With the opening of Arkansas’ Fall turkey season just a few days away, one commissioner on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission apparently had enough pull to convince three other commissioners that the Fall season needed to be canceled. With thousands upon thousands of Arkansas’ Hunting and Fishing Regulation Handbooks already printed and on store counters and in hunters‘ hands, no doubt there is going to be mass confusion and pandemonium in the turkey woods this Fall.
The first two questions that popped into my little blonde head upon hearing this news w
as #1 “Why in the heck did they do that?” And #2 “How can they legally prosecute someone who shoots a turkey during the Fall Season that did not know that the hunt had been canceled?”
Seems to me that when a hunter picks up the Arkansas Hunting Regulations handbook and turns to page 7 where it says, “Fall Turkey Season opens Oct. 1 for Archery and Oct. 26th for firearms”, he‘s going to take this as Legal and Binding and head straight to the woods in anticipation of having fried turkey for supper! However, that same camo-clad turkey hunter is going to be real surprised when he tags that turkey to discover it’s NOT a legal bird… even though he purchased and is carrying a Fall Turkey Tag and it states in the Handbook (page 7) that there is a Fall Turkey Season. And yes, I too have already bought my hunting license, have the handbook, and have that glorious Fall Turkey Tag packed neatly away in my hunting backpack…. And was definitely intending on using it!
According to what I have read, it appears that the commissioners voted 4-3 (sharply divided, huh?) to cancel the Fall season 
after several weeks of discussing it. It seems ridiculous to me that they would wait until the Regulation handbooks were already in print and in the hunters’ hands before deciding that maybe the Fall Turkey season should be canceled. Their reasoning for canceling the season seems to stem from Commissioner Emon Mahony's concern that the State has had bad hatches for several years in a row, mostly due to heavy Spring rains and he fears the State’s turkey population is declining. I do agree that we’ve had several bad hatches. However, this year the hatch was a great success and there have been hens with a large number of poults seen by many across this part of the State. In addition, there are studies which show that the Fall Turkey Hunting season has little impact, if any, on the turkey population.
Many believe that the commissioners that voted to have the Season closed should be relieved of their duties. It is also public knowledge that a gentleman has now filed a lawsuit against the AGFC because of their new ruling. I’m hearing lots of mixed opinions concerning this issue and most are appalled at the timing of the AGFC’s decision. 
I've heard questions asked like “I wonder how many folks purchased turkey hunting equipment and supplies for the turkey season? Wonder how many out-of-state individuals had made travel arrangements and bought out-of-state tags for the Season? How many Sporting Good Stores stocked up on turkey hunting supplies in anticipation of big sales and profits? “ Ouch! Are there a few folks upset? Yep and I believe they have every right to be. Our AGFC has once again let us, the hunters, down. If a season needs to be canceled.. Then cancel NEXT year’s Fall hunt. At least give us a timely notice.
There need to be some personnel changes at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. For those who are not aware, these commissioners get their positions because of their political connections, not because they are knowledgeable hunters or fishermen... Not because of their love and passion for the outdoors… and definitely not because 
of their education in biology. I’m not saying they don’t know diddly-squat, but it’s very apparent by the vote that cancelled this Fall’s Turkey Season… that somebody up there in the seat of Commissioner ain’t too bright. Where is the scientific data the commissioners used to base their decision? They did have some, didn’t they? Where are the State paid biologist’s reports? Is the Commission following the sound advice of these individuals that we trust to help preserve Arkansas’ wildlife for future generations?
A gobble in the distance brought my husband to full alert this morning while bow hunting whitetail from his favorite stand. He told me of seeing the Wild Eastern turkeys more than once throughout his morning hunt. He could only sit and admire them this morning and wait patiently for Spring. What a shame that one man, one commissioner, can bring so much turmoil and confusion to one State!
turkey photos by Wanda Garner Sept. 2009
