Any decent LR hunting opportunities in mid-west Arkansas?? Looking for a huntin buddy.

[Farmerboy78]

Fort chaffee is the base near fort smith

I live on the eastern side where we are called flat lander's. Have taken whitetail out to 875yds. There should be some wma or national Forrest near fort smith. I think you can get access to bow hunt on the military base right in that area, it's full of deer.

 

[Farmerboy78]

Cody if you were on the east side I could show you a distance range for practice and maybe a hunt or two on the in-laws place. They are particular about hunting

 

[Vol1975]

So unfortunately I have to leave my wonderful home state of Wyoming so my wife can pursue further education and work opportunities in her career, so I am likely moving to Arkansas anywhere from one month to 4 months from now, and will be there for anywhere from 3 to 7 years before I can move back here. And don't get me wrong, I don't hate Arkansas by any means, but I will certainly miss being able to hunt monster mulies every year at 10,000 ft elevation with a $38 OTC tag, and chase 300"+ bulls every year with a $58 OTC tag as well. That one is going to hurt.

But while I am in Arkansas, I am wondering if I will be able to do any LR hunting of the whitetail deer, possibly hogs, or anything else. I am also interested in archery hunting as well, as I chase elk with a bow out here too. The entire year I live for the fall hunting season. It is 100% new to me, the only person I know out there is my father in law, and I have only visited one time.

I plan on coming back to Wyoming every year to hunt, the area I will be applying for has about a 50% or so draw odds for non-resident doe/fawn pronghorn, and I know the ranchers here and can hunt on their land (there are areas in the mid east and north east side of the state that are 100% draw odds, but access is a little more challenging, but doable if interested) and I also know how to get a 100% draw odd non-resident late season cow/calf elk tag (for under $300), with FANTASTIC long range opportunities. So if someone could help me out in Arkansas, I could certainly help them out in return on a Wyoming hunt or two, as this is my stomping grounds. We could even split travel expenses, and there is no trespass or guide fee, just travel to Wyoming for a pronghorn or elk hunt, or both, and have a good time.

A hunting buddy wouldn't be a bad thing for me to have in an area I don't know, my father in law doesn't hunt much, and I will be leaving all my hunting friends and family behind. I will be living near Paris, so not far from the Ozark forest. My wife will be working in Ft. Smith. So that is our general location.

I love anything hunting and fishing, waterfowl, boating, I even spearfish and have freediving/spearfishing gear for multiple people. Any interest just send me a private message. I'm also gonna post this in the swap-a-hunt area too.

Take care.

Not sure if you can do it but be sure to buy a lifetime license before you leave. That way u will always have it and it will make things easy on tags. I bought mine in another state before I left and I get tags the same way as I was a current resident.
Don't know if it will work but might be worth a check.

 

[Bravo 4]

Not sure if you can do it but be sure to buy a lifetime license before you leave. That way u will always have it and it will make things easy on tags. I bought mine in another state before I left and I get tags the same way as I was a current resident.
Don't know if it will work but might be worth a check.

They do not check to see if you still live there?
That may be worth a phone call Cody.
Their website says this: The license is valid for the life of the license holder

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Permits/Forms-Applications/Lifetime-Licenses

 

[Orange Dust]

Lifetime does not matter where you move to. Resifent privileges until you die.

 

[codyadams]

That is true with the lifetime license, however my big game tags would still be non resident prices. It would get my fishing, small game, bird, and conservation stamp for life though!! That would save a fair chunk of change....I have been meaning to get it anyway.

As far as claiming Wyoming residency....unfortunately the statute states I must physically reside in Wyoming. Being that I am currently in Law Enforcement, will be seeking a Law Enforcement job in Arkansas, and will likely come back to Law Enforcement here in Wyoming after all is said and done, fraudulent residency claims likely wouldn't shine well on my integrity, therefore my ability to get a job. Even if I knew I could do it and get away with it, I still wouldn't.....I'm still gonna do what is right, even if no one is looking. I really wish there was a legitimate way to do it though. Maybe I'll talk to a game warden and ask if there is any other avenues to explore.

Thanks on the spearfishing info!! All I have ever speared for are small mouth bass, trout, and tilapia on an inland brine-water lake, so catfish, walleye and whatever else would be awesome!! I may get with you more on info on water clarity and times of year, water temps (I have a 7 mil open cell cressi spear suit, I am good down to upper 40's with it, and a cheap closed cell 5 mil for warmer water down to about low 60's) and maybe some techniques for the area.....maybe we can meet up some time and go stick some fish!! thanks!!!

This is a fantastic start, I greatly appreciate everything guys, and really hope to see some of yall down there!! And I dont mind traveling, here in Wyoming every town is 45 minutes to an hour and a half apart, heck just for monthly shopping and dr appointments we travel two hours down to salt lake, so I wont say no to a destination trip!!

 

[codyadams]

Don't worry about Arkansas...come to Alberta! Your wife is going to be working so hard with the new job...she probably won't notice you're gone before 10 days is up!

My cousin is going up there from October 1st or so until the 8th or so for fall snowgoose and other waterfowl, I wasn't able to make our Canada trip this year because of all this!! Otherwise I would see about meeting up ha ha.

 

[skipglo]

My cousin is going up there from October 1st or so until the 8th or so for fall snowgoose and other waterfowl, I wasn't able to make our Canada trip this year because of all this!! Otherwise I would see about meeting up ha ha.

The offer is on the table! I have a hunting property 7 hours from home. 160 acres deeded and 50,000 acres of private leased grazing land the banks of two Rivers form the South and west boundries. We have Elk, mulies, white tail and brown and black bears as well as wolves in our back yard. You never need to leave the property.These were shot about 800 yards from the front deck.

 

[DavidleeCole]

Sir I live in Bonneville Arkansas which is Paris's next door town. I can set you up for as many deer as or license will allow which is 6, black bear, hogs, Turkey and much more. And if you never been hunting with dawg's we got ya set. It's not going to be easy for long range hunts like you know from Wyoming. I know this because I spent the last year working in Pinedale, Boulder area however it can be done in the rightspots usually 3 to 400 yards will be a long throw we have lots of public spaces in the ouachita mountains. I did fall in love with Wyoming and just solo summited East Temple last week. If you like fishing I can handle that to. Ps also have access to a 1000 yard range. I will be open for a hunting partner and have extra stands ready for action as soon as you need.

 

[skipglo]

That is true with the lifetime license, however my big game tags would still be non resident prices. It would get my fishing, small game, bird, and conservation stamp for life though!! That would save a fair chunk of change....I have been meaning to get it anyway.

As far as claiming Wyoming residency....unfortunately the statute states I must physically reside in Wyoming. Being that I am currently in Law Enforcement, will be seeking a Law Enforcement job in Arkansas, and will likely come back to Law Enforcement here in Wyoming after all is said and done, fraudulent residency claims likely wouldn't shine well on my integrity, therefore my ability to get a job. Even if I knew I could do it and get away with it, I still wouldn't.....I'm still gonna do what is right, even if no one is looking. I really wish there was a legitimate way to do it though. Maybe I'll talk to a game warden and ask if there is any other avenues to explore.

Thanks on the spearfishing info!! All I have ever speared for are small mouth bass, trout, and tilapia on an inland brine-water lake, so catfish, walleye and whatever else would be awesome!! I may get with you more on info on water clarity and times of year, water temps (I have a 7 mil open cell cressi spear suit, I am good down to upper 40's with it, and a cheap closed cell 5 mil for warmer water down to about low 60's) and maybe some techniques for the area.....maybe we can meet up some time and go stick some fish!! thanks!!!

This is a fantastic start, I greatly appreciate everything guys, and really hope to see some of yall down there!! And I dont mind traveling, here in Wyoming every town is 45 minutes to an hour and a half apart, heck just for monthly shopping and dr appointments we travel two hours down to salt lake, so I wont say no to a destination trip!!

How big are you? I have a dry suit to sell! Good to -30. That's air temp of course! Lol. We used to set up under ice golf tournaments. We would drill nine holes with ice augers...put flags on sticks upside down into the holes and use croquette wooden balls and mallets and drive the balls along the bottom of the ice from hole to hole. One of our beer companies would sponsor us and our local news would come to events and film us Looney tunes! It was great entertainment.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

So unfortunately I have to leave my wonderful home state of Wyoming so my wife can pursue further education and work opportunities in her career, so I am likely moving to Arkansas anywhere from one month to 4 months from now, and will be there for anywhere from 3 to 7 years before I can move back here. And don't get me wrong, I don't hate Arkansas by any means, but I will certainly miss being able to hunt monster mulies every year at 10,000 ft elevation with a $38 OTC tag, and chase 300"+ bulls every year with a $58 OTC tag as well. That one is going to hurt.

But while I am in Arkansas, I am wondering if I will be able to do any LR hunting of the whitetail deer, possibly hogs, or anything else. I am also interested in archery hunting as well, as I chase elk with a bow out here too. The entire year I live for the fall hunting season. It is 100% new to me, the only person I know out there is my father in law, and I have only visited one time.

I plan on coming back to Wyoming every year to hunt, the area I will be applying for has about a 50% or so draw odds for non-resident doe/fawn pronghorn, and I know the ranchers here and can hunt on their land (there are areas in the mid east and north east side of the state that are 100% draw odds, but access is a little more challenging, but doable if interested) and I also know how to get a 100% draw odd non-resident late season cow/calf elk tag (for under $300), with FANTASTIC long range opportunities. So if someone could help me out in Arkansas, I could certainly help them out in return on a Wyoming hunt or two, as this is my stomping grounds. We could even split travel expenses, and there is no trespass or guide fee, just travel to Wyoming for a pronghorn or elk hunt, or both, and have a good time.

A hunting buddy wouldn't be a bad thing for me to have in an area I don't know, my father in law doesn't hunt much, and I will be leaving all my hunting friends and family behind. I will be living near Paris, so not far from the Ozark forest. My wife will be working in Ft. Smith. So that is our general location.

I love anything hunting and fishing, waterfowl, boating, I even spearfish and have freediving/spearfishing gear for multiple people. Any interest just send me a private message. I'm also gonna post this in the swap-a-hunt area too.

Take care.

I recently moved from Idaho to Tennessee - I feel your pain.

 

[codyadams]

Well, things fell through. We ended up moving back to Wyoming, likely for good. We will still go down to Arkansas for the next couple years to visit my Father in law, but he may be moving up here to be nearer to his family in the coming years. It is unfortunate that we couldn't make it work down there, the pay for aw enforcement was too little and the cost of insurance was just too much. My wife is Type 1 diabetic, so good insurance is simply a must, it is a tremendous expense. My job here covers it 100% after the deductible is met, which I can pay for tax free due to an HSA, but ironically, her job at the hospital had much worse/more expensive insurance, so that coupled with the huge pay cut I was going to take, as well as our financial obligations for her college, mortgage, vehicle, etc., simply made it out of reach.

So, we are back in Wyoming....while we are somewhat down that we couldn't make it work, I am happy that we can stay here. We are still planning on going forward with her schooling, it will just happen differently. My wife is re enrolled in college already for her BSN and has a job here at a smaller hospital, and plans to eventually work at a larger hospital after a year or two of experience here and finishing her degree, so that she can get more experience to hopefully get accepted to the school she wants to go to for her CRNA.

Thank you so much everyone for reaching out, your generosity is amazing. I have made a couple of good new friends simply from this thread. This forum really is a fantastic resource full of great people, so I thank Len for providing that to us as well.

Take care everyone, Best wishes, and God Bless America.

 

[DavidleeCole]

Well, things fell through. We ended up moving back to Wyoming, likely for good. We will still go down to Arkansas for the next couple years to visit my Father in law, but he may be moving up here to be nearer to his family in the coming years. It is unfortunate that we couldn't make it work down there, the pay for aw enforcement was too little and the cost of insurance was just too much. My wife is Type 1 diabetic, so good insurance is simply a must, it is a tremendous expense. My job here covers it 100% after the deductible is met, which I can pay for tax free due to an HSA, but ironically, her job at the hospital had much worse/more expensive insurance, so that coupled with the huge pay cut I was going to take, as well as our financial obligations for her college, mortgage, vehicle, etc., simply made it out of reach.

So, we are back in Wyoming....while we are somewhat down that we couldn't make it work, I am happy that we can stay here. We are still planning on going forward with her schooling, it will just happen differently. My wife is re enrolled in college already for her BSN and has a job here at a smaller hospital, and plans to eventually work at a larger hospital after a year or two of experience here and finishing her degree, so that she can get more experience to hopefully get accepted to the school she wants to go to for her CRNA.

Thank you so much everyone for reaching out, your generosity is amazing. I have made a couple of good new friends simply from this thread. This forum really is a fantastic resource full of great people, so I thank Len for providing that to us as well.

Take care everyone, Best wishes, and God Bless America.

Dang Would have loved to hunt with ya

 

[xsn10s]

I watched some of the problems with insulin availability and cost and was very surprised and disappointed. You made the right decision IMO. I'd be very scared to risk the care needed for diabetes.