Mobility-impaired deer hunt scheduled
The White River National Wildlife Refuge, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation will hold a special deer hunt Dec. 9-11 for mobility-impaired hunters at the Potlatch Conservation Education Center at Cook’s Lake near Casscoe.
The hunters will be chosen in a random drawing and participants will be invited to stay at the lodge at Cook’s Lake. All meals and lodging will be free.
Each morning, hunters will be taken to a hydraulic lift stand or a ground blind where they may stay all day or be picked up for lunch.
To qualify, applicants must have a permanent physical condition that severely impairs mobility and requires the assistance from a wheelchair, braces, crutches or other similar aids of mobility.
Applicants will be required to have their physician sign the application to verify that the person meets the mobility-impaired definition.
To apply, contact Wesley Howard at (870) 282-8249 for an application. The deadline is August 15. Selected hunters will be contacted by USFWS staff.
Youth fishing derby at DeGray State Park
DeGray Lake Resort State Park and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a free fishing derby for children 12 and younger today from 8 a.m. to noon at golf course pond No. 7, which will be stocked with more than 200 channel catfish.
Trophies will be awarded for places first through fifth for the heaviest stringer containing up to 10 fish for ages 5-8 and 9-12. Door prizes will be drawn hourly.
Participants should bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, drinking water, umbrellas, bait and tackle. Adults may help, but may not fish themselves. One pole per child will be allowed.
Parking will be available across from the horse stables and registration will be at the welcome table.
The park is located off Arkansas 7 between Hot Springs and Arkadelphia, 6 miles north of Interstate 30 at Caddo Valley (exit 78).
Contact the park visitor center at (501) 865-5810 or visit degray.com.