New AGFC regulations and CWD testing

Submitted by AGFC

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Director Austin Booth gave Commissioners the first reading of two regulations changes concerning Arkansas hunting and fishing licenses at a special virtual meeting held Thursday, Oct. 5.

The first regulation change proposed was an extension to the recently passed Resident Natural State Lifetime Combination License and Permit available to Arkansas residents aged 10 and under. The license, which gives its recipients the privileges associated with a Resident Combination Sportsman’s License and Permit, Arkansas state duck stamp and Arkansas trout stamp for life, is available for $500. Initially, 500 of these licenses were to be sold per fiscal year, but the regulation change proposed today would increase that cap to 1,000 licenses available for purchase each fiscal year.

The second regulation change proposed at Thursday’s meeting would create a 30-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Permit for a $200 fee. Nonresident hunters may purchase this new 30-day permit or one or more of the existing 5-day permits. The 30-day permit will be valid for all available dates (first nine days of regular duck season; Dec. 27 through Jan. 5; and Jan. 21-31). The permit also offers a cost savings to nonresident waterfowl hunters who intend to hunt on WMAs during all of these days. These regulations will be available for public comment for the next 30 days before being voted on in a special Commission meeting scheduled in October. Comments may be provided via email at askagfc@agfc.ar.gov/.

With cooler weather on the horizon and archery deer season underway, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wants to remind all hunters to help monitor chronic wasting disease in the state by using one of the AGFC’s free CWD testing locations.

All resident hunters who submit a sample for testing also will be entered into a special drawing at the close of the 2023-24 hunting season for one of two Resident Sportsman’s Lifetime Combination Licenses and Permits (valued at $1,000).

The most popular method for hunters to have their deer tested is through the AGFC’s system of drop-off containers throughout the state.

“We have at least one container location in every county, and multiple locations in many counties near the areas where CWD has been found.” AJ Riggs, wildlife health biologist for the AGFC, said.

To use a drop-off container, bring the deer’s head with 4 to 6 inches of the neck attached and any antlers removed, and place it in one of the provided plastic bags with your name and contact information on the card provided. The AGFC will collect these samples and have them analyzed. Testing results should be available within two to three weeks.

Anyone who submits a positive sample will be notified via phone as soon as the results come back.

The other free option to get your deer tested for CWD is to take it to one of the AGFC’s network of participating taxidermists, who will pull a sample for you. Most taxidermists should pull a sample from any deer submitted to them, even if you are not using their service to preserve your deer.

All testing locations are available at www.agfc.com/cwd. Some of the locations have changed from last year, so hunters are encouraged to look ahead of time and find a sample location closest to their hunting area and note hours of operation.

Area testing locations include the USFS Mena/Oden Ranger District Office in Mena and the Farmers Association in Dierks.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer/elk family (cervids). It was first described in 1967 in Colorado and since has spread to 26 states, Canada, South Korea, Finland and Norway. It was discovered in February 2016 near Pruitt and has since been found in 18 Arkansas counties.

Infected animals will not show signs of disease for a long period of time, but late in the disease process, they will be thin and may demonstrate weakness, abnormal behavior, excessive thirst, or drooling. Animals generally die soon after the onset of these signs.