If you're an experienced trapper or want to learn about trapping, you can get immersed at the Arkansas Trappers Association's spring convention Saturday at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Hampton.
The Hampton Motel, 554 Lee St. in Hampton or (870) 798-2755, will be the host lodge, but those with recreational vehicles can stay at the Silver Eagle RV Park, which offers power and water hookups. Primitive camping also is available.
Wayne Watson of Fayetteville, a member of the Arkansas Trappers Association District 1, said the event allows trappers to socialize and discuss the previous season, and to watch trapping demonstrations from some of the best trappers in Arkansas.
"The convention will also be a place to replace any trapping supplies used this past season, as vendors will be there will anything one would need for trapping, from beginner to professional," Watson said.
Conventioneers will be able to attend a variety of workshops and demonstrations. Danny Rowland will have a workshop on edible roots and herbs. Paul Rhodes will give an otter-trapping workshop, and Wayne Daniels will give a bobcat trapping workshop. Jeff Deneer will hold a beaver trapping workshop.
As always, there will be live and silent auctions, and door prizes will be awarded. You can also buy Arkansas Trappers Association T-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, cookbook and other merchandise.
Trapping is a constitutional right in Arkansas under Amendment 88. It is an ecologically friendly conservation tool that is vital to the conservation of many kinds of wildlife besides fur bearers. Quail, turkeys, waterfowl and all other ground nesting birds benefit from the regulated control of fur bearers.
Admission to the convention is free. You can join the Arkansas Trappers Association at the convention.
Call Tim Ross at (870) 678-3473 for more information.
NWTF banquet moved
Because of overwhelming response, the Conway chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its banquet Tuesday at the Conway Armory.
The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Michael Waddell, host of the Bone Collector and RealTree Road Trips programs on The Outdoor Channel, will be the featured speaker at the event. He appears at a limited number of venues each year, and a spiked demand for tickets required a bigger venue.
We are told that a limited number of tickets are still available online at powderhook.com/cards/6690-nwtf-toad-suck-limbhangers-hhb-event-conway-arkansas/join. Admission is $50 for singles, $60 for couples and $275 for sponsor couples.
The banquet is the chapter's primary fundraising event and will feature live and silent auctions, and door prizes. More than 30 firearms and more than 50 YETI products will be auctioned. Tickets purchased before May 4 will be entered in the Mega Yeti Giveaway.
For more information, contact Justin Bryant at (501) 733-3707 or Andy Quinn at (501) 253-4882.
Arkansas elites
Stephen Browning of Hot Springs finished 22nd to win $10,000 at the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament Saturday at Lake Eufaula in Alabama.
He weighed in 15 bass over three days that scaled 43 pounds, 13 ounces. His daily catches weighed 16-11, 12-13 and 14-5, respectively.
Kevin Short of Mayflower finished 34th and was the only other Arkansan to place in the top 50. His three-day weight was 42-6, for which he earned $10,000, as well.
Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., won the tournament with 68 pounds, 9 ounces.
Maumelle monster
Weather and water conditions have helped produce some fabulous fishing around the state this spring.
Roger McGoarty of Cabot caught a largemouth bass at Maumelle recently that weighed 11 pounds, 11 ounces. He said he caught it with a 10-inch worm next to a rock off a main-lake point in about 2 feet of water.
Also, we heard from a source that a fisheries crew for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently weighed, measured and released a 19-pound largemouth bass during an electrofishing survey at a public lake. That would smash the state record. This same survey produced numerous bass in the 6-8 pound range.
It would be irresponsible to direct a statewide audience to such a small water body, so it shall remain nameless. It is a sterling example of what an angler can experience at small AGFC lakes, though. Our state-record black crappie was caught at Lake Wilhelmina, and Lake Dunn would have broken our largemouth bass record in 2012 if the guy that caught it had been fishing with a license.
Sports on 05/14/2015