Hunting proponents propose upland stamp
Two upland bird hunting enthusiasts have proposed establishing a federal upland stamp to conserve upland habitat.
Brian Koch, founder of Ultimate Upland, an online bird hunting community, and outdoor columnist Christine Cunningham have introduced a petition to create an upland bird stamp modeled after the highly successful federal duck stamp. Koch and Cunningham co-authored the article, It’s Time for The Federal Upland Stamp, to voice concerns regarding the declining upland bird habitat in the United States and create an opportunity to highlight the cultural value of upland game species to broader audiences.
“The goal of the Federal Upland Stamp is to build a new program to reverse the losses of upland habitat and the resulting negative impacts to the numerous species of wildlife that exist in those spaces,” Koch said. “We believe bird hunters should take charge of a new conservation measure that places an emphasis on stewardship.”
The petition will survey wildlife enthusiasts on proposed stamp costs and how to utilize funds generated by an upland stamp managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the petition is successful, Koch and Cunningham plan to work with federal agencies, members of Congress and conservation organizations to create the stamp.
“When we talk about the most serious threats to hunting today, the most critical issue hunters’ face is loss of habitat,” Cunningham said. “Grassland bird species have suffered steep declines over the last 50 years. Recent listings and the nationwide scope of the problem make conservation a priority. An upland stamp does not just provide funds toward conservation, it will highlight the value of upland birds to a wider audience.”
More information is available at uplandstamp.org or on Ultimate Upland’s Facebook page.
Upgrades at Norfork hatchery
A five-month project to replace drain lines at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery will begin Wednesday, but the facility will remain open to the public.
The hatchery is below Norfork Dam, about 11 miles southeast of Mountain Home. Water from its raceways feed Dry Run Creek, which flows into the North Fork of the White River.
The hatchery’s drain lines were replaced in 1984. In 1993, an additional aerator and water supply line increased the water flow from 18,000 gallons per minute to 22,000 gallons per minute and stress from the higher pressure causes the old lines to leak. As a result, the soil around the lines is eroding and some of the hatchery’s roads are also collapsing.
The hatchery will continue to raise fish while the drain lines are being replaced.
Opened in 1957, Norfork National Fish Hatchery is a cold-water hatchery established to raise trout for restocking areas impacted by construction of dams, primarily in the tailwaters of Norfork and Bull Shoals.
AGFC closes lot at Holland Bottoms
Because of increased dumping of waste materials, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will temporarily close the access road leading to the Graham Road parking lot on Holland Bottoms Wildlife Management Area. The lot is located on south boundary of the WMA.
In the past month, crews from the AGFC have hauled away more than four trailer loads of items such as carpet, furniture and concrete. The gate will be reopened during the turkey permit hunts and again Sept. 1.