During your working years, you generally know how much money you’re bringing in, so you can budget accordingly. But once you’re retired, it’s a different story. However, with some diligence, you can put together a “paycheck” that can help you meet your income needs.
Where will this paycheck come from? Social Security benefits should replace about 40% of one’s pre-retirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration, but this figure varies widely based on an individual’s circumstances. Typically, the higher your income before you retire, the lower the percentage will be replaced by Social Security. Private pensions have become much rarer in recent decades, though you might receive one if you worked for a government agency or a large company. But in any case, to fill out your retirement paycheck, you may need to draw heavily on your investment portfolio.
Your portfolio can provide you with income in these ways:
• Dividends – When you were working, and you didn’t have to depend on your portfolio for income to the extent you will when you’re retired, you may have reinvested the dividends you received from stocks and stock-based mutual funds, increasing the number of shares you own in these investments. And that was a good move, because increased share ownership is a great way to help build wealth. But once you’re retired, you may need to start accepting the dividends to boost your cash flow.
• Interest payments – The interest payments from bonds and other fixed-income investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), can also add to your retirement income. In the years immediately preceding their retirement, some investors increase the presence of these interest-paying investments in their portfolio. (But even during retirement, you’ll need some growth potential in your investments to help keep you ahead of inflation.)
• Proceeds from selling investments – While you will likely need to begin selling investments once you’re retired, you’ll need to be careful not to liquidate your portfolio too quickly. How much can you sell each year? The answer depends on several factors — your age, the size of your portfolio, the amount of income you receive from other sources, your spouse’s income, your retirement lifestyle, and so on. A financial professional can help you determine the amount and type of investment sales that are appropriate for your needs while considering the needs of your portfolio over your lifetime.
When tapping into your investments as part of your retirement paycheck, you’ll also want to pay special attention to the amount of cash in your portfolio. It’s a good idea to have enough cash available to cover a year’s worth of your living expenses, even after accounting for other
sources of income, such as Social Security or pensions. In addition, you may want to set aside sufficient cash for emergencies. Not only will these cash cushions help you with the cost of living and unexpected costs, but they might also enable you to avoid digging deeper into your long-term investments than you might like.
You may be retired for a long time — so take the steps necessary to build a consistent retirement paycheck.
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
What Goes Into Your Retirement ‘Paycheck’
“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor
Hello everyone! Hope you had a wonderful Easter. The weather was perfect, it couldn’t have been more perfect if I had ordered it. So thankful for our risen Saviour. We had a good time with all the family on Saturday, Michael and Tonya hosted it. We had lots of laughter, good times and wonderful food. On Sunday, my precious daughter-in-law cooked a big spread of delicious food with turkey and fried chicken and all the trimmings.
I know I have told ya’ll how thankful I am for my three grandchildren, Ethan, Evan and Ella. I call them the three E’s. Ethan is in his second year of college for computer science. He is very, very smart. He made the Dean’s list. He is really book smart. I say all that to say this, Ethan Cole does not have a whole lot of common sense. Bless it, he just doesn’t. One of the most recent things he has done is this…
I always get his and Evan’s taxes done when I get mine done. The tax office said they needed to bring a copy of Ethan’s driver’s license. I sent him a text and told him to make a copy and bring it home. He then asks me, “do I need to make a paper copy or go to the DMV and get another driver’s license?” What? Noooo, I just need you to put it in the copy machine at the college and make a copy of the one you have. Land’s sake, have you ever heard anything like it? If I send him to Walmart to get anything I have to Google what I want and take a screen shot of it and send it to him.
Blessssss! The other day he swings by the bank and has an ice cream bar and wants to know if Gina or I want it. I said, we just had something sweet, just go back there and put it in the freezer. Later in the day, I go back there and open the fridge, and there it lay in the refrigerator section, not the freezer. Bless, he may not know that these modern day refrigerators come with a freezer on top.
He’s as good as gold, checks on me and sees about me, but he’s just lacking a little common sense. I’m telling ya most of the time I send Ella, who is 14, with him because she can figure most stuff out before him. If he can Google it, he can most likely do it. Some got it, some don’t. Ha ha! I love him though, and he wouldn’t be Ethan if he was any different.
This week’s recipe is taco spaghetti. I love spaghetti, but I’m the only one in my house that does. Enjoy the recipe and the beautiful weather we are having.
TACO SPAGHETTI
2 tablespoons of oil
1 pound of ground beef or turkey
1/6 cup of onion, cut up (I like the sweet onion)
1/6 cup of taco seasoning or one packet (you may want to use a little more than a packet)
1 can rotel tomatoes (put mine in the chopper to cut up the tomatoes)
8 oz. spaghetti noodles
1 cup water
2 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (I use more, and you may want the Mexican blend cheese)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Heat oil in the skilled and add the onions and ground beef, cook until meat is done. Drain the grease off if needed. Add the taco seasoning, rotel tomatoes, uncooked spaghetti noodles and water. Turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until spaghetti is all dente. Remove from heat, sprinkle with half the cheese and stir well. Top with remaining cheese and cilantro then serve. You can always add bell peppers when you add onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Have a wonderful week!
Magazine Choir Earns First Division Honors & Best in Class Awards at State Assessment
Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly and in its entirety from Mr. Johnathan Gipson, Director of Media Relations, Magazine School District. Mr. Gipson is a RNN Sports contributor, and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers.
MAGAZINE – Magazine High School’s choir continues to reap the rewards of its hard work and talent.
The Rattler choir received First Division honors and the Best in Class Award for its performance on Monday in the State Choir Performance Assessment at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
It was the choir program’s first appearance in the state assessment in recent history.
The choir consists of sophomores Nat Ervin, Trinidy Harding, Briare Harding and Kalynn Downs, who performs all of the choir’s piano accompaniment.
“The students in the choir love to perform and they are willing to work hard,” Magazine Schools choir director Ashley Love said
“They have had many wonderful performances this year, and this is a great way to start ending the year. I think the greatest achievement was staying focused for so many months. It shows just how much they love music.”
Earlier this spring, the Rattler choir received First Division Superior scores for its on-stage performance and sight-singing during the Region IV Choir Performance Assessment at the Greenwood High School Performing Arts Center.
As a result of that performance, Magazine qualified for the State Choir Performance Assessment.
“State Concert Assessment is judged on the same things as at the region level, but the judges are more critical at state level,” Love explained. The judges look at tone quality, pronunciation, rhythm, pitch, interpretation and style and dynamics.”
Love said First Divison is the highest honor a choir can receive and a distinction that is difficult to attain.
“There were 13 schools in the 1A, 2A and 3A classes, and the only schools that scored a higher First Division (rating) than Magazine were West Fork (3A) and Harding Academy (3A),” Love said.
Competition performances began with qualifying choirs from 1A and will continue until all classes represented have performed. Love said every choir is scored on a rubric, and scores are then compared against each other.
“At events, we perform against all classes,” Love explained. “State will continue on throughout the week. It’s something that cannot be done in one day with so many choirs in our state. We’ll see how the larger choirs do as the week goes on.”
The Best in Class Award that the choir also received is based on total score and judges’ favorites, Love said.
“We had the highest score in 1A and 2A,” Love said.
It’s not the last competition of the week for this talented group of sophomores. All are members of the Rattler band, which will compete in the State Concert Assessment on Wednesday at Cabot High School.
PHOTO INFORMATION
Magazine High School’s choir received First Division honors and the Best of Class Award for their performance in Monday’s State Choir Performance Assessment at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Choir members are (left to right) Briare Harding, Nat Ervin, Trinidy Harding and Kalynn Downs.
Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association Holds Annual Awards Banquet
Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly from the Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association by the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce.
PARIS– The Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association held its Annual Awards Celebration and Banquet at the Horsehead Lake Lodge and Event Center in Clarksville on Tuesday, April 11. The event was sponsored by Ridgewood Brothers BBQ, Pridgin Family Brewery, Horsehead Lake Lodge and Event Center, and Point Remove Brewing Company.
Guests were served a buffet meal by Ridgewood Brothers BBQ. Lady Angler Lentz, Rebecca Baker, who is also Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commissioner was the keynote speaker of the event.
County Tourism awards were received, and the Charlie Johnson Award was received. Recipients of the tourism awards were:
Conway County – Stephanie Buckley
Johnson County – City of Clarksville
Logan County – Logan County Jail Museum
Perry County: Perry County Arts League
Pope County: Sarah Keating
Yell County: Yell County Fair and Parade
Charlie Johnson Award:
Lee Green
Magazine Rattler Band Earns First Division Honors at State Assessment
Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly and in its entirety from Mr. Jonathan Gipson, Director of Media Relations, Magazine School District. Mr. Gipson is a RNN Sports contributor, and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers.
MAGAZINE – At the State Concert Assessment, the fortunate few bands who qualify know that their performances will be held to a much higher standard than ever before. That intense scrutiny from the judges, though, didn’t seem to faze the Magazine Rattler Band.
A little more than a month after earning a First Division Superior rating at the Western Region (Region VIII) Concert Assessment, the Rattler Band added yet another distinction to its legacy on Wednesday afternoon, earning First Division honors in the State Concert Assessment at Cabot High School.
It’s the first time the Rattler Band has achieved that prestigious rating since 2001.
Band members performing at the State Concert Assessment included junior Brock Gentry (trumpet), sophomores Briare Harding (clarinet), Kalynn Downs (tenor saxophone), Trinidy Harding (trombone) and Nat Ervin (percussion), freshmen Allie Istre (clarinet) and Isaiah Ward (clarinet), eighth graders Aiden Schmitt (clarinet) and Kauree Bennett (alto saxophone) and seventh grader Madison Kilgore (tuba).
“I am incredibly proud of this group of students,” Magazine band director Ashley Love said. “They love to perform and have put in countless hours to make their sound and style full of quality found in the best of musicians.”
At the State Concert Assessment, bands are judged on similar criteria to that of the Region Concert Assessment – tone, articulation, rhythm and tempo, precision, technique, style, balance, phrasing, expression and dynamics.
“There is an approved list of (song) titles we must choose from,” Love explained. “And, all bands must perform one march.”
The only other River Valley area bands to earn First Division honors were: the Fort Smith Southside Maverick Philharmonic Orchestra (Class 7A), Russellville and Van Buren (Class 6A), the Dardanelle Wind Ensemble (Class 5A) and Ozark (Class 4A).
PHOTO INFORMATION
The Magazine Rattler Band received First Division honors during Wednesday’s State Concert Assessment at Cabot High School in Cabot. It is the first time the Rattler Band has received the prestigious ranking since 2001. Band members are (left to right) Madison Kilgore, Trinidy Harding, Briare Harding, Brock Gentry, Isaiah Ward, Aidan Schmitt, Allie Istre, Kauree Bennett, Kalynn Downs, Nat Ervin and band director Ashley Love.
Arkansas Hosts the Vols in Weekend SEC Series
FAYETTEVILLE – No. 5 Arkansas (26-7, 8-4 SEC) hosts defending SEC champion No. 16 Tennessee (23-10, 5-7 SEC) in a highly anticipated series this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium.
First pitch in the opener of the three-game set between the Razorbacks and Volunteers is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, April 14, on SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Kyle Peterson (analyst) on the call. Games two and three will stream on SEC Network+ with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 16, respectively.
Arkansas enters this weekend’s series with an 8-4 SEC record. The Razorbacks have started 8-4 or better in SEC play for six consecutive seasons, which marks the best stretch of starting 8-4 or better in SEC play since LSU did it from 1991-98.
Schedule
Friday, April 14
Tennessee vs. #5 Arkansas – 7 p.m. – SEC Network – Listen – Live Stats
Saturday, April 15
Tennessee vs. #5 Arkansas – 6 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
Sunday, April 16
Tennessee vs. #5 Arkansas – 2 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
On the Mound
Friday, April 14
Tennessee RHP Andrew Lindsey (0-1, 2.01 ERA) vs. Arkansas LHP Hunter Hollan (5-1, 3.00 ERA)
Saturday, April 15
Tennessee TBA vs. Arkansas TBA
Sunday, April 16
Tennessee TBA vs. Arkansas TBA
Tune In
Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Kyle Peterson (analyst) will have the call of Friday’s primetime game on SEC Network. Brett Dolan (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst) will have the call of Saturday and Sunday’s games on SEC Network+.
The entire series can also be heard on the Razorback Sports Network from Learfield, including locally in Fayetteville on 92.1 FM or through the Razorback app, with Phil Elson (play-by-play) and Bubba Carpenter (analyst) on the call. A full list of radio affiliates is available here.
Series History
Arkansas is 39-28 all-time against Tennessee, including a 19-10 record in games played in Fayetteville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks are 27-14 overall against the Volunteers, including a 12-5 mark at home.
The Hogs have not dropped a regular-season weekend series against the Volunteers since 2005, Van Horn’s third season at the helm of the program. Arkansas, which has not lost a series to Tennessee in Fayetteville since 1996, most recently swept the Vols at Baum-Walker Stadium in 2019, the last time the two programs met on the diamond in Fayetteville.
Homerin’ Hogs
Entering Friday’s series opener, Arkansas has homered in an NCAA-leading 29 consecutive games. The Razorbacks, who have homered in all but two of their 33 contests this season, have cranked 50 home runs during their 29-game streak.
The NCAA record for consecutive games with a homer is held by LSU (77 games) and spanned parts of three seasons from June 8, 1996, to Feb. 21, 1998.
For the year, Arkansas has belted 56 home runs in 33 games, led by Jared Wegner’s team-high 12 home runs. Five Hogs have swatted five or more homers: Wegner (12), Kendall Diggs (8), Jace Bohrofen (8), Caleb Cali (5) and Tavian Josenberger (5).
Strong SEC Start
Excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Arkansas has started 8-4 or better in SEC play for six consecutive seasons. It marks the best stretch of starting 8-4 or better in SEC play since LSU did it from 1991-98.
2017: 8-4 start / 18-11, 2nd SEC West
2018: 8-4 start / 18-12, T-1st SEC West
2019: 8-4 start / 20-10, T-1st SEC West
2020: N/A
2021: 9-3 start / 22-8, SEC Champions
2022: 8-4 start / 18-12, 2nd SEC West
2023: 8-4 start / TBD
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.
Wet spring, warm outlook set stage for frog hunting
Frog hunting usually requires one person to keep a steady light on the quarry and the other to do the gigging.
Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications
Regular bouts of rain may have kept many gardens on hold during the last few weeks, but they’ve filled most backwaters and ponds just in time for folks who get excited about opening night of frog gigging.
Arkansas’s frog hunting season runs from noon April 15 until midnight Dec. 31 each year. In Arkansas, only bullfrogs may be harvested, and the limit is 18 frogs per day, measured from noon one day until noon the next day.
There are relatively few rules for frog hunting, but you do need a fishing license to be legal. Guns are not allowed to harvest frogs, but most people opt for long multitined spears called gigs to capture their frogs. Nets and arrows also may be used, or if you’re stealthy enough and have a sure grip you may want to give grabbing the frogs bare-handed a shot.
No matter which method you use, frogging requires you to get as close as possible to your target, which means your best bet is to go at night.
Frogging is often a two-person hunt. One will navigate a small flat-bottomed boat or canoe while the other is designated as the grabber or gigger. The boat captain will scan the shoreline with a spotlight watching for the frog’s bright yellow glowing eyes to shine back and give up its location. From there the pair will ease into striking range of the frog while keeping the light on it, which bewilders the quarry long enough to take a shot at gigging it.
Be sure to scan the bushes along the banks before making an approach on any frog. Plenty of spiders set up shop along the shore’s edge to catch their prey, and the webs can be a pain. Snakes also climb into low-hanging branches of brush along the water’s edge. Many tales of men walking on the water during a frog-gigging trip begin with a snake falling into the boat. While most water snakes are not venomous, it doesn’t make it any less frightening when one plops in the boat next to you.
Some froggers work with bows and arrows, usually the bowfishing type with the arrows connected by fishing line to a reel on the bow. A good bow shooter can take frogs from a greater distance than a gigger can, but the target is small, and the lighting can be tricky.
Frogs in Arkansas are plentiful, but finding them is a major part of the game. Oxbows in the Delta are typically the best locations for a frog hunt, but a few lily pad-rich lakes and backwaters also offer plenty of bullfrogs for a good hunt. As with most other types of hunting, scouting good locations and putting in some “leg work” is key to a successful outing.
Cleaning the frogs after a night of gigging is relatively simple. Cut it in half just above the waist, then peel down the skin from the legs with a pair of pliers. Snip off the bottom feet and the legs are ready to be grilled or rolled in your favorite breading and fried.
Bulldogs down Tigers 11-1
In Non-Conference action the Greenwood Bulldogs Baseball team hosted Charleston on Thursday night.
It took five innings of baseball to decide the winner between Charleston and Greenwood. The Bulldogs would take the win 11-1. Greenwood came into the contest 12-5 and 8-0 in conference. Earlier this week the ‘Dogs took care of business against Siloam Springs, beating the Panthers 12-0 in the first game and then 2-0 in the second game.
Starting pitcher on the night was Senior Hunter Houston pitched 4 innings allowing one hit, one run, and one strikeout in his time on the mound. Junior Austin Mitchell saw action in the top of the 5th not giving giving up any hits. His time would be short lived as Greenwood would finish off the game in the bottom of the 5th.
Harrison Adams would get the first of 7 hits for the Bulldogs getting a single. A deep hit to right field from Sophomore Grant Karnes would result in Harrison Adams getting across the plate. The speedy Karnes would get to third on the play. An errant pitch from Charleston and a quick run from Grant Karnes would put the ‘Dogs on top 2-0 before the side retired.
Harrison Adams would get the second hit of the night with another single. Sophomore Scott Holland would make it to home plate to make it 3-0. Senior Dawson Holt would sprint from 3rd to get Greenwood their 4th score. A single that quickly turned into double for the batter, would bring in Adams. Junior Braden Skaggs would hit a double that would bring in Grant Karnes and Brady Pettigrew putting the score 7-0 in the bottom of the 2nd.
Both sides would become relatively quiet after Charleston’s lone run in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom of the 4th the Tigers would get a double-play to retire Greenwood. Top of the 5th saw Austin Mitchell make his way to the mound. To not be out done, a hit to first base is caught by Brady Pettigrew, he tags the base then throws to 2nd Baseman Dawson Holt who gets the Tiger runner out completing their Double-Play. Charleston’s last batter strikes out to send them to the dugout.
Greenwood took over the bottom of the 5th to put the game away. A double from Weston Pschier, brings in Ashsin Vinci and Jaxon Cole to push the Greenwood lead to 9-1. With Harrison Adams at bat, Austin Bercher makes it to Home Plate. Another Adams single brings in Pschier with the score 11-1.
The game would end run ruled.
“First of all we had a really good crowd tonight. We haven’t played at home in awhile so I want to thank everybody for keeping in tune with what we are doing and showing up to watch us play. It’s been a road stretch for three weeks now.” Head Coach Brandon Brewer said.
“We put runs up, we took our bases when we had too, and had some discipline.” Coach Brewer said when talking about 11 runs on 7 hits. “I think we can turn it up a little bit more.”
A noticeable change in the team is the culture that is beginning to show not just with on the field play, but with off field as well. “We speak all the time about them raising their standards, and it is not just the standards of Baseball. We are talking about the standards of life. We start doing things right off the field it translates on the field. We have stressed hard about them going and taking care of their classwork. About working hard in the weight room. About being involved in the community. What happens is these kids grow up and they become citizens of Greenwood, and if we are really good at Baseball then that is the cherry on top.” said Coach Brewer
The Bulldogs will be in action again on Tuesday as they take on Conference foe Mountain Home in a double header. Game Times are 4:30 and 7:00 in Greenwood.
Greenwood Boys and Girls at halfway point of Conference
Tuesday night the Greenwood Bulldogs took on Harrison in a 5A West Conference match-up.
The Lady Bulldogs were in action first taking on the Lady Goblins. Harrison jumped out to an early lead and never looked back with the halftime score at 5-0. Greenwood would make adjustments at the half and get on the scoreboard with a goal from Madelyn Wilkinson. Harrison would tack on two more scores to end the game 7-1.
The Lady Bulldogs came into the match-up with Harrison after a 2-2 tie against Greenbrier on Thursday. That game saw Freshman Farah Crossno get both goals in the first half with one of the goals coming as time expired. It was setup by a corner kick from Abbigail Gatesman.
Currently the Lady Bulldogs sit 4th in Conference at 3-3-1 but a 6-3-1 record overall. The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Russellville on Friday to kickoff the second half of conference play.
The Varsity Boys took the field shortly after the Girls game ended. It was a defensive game for the first half as both teams took several shots on goal but Goal Keeper Brandon Coston would keep the Harrison Goblins scoreless after 80 minutes of play.
A Harrison penalty inside the Goal Keepers box saw Tucker Wooten attempt the penalty kick in the first half, it would be stopped be the Goal Keeper. Another penalty in the 2nd half would have Senior Steven Duran attempt a 2nd penalty kick and this one would go right past the Goblin defender. Greenwood would put the first points on the board with 29.49 left in the 2nd half. Several more saves by Coston would highlight the 2nd half as well as the defensive play from Hudson Meeker.
Ben Pschier would get a goal in traffic at the 22:10 mark in the 2nd. From there it was all defense as the Bulldogs hung on to win 2-0.
Coming into the game the Bulldogs had dropped a close 2-1 match against a very physical Greenbrier Panther team. Greenwood’s lone goal would come from Body Steinfeldt on a penalty kick that sailed perfectly over the Panther defense.
“I’m super proud we had a clean sheet (no goals allowed) too. We haven’t had many clean sheets lately.” Coach Tyler Woods said after the defensive showcase the Bulldogs displayed. “Kudos to Brandon Coston our Keeper, Carson Hobbs, Body Steinfeldt, Alex Pittman, Hudson Meeker, and Braycen Austin. He even subbed in at midfielder and saved a corner (kick) from going in”
“I’m super proud of them, that was a good win to build on. Hope we can build some momentum going into the 2nd half (of conference)” Coach Woods concluded.
The Bulldogs just as their Lady Bulldogs counterpart will travel to Russellville to take on the Cyclones on Friday. Russellville sits atop the Boys 5A West Conference at 5-0-1, while the Greenwood Bulldogs are 6th heading into Fridays match up with a 2-4-1 Conference record. The Bulldogs are 6-5-2 overall.
Youth turkey hunt tops seven-year slump
Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications
Excellent weather and receptive birds welcomed Arkansas’s youth hunters and the young guns did not disappoint. According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s online checking system, hunters aged 6-15 harvested 1,068 turkeys during last weekend’s two-day youth hunt, the first time the harvest has exceeded 1,000 since 2016.
The harvest eclipsed the 2022 special youth hunt harvest of 887 by 19 percent. This continues the upward trend from 821 turkeys harvested during the same hunt in 2021.
Jeremy Wood, AGFC turkey program coordinator, said the harvest increase was welcome news and follows the same trend as last year’s turkey brood surveys.
“Even though last year’s reproduction really won’t come into play until next season when those birds are adult gobblers, there was still improved reproduction the year before and light winds gave us a great opening hunt,” Wood said. “You couldn’t have asked for better weather.”
Wood said the online checking system may still record a handful of birds from late checks, but the majority of the checked harvest has been tallied.
“It typically takes two days for the different checking methods to be compiled and loaded into the system, so I’m pretty confident we’re going to be pretty close to the final number for the hunt now,” Wood said.
Youth hunters checked 756 turkeys on Saturday and 312 turkeys on Sunday. Although a few complaints arose about the hunt occurring on Easter weekend, the decline in harvest followed the same pattern as most youth hunts. The drop between the first and second days is common during the hunt for two reasons, Wood said.
“That first morning, hunters have had a couple of days to scout and be prepared to work an unpressured bird, so they’re going to see greater initial success,” Wood said. “Also, because youths are only allowed one turkey during the youth hunt, those who were successful on day one aren’t going for a second bird until the regular season opens next week.”
Although the timing may have been unfortunate for a few hunters, the hunt is based on the biology of the birds. Turkeys do not reach their peak breeding window until mid-April across most of Arkansas, and the regular season needs to occur after that point to allow as many hens to be bred as possible before hunting disturbance begins. Timing the youth hunt nine days before the regular season is needed to allow the birds some rest to again resume normal activities before opening day.
“Ideally, we don’t want any harvest before the peak of breeding and nest initiation, but the youth hunt is very important for recruiting young hunters and allowing them to get some success early in their hunting careers,” Wood said.
If this season follows recent harvest trends, turkey fanatics have a lot to get excited for. According to Wood, the youth hunt typically accounts for 10 percent of the overall season harvest. A good youth hunt may indicate increased harvest throughout the regular season, weather permitting.
Wood said the vast majority of the birds harvested so far have been mature gobblers, which also bodes well for the future.
“About 90 percent of all immature gobblers harvested in a season usually come from the youth hunt because youth hunters are the only ones allowed to take them,” Wood said. “A large portion of last year’s hatch should still be on the ground at the end of this season. Those will be mature gobblers next year and beyond.”