Make those ‘first deer’ memories last with a certificate from AGFC
By Randy Zellers
Last weekend’s youth hunt will be a milestone in many young hunters’ lives as they harvest their first white-tailed deer in Arkansas. Reward their enthusiasm with a certificate they can display with pride.
Keith Stephens, chief of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Communications Division, said the certificates serve as one more way to say, “Welcome to the hunting community.”
“It’s not just for youths either,” Stephens said. “We’ve had many adults who have taken their first deer during one of the AGFC’s mentored hunts, as well as people who just want to remember their first deer after going through the process to get their licenses and hunter education and learning how to do it. The certificates are very popular.”
Just visit www.agfc.com/freepubs and download the certificate you want. There’s a version that allows you to place your own image in the layout to personalize the certificate, as well as a version with an image of a deer in the field, just in case you forgot to get a picture of your own in all the excitement of the first harvest.
Fill out the document online, print it and present it to the successful hunter.
“The certificates have been so popular that we added more fillable certificates to honor some of the other ‘firsts’ in the hunting and fishing world,” Stephens said. “We have versions for a person’s first bear, rabbit, squirrel, dove and fish, too.”
Arkansas’s modern gun deer hunting season Opened Nov. 8
By Randy Zellers
An estimated 290,000 people, enough to fill Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville more than four times, headed to the woods this year in search of a deer, and many of them will be celebrating their first hunt of the year this weekend with the opening of Arkansas’s modern gun deer hunting season.
Arkansas’s deer season is split into several segments, with hunters having already harvested and checked more than 47,700 deer so far during archery season, alternative firearms season and last weekend’s youth deer hunt. Those early seasons are only appetizers compared to modern gun season, which opens Saturday, Nov. 8. Historically, deer hunters have checked more than 30,000 deer in the two-day weekend opener.
Staff at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission expect many hunting camps will extend their opening weekend even further with the Veterans’ Day holiday falling on the Tuesday after opening weekend.
Here are a few things hunters should double-check before hitting the woods Saturday morning:
- Be sure your hunting license is up-to-date and you’ve downloaded your free deer tags through the AGFC’s website or mobile app. If you’ve purchased your license this year, the tags should automatically show up, but youth hunters and lifetime license holders may still need to download theirs. The AGFC has a web page devoted to all the instructions you’ll need to get going on the app at www.agfc.com/licensingsupport.
- Make sure your firearm is legal for the zone or WMA you are hunting. Hunters in Deer Zones 4 and 5 and a few wildlife management areas are restricted to shotguns .410 and larger with slugs, muzzleloaders, rifles firing straight-walled cartridges .30-caliber or larger and legal air rifles. A complete list of legal hunting equipment is available on Page 48 of the 2025-26 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.
- Be sure to check the AGFC’s chronic wasting disease zones and testing locations. Only deboned meat, cleaned skulls, antlers and finished taxidermy may legally leave CWD zones. Testing your deer is free and voluntary through the AGFC’s network of drop-off locations and taxidermists. Learn more at www.agfc.com/cwd.
- Make sure you have your Hunter Education card or have “HE-Verified” in your license account through the AGFC’s website or app. Hunter Education is required of every hunter 16 and older who was born after 1968. Hunters under 16 and hunters who have a “Deferred Education Code (code DHE in the AGFC license system) may still hunt but must remain within arm’s reach of a licensed hunter. Visit www.agfc.com/huntered to learn more about hunter education requirements and options to take the course.
- Wear your blaze orange or safety chartreuse. By law, all hunters and mentors must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or safety chartreuse above the waist AND a blaze orange or safety chartreuse hat, and both must be visible outside your coats and other clothes at all times. Orange is required even if inside a blind. Accidents can happen if you rush out to get your deer after the shot and don’t remember to put on the orange in all the excitement.
- Double-check all straps, welds and bolts on your tree stands to ensure they’re in good working order. Stands that have been up all year can deteriorate from the weather. Squirrels and other rodents will also gnaw at ratchet straps used to clamp the stand to the tree. Don’t wait until opening morning to check and replace a stand that will have you suspended 15-20 feet in the air.
- Get reacquainted with your safety harness. Figuring out that system of straps and buckles by the light of an open truck door can be a pain right before you go to the woods. Put it on at home and label it so that you know which strap goes where. Check the included tether and lineman’s belt to make sure those are in good condition and ready to go as well.
- Make sure someone responsible knows where you are and what time to expect you home. If you do have a spill from your stand or another issue, they may be your ticket to safety.
- Load the AGFC’s radio room number (833-356-0824) in your phone before you go. Game wardens are the most knowledgeable first responders in the woods, and you may need to call on one in the case of an emergency. It’s also handy to have a direct line to your local game warden should you need to report poaching activity. Visit www.agfc.com/enforcement to learn more about the many roles game wardens play in Arkansas.
- When you do shoot a deer, remember that it needs to be checked within 12 hours of harvest. If you have a cellular signal where you shot it, you can check the deer via phone, website or smartphone app before moving it. As long as the deer stays within your immediate person, you don’t have to tag it with a physical tag. If you cannot check the deer immediately, make a tag using any piece of paper and indicate your name, the CID from your hunting license, the sex of the animal and the date, time and county of harvest. This tag must stay with the deer until checked. If you plan to drop a checked deer off at a deer processor, deer camp or taxidermist, be sure to make a tag to leave with the animal. Examples of deer tags and carcass tags can be found on pages 115-121 of the 2025-26 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.
Obituary – RJ Dale Slater (2002 – 2025)
RJ Dale Slater, age 23, of Waldron, Arkansas, passed away on November 5, 2025. He was born on August 3, 2002, to Roger Dale Slater and Raelene Faye Boehm Slater.
RJ grew up with a deep love for the outdoors. He found his greatest joy in fishing, hunting, running dogs, and attending field trials. His passion for the land and animals reflected his generous spirit and appreciation for simple, meaningful moments.
RJ is survived by his siblings, Abigail Slater of Waldron, Bella Slater of Waldron, Joe Slater of Waldron, half-sister Nisa Lander of Virginia, and half-brother Christian Lander of Waldron. He is also survived by his grandmother Sandra Glade (Dale) of Y City and Patrick Boehm of Decatur, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by Barbara Slater and Lee Jo Slater, who now welcome him with open arms.
RJ’s memory will live on through the love he shared, the laughter he brought, and the countless adventures he enjoyed under open skies.
The family will host a private memorial celebration of life at a later date.
Obituary – Neil Cherry (1939 – 2025)
Neil Quincy Cherry, 86, of Waldron, Arkansas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, as their voices joined together singing the old hymns he cherished, Neil peacefully left this world, eager to meet his Savior face to face.
Neil was born on November 2, 1939, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Herbert Douglas Cherry and Ollie Irene (Rodgers) Cherry. With his father serving in the U.S. Navy, Neil’s early years took him to Washington, D.C., San Diego, and several other places before the family settled in Waldron, Arkansas, where he grew up and became a lifelong resident.
On December 22, 1957, Neil married the love of his life, Wanda Jean (Hawkins) Cherry. Together they shared 67 wonderful years and raised five children: Neil Russell, Elizabeth Denise “Beth”, Tammy Amelia, Randal Vernan “Randy”, and Quincy Brett.
Neil served his country with great pride in both the U.S. Army and the Arkansas National Guard for a combined service of ten years. He was deeply patriotic and loved his country. In 1974, he opened Cherry Auto Parts in Waldron, where he worked faithfully until 2001, becoming a trusted friend and familiar face to nearly everyone in town. While in business he demonstrated his heart for helping people. No matter when the phone rang, whether in the middle of the night or Christmas morning, he’d grab his keys, open the parts store, and make sure everyone from loggers to locals had what they needed to get their job done.
In 2015, his love for his community led him to serve as Mayor of Waldron, continuing his lifelong mission of helping others.
Neil was a man who truly lived his faith. He was one of the founders of Manna Ministries, served as President of the Waldron School Board, President of the Downtown Merchants Association, Board Member of the Scott County Senior Citizen Center, President of GCE, and was a devoted church deacon of First Baptist Church. His faith in God guided everything he did, and his kindness, generosity, and servant’s heart left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.
To his family, friends, and community, Neil was affectionately known as Pop, and he truly was everyone’s Pop. Even in his final days, the nurses who cared for him lovingly called him by that name. His warmth, humor, and love for people made him someone others were naturally drawn to. Pop’s life was a living example of faith, humility, and love. He didn’t just talk about God’s love-he showed it in the way he lived and the way he treated everyone around him.
Woodworking became one of Pop’s greatest passions. After retiring, he spent countless hours in his shop creating beautiful pieces by hand, each one made with care and pride. In recent years, he especially enjoyed making clocks and lamps-treasures that now grace many homes throughout Waldron as a reminder of his skill and generosity.
Neil’s life was a living testimony to the scripture;
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
He is survived by his beloved wife, Wanda Jean Cherry; daughters Beth Self (Bruce) and Tammy Thompson (Roger); sons Randy Cherry (Cynthia) and Brett Cherry (Robin); grandchildren Amelia Sanford (Josh), Bobby Cherry, Dustin Faber, JoBeth Hilliard (Shane), Blake Cherry, Brandy Cherry, Tommi Ellis, Austin Holloway (Macie), Ajay Cherry, and Piper Cherry; 19 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; as well as 2 nieces Jalene Newborn Casias and Shanon Newborn Hodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Irene Cherry; his son Neil Russell Cherry; his sisters Carolyn Cherry and Sharon Cherry Newborn (Paul); and his son-in-law Tommy Ellis.
Neil will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his love of family, his deep sense of duty, and his lifelong desire to serve others. His legacy of love and service will live on in the countless lives he touched.
Neil’s celebration of life will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 10, 2025 at the Waldron First Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Crow and Rev. Ken Overturf officiating.
Neil’s visitation will be Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Memorial/Monetary donations may be made to Manna Ministries of Waldron or Scott County Senior Citizens Center.
State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice
Little Rock – Student enrollment continues to grow at most colleges and universities throughout the state. Retention and graduation rates are also continuing to rise. The University of Arkansas Systems total Fall 2025 headcount was 71,705 students, an increase of 2,000 students from last fall.
Key figures include record enrollments at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with over 34,000 students and Arkansas State University with almost 18,000 students enrolled. Arkansas Community Colleges also saw overall increases in enrollment, with the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton showing a 23 percent jump.
This is the fifth consecutive year, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville has set an overall enrollment record with 34,175 students for the Fall 2025 semester. The highest enrollment in the university’s history.
Arkansas State University is celebrating a record-breaking student body this fall with 11th-day enrollment count surging to 17,926. Fueled by the largest freshman class ever with 2,222 first-year students, a 12 percent increase compared to last year.
Arkansas Tech University recorded an 8 percent increase in total enrollment this fall with a 13 percent increase in transfer students and 6 percent increase in graduate students.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences had a 6.4 percent increase in enrollment for Fall 2025.
This fall, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock had a minor increase in overall enrollment with approximately 7,011 students, after achieving their largest increase in enrollment in 20 years in Fall 2024. Freshman enrollment saw a sizable gain with a 33.3 percent increase from Fall 2024.
Henderson State University’s Fall 2025 enrollment was 2,258 students, a 9 percent increase from the previous year. This includes 572 first-time freshmen, a 46 percent increase, plus 196 transfer students, a 32 percent increase.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the system’s only historically black college, had a slight decline from Fall 2024 enrollment, although graduate student enrollment increased by 4 percent over last year. Furthermore, the university was recently awarded a $2 million grant from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to launch PRIDE RISES — Prioritizing Recruitment to Innovate and Drive Enrollment for improvements.
Notable increases at public two-year colleges grew from Fall 2024 with UA-East Arkansas Community College, Forest City saw a record-breaking enrollment of 1,566 students for Fall 2025, a 11.2 percent increase over the previous year. This is a new high for the college, which had 1,399 students in Fall 2024. North Arkansas College in Harrison saw a 4.9 percent increase in its student headcount to 2,190 for the fall 2025 semester, up from 2,087 the previous year. For the third consecutive year, UA Hope-Texarkana had a fall-to-fall enrollment increase which climbed by 7.7 percent. Black River Technical College, Pocahontas saw a 1 percent drop in Fall 2025 enrollment, although they welcomed 253 first-time freshmen and had a 12.6 percent increase in Career and Technical Center enrollment. Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff had a decrease by 1 student and ASU Three Rivers in Malvern saw a slight decrease of 1.6 percent from the previous year.