Date: November 1, 2024 |
Fishing, hunting, hiking, and exploring—it’s all on the agenda for autumn in Arkansas
The new Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center opened in November 2023. Photo by Tim Hursley and courtesy of Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects
THREE TO SEE
Put these on your ever-growing Arkansas Outdoors bucket list
Chêne Gear
Stuttgart
Chêne Gear, a Memphis-based brand specializing in premium duck-hunting apparel, is opening a flagship store in Stuttgart this fall. “All the owners are native to the South and grew up hunting in Arkansas from a young age,” says Dylan Farrell, brand director for Chêne Gear. “They always wore hand-me-downs and gear that didn’t hold up. Eventually, they were tired of that norm and that’s ultimately what encouraged them to create their own line of gear.” The 16,000-square-foot space is in a prime location for the thousands of hunters who visit the area’s flooded timber every year. Here, waterfowl enthusiasts can shop the brand’s gear, but also grab a beer with friends and attend special events. “We want this store to be a destination for duck hunters in Arkansas to not only shop, but mainly to hang out around like-minded folks,” Dylan says. For location, hours, and more information, visit chenegear.com.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center
Little Rock
It’s been a year since Arkansas State Parks cut the ribbon at the new Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center, an 11,000-square-foot structure that is integrated into the natural landscape of the mountain’s West Summit. Designed by Little Rock architecture firm Polk Stanley Wilcox, the facility has bolstered the park’s must-visit designation for nature seekers in the Capital City. “The public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” says April Kiser, deputy chief of communications for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. “Visitors have praised the center’s design, educational exhibits, and welcoming atmosphere. It’s become a popular spot for both locals and tourists,” she adds, noting that approximately 40,000 people have visited since the center opened its doors. “I would definitely check out the ‘geology zone’ on the back patio, and the history section inside in the exhibit room is a great place to read and discover,” says park interpreter Sam Files. Other highlights are the panoramic observation deck and—for those who need a sweet treat following their hike—The Loblolly Outpost, an on-site scoop shop featuring the Arkansas-based ice cream brand. Find out more about Pinnacle Mountain State Park at arkansasstateparks.com.
The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center
Springdale
Public education is a large part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s mission to conserve the state’s fish and wildlife habitats. As such, nine nature centers have opened over the past 25 years to provide hands-on learning experiences for visitors young and old. “Our nature centers are intended to be launching points for communities to learn outdoor skills and for us to educate them about the importance and role of conservation,” says Spencer Griffith, deputy director of outreach for the AGFC. “We hope that they take that experience and are encouraged to explore nature around them and better understand the role conservation has in keeping The Natural State natural.” The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center features an aquarium of native fish, an alligator, numerous snakes and turtles, quail, and a range of furs and taxidermy animals that visitors can see and touch. “We also will be moving a rescued barred owl to this facility very soon,” Spencer says. The 61-acre facility features an archery range, air gun range, and connections to the Razorback Regional Greenway. Visit agfc.com for more year-round programming, from archery to meat processing. Some upcoming events include a trapping class on November 2, deer hunter education on November 5, 6, and 7, and squirrel hunting basics on November 23.
A rendering of the Chêne Gear’s new location in Stuttgart. Image courtesy of Chêne Gear.
The interior of the new Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects (by Tim Hursley).
Children play at the Ozark Highlands Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Visitors young and old learn about local ecology at The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
BY THE NUMBERS
It’s no secret that Arkansas is a hunting and fishing hotspot. Here’s how different categories of sporting stacked up across the state in 2023
HEAD IN THE GAME
Austin Booth became director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 2021. In this role, he oversees the management and conservation of the state’s wildlife and fishery resources with future generations in mind
Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Q: Did you spend a lot of time outside as a child?
A: I spent an enormous amount of time outside as a young man, mainly hunting, fishing, or stomping around in the woods trying to invent another impressive way to injure myself. I didn’t have near the indoor distractions that my kids do now; we grew up in Scott before the true advent of Internet, travel sports, and gaming consoles.
Q: Do you have a favorite place in North Arkansas for fishing and paddling?
A: Crooked Creek begins in Newton County and makes it way through Marion and Boone counties before joining the White River. This makes Crooked Creek one of Arkansas’s many cool water streams, which is why the smallmouth love it so much and why so many Arkansans love it too! The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission established a water trail on Crooked Creek in 2012 with six access points spanning 22 miles. That means there’s lots of options for folks in how long they make their trip to Crooked Creek.
Q: Trout fishing on the White River is also a popular pastime for Arkansans. What are must-haves when you go trout fishing?
A: Most importantly, I bring what the fish are biting on—and people can get updates on just that in our weekly fishing reports! [Editor’s note: Find these and more resources at agfc.com/fishing.] Other than the obvious, I always bring a few items: a small waterproof bag or case, a portable phone charger, plenty of water, a cool, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt, and a few Connecticut Wrapper cigars. But honestly for someone wanting to enjoy Arkansas’s incredible trout for the first time, I understand it can be overwhelming. My recommendation would be to hire a guide, share your goals with them, take lots of notes, and have fun!
Q: What is your favorite hunting season?
A: I grew up loving waterfowl hunting more than anything, but these days, I am more of a deer hunter. I love the solitude that comes from being 25 feet up in a tree, and it forces me to pay attention to God’s wonderful creation like nothing else.
Q: Are there any lessons about the great outdoors that you hope to instill in the next generation?
A: It’s really easy for us to look back on our conservation history and see where we got it wrong. But there’s a lot that Arkansans should be very proud of, too. The next generation will face more conservation challenges than ever, and I think it is important for them to never forget how far we’ve come since the early to mid-1900s and how important the outdoor ethos is to what it means to be an Arkansan.
