Polar Bear tournament near
The annual Polar Bear bass tournament will be Jan. 1 out of Prairie Creek park at Beaver Lake.
Fishing is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry fee is $65 per boat. Anglers may enter at Prairie Creek park on tournament morning.
Lakes see seasonal closure
Lake Fayetteville and Lake Sequoyah will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 14 for their seasonal closure.
Annual fishing permits may be purchased when the lakes reopen.
Hobbs adds eagle cruises
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area has set additional cruises for the holidays to see bald eagles at Beaver Lake.
Cruises take place this Friday and Saturday. Additional dates are Dec. 27-31 and Jan. 1.
Trips set sail at 3 p.m. aboard the park's 20-passenger pontoon boat. Trips last about 90 minutes. There is no restroom on the boat.
Cost is $10 for adults or $5 for children age 6-12. There's no charge for kids 6 and under.
Make reservations by calling the park visitor center, 479-789-5000.
Hill Hikers explore Bentonville
Ozark Hill Hikers, associated with the American Volkssport Association, will host a walk in Bentonville on Jan. 3. Walkers may choose a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer route.
Meet at Casey's General Store, 100 S.E. J St. between 9:30 and 10 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and is dubbed the "Sam Walton Walk" because it passes several of his landmarks.
Hikes kick start new year
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area is offering guided two guided hikes Jan. 1.
A one-half mile nature hike on the Sinking Stream Trail begins at 10 a.m. Hikers will meet in the Van Winkle parking lot on Arkansas 12.
Hikers can also meet in the Van Winkle parking lot at 2 p.m. for a one-half mile historic hike through what was the Peter Van Winkle sawmill community. The Van Winkle sawmill mill was the largest in the state during the 1870's, and the area is on the National Register of Historic Places. This trail is barrier-free..
For more information call 479-789-5000 or visit the website, friendsofhobbs.com.
Corps seeks park attendants
The Army Corps of Engineers seeks park attendants for the 2018 visitor season at Beaver Lake.
These paid positions include fee collectors, cleaning attendants or a combination of both. Park attendants are the primary point of contact for campers and day-use visitors.
For details contact Ranger Jared Trammell, 479-6363-1210 extension 1708, [email protected].
Naturalists offer training
Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists are taking applications for new member training.
Classes start Jan. 20 for Benton County, Jan. 24 for Carroll County and Jan. 27 for Washington and Madison counties. Benton, Washington and Madison county classes are on alternating Saturdays. Carroll County classes meet on Wednesdays with field time to be determined.
Cost is $135 for training and materials, plus $30 annual dues. Cost is $80 for a second household member if materials are shared, plus annual dues.
Over 60 hours of instruction are offered in areas such as wildlife, watersheds, geology, native and invasive species. Most classes combine classroom and field work.
For details visit wordpress.arkansasmasternaturalists.org or email [email protected].
Sports on 12/19/2017