Thanksgiving weekend 2020

F or many people 2020 has been a messed up year.

The latest bad part was that a lot of folks did not get together and enjoy the whole family around the dinner table loaded with turkey, dressing and gravy, and a wonderful variety of pies, cakes, and other goodies.

However, some good things did not change.

It is “huntin’ season” for just about all game in Arkansas and the virus can’t keep us out of the woods and off the water!

As the first segment of duck season winds down, the overall hunting has been good. The best hunting has been west of the ridge in the flooded grain fields and along the White, Cache, L’anguille, Black, and lower White rivers. The ducks are liking large expanses of water and avoiding the smaller pot holes and sloughs. Locally Horseshoe and Midway hunters are off to a nice start and will only get better with colder weather. The AGFC surveys report only 25 percent of the expected birds have arrived so the best is still ahead.

Christmas time brings both Santa and ducks.

Deer hunters are enjoying a good season in spite of early season warm weather. Crittenden County has harvested 140 deer so far.

The state total that includes archery, muzzle loading, and modern gun is over 140,000 deer so far and there is still a month to go in some zones.

Always check the free AGFC Hunting Guidebook because there are many zones and the regulations very in the zones.

The bucks are in full rut and this is a good time to take a trophy. Lakeside Taxidermy has taken in several very nice deer to mount. Be careful when caping the deer and Never cut in front of the front shoulders.

Don’t forget about all the small game available to hunters that does not get a lot of attention. If you run beagles for rabbits, the season runs all February. Speaking of dogs, squirrels dogs are a great way to get that young hunter in the woods and let the hunting bug bite him. Don’t forget quail, even though there are not many left in the Delta.

Shooting preserves have these sporty tasty birds and they test your wing shooting.

This is fun for both the kids and the daddies. I am a living testament for these kinds of hunting, both as the boy and the dad.

I have not heard from any duck picking services. This is important information to pass on to my readers. Wynne Meat Processing offers complete services for deer hunters. They will skin and cut up the deer any way you want. Their summer sausage is outstanding! Call 870-208-8353.

In fishing news, Deep trolling at Horseshoe is producing some very good strings of crappie in about 20 feet of water. The fishing under the piers has improved. The wind and cold makes it unpleasant to fish, so wear plenty of warm clothes. Midway crappie and bass are biting better.

Catfish at both lakes is good.

This is a wonderful time of year and make sure that young hunter is snuggled up next to you in the duck blind or deer stand. These trips are the origin of many wonderful holiday time memories. Send me pictures and details of your trips. Lakeside Taxidermy appreciates getting to mount you trophies at reasonable prices, quick service, and quality work.

Papa Duck Lakeside Taxidermy 901-482-3430 jhcriner@hotmail.com

John Criner

Outdoors Columnist

13-year-old Eli Ford downed this nice buck over in Desha.

Submitted photo