arkansas du news a r k a n s a s d u v o l u n t e e r n e ... · future for waterfowl across the...
TRANSCRIPT
spring event
season. I hope I
have the opportunity to visit with
many of you in my travels to your
events. If you have any concerns or
questions feel free to call or e-mail
me, and I will do my best to see
that your needs are met.
Matt Robinson
Arkansas State Chairman
I am honored to be serving as your
new Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
State Chairman. For those of you
who were able to attend state
convention this past February in
Little Rock, I hope you were as
pleased as I was! It was a great time
with family and friends, honoring
our success and a time to reflect on
our hardworking volunteers.
2014 is already off to a great start,
and I have a feeling we are going to
have a record-breaking year in
Arkansas. I've already attended
several great events and believe this
year's merchandise is a huge hit and
will help us increase bottom lines
across the state.
I encourage all of you to register
and attend the DU National
Convention in St. Louis. The
deadline is fast approaching, and
rooms are filling up quickly. If you've
never been to a national
convention, now is the time to get
in on the fun. There will be team-
building outings, informative
meetings and more. Information can
be found in this newsletter and on
the web at convention.ducks.org.
Also, work is underway on the
2015 Arkansas DU 365 Day Gun
Giveaway. Distribution will begin
the first week in May, and we will
get calendars to the district
chairmen to pass out as we did last
year. This giveaway has proven to
be an easy, fun and quick way to
add underwriting dollars to help
your events succeed.
I want to thank each and every one
of you for all your hard work - past,
present and future. I know together
as a team we can achieve the goals
we have set for this year. I am
looking forward to a successful
Glenn Pollard of Searcy has been
selected as the Arkansas Ducks
Unlimited Sponsor Artist of the
Year. The 2014 Sponsor print
entitled “Reydell Hole” features
mallards dropping into President
Dunklin’s favorite waterfowling
spot. The overall size of the
print is 29” x 22”.
Every paid Arkansas Bronze
Sponsor and above will receive a
copy of the print and the new
2014 Sponsor license plate.
State Chairman’s Corner INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
Chairman’s
Corner
1
Arkansas Sponsor
Program
1
State Convention
Highlights
2-3
President George H.
Dunklin, Jr.
4
Scenes from National
Convention -
Portland, Oregon
5-6
2014 National
Convention -
St. Louis, Missouri
7
2014 Arkansas
Greenwing Camp
8-9
Upcoming Events 10
AR DU 365 Day Gun
Giveaway
11
DU President’s Elite
& Top 100 Chapters
12
AR DU on Facebook
& Photo Contest
13
Arkansas DU
Super Raffle
14
Arkansas
Conservation Report
15-
16
Arkansas DU
BRAGGIN’
BOARD
17-
18
Tag Your Ride 19
WANTED:
DU Chapters in
Your Town
20
“Reydell Hole” - The 2104 Arkansas DU Sponsor Print
Arkansas DU News S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R
2014 Arkansas Sponsor Program
Arkansas DU State Convention
P A G E 2 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
William Hamill (L) presents the State Chairman's badge to Matt Robinson
The Hamill Family Packed house for Duck Bingo
The Master at Work: BINGO BOB!
The Frank Appleberry Legacy Greenwing Project is announced.
Congrats to the Appleberry Family for a well deserved honor!
Arkansas Ducks Unlimited State Chairmen:
William Hamill (2012-2013) and Matt Robinson ( 2014-2015)
Award Time in the Rock!
P A G E 3 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Top Event Efficiency Awards
Texarkana Membership
Hot Spring County Membership
Independence County BBQ
Jacksonville Membership
Marion Sponsor Banquet
Casscoe Poker Event
Springdale Sponsor Banquet
Greenwood Poker Tournament
Jacksonville Golf Tournament
Benton County Golf Tournament
Independence County Golf
Black River Greenwing Day
Paragould Greenwing Fun Day
Top Area Chairmen Awards By District
District 1 - Steve DeLancey &
Jerry Stamps; Springdale
District 2 - Bill Couch; Independence Co.
District 3 - Danny Barr; Black River
District 4 - Micha Gairhan; Four Rivers
District 5 - Ryan Davis; Arkansas River Valley
District 6 - Barry Wolfe; Cypress Bayou
District 7 - Irwin Burton; Marion
District 8 - Greg Knowles; Texarkana
District 9 - Jeremy Gilbert; Grant County
District 10 - John Mark Goings; Central AR
District 11 - Bailey Dickson; Stuttgart
District 12 - Cody Strickland; Calhoun Co.
District 13 - Troy Meaux; Delta
Top Achievement Awards
Top New Miscellaneous Event – Springdale July Gun
Raffle; Steve DeLancey & Jerry Stamps
Top New Re-Start Membership Event – South
Mississippi County; Todd Warhurst & Jimbo Bishop
Top % Increase Membership Event – Arkansas State
University; Weston Cissell
Top % Increase Sponsor Event – Arkansas River Valley;
Ryan Davis
Top Miscellaneous Event – North Little Rock Hooters
Event; Pat Mahan
Top Greenwing Event – Paragould Greenwing Fun Day;
Tom Smalling & Derek Exum
Top Dollar Sponsor Event – Arkansas River Valley;
Ryan Davis
Top Diamond Event – Springdale July Gun Raffle;
Steve DeLancey & Jerry Stamps
Top Dollar Membership Event – Benton County;
Craig Wall & Marcus Necessary
Arkansas DU chapters from across the state racked up on awards at both the State Chairman’s Awards Luncheon and Saturday night banquet during
state convention weekend in Little Rock. Here are the awards presented for fundraising during 2013:
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Brandy Robinson
Awards presented by DU Board Members Steve Cook (L) and Vince Callahan
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR - Arkansas River Valley
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
OF THE YEAR - Kyle “Odie” Peters
ZONE CHAIRMAN
OF THE YEAR - Irwin Burton
AREA CHAIRMAN
OF THE YEAR - Ryan Davis
George H. Dunklin Jr. Elected President of Ducks Unlimited
P A G E 4 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Arkansas rice farmer and life-
long conservationist, takes on
organization’s top volunteer
position.
During Ducks Unlimited’s annual
National Convention in Portland,
Oregon, the organization’s leaders
proudly welcomed 30-year
volunteer, George H. Dunklin Jr., of Humphrey, Ark., as DU’s 42nd
president. Dunklin succeeds John
Newman, who now serves as
chairman of the board.
“I am honored and humbled
beyond words to become
president of Ducks Unlimited,”
Dunklin told convention attendees
gathered in Portland, Ore. “So
many great leaders helped bring me
to this place in my conservation
career, and I am determined to
make them proud during my
presidency. And far beyond that, I
am committed to continuing to
grow and shape this great
organization, strengthen our bonds
as Team DU and reach or exceed
all our goals over the next two
years.”
Dunklin’s plans for his presidency
include ensuring the ongoing
success of DU’s fundraising event
system, building on the more than
13 million acres of habitat
conservation work, growing DU’s
youth and education program to
recruit and train tomorrow’s
conservationists and working to
meet the objectives laid out in the
organization’s national business
plan.
“Bringing up our next generation
with a deep appreciation for
waterfowl and habitat is essential
to ensuring a strong future not only
for Ducks Unlimited but also for
the health of our entire continent,”
Dunklin said. “My wife, Livia, and I
made sure we passed on our dedication to conservation to our
three daughters – Megan, Hillary
and Lauren – who are all Legacy
Greenwing DU members. I
encourage everyone to do the
same for their children and
grandchildren starting today.”
Dunklin’s father planted these very
seeds of conservation and
stewardship in his son’s mind while
he was growing up in Pine Bluff,
Ark., duck hunting on Arkansas’
Grand Prairie. “My dad would
constantly tell me that we did not
own this land, but we were simply
the tenants for the short time that
we’re here,” Dunklin said. “It’s our
responsibility to leave the land
better than we found it – a
philosophy that still rings true for
me today.” Dunklin carried these messages of
stewardship forward into his many
careers over the years. Following in
the footsteps of his father and his
grandfather, L.A. Black, Dunklin is a
well-known, third-generation
Arkansas rice farmer and a strong
advocate for rice agriculture in the
region.
In 1983, Dunklin purchased what is
now the popular Stuttgart
waterfowling destination, Five Oaks
Lodge, and began shaping and
managing the land for waterfowl
and other wildlife. After years of
habitat conservation commitment
across Arkansas, through rice
agriculture and his work at Five
Oaks, Dunklin was appointed by
Gov. Mike Huckabee to a seven-
year term on the Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission in 2005.
“George is the very model of not
only a DU volunteer but the finest
order of waterfowl and wetlands
conservationist,” said DU CEO
Dale Hall. “He has made
conservation his life’s work and is
committed to ensuring a strong
future for waterfowl across the
continent. He sees the big picture
and the importance of conserving
not only waterfowl habitat in his
home state, but critical prairie
breeding grounds to the north and
Gulf Coast wintering areas to the
south.”
Dunklin has built a lasting legacy
within the Ducks Unlimited family,
beginning as a grassroots volunteer more than three decades ago.
From there, he moved through the
ranks to become Arkansas state
chairman, an at-large member of
DU’s board of directors, senior
advisory vice president for
conservation and finally the
organization’s first vice president
before becoming president. He is
also a DU major sponsor and a
member of Wetlands America
Trust, the foundation arm behind
Ducks Unlimited.
“When I met past DU President
Herman Taylor in 1983, I’d been a
DU member since I was 16, but
hadn’t been a true volunteer yet. I
didn’t understand what the
organization was doing for us and
for waterfowl,” Dunklin said. “Mr.
Taylor explained to me the
importance of what Ducks
Unlimited was doing to support
conservation and how truly crucial
waterfowl and wildlife habitat was.
He changed my life.”
Dunklin has reinforced his commitment to Ducks Unlimited
many times throughout the years,
including when he was selected in
2009 as the Budweiser
Conservationist of the Year. This
award allowed Dunklin to select
DU to receive a $50,000 grant
from Budweiser and the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation to
support a conservation project at
Bayou Meto Wildlife Management
Area, a popular public
hunting area east of Pine
Bluff.
“In a modern society that
wants instant gratification,
DU must continue our
message that the only true
pleasure is one that will have
positive benefits long after
we’ve departed this world. I
can think of no better way to
accomplish this than through
conservation,” Dunklin said.
“It’s not just about the ducks
– it’s about what each of us
can do for the land, the
resources, our outdoor
heritage and the family and
friends we share it all with.”
George H. Dunklin Jr., 42nd President of Ducks Unlimited
2013 National Convention
P A G E 5 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
The DU National Convention is a great time to celebrate our accomplishments
with friends. We encourage you to attend DU’s 77th National convention in St.
Louis. We are proud to have President Dunklin leading our great organization!
President Dunklin addresses the convention
delegates and attendees Ducks Unlimited leaders attend a reception for Livia & George H. Dunklin Jr.
at the historic Heathman Hotel in Portland, OR
The Dunklin Family
Wanda Morrison, Brandy Robinson, Jennifer Anderson & Cyanne Hamill
Cyanne and William Hamill
2013 National Convention
P A G E 6 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Sights from the 76th Ducks Unlimited National Convention
2014 Arkansas Greenwing Conservation Camp
P A G E 8 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Nineteen campers attended this year’s
Arkansas Greenwing Camp hosted at DU
President George Dunklin’s Five Oaks Duck
Lodge near Stuttgart. The camp is
sponsored by Arkansas DU and the
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to
provide youths the opportunity to learn
about waterfowl, their habitat needs and
their annual life cycle. The importance of
habitat conservation is a focus of the camp, with particular emphasis on Arkansas’
wintering habitats. Waterfowl hunting
traditions and hunting’s role in conservation
are also discussed. Campers attend the
camp at no cost, and enjoy several activities
including waterfowl identification and
dissection, wood duck box construction,
classroom instruction on waterfowl ecology
and management, duck banding, waterfowl
hunting, firearm safety, retriever training,
duck calling, and much, much more!
This year’s class was composed of 12 boys
and 7 girls. The 2014 camp participants
were: Skylar Brasher of Paragould, Anna
Cunningham of DeWitt, Alex Davis of
Searcy, Cody Doyle of Weiner, Kurtlyn
Givens of Arkadelphia, Halen Layne of
Blytheville, John Lytle, Jr. of White Hall,
Richard Mooney of El Dorado, Nathan
Phillips of Hope, Riley Poor of Almyra,
Justin Prine of Jonesboro, Taylor Rainey of
Jonesboro, Sidney Sizemore of Monticello,
Drake Smith of Walnut Ridge, Hunter Smith
of Stuttgart, Kayle Stewart of Heth, Parker
Sutton of Pocahontas, Tessah West of
DeWitt, and John Whitaker of Monticello. Nominations are currently being accepted
for the 2015 Arkansas DU Greenwing
camp, to be held February 5-8. Please
submit your nominations for girls or boys
(ages 15 -17) to your local committee, or to
our State Greenwing Chairman Keith
Futrell at 870-926-8446. Applicants must
be nominated from local chapters, and must
be 15 -17 years of age at the time of the
camp.
We thank the staffs of Five Oaks Duck
Lodge, the Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission, Arkansas DU and the
Arkansas DU volunteers that donate their
time each year to mentor these young
campers.
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2014 Arkansas DU Greenwing Camp Participants and Counselors
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GREENWINGS The Future of Arkansas
Ducks Unlimited!
2014 Arkansas Greenwing Conservation Camp
P A G E 9 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
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Retriever Demonstrations Duck Calling Instruction
Sampling for Invertebrates
Wood Duck Box Construction
Waterfowl Hunting
Alex Davis of Searcy (center) - 2014 Top Camper
Spring Events in Arkansas
P A G E 1 0 A R K A N S A S D U N E W S S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Be sure to attend one of these great events near you!
Bring a friend and introduce someone new to DU and wetland conservation!
Chapter
Name: Chapter City: Type of Event: Date of
Event: Contact Person: Contact Phone: Location of Event:
Howard / Pike County Nashville Membership Banquet 4/4/2014 Robbie Stavely 870-845-6345 Eagles Lodge
Wildlife Farms Casscoe Casscoe Poker Event 4/4 - 4/5/2014 Matt Robinson 501-412-8055 Wildlife Farms
Cabot Cabot Membership Banquet 4/10/2014 Mel Hall 501-626-8425 Cabot National Guard Armory
Grant County Sheridan Membership Banquet 4/12/2014 Jeremy Gilbert 870-917-5695 New Grant County Fairground Building
Springdale Springdale Membership Banquet 4/12/2014 Mark Bowen 479-422-8287 Springdale Civic Center
Crawford County Van Buren Sponsor Banquet 4/15/2014 David Martin 479-806-7761 Sisters Gourmet Bistro
University of Central AR Conway Membership Banquet 4/17/2014 Patrick Mann 501-339-7392 Knights of Columbus
Jacksonville Jacksonville Trap Shoot 4/19/2014 Matt Robinson 501-412-8055 Jacksonville AGFC Youth Shooting Club
Benton County Rogers Greenwing Day 4/19/2014 Marcus Necessary 479-531-2627 Cabela's
Central Arkansas North Little Rock
District 10 Crawfish Boil 5/8/2014 Matt Robinson 501-412-8055 Blue Rock Gun Club
Arkansas River Valley Russellville Family Night 5/10/2014 Ryan Davis 479-970-7804 Hughes Community Center
Central Arkansas North Little Rock
Special Needs Greenwing Event 5/10/2014 Brian Minchew 501-920-3120 Blue Rock Gun Club
South Mississippi County Osceola Heritage Musicfest 5/16 -17/2014 Todd Warhurst 870-822-1203
Osceola Courthouse Square (Hwy. 61)
Jacksonville Jacksonville Millican Golf Tournament 5/19/2014 Matt Robinson 501-412-8055 Southern Oaks
North Little Rock
North Little Rock Hooters Spring Event 6/3/2014 Pat Mahan 501-743-6154 Hooters of North Little Rock
National DU St. Louis National Convention 5/28 - 6/1/2014 Bob Butler 501-837-1530 Hyatt Regency
Arkansas DU Casscoe AR State Leadership Conference 6/6 - 6/7/2014 Bob Butler 501-837-1530 Wildlife Farms
Union County El Dorado Sponsor Banquet 6/12/2014 Bubba Robertson 870-866-8034 St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Independence County Batesville BBQ Contest
6/20 - 6/21/2014 Bill Couch 870-307-9599 Riverside Park
Arkansas DU 365 Day Gun Giveaway
P A G E 1 1 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
The inaugural Arkansas DU 365 Day Gun Giveaway
calendar program was a tremendous success. A big
THANK YOU goes out to all the chapters and volunteers
that sold calendars in 2013. We also want to thank
everyone that purchased a calendar for a chance to win a
gun each day in 2014. Winners are posted daily on both
the Arkansas DU webpage (www.ar.ducks.org) and the
Arkansas DU 365 Gun Giveaway Facebook page.
Here are some of the highlights from the
AR DU 365 Gun Giveaway calendar sales:
10,000 calendars printed
9,379 calendars cold
$468,495 gross sales
$140,226 expenses
$25,978 cost of DU guns alone 61 Arkansas DU chapters sold calendars
$30 per calendar sold credited back to AR
DU chapter events for underwriting
Top Chapter in Sales: Arkansas River Valley
Over $288,000 was credited toward AR DU
chapters based on their sales!
The 2015 calendars will be available to chapters in May.
THANK YOU to Fort Thompson Sporting Goods in Sherwood for
distributing firearms for the gun giveaway.
Daily winners are posted on both the Arkansas DU website
(above) and the Arkansas DU 365 Day Gun Giveaway Facebook
page (right). Like us - a Yeti cooler given away at 10,000 likes!
DU Names Top 100, President's Elite Chapters
P A G E 1 2 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Ducks Unlimited recently
announced the 184 volunteer
chapters across the nation
being honored with Top 100
and President's Elite standings
this year. The Top 100
designation is reserved for the
top 100 chapters raising up to
$100,000 in grassroots income
for DU's conservation mission.
Chapters raising more than
$100,000 are recognized with
the President's Elite award.
Awards are based on 2013
calendar year fundraising.
Arkansas was represented
well with chapters in the both
the President’s Elite and the
Top 100. Congratulations to
all on your extraordinary
efforts! Each chapter will
receive a special Webley &
Scott O/U 20 gauge shotgun
to use at their 2014 events.
President’s Elite
Benton County
Top 100
Springdale
Stuttgart
Find us on Facebook!
P A G E 1 3 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
THANK YOU to everyone who has liked the Arkansas DU Facebook page. Arkansas DU was the first state to surpass
10.000 likes on their DU Facebook page! Let’s keep the momentum going & share the page with your friends:
https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasDucksUnlimited. Stay tuned, because new giveaways will be announced soon!
The 2015 DU Calendar Photo contest was a hit, with well over 100 photos being submitted for inclusion in next year’s calendar.
Just some of the great photos are in the group below. Photo submissions are now being accepted for the AR DU Braggin’ Board.
Statewide Super Raffle Tickets on Sale
P A G E 1 4 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
The 2014 Arkansas DU Super
Raffle tickets are on sale. The
winner will receive a brand
new Yamaha Viking EPS 4x4!
For only a $5 chance, you can
be entered into the drawing.
One winner will be drawn on
June 7th at our annual
Arkansas DU Leadership
Conference at Wildlife Farms.
You do not have to be present
to win. Contact your local
committee for your chance at
this winner-take-all prize. Get
your ticket today!
Last year’s Super Raffle winner Ryan Davis, and son Wyatt (age 2) of Dardanelle check out their new Grizzly Yamaha and
other items included in the package. Ryan had the 4-wheeler shipped to Mike Johnston Yamaha in Russellville.
This year’s winner can have the Viking shipped to the Yamaha dealer nearest their home.
2014 Arkansas DU Super Raffle: Yamaha Viking EPS!
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Ducks Unlimited • Southern Region 1
CONSERVATION UPDATEArkansas sits in the heart of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley — the most
important wintering area for mallards in North America! To help fulfi ll the needs for migrating and wintering waterfowl, DU has improved more than 200,000 acres of waterfowl habitat across Arkansas. DU’s conservation priorities in Arkansas are the protection, restoration and enhancement of forested wetlands, moist-soil vegetation and fl ooded agricultural crops, with an emphasis on rice.
DU conservation staff work closely with state and federal agency partners to improve wetland habitat for waterfowl and waterfowl enthusiasts. DU’s restoration work includes enhancements on the majority of Arkansas’ public wetlands, many of which are open to hunting. Recently completed projects include restoration work at Dixie Farms and Bank of Brinkley hunt areas on Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. Future work is planned for Frog Bayou, Bell Slough, Ed Gordon Point Remove and Raft Creek wildlife management areas.
Private lands managed for waterfowl also provide important resources for ducks. DU staff work closely with Arkansas rice producers to encourage winter fl ooding of fi elds for ducks and geese, and our partnership with the rice industry continues to grow stronger each year. In Arkansas, DU holds perpetual conservation easements on more than 32,500 acres of important habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Th ese easements permanently protect the natural resource values of these properties while allowing the landowner to retain ownership.
DU will continue to build strong partnerships with public agencies, private landowners and other non-governmental organizations to ensure the future of waterfowling in Th e Natural State for generations to come.
ARKANSASS TAT E R E P O R T 2014
PART OF THE AMERICA’S RIVER INITIATIVE
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
Volunteer fundraisers are the heartbeat of Ducks Unlimited, and Arkansas has some of the best. Arkansas boasts more than 24,000 members, including nearly 2,000 volunteers who hosted 118 events and raised more than $1.3 million to support DU’s conservation mission in 2013. One new fundraising eff ort that had great results for the ducks was Arkansas DU’s inaugural 365-Day Gun Giveaway.
It all began at the 2012 state convention, when a challenge was put forth to Arkansas volunteers to create the raffl e aft er learning about a calendar gun giveaway in another state. Arkansas state chairman elect Matt Robinson worked with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and local photographers to secure images for use in the calendar and found a printer to take on the project. Fort Th ompson Sporting Goods in Sherwood agreed to handle and process all the guns for the event. A gun list was prepared that included everything from assault rifl es to handguns with an average value per gun of $548.
Calendars began to be distributed to volunteers in June at the annual Arkansas Leadership Conference, and sales began. For a bargain $50, the purchaser received a beautiful calendar, a one-year DU membership and a chance to win one of 365 guns. Volunteers across the state sold 9,379 calendars, ensuring a $30 credit per chapter for each unit sold. Th ese credits could be applied to the event of the chapter’s choice, increasing net/net revenue fi gures and improving event effi ciencies across the state. Aft er all expenses were paid, this was an additional $288,317 raised for the state. Plans are already being made for the 2015 giveaway, and calendars should be on sale in May.
Ducks Unlimited • Southern Region2
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTBank of Brinkley Unit - Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
DU recently partnered with Riggs Caterpillar of Arkansas, the Caterpillar Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wetlands America Trust and the North American Wetlands Conservation Commission to restore 40 acres of waterfowl habitat at the Bank of Brinkley Unit of Cache River NWR. Work on this public hunt area involved the construction of earthen levees and installation of water control structures to allow refuge personnel to manage water levels.
Th e habitat at Bank of Brinkley Unit is a mixture of open shallow water with weeds, button bush (better known as buck brush) and willows. Th is diverse assemblage of vegetation not only provides high quality foods that ducks desire, but also important forested areas for protection from predators and extreme weather.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Arkansas’s Campaign Committee achieved impressive results in 2013, including 14 new Life Sponsors and 10 upgrades. Clearly the people of Arkansas understand that giving to Ducks Unlimited is the soundest investment they can make for the future of wetlands, waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.
John Riggs IV is one of these dedicated sponsors. Riggs family owns Riggs Caterpillar in Arkansas. Th e company recently provided $50,000 for a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant to support restoration work on the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. Th is donation was matched by the Caterpillar Foundation, leveraging $100,000 for grant match.
DU completed restoration work on the Dixie Farm, Plunkett Rest Area and Bank of Brinkley units on the refuge to provide water management capability. Th e Cache River National Wildlife Refuge is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention and as the most important wintering area for mallards by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
“I could not be happier with the restoration work DU is doing in Arkansas. Th is work not only benefi ts hunters and ducks, but more importantly it does so right here in Arkansas,” Riggs said. As an Arkansan, I love giving to a cause I’m passionate about and one which has direct local impact.”
THE AMERICA’S RIVER INITIATIVEThe majesty of the mighty Mississippi River—America’s most iconic waterway—has pulled at the hearts of those who have gazed upon
it since long before our country’s founding. Once a 25-million-acre fl oodplain forest, the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) was an extraordinary wetland system with abundant and diverse wildlife. But aft er years of drainage and clearing, only about 20 percent of the original forests remain, and the fl oodplain has been signifi cantly altered.
To address the losses in the MAV, Ducks Unlimited’s America’s River Initiative specifi cally targets areas where lands managed for waterfowl provide crucial migration and wintering habitat for millions of birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway. Th is region boasts some of the best and most storied waterfowl hunting in the country. Th ere is much here to cherish and enjoy, but also much that could be lost without your support of DU’s important conservation eff orts in this region.
By contributing to DU’s America’s River Initiative, you support important waterfowl habitat conservation in the MAV, as well as in the breeding grounds of the Prairie Pothole Region and Western Boreal Forest of the United States and Canada, where the vast majority of birds are hatched. Funding derived from the America’s River Initiative enables Ducks Unlimited to conserve the habitats important to waterfowl that migrate and winter in the valley, as well as to conduct important science, public policy, and outreach eff orts.
A R K A N S A S R E P O R T 2 0 1 4
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores
and manages wetlands and associated habitats for
North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also
benefit other wildlife and people.193 Business Park Dr., Suite E, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: 601.956.1936 • www.ducks.org
John Riggs IV talks with contractors about
the construction of the Cache River NWR
restoration projects.
Arkansas State Convention 2014
P A G E 1 7 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R
N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
The annual Arkansas DU State Convention was held in Little Rock.
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Arkansas DU
BRAGGIN
’
BOARD Legacy Greenwing Peyton Jones (age 9)
with his first duck,
harvested at Hollis Lake.
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Jack Gray (L); age 7,
with his dad Philip and
brother Garrett on his
first dove hunt.
Kevin Lewey of Forrest City with a magnificent bull elk
taken on his DU - Bird Dog elk hunt in New Mexico!
You’ve got Braggin’ Board rights on him Kevin!
Jarrod Kersey bags a
nice ‘ol tom!
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3
5
4
Zach Barnett and Trent
Land with an Ashley
County mallard limit.
Arkansas State Convention 2014
P A G E 1 8 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R
N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
The annual Arkansas DU State Convention was held in Little Rock.
x
Submit your photos
to our Arkansas DU
Facebook Page for a
chance to have your
photos posted on the
DU Braggin’ Board!
BINGO BOB’S
GUIDE SERVICE
PH: 501-837-1530
Night trips & giggin’
excursions $100
additional.
Legacy Greenwing Reece
Middleton enjoying a
great duck hunt on
the Black River.
VOTE FOR YOUR
FAVORITE PHOTO!
Send the photo number and
your name to the DU Braggin’
Board Contest on the Arkansas
DU Facebook page. The photo
winner & random voter from
each issue will each receive a
surprise 2014 DU item!
6 7
8 9
10
11
Like Father, Like
Son! Exum family
with 2 great trophies.
John Choate and son, Ross (age 6)
reflect on a memorable hunt.
P A G E 2 0 A R K A N S A S D U V O L U N T E E R N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
Ashdown
Augusta
Carroll County
Corning
Crossett
Danville
Des Arc
Dumas
Eudora
Eureka Springs
Felsenthal
Just as ducks need habitat,
Arkansas DU needs chapters. Do
you have friends and fellow duck
hunters in these towns that
would be good candidates to
organize or help out at a Ducks
Unlimited event there?
If so, contact your regional
director or district chairman
and let them know.
Harrison
Helena/West Helena
Huntsville
Lewisville/Stamps
Lonoke
Mena
Morrilton
Perryville
Warren
Weiner
Wynne
WANTED: Ducks Unlimited Chapters
in These Towns!
Ducks Unlimited -
Preserving Arkansas’
Waterfowl Hunting Heritage
Our Mission: Ducks Unlimited
conserves, restores and manages
wetlands and associated habitats for
North America's waterfowl.
These habitats also benefit other
wildlife and people.
Our Vision: Wetlands sufficient to fill
the skies with waterfowl today,
tomorrow and forever.
ARKANSAS DU NEWS
Newsletter for Volunteers
Matt Robinson,
State Chairman
(501) 412 - 8055 or
For questions, comments or to post
an article or photograph in the
Arkansas DU News, email
For complaints, email Bob Butler at
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who would like to become a DU Volunteer.
Thanks for your continued support of Arkansas Ducks Unlimited!