MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will temporarily close several wildlife management areas in the coming weeks in an effort to control the feral hog population.<\/p>\n
Big Lake WMA in Mississippi County is one of the areas that will be closed to daytime public access for short periods on various days beginning Jan. 19 and continuing through March 31, Friday\u2019s news release said.<\/p>\n
During that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services will conduct aerial operations to facilitate feral hog control efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndividual WMAs will only be closed to public access for one to two days each to allow for the aerial flights,\u201d AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock said. \u201cI also want to point out that these efforts are at no cost to the AGFC.\u201d<\/p>\n
The WMAs that will be temporarily closed include: <\/p>\n
Big Lake WMAU of A Pine Tree Experimental Station WDA Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA Trusten Holder WMA Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area West and East Unit Seven Devils WMA Cut-Off Creek WMA Dr Lester Sitzes III Bois d\u2019Arc WMA Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMAMcIlroy Madison County WMA Gene Rush WMA<\/p>\n
\u201cThese strategic control initiatives are vital for managing feral hogs and protecting the long-term integrity of our conservation lands,\u201d Farney added.<\/p>\n