Corps raises fees
The Army Corps of Engineers has raised some user fees at Beaver Lake.
The day-use fee was raised from $4 to $5. The cost of an annual pass will increase from $30 to $40, said Michael Hurley, chief ranger at Beaver Lake. Holders of America the Beautiful passes for senior citizens, active military and others are not charged a day-use fee.
The special event fee will also increase, but the amount has not been determined, he said. Fees for camping will not be raised.
Trout Unlimited sets banquet
The 30th annual Trout Unlimited Conservation Banquet and Auction will be held Friday at the Fayetteville Town Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30.
The event includes a live and silent auction, dinner catered by Spring Street Grill, cash bar, raffle items and a short awards program.
All profits go toward conservation efforts for cold water fisheries, particularly work on the White River below Beaver Dam. Tickets are $85 for a couple, $50 for an individual adult and $20 for youth tickets. Contact Ron Blackwelder at 713-819-6980 for advance tickets.
Audubon to bird
at Devil’s Den
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a birding trip to Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday that is part of the Great Backyard Bird County. Meet at 9 a.m. in the lower Devil’s Den Trail parking are on the south side of the Lee Creek bridge.
Birding experience or membership in Audubon isn’t necessary. Anyone interested is welcome. The trip will last two hours and involves slow, easy walking and lots of listening for birds. Trip leader is Joe Neal.
Volunteers sought
for trail work
Volunteers are needed for a trail maintenance day at on Saturday at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.
Meet at 8 a.m. at the maintenance facility at Arkansas 12 and War Eagle Road. Bring gloves, sturdy footwear, snacks and water. Duties include pruning, maintenance and drainage improvements. Volunteers may work as little or as long as they’d like.
Trail maintenance is held the second Saturday of each month. Volunteers are asked to contact maintenance coordinator Al Knox, 479-530-2458, so he will know how many workers to expect.
Trek explores
Highlands trail
The Ozark Highlands Trail Association will host a five-mile hike on Saturday on the Ozark Highlands Trail from Morgan Fields trail access to Indian Creek trail access.
Bring footwear appropriate for two wet creek crossings. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Harps store in Elkins near the gas pumps or at the Indian Creek trail access at 9:30 a.m.
A hike on Feb. 27 will cover five miles of the Ozark Highlands Trail through the Marinoni Scenic Area from Indian Creek trail access to Lick Branch trail access. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Harps store in Elkins or at 9:30 a.m. at the Indian Creek trail access.
Mike Lemaster is trip leader for both hikes. Register at miker. [email protected].
Duck hunting clinic set
Steve Dunlap, education coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will conduct a workshop on the fundamentals of duck hunting at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area’s visitor center.
Dunlap will cover many topics, including type of waders, decoys, blinds; proper guns and shells; duck calls and how to use them; what is a good hunting spot; and how do you clean a duck.
The visitor center is located on Arkansas 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. For more information call: 479-789-5000.
Longbeards
schedule banquet
The Benton County Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold their Hunter Heritage Banquet on March 5 at the Benton County Fairgrounds west of Bentonville.
Doors open at 4 p.m. The banquet is at 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per ticket or $65 for a couple. There will be a silent auction and drawings for guns and hunting gear.
Call James Pratt at 870-404-4188 or Carol Groves at 479-313-6564 for information and early tickets.