STUTTGART — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has approved a $72.9 million budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
Commissioners also on Thursday passed a minute order requesting that commission director Loren Hitchcock postpone his June 30 retirement and continue as the agency's director until a new director is hired.
Commission members discussed the dove season, which is the unofficial opening of the state's fall hunting season, and early migratory bird seasons.
Proposed dates include Sept. 1 through Oct. 25 and Dec. 26 through Jan. 9 for the mourning dove and Eurasian collared dove; Sept. 8 through Sept. 23 for the teal and Sept. 8 through Nov. 16 for the rail season.
The early Canada Goose season is tentative set for Sept. 1 through Sept. 15.