LITTLE ROCK — All right, that does it.
Until my luck changes, we’re not running any more pictures of kids who have killed bigger deer than I have this year.
Of course, this would seem to exclude about 90 percent of the state’s youth hunters, judging by the volumes of photos sitting in my digital storage file.
Seriously, 2009 seems to have been a great year for deer hunting across the state, and it’s great to see all these photos of happy youngsters basking in the moment of a lifetime. It’s our privilege to share these moments with our readers, and we’ll try to publish them all in our Sportsman of the Week corner.
Something I haven’t seen much of this year are photos of happy duck hunters, but then again, those folks are a lot more secretive about what they do and where they do it. However, I have heard some great reports, but as usual, the quality of your hunting depends entirely on where you are.
In short, the ducks have been in the flooded timber since about Dec. 10, according to a duck hunting fanatic relative who has hunted all but three days this year. He belongs to two clubs that lease fields near Humnoke, but he said ducks haven’t been in the fields this year.
Another friend who prefers to remain unnamed has had some great hunts in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge.
Frank Martin of Sherwood sent some pictures from a hunt he enjoyed recently near Humnoke. He was among a group of five that killed 12 mallards, four gadwalls and an unwise white-fronted goose that flew too low. The day before, a different group of four hunters killed 20 ducks, including four limits of mallards and some gadwalls.
“I’ve hunted all the way from Raft Creek Bottoms in White County down to southeastern Arkansas County,” Martin wrote. “There are incredible amounts of ducks in the Raft Creek area. I would think they would be doing very well in the Steve Wilson WMA, although I can’t say I have heard a ton of shooting in there. The ducks are all around it, for sure.”
There aren’t many ducks on Lake Dardanelle, yet. Alan Thomas of Russellville said there is enough to keep small groups of hunters busy, but it’s important to hit when you shoot because opportunities are comparatively sparse.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gets some credit this year for setting the duck season to coincide with the year’s first massive migration. So far, it’s up there with our best.
FLY-FISHING BENEFIT
The White River fly-fishing community is fighting for one of its own by establishing the Tiffany Johnson Benefit Fund.
This fund will provide financial assistance for Tiffany Johnson, who is battling multiple brain tumors. Tiffany’s husband is Chad Johnson, a fishing guide and employee of TJBF Flies of Cotter.
On Jan. 23, the Swallows Nest Fly Tyers and the Mountain River Fly Shop will host a fly-tying marathon and raffle to raise funds for the Tiffany Johnson Fund. Several notable fly-tyers from the area, including Dave Whitlock, Davy Wotton and Charlie Craven, will attend from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each fly-tyer will donate three signature flues, along with a letter of documentation, which will be added to the prize pool at the auction. The first-prize winner at the auction will receive two flies from every donating fly-tyer.
The second- and third-prize winners will split the remaining prizes. Raffle tickets cost $5 each, or three tickets for $10 and are available at the Mountain River Fly Shop.
For information, contact the Mountain River Fly Shop at (870) 435-6166 or visit the shop’s Web site at http://mtnriverflyshop.com.
BEST RIFLE
Recently, the new Winchester Model 70 won the 2009-2010 Guns and Shooting Online Rifle Award.
From my limited experience with these guns, I agree that Winchester deserves the honor.
I believe that the Winchester Classic guns made from 1994-1998 are some of the finest rifles ever produced, but in terms of craftsmanship, these new Winchesters might be even better. Their actions are so slick that you can work them effortlessly with a pinky finger. The wood to metal finish is tight, and the checkering is sharp and well-defined.
My only complaint is with the muddy brown finish that Winchester uses on the wood. To really bring out the character of walnut, it needs a blond or auburn finish.
That’s a minor quibble to some, but it’s a big deal to me.
Sports, Pages 20 on 12/24/2009