THE FLIP SIDE

List of celebrations growing to mark Game & Fish 100 years

The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission is having one of those birthdays that ends in zero. Not just one zero, but two.

Big plans are shaping up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission on March 14. There will be plenty to see and do at fish hatcheries and nature centers around the state, including three in our region.

Festivities are planned from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery at Centerton, the Ponca Elk Education Center and the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Nature Center in Fort Smith.

Heath Dake at the Centerton hatchery nearly got winded reading the list of activities in Centerton set for March 14.

There will be an archery range and air gun range, plus all kinds of information booths staffed by fish or wildlife biologists and other nature experts with Game & Fish. Tours of the fish hatchery are planned, Dake said.

Ever wonder how biologists study the game fish at Beaver Lake? Electrofishing boats, nets, seines and more will be on display. Jon Stein, our regional fisheries biologist, will be available to talk fishing and fish management with visitors. Stein isn't only a scientist among fish, he's an avid angler who fishes Beaver Lake and the region's streams.

Wildlife biologists will have bear traps on hand that they use to trap and relocate nuisance bears. The black bear population in Northwest Arkansas is growing rapidly and biologists can explain why.

Mark Hutchings, the area's private-land biologist with Game & Fish, will be there to show landowners what they can do to create better wildlife habitat on their property.

Down the interstate at Fort Smith, canoeing and kayaking will be part of the centennial celebration at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Nature Center. Visitors may try out various paddlecraft from noon to 2 p.m., said Kelly Mulvihill, manager.

A hike is planned for 10 a.m. that will last from 30 to 60 minutes. Fish feeding in the center's aquarium takes place at 2 p.m. Minnows are on the menu for game fish in the aquarium, Mulvihill said. A Game & Fish hunter education course will be taught from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ponca Elk Education Center will have centennial festivities on March 14. A call to the center on Wednesday wasn't answered, possibly because of slick highways in the Buffalo River area.

Game & Fish will give away 100 commemorative caps at all locations that are part of the celebration.

Centennial souvenirs are available now and may be ordered online at the Game & Fish website. Shirts, hats, license plates and books are available.

A 100th birthday bash takes lots of planning. More activities could be added as the big day draws near. Circle March 14 on the calendar and help celebrate the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission centennial.

Flip Putthoff may be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

Sports on 02/19/2015

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