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Obituary – David “Dave” Dewayne Tull (1969-2023)

Tammy Teague
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Obituary – David “Dave” Dewayne Tull (1969-2023)

David “Dave” Dewayne Tull, 54, of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life on May 22, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. David was born January 7, 1969 to Glen Dale “Rab” Dale Tull and Cecile Naomi (Sanders) Tull in Waldron, Arkansas. 

Dave was an avid bass fisherman, who could always be found on the lake with a pole in his hand and his faithful dog, Remi, by his side. His passion for the outdoors extended beyond fishing, as he had a heart for hunting and embraced anything outdoors. Dave was known for being a remarkable storyteller, captivating many with tales that sometimes exposed his vivid imagination. Above all, he loved his three sons. Whether fishing, hunting, or just spending time together, Dave always wanted to see them happy. The moments they shared will forever be a treasure. Dave also enjoyed having Sarah and Tanesha in the family, and he was excited to welcome two grandbabies later this year. 

David leaves behind to cherish his memory, three sons: Dakota Tull and wife Sarah of Waldron, Arkansas, Caleb Tull of Waldron, Arkansas and Logan Tull and Tanesha of Waldron, Arkansas; his mother, Cecile Tull of Waldron, Arkansas; one brother Steven Tull and wife Sandy of Waldron, Arkansas. David is also survived by four nieces and nephews: Courtney Young, Jordan Tull, Jonah Tull and Jeremy Tull, two great nieces and two great nephews.

David was preceded in death by his father, Glen “Rab” Tull.

David’s life celebration will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Waldron, Arkansas with Bro. Bobby Cagle officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

David’s pallbearers will be: Dakota Tull, Caleb Tull, Logan Tull, Blake Defoor, Lester Cummins, and Ethan Vincent. Honorary pallbearers will be the River Roaders and the Rock Cafe Crew. 

David’s visitation will be on Monday, May 29, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory 

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Tammy Teague
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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! To all you Mother’s out there I hope your day was wonderful. We are having gorgeous weather in the river valley. I love cool nights and warm days.

We made a flying road trip to Nashville, TN to see my great-niece, Hannah Whitley Wagoner, graduate high school. We, meaning my brother Larry, his wife Peggy, my nephew Michael Wagoner and his youngest daughter Raylee. We had so much fun. I laughed till my stomach hurt. That will be a trip to remember for sure.

We are driving down the interstate and we make a quick stop and Larry comes out and says he almost dropped his phone in the toilet. Just barely missed it he said. Not one bit surprised.

Then we stopped just a short time before our arrival to change clothes and such. We get down the road about 15 minutes and Larry Wayne Wagoner cannot find his phone. We called it and no answer. He says ”I remember I left it in the bathroom at the station.” Well, it takes a few miles for us to get turned around and go all the way back. He doesn’t think it will be there and Michael keeps telling him it will be. We go back and sure enough it was right where he had left it. I didn’t think it wokld be there. He’s as happy as a lark and we get back on the road with just enough time to get to graduation.

We are following GPS directions on the phone, and it takes us to a building that has a big banner that says ”Shrek the Musical.” Michael says, ”this is not where it is.” So, we keep circling like vultures and finally find the place. We are a few minutes late, but Hannah is a ”W” so we are good.

Peggy and I catch a ride on a golf cart from a nice college student that is shuttling people to the door. He was so nice, and we go to leave, and the same young man picks us up again to take us to the car. I start talking to him, of course, and he flies drones for a company, works for the college and wants to fly airplanes someday. I had to tell him about Jacob being color blind. In my mind I can hear Jacob telling me to quit talking to people, that they do not want to talk to me. This boy was different. He enjoyed talking to me. When he dropped us off I said, ”you can tell everyone you know you have met a real hillbilly from Arkansas.”

Off we go and stop to eat and I hear my brother talking serious on his phone and he has accidentally dialed 911. I’m telling you if we take another road trip he may not be allowed to take that one. Every time we stopped, Michael would say, ”does everyone have their phone.”

Needless to say on the way home, Larry couldn’t find his phone again and it was in the floorboard. Land’s sake, that phone was like a hot potato, here, there, everywhere.

All in all it was a fun, fast trip. If you’re going to take a road trip with the Wagoners, plan on lots of belly laughs.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day. This week’s recipe is another poke cake. Hope you enjoy it!

COOKIES AND CREAM POKE CAKE
1 chocolate cake mix (I like to use Devil’s Food cake mix)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 box of cookies and cream pudding mix
1 cup of milk
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos are best. I would use a few more, but that’s just me.)
Bake the chocolate cake mix according to box directions. When cake is done use a wooden spoon to poke holes in it. Pour the sweetened condensed mill over the cake, spread evenly. In a large bowl, add the pudding and the milk and whisk until the lumps are out. Add the whipped topping and crushed cookies, mix well. Once the cake has cooled, top with the pudding mixture and sprinkle more crushed cookies on top. Keep in the refrigerator.

This is a good summertime cake and delicious, enjoy!

Common Trees That Will Look Great in Your Yard

Resident News Network
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Common Trees That Will Look Great in Your Yard

Trees can make an excellent addition to your yard. They provide shade and privacy, and they increase the property value.

Knowing which species to plant can make a significant difference in the overall feel of the space. Here are some common trees that will look great in your yard.

Dogwood

Dogwood trees are a deciduous species that fit nicely into any natural environment. They have low branches that give them an almost shrub-like appearance. Their snowy white flowers appear in early spring and give way to a lustrous green in the summer.

Tree care can affect your property value, so do your research before you start planting. The best place for dogwood is in partial shade, where they can get enough water to stay hydrated throughout the year. Wild dogwoods grow in the understory and will thrive in moist soil. Once they’ve established roots, they won’t need to be irrigated.

Maple

Maples are a typical North American species appreciated for their colorful fall foliage. The leaves of maple are well known for their five-pointed shape and turning brilliant shades of red and orange once the weather starts to change.

You can find maple trees in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. While some are tall and narrow, others grow short and wide, offering a nice variety for homeowners. Sugar, black, and red maples are among the few species that can be tapped for syrup.

Birch

One of the most easily distinguished species of tree is the birch. Its tall trunk, covered in white bark, is immediately recognizable, even within a densely forested area. As the trees age, their bark splits into irregular patterns, creating unique textures that homeowners will appreciate.

Birch trees need plenty of sunlight for their large canopies, so placing them where they’ll receive maximum coverage is ideal. Because they grow so large, you’ll want to space them at least a few dozen feet apart. Younger trees should receive plenty of water to ensure they stay healthy.

Oak

A common sight across most of North America, oak trees can grow in many different soils, climates, and elevations. Easily recognizable for their grooved bark, these trees have a thick, rough texture that sets them apart from other similar species.

Oak trees should be planted in the winter months while there’s plenty of moisture in the ground. Their acorns are a common food source for squirrels and other critters, so you must protect them as they take root. You’ll want to find a sunny spot at least 15 feet away from the home so its roots have room to spread out.

Plant Species You Can Appreciate

Planting common trees that will look great in your yard will pay dividends in the long run.

Depending on your tastes and where your home is located, you may want different tree species for your yard. Learning about proper care techniques will ensure trees grow strong and healthy.

Timepiece: True Grit Trail

Tammy Teague
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Timepiece: True Grit Trail

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Always a John Wayne fan, I became more so after watching True Grit and associating it with the
region in which I was raised. Charles Portis’s 1968 fictional novel describes fourteen-year-old
Mattie Ross’s effort to avenge the death of her father. Set in the 1880’s, Mattie leaves her home
near Dardanelle, Arkansas and travels to Fort Smith searching for a person that would exact
retribution on the “worthless scoundrel” Thomas Chaney who had robbed and killed her father
on the streets of Fort Smith. References to Fort Smith “hanging judge” Parker and to his many
marshals’ that patrolled the lawless Indian territory abound in the story. Eventually, Ross hires
the drunken, trigger-happy Rooster Cogburn to assist her in her quest. No doubt, she would have
been better served to have hired the historical Bass Reeves as her guide. Reeves, a former slave,
was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi river and served for 32 years as a
federal peace officer. During that time, he recorded over 3,000 arrests and killed 14 outlaws
while defending his life. It was said that when Reeves was on your trail, you might as well
surrender because he never gave up.
Regardless, Mattie, when given her chose of choosing a marshal, passed up those that were
reputable and chose Rooster Cogburn, portrayed in the movie by John Wayne. Cogburn, the
young Mattie, and eventually Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Glen Campbell) spend the rest of the
movie chasing outlaws through the Poteau Mountains of Oklahoma. The last scenes of the
movie show Mattie, now elderly and back in Dardanelle, visiting the graveside of Cogburn who
had died while participating in a wild west show in Jonesboro, Arkansas. One of the most
popular westerns of all time, it was again filmed and released in 2010, both times to nation-wide
acclaim.
The book and movies were so popular, and perhaps so believable, that many people began
stopping by some of the locations named in the movies. Dardanelle, as central to the plot of the
story, became identified somewhat with the story and, building on its fame, began to promote
visitation in the area. Already an historical city with a past rooted in early exploration, Indian
lands, and civil war battles, True Grit just adds appeal to telling the story of our culture.
Although fictional, Mattie exhibits some of the most admired traits of the pioneer. Some of the
famed quotes from the film share the values and common sense of the people of Arkansas. In
one scene, Mattie quotes, “If you want anything done right, you will have to see to yourself
every time.” In another instance, “What have you done if you have bested a fool?” Each of the
main characters in the book are tested to see if they have “True Grit” which is defined as the
stubborn refusal to quit until a job is done.
The people of the area have exhibited true grit for over one-hundred years and now it serves as
the eastern anchor to the TRUE GRIT trail which follows Mattie’s journey to Fort Smith. Visit
the Arkansas River Valley library in Dardanelle and explore the exhibit about True Grit
including its historical and fictional parts. With more exhibits to follow, Dardanelle is a great
place to begin the journey on the trail. Following Mattie’s journey, pass through Paris and visit
the Eiffel Tower or the 1898 steam locomotive, Charleston and its historical place in school
integration and end at the western terminus in Fort Smith by visiting the new National Marshals
Museum, Judge Parkers courtroom and National park, and stop by the beautiful tribute to Bass
Reeves. All are a part of the new True Grit Trail.

Isaac Parker
Bass Reeves

What Should You Expect From Your Investments?

Tammy Teague
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What Should You Expect From Your Investments?

To help achieve your financial goals, you may need to invest in the financial markets throughout your life. However, at times your investment expectations may differ from actual returns, triggering a variety of emotions. So, what are reasonable expectations to have about your investments?
Ideally, you hope that your investment portfolio will eventually help you meet your goals, both your short-term ones, such as a cross-country vacation, and the long-term ones, such as a comfortable retirement. But your expectations may be affected by several factors, including the following:
• Misunderstanding – Various factors in the economy and the financial markets trigger different reactions in different types of investments — so you should expect different results.
When you own stocks, you can generally expect greater price volatility in the short term. Over time, though, the “up” and “down” years tend to average out. When you own bonds, you can expect less volatility than individual stocks, but that’s not to say that bond prices never change.
Generally, when interest rates rise, you can anticipate that the value of your existing, lowerpaying bonds may decrease, and when rates fall, the value of your bonds may increase.
• Recency bias – Investors exhibit “recency bias” when they place too much emphasis on recent events in the financial markets, expecting that those same events will happen again.
But these expectations can lead to negative behavior. For example, in 2018, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell almost 6% – so investors subject to recency bias might have concluded it was best to stay out of the markets for a while. But the Dow jumped more than 22% the very next year. Of course, the reverse can also be true: In 2021, the Dow rose almost 19%, so investors who might have been susceptible to recency bias may have thought they were in for more big gains right away — but in 2022, the Dow fell almost 9%. Here’s the bottom line:
Recency bias may cloud your expectations about your investments’ performance — and it’s essentially impossible to predict accurately what will happen to the financial markets in any given year.
• Anchoring – Another type of investment behavior is known as “anchoring” — an excessive reliance on your original conviction in an investment. So, for instance, if you bought stock in a company you thought had great prospects, you might want to keep your shares year
after year, even after evidence emerges that the company has real risks — for example, poor management, or its products could become outdated, or it could be part of an industry that’s in decline. But if you stick with your initial belief that the company will inevitably do well, and you’re not open to new sources of information about this investment, your expectations may never be met.
In many areas of life, reality may differ from our expectations — and that can certainly be true for our investments. Being familiar with the factors that can shape your expectations can help you maintain a realistic outlook about your investments.
This article is provided by
Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Holland Tames Tigers in Relief; Arkansas Defeats LSU 5-4 to Advance to SEC Tournament Semifinals

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Holland Tames Tigers in Relief; Arkansas Defeats LSU 5-4 to Advance to SEC Tournament Semifinals

HOOVER, AL– For the second time this season, the Razorbacks took down LSU and the SEC Pitcher of the Year.

No. 4 Arkansas (41-15) tagged Paul Skenes for a season-high five runs in the fourth and held on for a 5-4 win over No. 5 LSU (43-14) on Thursday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The second-seeded Hogs advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals, where they will play the winner of tomorrow’s elimination game between LSU and Texas A&M at noon Saturday, May 27.

The Razorback tandem of Hagen Smith and Hunter Hollan were dominant on the mound, combining for 17 strikeouts in the win. Smith started and went up against Skenes, outdueling the fellow first-team All-SEC pitcher on Thursday.

Smith, who was on a pitch count, matched his career high with nine strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings of work. He threw 76 pitches and was charged with just two runs on five hits and a walk before giving way to Hollan.

Hollan was equally as impressive, racking up eight strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of relief – his first appearance out of the bullpen this season. The left-hander limited the Tigers to two runs on six hits and a walk, improving to 8-2 this year.

LSU opened a two-run lead, but momentum would swing after Arkansas’ five-run fourth inning. RBI singles from Caleb Cali and Peyton Holt, who won a 10-pitch at-bat, evened the game at two apiece before the Hogs took the lead on a catcher’s interference call with two outs. Jace Bohrofen then ripped a two-run single to put the Razorbacks up, 5-2.

Arkansas’ five-run inning was the highest-scoring inning against Skenes this season, topping a three-run inning by Ole Miss against the LSU right-hander on April 21. Skenes’ five runs allowed matched his season high, which Kentucky also scored against him in a six-inning start on April 13.

LSU chipped away with a run in the eighth and a one-out solo home run in the top of the ninth, closing its deficit to one. Hollan would not give in, however, retiring the final two batters of the game to seal the 5-4 win and punch Arkansas’ ticket to the semifinal round.

The Razorbacks have now advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals for the sixth time in the last 10 seasons and the second time in the last three years. Arkansas won the tournament for the first time in program history in 2021.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

Hogs Football Game with Missouri to Be Nationally Televised on Black Friday

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Hogs Football Game with Missouri to Be Nationally Televised on Black Friday

FAYETTEVILLE– Arkansas’ season finale against Missouri will kick off on CBS at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24 inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Razorbacks and Tigers were originally slated to play the latest edition of the Battle Line Rivalry on Saturday, Nov. 25 but – in what has become tradition – will now wrap up the regular season on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Hogs won the last meeting in Fayetteville in 2021, topping the Tigers 34-17 to finish off an eight-win regular season in Head Coach Sam Pittman’s second season.

Arkansas opens the 2023 season in Little Rock vs. Western Carolina on Sept. 2 inside War Memorial Stadium. The Hogs open Razorback Stadium the following week against Kent State (Sept. 9) before hosting BYU on Sept. 16. The Razorbacks then begin a four-game stretch away from home with a visit to LSU (Sept. 23). The visit to Baton Rouge will mark the earliest meeting ever between the two schools, in a match-up that has only been played outside the month of November 13 times dating back to the first game of the series in 1901. A trip to Arlington, Texas to take on Texas A&M (Sept. 30) is followed by games at Ole Miss (Oct. 7) and Alabama (Oct. 14) before returning home to take on Mississippi State (Oct. 21) in Razorback Stadium.

A game at The Swamp against Florida on Nov. 4 is the final road game of the year for Arkansas before finishing with three straight at home against Auburn (Nov. 11), FIU (Nov. 18) and Missouri.

Season tickets are available by calling the Razorback Ticket Center at 479.575.5151 or by visiting arkansasrazorbacks.com. 


– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson.

Diggs Hits Walk Off Homer to Send Arkansas to Third Round of SEC Tournament

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Diggs Hits Walk Off Homer to Send Arkansas to Third Round of SEC Tournament

HOOVER, AL– Kendall Diggs hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to propel second-seeded Arkansas (40-15) to a thrilling 6-5 win over 10th-seeded Texas A&M (33-24) on Wednesday afternoon at The Hoover Met.

With the win, Arkansas advances to play third-seeded LSU at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Left-hander Hagen Smith will get the start on the mound for the Razorbacks and go up against Tiger ace Paul Skenes. The winner of tomorrow’s game between Arkansas and LSU will advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday, May 27.

Diggs’ homer, his 11th of the year, was his second walk-off hit of the season. The Razorbacks’ designated hitter came through with a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 11th to lift Arkansas to a 10-9 win over Illinois State on March 1.

Texas A&M built an early 4-0 lead on Wednesday afternoon, tagging Arkansas starter Cody Adcock for three runs on two hits and two walks over his two innings of work. The Aggies added their fourth run against Razorback reliever Zack Morris in the top half of the fourth, but that would be the veteran left-hander’s only blemish of the afternoon.

Morris went five innings in relief of Adcock, racking up five strikeouts and limiting the Aggies to just one run on three hits and a walk. His strong performance on the mound set the table for the Hogs’ come-from-behind heroics.

Trailing 4-1 in the seventh, Arkansas loaded the bases with one out for Jared Wegner, who hammered the very first pitch he saw and swatted a go-ahead grand slam over the wall in left to put the Hogs ahead, 5-4. It was his 13th home run of the year, Arkansas’ fifth grand slam of the year and the Razorbacks’ first grand slam in the SEC Tournament since 2018.

Texas A&M, however, tied the game at five apiece in the top of the ninth with a one-out solo shot. Will McEntire, who relieved Morris to start the eighth, silenced the Aggies after that, collecting three strikeouts in his four innings of work.

The Razorbacks’ walk-off heroics in the 11th allowed McEntire to improve to 7-3 on the year. Diggs homered on the fourth pitch he saw from Texas A&M pitcher Ty Sexton, picking up his team-leading 57th RBI on his game-winning swing.

Diggs and Peyton Holt, who had a pair of singles, both finished with a team-high two base knocks. Wegner, meanwhile, tallied a game-high four RBI and raised his season total to 48, good for second most among all Razorback batters.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

AGFC adds 4,706 acres of public hunting opportunity; Gov. Sanders proclaims Free Fishing Weekend in Arkansas

Tammy Teague
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AGFC adds 4,706 acres of public hunting opportunity; Gov. Sanders proclaims Free Fishing Weekend in Arkansas

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission formally adopted regulations Thursday that will add 4,706 acres of public hunting opportunity in The Natural State beginning with the 2023-24 hunting seasons. The announcement was one of many high points in a special series of meetings and events in north Arkansas during the last three days.

Thanks to the continued partnership between the AGFC and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, two new WMAs on natural areas were formed: Goat’s Beard Bluff Natural Area and Sugarloaf Mountains-Midland Peak Natural Area.

Goat’s Beard Bluff Natural Area encompasses 540 acres in Saline County along the Alum Fork of the Saline River. It is at the transition zone between the Ouachita Mountains and the Gulf Coastal Plain and is inhabited by both upland Ouachita Highland species and lowland Gulf Coastal Plain species.

Sugarloaf Mountains-Midland Peak Natural Area totals 1,191 acres in Sebastian County. The Sugarloaf Mountains are an isolated pair of high, conjoined ridges straddling the border between Arkansas and Oklahoma south of Fort Smith. They represent an isolated portion of the Scattered High Ridges and Mountains ecoregion of the Arkansas River Valley, and the area historically supported large areas of prairie, savanna and open woodland habitat.

Another partnership, this time with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, added another hunting opportunity to the AGFC’s WMA system. The Hot Springs State Forest comprises 2,975 acres on the outskirts of Hot Springs National Park, and the new agreement with the AGFC will make that land accessible to hunters pursuing deer and other upland game in central Arkansas.

Thanks to a proclamation by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, anyone may fish in Arkansas without a fishing license or trout stamp from noon Friday, June 9, through midnight Sunday night, June 11.

AGFC Director Austin Booth read the proclamation at today’s meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, thanking Gov. Sanders for her continued support of hunters and anglers and their contribution to conservation as well as Arkansas’s economy. 

The proclamation was only the first highlight for anglers from Booth. In his address to the Commission, he spoke about the successful renovation of the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Hatchery, which was celebrated at a special event Wednesday. The renovation will allow this nearly 50-year-old hatchery to again produce upward of 1 million catchable-size trout for Arkansas anglers annually. 

“It would be tempting to look at the Spring River Hatchery just as a project we completed. It was an opportunity for us, not just as an agency, but as a community to face a decision about a legacy project head-on and make things better,” Booth said. “We can learn a ton from this community and this project as we take on many other challenges facing this Commission. I am confident that we can and will rise to the occasion.”

The Commission also heard the testimony of students who took part in the Outdoor Adventures Program at Pinkston Middle School in Mountain Home under the guidance of teacher Freddy Penka. Outdoor Adventures is a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation to deliver a semester-long course of curriculum that satisfies all state requirements for a co-ed physical education course, a local elective or an agricultural science course. The school also received a $500 grant to help with supplies to continue helping the program. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]

In other business, the Commission: 

  • Recognized three employees with a combined 60 years of experience for their service and dedication to the natural resources of Arkansas;
  • Heard from Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation President Deke Whitbeck with his presentation on the successful “Into the Wild Banquet” in Springdale to raise money for the AGFC’s Youth Shooting Sports Program and the recent “Get It For Game Wardens” Banquet in Mountain Home. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]
  • Heard from Fisheries Biologist Eli Powers with an update on the Trout Habitat Program. [LINK TO PRESENTATION]
  • Adopted regulations to create a Nonresident Deer Dog Hunter Permit, which will be required for anyone from out of state to use dogs to pursue deer where legal in Arkansas.
  •  Restructured and raised nonresident hunting license fees as follows:
    • Nonresident Annual Fishing License – $60
    • Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License – $30
    • Nonresident Guide License/Fishing – $500
    • Nonresident Trout Permit — $20 (no change)
    • Nonresident Annual Hunting License – $410
    • Nonresident 5-Day Hunting License – $225
    • Nonresident 3-Day Deer Hunting License – $175
    • Nonresident 1-Day Deer Hunting License – $100
    • Nonresident Annual Small Game Hunting License – $110 (no change)
    • Nonresident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License – $80
    • Nonresident Trappers Permit – $125 (no change)
    • Nonresident Bear Permit (must accompany valid big game license) – $300
    • Nonresident Turkey Permit (must accompany valid big game license) – $100
    • Nonresident Elk Permit (must accompany valid big game license) – $300
    • Nonresident Alligator Permit (must accompany valid big game license) – $300
    • Arkansas Nonresident Waterfowl Stamp (must accompany valid small game or big game license) – $50
    • Nonresident 5-Day WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit (Must accompany valid small game or big game license and Arkansas Nonresident Waterfowl Stamp) – $40 
  • Formally adopted the agency’s updated civil rights procedures and limited English proficiency plan to be added to the AGFC’s Policy and Procedures Manual. 
  • Amended language in the AGFC Code of Regulations to replace the wording “wildlife officer” with “game warden” in accordance with language passed during Arkansas’s 94th General Assembly.
  • Awarded retiring AGFC Game Warden Sr. Cpl. Gary D. Stell his service sidearm after 25 years of dedicated service to the people and natural resources of Arkansas;
  • Awarded retiring AGFC Game Warden Sgt. Michael Neal his service sidearm after 15 years of dedicated service to the people and natural resources of Arkansas;
  • Approved a grant agreement with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to initiate a study by Ph.D. candidate Annette Fields titled “Assessing Impacts of Fishing Education Instructor Demographics.”
  • Authorized the Information Technology Division of the AGFC to incorporate updated IT policies to identify legal requirements, compliance standards and industry best practices.
  • Authorized Director Booth to work with the AGFF to provide observation visits of wildlife management experiences such as bear den monitoring and Canada Goose banding to help raise money for conservation activities. 

A complete video of the meeting is available on the AGFC’s YouTube Channel. 

Avoid an un-bear-able situation

Tammy Teague
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Avoid an un-bear-able situation

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

Myron Means can just about put a pin on his calendar each year in May when the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will begin to see a rise in nuisance bear calls throughout the state.

Means is the Large Carnivore Program Coordinator for the AGFC. In addition to ensuring the health of Arkansas’s black bear population, he also is a key point of contact when one of Arkansas’s most charismatic critters finds itself in peculiar places.

“Each spring, young male black bears emerge from their dens and are sent away by the mother bears to find new territories,” Means said. “It’s nature’s way of ensuring genetic diversity. The young males will wander for a while until they find a new home with good food resources.”

While sightings of these misguided youths certainly grab the attention of people living in neighborhoods bordering bear country, they often move on as long as people don’t give them a reason to stay.

Open trash cans, bowls filled with pet food and areas where people have dumped cooking grease or table scraps often attract these wayward bears. Birdfeeders and wildlife feeders also are magnets to these young bruins, who will take advantage of the free meal.

“The first thing we tell anyone to do when they have a nuisance bear in the area is to put away any possible foods, including deer feeders, bird feeders and dog food, and to keep trash cans locked or put away where they are inaccessible for a couple of days,” Means says. “That’s usually all it takes for the bear to move on.”

Unfortunately, people can cause even greater issues by trying to help these wayward bachelor bears. The most common cause of bears needing to be relocated is when they have become comfortable in an area after getting handouts.

“People may think it’s neat to have a bear in the backyard at first, but they’re not good guests and wear out their welcome quickly,” Means said.

In addition to being a bad idea, intentionally baiting or feeding bears to attract them to an area is illegal. The only exception to this is from 30 days before bear hunting season begins until it ends. Placing certain wildlife feeders on your property also is illegal if you live in an area at risk for Chronic Wasting Disease, a disease found in deer and elk.

Black bears, the species native to Arkansas, don’t want anything to do with people, and almost always run away or avoid us. Compared to a bear’s natural habitat, houses and the accompanying noise of lawnmowers, cars and conversations are loud and scary. But if free food overcomes the bear’s natural fear of people, they may set up shop and begin to see the homeowners that tolerated them as intruders in their new territory. Even worse, once a bear associates houses and people with good places to eat, they become a possible problem no matter where they’re relocated.

“We’ve had some of these home-fed bears show up at other people’s back doors within a few weeks of being relocated,” Means said. “In severe cases of bears being habituated to human food, some have had to be euthanized because of the danger they could present to people.”

More information about bear awareness and bear safety can be found on the cooperative website www.Bearwise.org. This site was developed by bear biologists throughout the Southeast and includes information specific to Arkansas.

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