Press Article: Discrepancies in Deer Season Activity Across Arkansas Regions
As deer season unfolds in Arkansas, hunters report vastly different experiences depending on their location, with South Arkansas lagging behind North Arkansas in deer activity.
At Old Belfast Hunting Club in northern Grant County, hunters have found deer largely ignoring feeder corn, a unusual trend as typically, deer heavily frequent feed sites by mid-October. While doe families and small bucks visit feeders, mature bucks and larger groups are notably absent from trail cameras. This year’s lack of scrapes—typically abundant by mid-October—has raised concerns among hunters, including Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chairman J.D. Neeley, who questioned whether deer are still scraping in the region.
Despite hopeful predictions, opening weekend proved disappointing, with heavy rain preventing hunters from venturing into the woods. Only two deer were logged by the club. The situation is markedly different in other areas closer to Sheridan, where deer appear to be consuming corn eagerly and exhibiting normal behavior patterns.
Local experts attribute the scarcity of deer at Old Belfast to an abundant crop of acorns, which is drawing deer away from the feeders. In contrast, hunters north of I-40 have reported active deer chasing does despite warmer temperatures, indicating differing patterns of deer behavior across the state.
The season’s unusually warm weather is a topic of speculation among hunters, with many recalling that cooler temperatures typically enhance deer movement. As the rut intensifies, deer are expected to become more mobile, raising concerns about increased highway risks. With deer populations observable on roadways, drivers are urged to remain vigilant. As the season progresses, hunters hope for a change in fortunes as both conditions and deer behavior continue to evolve.
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