The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) recently heard a proposal to shift the first segment of the 2023-24 duck season which would open the weekend before Thanksgiving.Specklebelly, Canada and Light Goose seasons would also change with the modification, along with the Special Youth Waterfoul Hunt and Special Active Duty Miliary and Veteran Hunt.
The proposed waterfowl season dates would see Duck, Coot and Merganser run Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23, Dec. 27-Jan. 31; White-fronted Goose run Oct. 28-Nov. 10, Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23, Dec. 27-Jan. 31; Canada Goose run Sept. 1-Oct. 15, Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23, Dec. 27-Jan. 31; and Snow, Blue and Ross’s Goose Season run Oct. 28-Nov. 10, Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23, Dec. 27-Jan. 31. The Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt would be held Dec. 2 and Feb. 3 and the Veteran and Active Duty Military Waterfowl Hunt on Feb. 3.
The Commission also heard the first reading of clarifications to current regulations. The first clarification would set the Arkansas Highway 360 bridge as the boundary for the 10-inch minimum length limit for harvesting crappie on Lake Erling. The second clarification would amend the existing definition of a “resident” in the AGFC Code of Regulations. This change will clarify that people enrolled as full-time students outside of Arkansas can qualify as a resident if they were an Arkansas resident at the time of enrollment and that nonresidents who are enrolled as full-time students at a college or university in Arkansas who reside in the state during the school year may also qualify as a “resident” in regard to AGFC regulations.
These proposed changes are open to public comment for the next 30 days and the Commission is expected to vote at the April 20 meeting. Comments may be submitted via email to askagfc@agfc.ar.gov.
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