAL GUIDE TALKS BIG FISH ON ARKANSAS’S BIGGEST LAKE.

Bob Quinn (right) helps a client with the day’s catch.

B

ob Quinn has been fishing practically his whole life, catching fish and memories throughout the country and beyond. But little compares to his first walleye on Bull Shoals Lake.

“Oh, first walleye I ever caught here weighed 12 pounds.

I’ve never caught one that big since, but I’ll never forget that. I mean, that was when I first moved here. That’s what really hooked me to move here,” the 55-year-old said, who moved to Arkansas from Indiana in the early 1990s.

For the past 14 years, he’s helped others experience the more than 74 square miles of Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks as a fishing guide for Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock in Marion County. Bull Shoals is the largest of the 29 lakes in Arkansas, stretching into Missouri, with more than 94,000 acres of water and 1,050 miles of shoreline, according to bullshoals.com. Its dam was completed in 1951 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Bull Shoals and the White River are known for bass fishing. In 2012, it made Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes in the country. Smallmouth bass is king, with

24 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BULL SHOALS LAKE BOAT DOCK

BY APRILLE HANSON

walleye and crappie next in line.

Quinn has guided fellow fishermen since he was 12, growing up on Cedar Lake, Ind. It’s hard to rival his expertise or experience with Bull Shoals, first fishing the lake during family vacations in the 1970s.

“It’s a world-class fishery. I mean, every species of fish in here has a potential to grow to a world-record size. It’s clean, it’s real healthy. There’s a lot of bait in it for the fish to eat, a lot of good habitat and it’s just on fire,” Quinn said. “It’s a unique fishery, it really is. There’s nothing else like it.”

He leads about 50 to 75 tours in the spring and about half that in the summer. While the winter months attract fewer folks, “the fish are still biting,” he said “I fish 350 days a year. We fish every day almost. Just love to do it. I’m fishing right now actually, I’ve got a line in the water,” he told Arkansas Wild. “It’s nice; just caught a 7-pound walleye about an hour ago.”

With one walleye already in hand, Quinn shared some top tips and tricks for anglers looking to explore Bull Shoals Lake:

WHILE YOU’RE THERE, DON’T MISS James A. Gaston Visitor Center Located in the Bull ShoalsWhite River State Park, the 15,744-square-foot environmental education center includes interpretive exhibits that share the story of early inhabitants and wildlife of the area. It also features a gift shop, Johnboat theater and exhibit hall and a sprawling view of Bull Shoals Lake and Dam and the White River. (arkansas.com)

Whatever you’re after, you’re likely to find it in Bull Shoals Lake.

BEST TIP: GET A GUIDE Quinn said the lake is one of the most difficult he’s ever fished, primarily for its depth and clarity.

A seasoned guide is essential to navigate the lake’s unique attributes.

Bull Shoals water clarity, even seeing the bottom occasionally 30 feet down, makes it easy to spook the fish.

“It’s very deep. We’re fishing in 90 feet of water right now. And we’re catching fish 75 feet down.

And it’s clear, and it’s just different techniques than most people are used to fishing in shallow water, you know, stained water, dirty water, dirty-colored water.”

SEASONAL: SPRING FISHING The fish will bite year-round, but in the spring during spawning, they’ll be up near the banks.

“The rest of the time they’re out deep. Just like on Norfork Lake they get out deep and you have to have a boat or you’re wasting your time,” Quinn said. “[Spring fishing] would definitely be the easiest for people that are novice here.”

In the summer, particularly on the hottest days, Quinn said they do a lot of trolling.

“A lot of people enjoy that, you’re just sitting back. I do a lot of that; I catch probably 80 percent of my walleyes in the year trolling,” he said.

TRICK: BRING YOUR JIGS AND SPOONS “Deep jigging, that’s what we’re doing, that’s got to be the way of the fishing on this lake. This lake has turned into an open water fishery.

Learn the deep bite here,” Quinn said. He added that the use of spoons and jigs can help when a person is fishing straight down, sometimes to 100 feet.

EQUIPMENT: KEEP IT LIGHT There is a lot of finesse to fishing on Bull Shoals Lake, Quinn said, making lighter gear essential.

“There’s no room in this lake for 25-pound test line and snap swivels and all that,” Quinn said. “We use a lot of 6-pound test line here and 8pound.”

LURES & BAIT: GRUBS, JIGS, SPOONS There’s a handful of lures and baits to use, including single tail grubs, smoke grubs, Road Runner jigs, spoons, spinnerbaits and swimbaits.

“A big jig and a topwater lure called a Spook,” Quinn said. “We do have a topwater bite on this lake throughout the year and it’s kind of a little window you get in there that you’ll get that. That can be awesome fishing, a lot of people like to topwater.”

To learn more, contact Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock at 870-445-4424 or visit bullshoalslakeboatdock.com.

Mountain Village 1890 and Bull Shoals Caverns The re-creation of an historic Ozark settlement opened in 1960 with authentic buildings and artifacts from 1890 and the 1903 train depot that houses the gift shop. Bull Shoals Caverns, located on the property, were created roughly 350 million years ago and are among the of the oldest limestone caverns within the Ozark Mountains. (bullshoalscaverns.com) 178 Club/The Fish Sports Bar Two restaurants for your different moods. Feeling casual? Try The Fish Sports Bar for a cold brew, sports on TV and live music. Need something more quaint? The excellent 178 Club is a landmark, renowned for its food. (178club. com) Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts The nonprofit hosts a free Ted’s Lil’ Opry on Mondays at 6 p.m., showcasing a variety of local talent, with donations accepted to keep the hard-hit entertainment venue running. With local bands and bigger-name shows traveling in, it has something for everyone. (bullshoalstheater.net).

Gaston’s Resort & Restaurant For 61 years, Gaston’s Resort and Restaurant has been a staple in the Bull Shoals area with 79 cottages on 400 acres, an airstrip, walking trails, bird sanctuary, tennis courts, fly-fishing school and more. The restaurant offers views of the White River as well as first-class dining, weekend specials starting Thursday night and a grand Sunday buffet. (gastons.com) ARKANSASWILD.COM | 25

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LITTLE RED RIVER PROVIDES ULTIMATE FISHING EXPERIENCE During the week, Tom Bly serves as Fisheries District Supervisor for District 10 of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. But talk to him about one of his favorite trout rivers—the Little Red River—and you quickly get the idea that his day job is just a front.

Bly loves fishing the Little Red and does so every chance he gets. As much as his angler side would like it to be a better-kept secret, such is not the case as the river has seen a steady increase in traffic every year. So, the AGFC side of him leads a team every day to provide the best amenities and fishing experience possible.

“That’s my home water,” says the Heber Springs resident.

“I fly-fish and that’s where I spend the majority of my fishing time. I’ve been fishing it since 1987, ‘88 at least, and over that time period I’ve seen a lot of changes. The biggest change I’ve seen is the volume of traffic that the river gets now compared to what it used to be, and the residential development along the river. Those have made impacts on the way we have to manage both our facilities and our trout population.”

Trout are not indigenous to Arkansas, due to the lack of naturally occurring cold-water streams necessary to sustain the fish. But as various U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams have come online in The Natural State, the discharge from these dams supply cold water sufficient to support trout life.

“When they built the dams, it did away with the warmwater fisheries that were historically here and it created these cold-water environments that trout could do well in,” said Christy Graham, AGFC’s trout management program 26 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

supervisor. “These dams have created these environments that were perfect with the cold, clear water. Stocking helps maintain the fisheries, balanced with the regulations we use to manage them so we know what the fishery can sustain depending on how many people are out there fishing.”

AGFC’s management of trout habitat, such as that on the Little Red River, has made Arkansas’s trout fishing now mentioned among some of the best in America.

“The trout population we’ve got [on the Little Red] is browns and rainbows,” Bly said. “Brown trout is a totally wild population, introduced back in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, and they found it to their liking. From that point in time they have, I would almost say, taken over the river. We get natural reproduction every year.”

“We’ve stocked cutthroat and we have stocked brook trout, neither one of which did real well as far as growth and survival goes. Primarily now it’s stocked rainbows and there’s a few brook trout on years when the federal hatchery has a surplus.”

Bly said the Little Red habitat affects fish growth, as most of the forage is in plants.

“There’s a ton of vegetation in the Little Red, such as Canadian Elodeaswhich is a big one for them, a big mass of vegetation,” he said. “We don’t have the forage base as far as the insect life and stuff or the cold-water species of minnows or small fish that can be used as forage. We don’t have those in the Little Red that you find up in the White and Norfork.”

One of the things that Bly likes best about the Little Red

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River is the opportunity it gives anglers of all abilities. Between ease of access and the differences in the wiliness of the fish themselves, it provides fun and challenge for anyone.

“Browns are not the most friendly to catch. They’re wild fish,” he said. “They’re not as susceptible to any method of fishing as much as the rainbows are. A lot of people, when they go fishing and they don’t catch browns or catch very many browns, they take that as a sign that there’s not very many in there, but that’s just not correct. There’s as many browns in that river at one time as there are rainbows.”

Any time of year is good to fish the Little Red, although winter months are often preferred by hardcore anglers due to lower numbers of people on the river. Graham said newcomers should consult regulations before visiting and avail themselves of local knowledge, too.

“I would tell anybody who’s going to fish a new area for the first time be aware of what the regulations are for the fishery,” she said. “Each of the trout fisheries is different and the state has a different set of regulations for them. So, definitely visit the Game and Fish website for those rules and to familiarize yourself with the area.”

“You should also know what type of fishing you want to do. Do you want to walk in and try to wade fish or fish out of a boat? There’s lots of guides down on that river that do a great job and they cater to all types of people who fish. Those people are excellent resources for the fishery.”

WHERE TO GO Bly and Graham provided commentary on some of the most common access points on the Little Red River: JFK Campground: Very popular spot for both wade fishing and bank fishing, below the dam at Heber Springs. “From the dam to the end of the park, you’re looking at almost a mile of public area that can be accessed from the bank on lower water,” Bly said. “Tons of fishing there.”

Collins Creek: This youth fishing area, formed in 2002, caters to young anglers and those people with mobility issues. “It’s a catch and release area, single barbless hooks only,” Graham said. “It’s a cool opportunity for kids to go in and try to catch wild fish in this area. It’s really neat.”

Cow Shoals: Five miles downstream from the dam, this walk-in access provides a long shoal very suitable for wade fishing.

Barnett Access/Winkley Shoals: Both points are located where Arkansas Highway 110 crosses the Little Red River. Barnett provides boat access (water levels permitting) and limited bank fishing while Winkley is another long, shallow shoal which is very wadable and particularly popular for flyfishing.

Libby Shoals: “A little bit more friendly to a mix of anglers,” Bly said. “Fly anglers are throwing spinners and fishing the shoal, while those anglers who prefer to fish with bait find deeper water on the lower end of that access. Quite a bit of bank fishing opportunities there.”

Lobo Landing: A boat access owned by AGFC, it provides arguably the longest length of lower river available to anglers by boat.

WHAT TO BRING Spinning gear, such as rooster tail and panther martin, is a popular choice here, on a 4-pound test line. Maribou jigs also catch their share. Water depth and heaviness dictate weight anywhere from 1/8 to 1/64-ounce jigs.

Bait anglers also stick to a 4-pound test line; rig it with a bullet weight and barrel swivel and finally 14 to 18 inches of light leader material—a 2-pound test line does the trick—into a number 8 or 10 hook. Recommended baits include power baits, old-school wax worm tipped with marshmallow and small crawdad or minnow crankbaits, depending on conditions and whether fishing from bank or boat.

Successful fly-fishing calls for sowbug, the most prolific food in the river. While at times the river sees a lot of midge hatches and some decent dry fly-fishing, more commonly anglers are nymphing, fishing subsurface baits below a strike indicator. In addition to sowbugs, pheasant tails and fox squirrel nymphs are very effective.

LEARN MORE Visit agfc.com/en/fishing/sportfish/trout/ to download a free copy of the Arkansas Trout Fishing Guidebook.

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 27

Woody Futrell inside his Nashville showroom.

DREW HARRIS

the straight shooter NASHVILLE, ARKANSAS’S WOODY FUTRELL KEEPS IT REAL

BY DREW HARRIS

D

aniel W. “Woody’ Futrell Jr., owner of Futrell Marine in Nashville, has lived his entire life in the outside lane. Whether in a boat or plane, he has been around The Natural State and then some, but there was always something in him that would never let him leave.

“I enjoyed the outside. I hunted. I fished,” Futrell said. “Arkansas is such a beautiful state. I’ve been all over. The lakes, the mountains, the timber … we’re very, very lucky.”

He traveled between grandparents’ homes in Batesville, where he was born, and Paragould until he was out of college, which could explain his appreciation and understanding of Arkansas’s diverse geography.

“I’ve enjoyed the water, the lakes and the people,” he said. “You know, I like people. I just decided it’s where I want to be.”

Futrell got his first gun at the age of 9 and followed his father around hunting quail with his BB gun. He made the logical progression to .410, 20 guage, then 16 gauge as he aged and got into squirrel, deer and duck hunting. But quail hunting brings back his best memories. “[Daddy] said, ‘You won’t kill a quail, 28 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

but I want you to pick out a bird at a time and shoot at it,’ ” he said of his earliest field training. “And that’s the way I started.”

An uncle who owned Arkansas Traveler, an aluminum boat company in Little Rock, coaxed Futrell Sr. into the boat business. As Lake Greeson was being developed, the elder Futrell started working in the marine industry, dealing in flat-bottom boats and outboard motors. Futrell Marine now has three locations: Nashville, Hot Springs and Heber Springs.

In the early 1950s Futrell’s father began racing boats and Woody tagged right along, winning his first boat races at the age of 12.

“Daddy drove all the way up through about ’56, then I drove everything. We raced pretty heavily ’til about ’67 or ’68 and then quit. The business got too busy,” he said, and then, laughing, “It was a pretty expensive hobby.”

Futrell Marine’s showroom in Nashville is littered with racing memorabilia and hunting trophies.

Among the gems, the coveted “100 MPH” award, which he keeps in his office, the walls of which are covered in photographs of friends and family,

movie stars and presidents. “You can’t much see through the glass anymore, so I generally keep the door open,” he said grinning.

He brags on excellent managers and mechanics in his stores and operates with the “customer is always right” philosophy. It shows. He deals in boat brands from Bennington and Cobalt to Mercury and Yamaha; flat-bottom fishing or duck boats, ski boats and party barges.

In the late 1950s Futrell Sr. got his pilot’s license and soon enough, father and son were dealing in used aircraft.

Woody got his own license for singleor two-engine aircraft when he was 17.

It’s really no wonder they would branch out: The elder Futrell’s first business sold anything from automotive parts to refrigerators to color TVs. Once the younger Futrell got into the airplane business, several businessmen tried to lure the charismatic Arkansan away from the state after he sold them aircraft.

“I had a lot of chances after I got out of school to go different places in the aircraft business … but I like this town,” he said. “I like Arkansas because of the terrain differences. You can go

I never did take up golf; I knew I’d rather be with my family on the lake. That’s 90 percent of what it’s all about. The outdoors.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOODY FUTRELL

“

On the water, in the air or in the blind, Futrell is the consummate sportsman.

30 miles and be in the mountains or the flat country. I like the beauty of the state, the season change.”

Futrell’s grandfather, Junius Marion Futrell, had a storied career in public service, serving in both houses of the Arkansas legislature, as a circuit court judge and governor of Arkansas. He is credited with the establishment of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Woody Futrell also served the state as commissioner on the State Racing Commission and the State Police Commission. Unseen, he served the public in helping pass Arkansas Amendment 75 by flying Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioners around the state to drum up support for the

Conservation Tax passed in 1996, providing 1/8 of one cent sales tax to fund the Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, the Heritage Commission and Keep Arkansas Beautiful.

The additional revenue generated by the miniscule percentage has been immeasurable for the agencies.

His unyielding commitment to the outdoors landed him in the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2019.

Like any good businessman, Futrell says he wants his customers to receive a fair price backed with great service.

Doing so, he’s allowed countless customers to discover and enjoy the

Arkansas outdoors. It makes him happy to sell them a boat and motor in the belief outdoor activities keep families together. In his own case, he’s passed the love of the outdoors beyond his son and daughter to his grandchildren. Known to outshoot many a man, Futrell bragged on his granddaughter recently hitting nine of 10 clays and watching her knock down her first duck.

“They’re enjoying the outdoors whether it’s fishing or hunting or what else … a ski boat or fishing boat, it kept the family,” he said. “I never did take up golf; I knew I’d rather be with my family on the lake. That’s 90 percent of what it’s all about. The outdoors.”

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 29

The One That Got Away HUNT LONG ENOUGH AND EVERY HUNTER WILL HAVE THEIRS.

BY RICHARD LEDBETTER

T

he man who taught me most of what I know about turkey hunting always told me, “I don’t want to hear any sad stories.”

But every turkey hunter knows, if you hunt long enough, you’ll have one that gets away. Those are the ones you never forget.

The 2020 spring turkey season proved a lot like the rest of that troublesome year, frustrating and out of the ordinary. Toms didn’t gobble in the woods before opening morning like years past, so knowing where to set up remained elusive. I found one bird who managed a little gobbling before season but by 8:30 a.m. that first day, I heard the shotgun report that told me my buddy Everett had bagged him.

I hardly heard a peep elsewhere.

Still, experience told me where they should be so I persisted in returning to those formerly favored spots for the next several days listening for a gobbler to announce his whereabouts.

The previous season, I’d hunted a bird with the most deceiving gobble I’d ever heard. On more than one occasion, he sounded as if he were a

30 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

couple hundred yards away. When I repositioned myself around a tree to face his direction, he was only a few dozen yards off. After making that mistake twice last year, I remembered

this season not to move so as not to get busted again. In addition to a soft gobble, he also kept his calls to a minimum, gobbling very little early and hushing soon after. If I wasn’t near him, I’d never hear him.

All that changed one week into the 2020 season. I hadn’t had any

close encounters yet, just hearing a soft gobble sound once or twice one morning and maybe a couple of times the next day in a different spot.

Adding that together, I fine-tuned my pre-dawn set-up.

It was quiet that fateful Tuesday until 7 a.m. when the bird I’d dubbed Soft Gobble let loose with a call east of me. I was tucked up against a white-barked sycamore in a strip of hardwood along a winding creek bank in the middle of a 200-acre, 20-yearold pine plantation.

Sitting on the edge of a dim trail just off a wide-open logging road, I answered him and he responded enthusiastically.

Over the following three hours he gobbled 100 times, no longer the demure, soft gobbles I was accustomed to but hot and heavy.

From 7 to 9:30 a.m. he managed to walk past me three times, from east to west, then west to east and back again. Each time I expected to see him strutting down the logging road, but he never appeared. I moved 20 yards while scratching leaves so as to give the impression of a hen foraging her way through the woods.

When he gobbled just before 10 a.m., I estimated him 100 yards up the logging road to the west.

I made a low scurry across the road 20 yards deep into the piney woods and set up facing his direction.

Settled in, I waited to make sure I hadn’t been tricked again. He made another loud report and as I answered him, he double-gobbled. I lay down my box call and readied the shotgun on an upraised knee. As expected, he shut up after that final response and I knew he was on his way.

After 10 minutes, the wood-walker’s bright red head came slipping through the thick underbrush beneath the pines, coming almost straight at me. I trained my bead on his bobbing noggin, following his progress from 20 yards away. Just before he stepped behind a clump of thick brush that would obscure my shot, he briefly raised his head slightly above the undergrowth. I instantly pulled the trigger.

To my surprise, he spun and began to run back from whence he’d come.

I quickly squeezed the trigger again, sending him into flight. On the wing, he sailed broad-chested 20 feet above me. Being an avid duck hunter, I’m

a considerable wing shooter and so following his escape with my barrel, I fired again, certain that third shot would fold and drop him. It did not; didn’t even appear to knock a feather.

Leaping to my feet, I began racing after him in the direction of the streamside hardwood strip. Entering the logging road, I stumbled and did a complete somersault roll coming up on my feet running. But it was too late.

That sinking feeling settled over me as I walked the length of the hardwood strip on the streambank, searching the treetops for the stunned gobbler. I knew I’d hit him; if not once, all three times. Returning to where I pulled the trigger, I found no blood and only a few feathers in the underbrush, although I hadn’t seen any drifting down as I fired at him on the wing.

I stopped and listened closely, thinking perhaps I heard the ruffling of feathers. Instead, I heard only the voice of self-incrimination filling my head, pushing aside

rational thought. Disgusted, I slung my shotgun and began the long walk of shame back to the truck.

I didn’t revisit the spot for a couple of days until finally, coming in from the opposite direction, I walked toward the place where he got away. The rest of the sad story soon unfolded as I strolled down a wooded trail. Twenty yards before the path connected with the logging road where I’d hunted Soft Gobble, I came across a pile of turkey feathers. It was immediately obvious how he’d sailed 100 yards over a thicket from where I shot, crashed into the brush next to the trail and flopped around in his death throws. He was literally a dead bird flying. A predator had found and ate him, beard and all.

I should have let my instincts take me in the direction where I thought I heard faint rustling in the brush. Instead, I let an unfortunate instant shake my confidence and break my concentration. Lesson learned: Whatever your sport or quarry, stay calm and get your head back in the game.

VISIT MOUNTAIN VIEW!

FOLK FEST: APRIL 16 AND 17 MOUNTAINS, MUSIC AND MOTORCYCLES: AUG 20 AND 21 BEAN FEST: OCT 22 AND 23 LIVE MUSIC SHOWS AT THE COURTHOUSE EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT MAY 1 - OCT Come to beautiful Mountain View for live music on the square, fishing, hunting, bike trails, and canoe and boat rentals! You can explore caverns and caves, zip line across the tree tops, check out the Ozark Folk Center, and much more.

Paid for by Stone County and the City of Mountain View.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

yourplaceinthemountains.com Mountain View, Arkansas 870-269-8068 or 870-269-3804

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 31

Gimme Five!

Arkansas activities to kick-start your spring.

Let’s face it, the past year has taken a lot out of everybody. As we exit the cold and snow of late winter and enter the promise of a new spring, let’s put the weirdness of 2020 behind us for good. With the warm wind at your back and the not-yet-killer-hot sun on your face, find herein 5 good ways to get a running start at the Arkansas outdoors.

1

@ARKIETRAVELS

MELTING SNOWFALL WILL MAKE FOR AN EXCITING SPRING.

CHASE WATERFALLS

February’s record-breaking snowfall might have been frosty, but it also guaranteed water levels will be high, sure to make the state’s waterfalls spectacular this springtime. Many of these attractions are easy to reach and, combined with other area amenities, provide enough natural entertainment to fill whatever time you have to spare, from an afternoon to a weekend.

FALLING WATER FALLS Smyrna Township, AR At the junction of Arkansas Highways 7 and 16 at Pelsor, turn east on AR 16 to Ben Hur, then south about 1.5 miles to Forest Service Road 1205.

Turn east on this road and remain on it for about 3 to 4 miles. You’ll be following Falling Water Creek and will come upon the falls to your right, easily visible from the road. It drops 10 feet into a big pool that’s a popular swimming hole in summertime. (exploretheozarksonline.com) 32 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

HAW CREEK FALLS Hagarville, AR From Arkansas Highway 7, turn west at Pelsor (35-40 miles north of Russellville) on Arkansas Highway 123. The falls will be found adjacent to a small U.S. Forest Service campground just beyond the bridge over Big Piney Creek. (fs.usda.gov)

THE FALLS AT LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK Hot Springs, AR From I-30 (Exit 97) near Malvern, go north 12 miles on Highway 171 which dead ends at Lake Catherine State Park. Hike the Falls Branch Trail, one of four in the park, for about a quarter mile. Pro tip: Completing the 2-mile loop also takes you over a unique suspension bridge. (arkansasstateparks.com)

2

FLOAT THE BUFFALO

OK, this one’s a no-brainer, as generations of Arkansans have made this rite-of-passage float down America’s first national river. But no matter how many times you do it, the experience never gets old. From Ponca to St. Joe to Buffalo City to Compton, you’ll find a range of amenities such as put-in points and hiking/biking trails. You might even greet an elk (or several) in Boxley Valley, if you time it right.

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL RIVER.

BUFFALO RIVER OUTFITTERS Located in St. Joe, the BRO is a onestop shop for all things on the Buffalo, with something for the floater, the hiker and those who just like to sit on the deck of a cabin and watch the world go by. Whatever your Buffalo River adventure calls for, the BRO has it. (buffaloriveroutfitters.com)

JB TRADING CO. This unique business sits on the Upper Buffalo in Compton, offering provisions, clothing and other supplies to make your trip memorable. Grab a campsite or platform tent or relax in a hammock while you share the details of your float. (jbtradingco.com)

AGFC PONCA ELK EDUCATION CENTER Learn about the valley’s shaggy giants and find out the best vantage points to take in their daily morning and evening strolls. A must-visit for any aspiring elk watcher. (agfc.com)

ARKANSASWILD.COM | 33

Jutting out of the Arkansas River Valley landscape, the majestic Tri-Peaks are a unique geologic formation of three sister mountains Petit Jean, Mt. Nebo and Mt. Magazine. Each provides an abundance of natural beauty, splendid views and fresh air, while retaining their own unique characteristics. Completing a hike on all three of these mammoths is healthy fun for the whole family, whether you hit them all in one weekend or spread it out and enjoy the other activities each site offers. Either way, your 2021 just got a new goal.

@ARKIETRAVELS

3

HIKE THE TRI-PEAKS

SUNRISE OVER MT. NEBO.

PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN 35.1242° N, 92.9235° W TRAILS: Canyon Trail (1 mile, easy); Seven Hollows (4.5 miles, moderate); Winthrop Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail (12 miles, strenuous) WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Don’t miss the overlook at the Petit Jean gravesite or the 95-foot Cedar Falls, two of the most iconic views in the entire state. Make it a weekend with a relaxing stay at Mather Lodge or grab a campsite and enjoy the soothing views of Lake Bailey. (arkansasstateparks.com) 34 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

MT. MAGAZINE

MT. NEBO

35.1687° N, 93.6261° W TRAILS: Benefield Trail (2 miles, easy); Bear Hollow Trail, 2.8 miles, moderate); North Rim-Mossback Ridge Loop (4.4 miles, strenuous) WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Mt. Magazine boasts the highest point in Arkansas, so everything here is set among the clouds from hiking to biking to dining in the lodge’s Skycrest Restaurant. Or, just relax on the balcony and watch the raptors (and the occasional hangglider) float on the mountain air. (arkansasstateparks.com)

35.2186° N, 93.2527° W TRAILS: Bench Road (4 miles, easy), Rim Trail (3.5 miles, moderate); Nebo Springs/ Nebo Steps Trails (.75 mile creating a loop with Bench and Rim Trails, strenuous) WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Rent a cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps or camp on the bluff to stay the weekend. Mt. Nebo is wildly popular with mountain bikers as well as hikers; take on Lizard Tail, Ox Pull or Miller’s Goat as part of your adventure. (arkansasstateparks.com)

4

RIDE THE DELTA

Cycling in Arkansas generally includes the likes of Slaughter Pen in Northwest Arkansas or Northwoods Trails in Hot Springs. But some of the best and most culturally significant rides are in the Arkansas Delta where rolling countryside mixes with historical points of interest. (byways.digitaltourbook.com)

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

DON’T OVERLOOK THE ARKANSAS DELTA FOR GREAT CYCLING.

THE DELTA CROSS 72 miles INCLUDES: Village Creek State Park, Forrest City, West Memphis, Memphis, Tenn.

ALONG THE ROUTE: Big River Crossing, Southland Racing & Gaming, Beale Street

SUNKEN LANDS CULTURAL ROADWAY 55 miles INCLUDES: Tyronza, Marked Tree, Lopanto, Dyess, Wilson, Bassett ALONG THE ROUTE: Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, Johnny Cash boyhood home, John Grisham’s “Painted House”

RIDE THE RIDGE 194 miles INCLUDES: Newport, Walnut Ridge, Piggott, Jonesboro, Cash ALONG THE ROUTE: Rock N’ Roll Highway, Beatles Sculpture, Hemingway-Pfeiffer House, Hemingway Barn, Arkansas State University ARKANSASWILD.COM | 35

5 FAMILY FUN

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

It’s been a long year for the kiddos, too, but fortunately Arkansas is brimming with activities to keep all members of the family happy. In addition to what we’ve already showcased, there’s plenty to hold youngsters’ attention, help them burn off some energy and gain an appreciation for the many wonders that the wilds of Arkansas hold for them. Here are few suggestions:

ZIP-LINES AND ROPES COURSES PROVIDE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

ZIP-LINES Nothing says a good time like zipping through the trees like a flying squirrel. Arkansas boasts several zip-line and ropes courses throughout the state, giving youngsters a feel of life off the ground.

LOCO ROPES, MOUNTAIN VIEW (ropes course and zip-line) locoropes.com THE BLUE ZIPLINE AND FARM, Mena (autism-friendly) blueziplinefarm.com ADVENTUREWORKS, Hot Springs (check out the moonlight ride) adventureworks.com

36 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

AGFC NATURE CENTERS The Arkansas Game and Fish Commision’s nature centers give children and families an upclose and personal look at the natural world around them. With immersive displays and interpretive programming that brings the outdoors to life, children are given an inside-outside experience that introduces them to the local ecosystem creatures call home on the land, in the water and in the air. Best of all, these wonderful resources are provided free of charge. (agfc.com)

CRATER OF DIAMONDS One of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source, Crater of Diamonds State Park is a fun, unique experience for all ages. Learn about diamonds at the visitor center and then try your luck in the prospecting area. More than 33,100 diamonds have been found by park visitors since the state park opened in 1972 and you might be next. But even if you don’t strike it rich, the unplugged time spent with your youngsters will be worth a fortune. (arkansasstateparks.com)

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ARKANSASWILD.COM | 37

#ARKANSASWILD

SWING INTO SPRING OUR FAVORITE PHOTOS—SUBMITTED BY YOU. Tag Arkansas Wild in your outdoor adventure photos.

ty Vandenberg Alison Daugher ver lo Buffa Ri

Casey Curtis Cossatot Falls

@thearkansasadventurer Little Golden Gate Bridge Beaver

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38 | Arkansas Wild | MARCH 2021

STAY & PLAY THIS SPRING AT

BEAR CREEK LOG CABINS

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME! If you are looking for a rustic retreat near the Buffalo National River at Tyler Bend, look no further than Bear Creek Log Cabins. There are five cabins scattered over hundreds of acres, all with access to the fishing holes of Bear Creek—a tributary to the Buffalo—right on the property.

The ranch is about five minutes south of Middle Buffalo access areas and the Ozark Highland Trail, but you will also find plenty

of trails right on the Bear Creek property for hiking, biking or ATV use. It is a photographer’s paradise, with sweeping views of the buttresses that line the creek and wildlife on every adventure.

The nearby private Lake House property, with a 22-acre stocked lake with dock and fishing boat right out the back door, is also a favorite location for all ages.

The spacious cabins feature native rock fireplaces, outdoor fire

pits, charcoal grills, full kitchens, linens, flat screen tvs with satellite reception (including SEC and ESPN channels), wi-fi and heat/ air that will accommodate up to 48 guests.

Bear Creek is open yeararound, offers hunting in season, and is pet-friendly. Special winter discount rates are available in January and February. Bear Creek Log Cabins will quickly become your go-to getaway destination.

Natural Dark Sky Accommodation | Wildlife Watching | Private ATV, Hiking & Biking Trails (Arkansas Natural Sky Association) 5 Minutes South of the Buffalo National River | Swimming & Fishing

BEAR CREEK LOG CABINS

6403 N HWY 65 | ST. JOE, AR | 870.448.5926 BUFFALORIVERLOGCABINS.NET