Duck Season 2021, Take Two

T he second segment of the Arkansas duck season opened up with a strong storm the night before with heavy winds, tornados, and not much rain. Fortunately there was very little damage locally from the high winds and tornados.

Northeast Arkansas needs several inches of rain in most places. The clubs that can pump are having a good season, but overall the hunting has been slow. Many of the lakes and rivers are very low and these flooded areas keep the ducks in the local areas. Arkansas needs a lot of water to maintain the migrations.

Outside of Ducks…

■ The goose hunters are enjoying a bountiful year because of the abundance of snow, white-fronted, and Canada geese which are basically dry land feeders and there is enough water to satisfy them. Dry bean, rice, and corn fields are where they primarily feed.

■ Deer hunting is very good and the state should take better than 200,000 deer. Many of the duck hunters are chasing deer while waiting on water and ducks. The bucks are in full rut and the does are plentiful. This is a good time to get some venison steaks for the skillet.

■ There have been very few fishing reports, but the several days of warm weather should have improved the crappie. One report was a fisherman catching a boat load of catfish on yo-yos. He did not want his picture in the paper and would not tell where he was fishing, except it is public waters.

Christmas shopping is in full swing, so shop our local merchants. Tobey Duncan at ANN’S on 7th street has just about every thing for the hunter. Drop by and visit. There are probably some hunters just hanging around and telling “only the truth”, For a last minute inexpensive gift go to Cupple’s Book Store across from 1st Baptist Church and pick up one of Papa Duck’s book called “Just Hunting Stories”.

This is the 3rd printing and you will enjoy the true short stories.

Let’s hope for an improvement in the weather.

Get the kids out hunting.

Just keep them warm and well fed. Take plenty of pictures and send them to Papa Duck so we can all share them. Lakeside Taxidermy is working on some nice deer. Bring that big buck to Lakeside and get it back in a reasonable amount of time, beautifully done, and at a price you can afford.

Papa Duck Lakeside Taxiderm

901-482-3430

hcriner@hotmail. com

•••

Avery Wright and proud papa Bart are all smiles with 9-yearold Avery’s first deer, taken down on Crowley’s Ridge.

The ladies are getting it done this deer season. Lisa Cassidy bagged this nice buck in St.Francis County over the weekend.

Photos courtesy of John Criner

Jake Bigger, grandson of former Marion mayor Eddie Bigger, poses with a nice deer taken in the Black River bottoms.

John Criner

Outdoors Columnist