Outdoor Briefs

Application period for WMA turkey hunt begins today

LITTLE ROCK - Beginning today, Arkansas turkey hunters may apply for limited permits on several Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management areas for the 2009 spring turkey season.

This year, the AGFC is accepting permits only online at www.agfc.com. Applicants may also apply by calling the AGFC at 800-364-4263 ext. 6359 or by contacting a regional office during normal business hours. The application period is open through Jan. 15.

Online applications must be submitted on or before Jan. 15 to be eligible for the computer drawings. Selected applicants must pay a $10 processing fee. Applicants under 16 must have a hunter education card.

Public meetings set for input on 2009-10 hunting regulations

LITTLE ROCK Hunters may voice their opinions about hunting regulations and seasons at one of 11 public meetings across the state Jan. 6.

The meetings are part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's annual hunting regulations process. They are held to give hunters and other interested parties the opportunity to make comments and proposals for the 2009-10 hunting seasons.

Comments may be verbal or written. Written comments may be submitted at one of the meetings or mailed to the AGFC, Hunting Regulations Proposals, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Comments can also be made on the AGFC Web site at http://www.agfc.com/hunting/misc_hunting/public-meeting.aspx. The deadline for comments is Jan. 31.

Butterfly adorns 2009 conservation license plate

LITTLE ROCK - Looking for a Christmas present for that special someone that has everything? How about a leaping largemouth bass, a mallard drake in flight, a woodpecker listening for grubs or a trophy white-tailed deer? Those are a few images on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's conservation license plates, which debuted with a popular white-tailed deer in 2000.

The 10th plate in the annual series is the Diana fritillary butterfly and will be available beginning Jan. 1. Proceeds from Arkansas's conservation plates are used for conservation-related college scholarships and other conservation education needs. Animals depicted on the plates have no connection to the use of money raised by the plates. Proceeds from the ivory-billed woodpecker plate, for example, are not used for ivory-billed woodpecker habitat.

High school seniors, college students and graduate students studying conservation or wildlife law enforcement may apply for a conservation scholarship. Applicants must be full-time students and Arkansas residents with a 2.5 grade-point average. Applications must be submitted by June 1 for fall semesters. For a list of all the requirements, call the AGFC Human Resources Division at 501-223-6300.

The idea of specialty plates to raise money for causes has been around for decades, although Arkansas's conservation series has taken off, perhaps because each year brings a new plate. Excellent artwork hasn't hurt, either.

Applying for a conservation license plate is easy. Start by downloading a form from the Office of Motor Vehicles specialty plates Web site, www.arkansas.gov/dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates.php. Read the instructions, fill out the form and proceed by mail or in person.

By mail - Send the form to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Special License Unit, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203.

In person - Apply at any of these DFA offices: Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Texarkana, West Memphis, Harrison, Russellville, Conway, Mountain View, Van Buren, El Dorado, Magnolia, Monticello, Hot Springs (airport office) or the Charles Ragland Taxpayer Services Center, 1900 W. Seventh St., Little Rock.

A conservation plate may be purchased with a gift certificate available at AGFC headquarters, 2 Natural Resources Dr. in Little Rock.

The license plates cost $35 ($25 goes to the AGFC Conservation Scholarship Education Fund; $10 goes to DFA), above the cost of a current plate. Plate purchasers have the option of keeping the same expiration date as the plate being replaced or beginning the AGFC plate with a full year's registration.

Eagle awareness weekend scheduled for Jan. 9-10

BULL SHOALS - The bald eagle is not only our national symbol, but also a symbol of our ability to save and conserve species. Each winter, the Ozarks plays host to over 100 bald eagles migrating to and through this prime eagle wintering ground.

Bull Shoals-White River State Park annually celebrates their arrival with Eagle Awareness. This will be your chance to get out and see eagles, various other birds of prey, and migratory birds in the wild as expert rangers, naturalists and park interpreters take you within viewing distance. In years past, most visitors to this event have spotted eagles in the wild. Other common sightings on the tours include ospreys, waterfowl, herons, loons, owls, and other winter wildlife. Also, see birds up close and personal as local falconers and bird handlers from the Little Rock Zoo show them off within arms reach.

This year's feature programs will be presented by Dr. Dan Scheiman of Audubon Arkansas, falconer Rusty Scarborough, falconer Howard Davis and the Little Rock Zoo, who will showcase a live mature bald eagle and other birds of prey.

Bull Shoals-White River State Park sponsors Eagle Awareness in conjunction with the Bull Shoals Theater for the Arts, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Gaston's White River Resort, Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock and many other area merchants.

Scheduled activities include guided eagle tours on Bull Shoals Lake and the White River, waterfowl and eagle spotting van tours, guided birding walks, evening owl prowls, children's programs, and live bird demonstrations.

All activities are Free except for lake and river tours. No reservations will be taken; fees will be collected at the docks prior to boat launch. To register a large group for special performances Jan. 7-8, contact Julie.Lovett@arkansas.gov or 870-445-3629.

For more information contact the park at 870-445-3629 or by e-mail at bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.gov, or visit the Web at www.ArkansasStateParks.com/bullshoalswhiteriver.